When it comes to healthcare, Utah is facing significant provider shortages that can significantly impact access for people in the state, particularly in rural areas. Of the 29 counties, 24 are experiencing a shortage of primary care providers, averaging only three providers per 1,000 residents. When it comes to nursing, some data show that Utah is experiencing the worst shortage in the country.
The state is addressing these shortfalls in a number of ways, including offering educational loan repayment assistance to providers willing to work in underserved areas. Plus, in 2023, Utah granted nurse practitioners full-practice authority, allowing them to practice independently without physician supervision and fill the healthcare gaps that are impacting many counties in the state.
For nurses who wish to pursue a DNP, Utah offers a range of options. This terminal degree enables nurses to provide much-needed hands-on medical care, train the next generation of nurses, and make decisions that impact the healthcare system as a whole.
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Utah DNP Programs Quick Facts:
- Universities Offering DNP Programs in Utah: 4
- CCNE Accredited DNP Programs in The State: 14
- ACEN Accredited DNP Programs in the State: 3
- Average Tuition Costs: $22,000 to $53,000 for public universities, $38,000 to over $100,000 for private universities
DNP Programs in Utah
Four universities in Utah offer DNP programs, with some offering extensive options and others providing straightforward tracks to degree completion. For example, the University of Utah Health offers 10 DNP-level nurse practitioner specialties that have the potential to train nurses to care for a wide range of patient populations, while Westminster University has a simple path for nurses who already have an MSN to complete a terminal degree.
Here, we look at all of these options in detail to help you choose which program can help you meet your goals.
Utah BSN to DNP Programs
There are 13 BSN to DNP tracks available in Utah at three different universities. Below, we look at the details of these programs as well as the post-master’s options available at these schools.
Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
- Provo, Utah
- Hybrid
Modality: Hybrid
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $1,005 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
At Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, students can choose from two DNP tracks, one for nurses with a BSN and one for nurses with an MSN.
Nurses with a BSN can enroll in the school’s BSN to DNP family nurse practitioner track, a program designed for working nurses. This 80-credit program takes only eight semesters or about three years to complete, and it’s a hybrid program with limited on-campus requirements. The first year is entirely online, but on-campus visits lasting three to five days are required during the second and third years. This program includes 540 clinical contact hours and a scholarly project.
The MSN to DNP option takes only four semesters to complete and is entirely online. Students can choose from a clinical leadership or executive leadership concentration.
University of Utah Health
- Salt Lake City, Utah
- Hybrid
Modality: Hybrid
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: Varies (see below)
Program Overview:
The University of Utah Health offers an impressive variety of DNP options for BSN-prepared nurses, as well as a post-MSN to DNP track for those who have already completed a master’s degree.
Ten BSN to DNP tracks are offered:
- Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (74 credits, eight semesters, 720 clinical hours)
- Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (74 credits, eight semesters, 840 clinical hours)
- Dual Acute Care/Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (86 credits, nine semesters, 1080 clinical hours)
- Dual Nurse-Midwifery/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (86 credits, nine semesters, 1200 clinical hours)
- Family Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (74 credits, eight semesters, 780 clinical hours)
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (74 credits, eight semesters, 900 clinical hours)
- Nurse-Midwifery (75 credits, eight semesters, 840 clinical hours)
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (74 credits, eight semesters, 780 clinical hours)
- Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (79 credits, eight semesters, 800 clinical hours)
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (73 credits, eight semesters, 780 clinical hours)
All of these programs are offered in hybrid formats. Most of the didactic coursework is available online, but on-campus learning is required, generally once a semester.
U of U Health also offers a Post-MS to DNP: Clinical or Organizational Leadership track that requires 30 to 35 credits. This program is primarily online, but some in-person sessions are required throughout the program.
Tuition for these programs varies depending on whether you’re a resident or a non-resident, and the cost per credit changes as you take more credits. You can find detailed costs for residents here and non-residents here.
Weber State University
- Ogden, Utah
- Hybrid
Modality: Hybrid
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: Varies (see below)
Program Overview:
The Annie Taylor Dee School of Nursing at Weber State University has two BSN to DNP tracks as well as a post-master’s option.
The BSN to DNP FNP track is 76.5 credits, and the BSN to DNP PMHNP track is 76 credits. Both include 750 clinical experience hours and a DNP project and are offered in a hybrid format, with classes held online, in-person, and virtually. These programs take eight semesters to complete, or around three years.
The post-master’s DNP program focuses on executive leadership. This 31-credit program takes five semesters to complete. All courses are offered online, including the initial program orientation, but students are required to come to campus at the end of the program to present their DNP projects.
Weber State University offers a tuition and fee plateau that can impact how much you will pay for these programs. For more information, see the resident tuition table here and the non-resident tuition table here.
Utah MSN to DNP Programs
In addition to the MSN to DNP programs mentioned above, Westminster University also offers a post-master’s DNP program for students interested in seeking a terminal degree after practicing with an MSN.
Westminster University
- Salt Lake City, Utah
- Hybrid
Modality: Hybrid
Credit Hours: 42 to 45
Clinical Hours: 300
Tuition: $1,398 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
For MSN-prepared nurses who are practicing APRNs, Westminster University offers an MSN to DNP program that takes only one year to complete. Students can transfer in as many as 700 clinical hours from their master’s program and complete 300 DNP project hours. This program uses a hybrid model with both online coursework and residency-style learning when students come to campus for several days of intense in-person learning.
Shortest/Accelerated DNP Programs in Utah
Many of these programs are similar in how long they take to complete, but if you want to earn your degree in as short a time as possible, consider the options below.
Shortest BSN to DNP Programs
Most of the programs at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, University of Utah Health, and Weber State University take eight semesters or about three years to complete. Note that some of the specialties at the University of Utah Health take a little longer.
Shortest MSN to DNP Programs
The MSN to DNP program at Westminster University is the shortest, taking only 12 months to complete.
Best DNP Programs in Utah
While the best program for you depends on your specific needs, the extensive number of options available at the University of Utah Health makes it a pretty impressive option. This is the only school in Utah where you can find some of these specialties, like Dual Acute Care/Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Dual Nurse-Midwifery/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, and Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. Considering the significant shortages in primary care that Utah is facing, nurses who are trained to provide care to these patient populations can go on to make a real difference for the citizens of the state.
Cheapest DNP Programs in Utah
It’s challenging to determine the cheapest program in Utah because two schools impose tuition and fee caps after students complete a certain number of credits. That said, the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions seems to be the most affordable at $1,005 per credit + fees.