国产传媒

Earn your online Doctor of Nursing Practice from California's first nursing program

Mount Saint Mary’s University is home to the first Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in the state of California, and our new Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)* program contributes to the Mount’s proud and enduring legacy in nursing excellence.

Our two-year, 37-unit online DNP program is designed to prepare indirect, advanced practice nurses for leadership roles within healthcare organizations and academic settings. With a commitment to academic rigor and nursing excellence, our program provides nurses with the skills, knowledge, and practice opportunities they need to expand health care access and improve patient outcomes. 国产传媒’s online DNP program prepares students in advanced nursing theory, educational principles, leadership practices, and modern specializations while instilling a spirit to serve others.

If you are an emerging nurse leader ready to take the next step, we encourage you to connect with us to explore how our DNP program can propel you to the next level.

*WASC Senior College & University Commission (WSCUC) accreditation is pending.

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Online DNP program highlights

Flexibility & support
  • 2-year completion time
  • 37 units
  • Online, asynchronous didactic & theory courses
  • In-person residency
  • 2 DNP speciality tracks

Study on your time with a flexible online format

All didactic and theory courses are completed fully online, asynchronously. Students and faculty interact in discussion threads for stimulating conversations examining multi-faceted issues. Any required meetings, such as advisement or student tutoring, are held in a virtual environment.

Most courses in 国产传媒’s DNP program are delivered in 8鈥憌eek sessions, with two sessions offered within each 16鈥憌eek semester. Courses that require advanced synthesis, iterative scholarly development, and applied learning are offered as full 16鈥憌eek semesters to ensure adequate time for doctoral鈥憀evel rigor and integration. Students who wish to complete the DNP in two years will progress through 12 sessions across 6 semesters to fulfill all program requirements.

Residency and project courses are face-to-face at a site determined by the student and clinical placement team.  This hybrid format allows students to balance work, life, and their academic endeavors while completing the DNP program.
 
Whatever your goals, our online DNP program will provide you with the flexibility and support you need to ensure you graduate in a successful and timely manner.

Not ready for a Doctor of Nursing Practice yet? Explore 国产传媒's undergraduate and graduate nursing programs.

Choose from two DNP specialty tracks

The online DNP program builds on the Mount’s strengths of providing advanced nursing degrees and high-quality graduates who can serve their communities in a highly demanding profession. The Doctor of Nursing Practice offers two tracks: Nurse Educator and Organizational Leadership.

The DNP in Nursing Education prepares nurse educators to design innovative curricula, lead academic programs, and create inclusive, technology鈥慹nhanced learning environments. Graduates develop the skills needed to elevate teaching, lead programs, support diverse learners, and shape the future of nursing education.

This track prepares advanced practice nurses for academic and clinical education leadership roles across all levels of nursing education, with a focus on:

  • Curriculum development and evaluation
  • Instructional design and evidence-based teaching strategies
  • Student and program assessment
  • Educational technology integration
  • Clinical teaching residencies
  • The scholarship of teaching and learning

The Nurse Educator track is built on the NLN Core Competencies and AACN 2021 Essentials (Level 2) for nursing education. The program is supported by:

  • A cadre of doctor-prepared nurse educators with expertise in academic leadership and curriculum development
  • Strong, longstanding partnerships with local universities and community colleges, providing teaching residencies and mentorship opportunities
  • A robust technology infrastructure, including a comprehensive LMS and a dedicated Instructional Design team to support high-quality hybrid and online teaching

Nurse Educator track term schedule*

Year 1 Fall NUR 400: Adv. Nur. Science and Theory: Professional, Practice, Ethics & Legal Considerations 
NUR 401: Advanced Research and Methodologies
NUR 402: Design for Quality Improvement and Evidenced-Based Practice
Year 1 Spring NUR 409: Curriculum Development & Evaluation in Nursing Education
NUR 410: Advanced Instructional Strategies
NUR 411: Educational Technology and Simulation
Year 1 Summer NUR 403: Global and Community Health - Disparities, Advocacy, Politics and the Roy Model
NUR 412: Publication and Grant Writing
Year 2 Fall NUR 413: A Residency A 
NUR 497: DNP Project 1 
Year 2 Spring NUR 413: B Residency B 
NUR 498: DNP Project 2
Year 2 Summer NUR 499: DNP Project 3
DNP Project Defense 
Total: 37 units

*Courses and course sequences are subject to change. Please contact the program for more information.

The Organizational Leadership DNP track prepares graduates for executive roles in healthcare organizations, emphasizing strategic planning, quality improvement, health policy, and systems thinking while fostering transformational leadership, team motivation, innovation, and organizational effectiveness.

