Yes, there are many options available for students looking for a fast PhD in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Online DNP programs are designed for practicing Registered Nurses (RNs) who need schedule flexibility so that they can maintain their full time employment while they work towards a DNP that will allow them to advance their career. Online formats allow students to make their academic career fit their time frame, so there are some universities that offer accelerated DNP programs. Additionally, students can save on time and money by transferring credits from previous graduate programs, so prospective students should be sure to research whether or not their degree program will accept their prior credits. For reference to some of the fastest online doctoral programs, many of which have DNP options, check out our ranking of the Top 20 Fastest Online Doctoral Programs. Let’s take a closer look at some of the fastest online doctorate programs for nurses.
The University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is a public research university that was established in 1883, and is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The university offers an online DNP degree program, as well as the MSN-DNP program that allows nurses with their Master’s degree to transfer all of their graduate degree credits into their doctoral program. This allows the program to be completed in 35 credits in as little as two years. While coursework is completed entirely online, students are required to visit campus for an orientation session. Prospective students should be aware that they will get a much better tuition rate if they live or establish residence in North Dakota, as in-state tuition is $8,447, compared to $20,047 for out-of-state students, regardless of whether they are taking classes online or on campus.
The University of Duquesne
The University of Duquesne is a private Catholic university that was founded in 1878, and is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Duquesne offers an online DNP that can be completed in as few as three years. While most of the coursework for this degree can be completed online, there are four residency requirements that students will have to attend. The first residency is an orientation on Duquesne’s campus; the second is a study abroad residency that will take students to Duquesne’s Rome or Dublin campus; the third residency requires students to meet with their academic advisor to discuss their dissertation; and the fourth and final residency is to defend your dissertation in front of an academic panel. Tuition at Duquesne University is fairly expensive at $36,394 for the 2017-18 school year, and it is expected to increase by 3.8% each year. Fortunately, students can get a break on tuition by applying for one of the 50 Best Scholarships for Online College Students.
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Frontier Nursing University
Frontier Nursing University is a private graduate school that was founded by the Frontier Nursing Service in 1939, and is located in Hyden, Kentucky. Frontier offers a MSN-DNP degree that can be completed in as little as one years time, though students also have the option of completing their degree in 15 or 18 months, making it one of the fastest online doctoral degrees available for nurses. Tuition at Frontier Nursing University was an affordable $15,961 for the 2017-18 school year, so it is one of the best options for prospective students looking for a fast online doctorate program for nurses.