This track is grounded in the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) Core Competencies and AACN 2021 Essentials (Level 2), and includes:

  • Organizational and systems leadership
  • Health policy and advocacy
  • Financial and human resource management
  • Quality improvement and patient safety
  • Executive residency in healthcare leadership
  • Scholarship of organizational leadership

Students benefit from experienced faculty with backgrounds in healthcare administration, policy, and executive leadership, as well as a strong network of partners and institutional resources:

  • Clinical partnerships with hospitals, health systems, and public health agencies (many led by 国产传媒 alumni) provide robust leadership residency opportunities
  • An active nursing advisory board composed of healthcare executives and policy leaders ensures curriculum relevance and supports DNP student mentorship
  • Access to institutional and magnet-designated healthcare centers enhances engagement in health policy, translational research, leadership innovation, and quality improvement initiatives

Organizational Leadership track term schedule*

Year 1 Fall NUR 400: Adv. Nur. Science and Theory: Professional, Practice, Ethics & Legal Considerations 
NUR 401: Advanced Research and Methodologies
NUR 402: Design for Quality Improvement and Evidenced-Based Practice
Year 1 Spring NUR 405: Organizational & Systems Leadership
NUR 406: Health Policy Across Systems
Year 1 Summer NUR 403: Global and Community Health - Disparities, Advocacy, Politics and the Roy Model
NUR 407: Financial Management and Cost Analysis
NUR 408: Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Year 2 Fall NUR 413: A Residency A 
NUR 497: DNP Project 1 
Year 2 Spring NUR 413: B Residency B 
NUR 498: DNP Project 2
Year 2 Summer NUR 499: DNP Project 3
DNP Project Defense 
Total: 37 units

*Courses and course sequences are subject to change. Please contact the program for more information.

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Online DNP program outcomes

Preparing successful nurses in California

国产传媒’s DNP program in California prepares nurses in advanced nursing theory and provides them with experience in specialized nursing roles within the changing patterns of healthcare. Graduates can assume leadership roles in interprofessional health groups, participate in nursing research, or lead clinical projects.

The online DNP experience

The majority of foundational courses for the online DNP program are delivered in 8-week accelerated terms, allowing students to complete the program in a condensed timeframe while maintaining academic rigor. Other courses that require deeper conceptual development or important skills and practice building care are delivered over a full 16-week semester. DNP courses include asynchronous discussions with peer interaction, keeping students engaged throughout the week. Depending on course objectives, additional activities, such as collaborative papers, case studies, or peer reviews, may also be required. Timely submission is necessary to receive credit for any assignments.

DNP residency requirements

  • All DNP students must complete 1,000 total residency hours
  • Up to 500 hours may be transferred from a previous graduate-level MSN program
  • Residency hours must take place in California, but can be completed locally or near a student's home
  • Students have access to the department's extensive clinical affiliations throughout the Los Angeles area
  • Additional residency locations may be reviewed with practicum faculty and the clinical placement team

DNP final project

The DNP Scholarly Capstone Project at Mount Saint Mary’s University represents the culmination of the student’s doctoral education and serves as a demonstration of advanced nursing practice competencies. The project is grounded in evidence-based practice connected to didactic courses and residencies, and it is designed to address significant issues within the practice setting.

DNP students must pass the comprehensive exam before progressing to the final project. The comprehensive exam is administered during the final four weeks of the semester prior to enrollment in residency and final project courses. Final project committees consist of three members: two nursing faculty and one 国产传媒 faculty member from outside the department. This interdisciplinary structure strengthens academic rigor and broadens scholarly perspective. Successful completion and defense of the DNP Final Project demonstrate each graduate’s contribution to nursing knowledge and applied practice. Together, these requirements cultivate a doctoral鈥憀evel culture by immersing students in the expectations of academic and healthcare leadership.

Your workplace, your lab

Students are encouraged to bring their work experience to class and apply what they learn in real time. For example, you will explore concepts pertinent to your organization’s operation and look for opportunities to incorporate them.

Frequently asked questions about 国产传媒’s DNP

A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is the highest practice-focused degree in nursing, designed for nurses who want to move into advanced leadership, education, or executive roles. Unlike research-focused doctoral programs, the DNP emphasizes applying evidence to real-world clinical and organizational challenges.

DNP-prepared nurses lead healthcare organizations, step into nursing education, drive quality improvement initiatives, and influence health policy at the institutional, state, and federal levels. The role varies by specialty: some DNP graduates lead academic programs, while others take on executive or administrative roles within health systems.

DNP degree programs open doors to leadership roles in both clinical and academic settings, including nurse educator, program director, chief nursing officer, and healthcare administrator. At 国产传媒, graduates choose between two specialty tracks, Nurse Educator and Organizational Leadership, to align their degree with their career goals.

Yes: the DNP is a terminal practice degree in nursing, equivalent in degree level to other professional doctorates such as the MD or JD. It represents the highest level of preparation for nurses pursuing non-research, practice-focused careers.

Admission to a DNP program typically requires a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and active RN licensure. From there, students complete advanced coursework, clinical residency hours, and a scholarly capstone project, all of which are built into 国产传媒's two-year online program.

Doctor of nursing practice salaries vary by role, setting, and region, but the degree typically positions graduates for higher earning potential than master's-prepared nurses. Leadership and administrative roles in healthcare organizations tend to command the most competitive compensation.

A DNP is a doctoral-level, practice-focused degree, distinct from both the research-oriented PhD and the clinically-focused MD. While physicians diagnose and treat patients and PhD-prepared nurses generate original research, DNP graduates are trained to lead healthcare organizations, translate evidence into practice, and contribute to nursing education. Nurse practitioners may hold a DNP, but the degree also prepares nurses for systems leadership and executive roles that extend well beyond direct patient care.

国产传媒's online DNP program is designed for completion in two years. The program is delivered in an accelerated 8-week course format, allowing students to move efficiently through the curriculum without sacrificing depth.

Take your next step

Sign up for an upcoming event or information session; meet with your admission counselor; explore our program pages. Then, when you're ready to apply, check out our application requirements and deadlines and get started! Apply now
Join us in person or online for an information session to learn more about our programs, the Mount and the application and scholarship processes.
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Integration of the Liberal Arts

Our DNP program incorporates the to expose students to complex cultural issues, encourage innovation in the field, and enhance learning through relevant academic and professional courses of study. Incorporation of AACN Essentials, Level 2, adds innovation in conducting research. Our DNP students graduate with knowledge and skills in information sciences, health literacy, communication, and ethics.

In addition, the DNP curriculum presents various theories, including ethical frameworks that support adherence to one’s ethical and moral values to ensure safety and quality for the clients. Knowledge and skills from information sciences, health communication and health literacy are utilized by master’s-prepared nurses in their practice. 

The DNP program prepares students for professional roles as nurse educators or nurse administrators. By the end of the program, all graduates will be able to:

  • Apply advanced knowledge and theories from nursing and related disciplines to address complex health challenges affecting individuals, populations, and healthcare systems. AACN Essential I.
  • Lead organizational and systems-level initiatives to drive quality improvement, promote patient safety, and enhance healthcare outcomes. AACN Essential II & V.
  • Use scholarly inquiry and analytical methods to advance translational research and strengthen evidence-based practice. AACN Essential III.
  • Champion healthcare transformation through interprofessional collaboration, technology integration, and policy development, influencing healthcare policy at institutional, state, and federal levels. AACN Essential IV & VIII.
  • Exhibit advanced clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability in the design, delivery, and evaluation of evidence-based care to optimize patient outcomes. AACN Essential VI & VII.
  • Develop evidence-based systems that foster leadership, professional development, peer mentorship, personal wellness, resilience, and lifelong learning. AACN Essential IX & X.
  • Drive health policy reform at the organizational, state, and federal levels by designing, implementing, and advocating policies that promote health equity, address disparities, and advance social justice. AACN Essential VI & VII.

These objectives and outcomes align with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN, 2021). AACN established the national framework that guides professional nursing education. The 10 Essentials define the core domains of nursing practice and shape curriculum design across all 国产传媒’s nursing programs. Level 1 outlines undergraduate competencies, while Level 2 identifies graduate鈥憀evel expectations. While both master’s and DNP programs draw from the same Level 2 competencies, master’s-level preparation is focused on a more defined scope of advanced practice, whereas DNP preparation requires a broader, more complex, and systems鈥憀evel application of the competencies. Accordingly, all nursing program outcomes must align with and map to the 10 AACN Essentials 2021.

Source: AACN Essentials of Master's Education, 2011

Faculty

Our DNP faculty have demonstrated nursing competencies, leadership abilities, and earned a nursing focused, terminal degree. Our faculty also maintain a strong online presence through virtual office hours, advising, and student mentoring to ensure students are integrated into the Nursing Department and the greater 国产传媒 community. We believe frequent formative feedback will support students’ academic and professional growth. We invite you to explore their areas of interest and contact them for further information. 

Stephanie Collazo

PhD, RN, CNS
Associate Professor and Interim Dean of Nursing