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Make Lasting Change as a Doctor of Nursing Practice

  • Time to Complete: 2 years 37 semester credits
  • Primary Class Mode: Online
  • Start Times: 3x/yearⓘ
  • Best Next Step If: You are an RN with a minimum of an MSN degree and you want to earn a doctorate degree
  • Offered at: Online in most statesⓘ

You always have a new goal—become a nurse, earn an advanced degree, step into a leadership role. To move up to an executive role and effect lasting change, earn your doctorate. A Doctor of Nursing Practice is the highest level of practice-based education available in the nursing field.

Choose from two online DNP options from Galen:

Each program is tailored to help you reach your leadership goals. Galen’s DNP program is designed with a commitment to explore and enhance the important connection between nursing preparation and nursing practice. Students enrolled in the DNP program will work collaboratively with other students across the program options to examine and discuss academic-practice partnerships to enhance student and healthcare outcomes. With three start times per year, begin when you’re ready and complete the online DNP program in as little as two years.

Choose this degree if you want to…

  • Earn a doctorate degree
  • Work in executive or educational leadership
  • Gain more professional independence
  • Find more opportunities for advanced roles

The Galen College of Nursing Practice Doctorate in Nursing Program holds pre-accreditation status from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation, located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20037. 202-909-2487. Holding pre-accreditation status does not guarantee that initial accreditation by NLN CNEA will be received.

Have your MSN? Ready to take the next step?
Applications will be accepted through July 7, 2025 for the Sept. 1, 2025 start.
 Apply to the DNP program today!

Executive Leadership Program: Transform Your Nursing Career

Turn your leadership aspirations into the skills needed to innovate and guide healthcare transformation. This advanced, practice-based terminal degree prepares graduates for the complexities of today’s healthcare landscape.
Your studies will focus on strategic leadership, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and health policy. Equip yourself to address complex healthcare challenges. Make positive changes to improve both systems and community-based health outcomes.

Executive Leadership Program: What to Expect

In addition to core coursework in nursing theory, evidence-based practice, informatics, and population and global health considerations, your Executive Leadership DNP curriculum includes:

  • Organizational Leadership: Develop the skills necessary to lead change within healthcare organizations effectively.
  • Financial and Data Analysis: Enhance your ability to make informed decisions through advanced analysis of financial data and health information.
  • Health Policy: Understand the intricacies of health policy and its impact on healthcare delivery, along with exploring emerging areas of human health.

The program includes practice immersion experiences that reflect contemporary nursing practices, allowing you to enhance your leadership skills across diverse executive roles within the healthcare continuum.

The Executive Leadership DNP program is committed to producing graduates who are prepared to:

  • Function as a leader who continuously strives to facilitate optimal outcomes using innovative, collaborative, and analytical processes.
  • Integrate theoretical knowledge and evidence-based practice research to achieve ethical, inclusive, and methodological approaches toward all aspects of nursing practice.
  • Use advanced knowledge and skills as foundational information, including expertise from financial, legal, technological, cultural, and global perspectives, to guide decision-making associated with the complex role of a doctorate-level nurse.
  • Evaluate information for appropriateness and applicability using systematic approaches and critical appraisal strategies.

Graduates can:

  • Collaborate with system leaders to design and evaluate innovative healthcare delivery models.
  • Apply a comprehensive understanding of population health, legal and regulatory frameworks, and ethical principles to advocate for equitable care delivery.
  • Employ strategic thinking for effective workforce planning and fostering a healthy work environment to meet current and future healthcare needs.
  • Lead initiatives to enhance quality and safety in nursing practice, utilizing compassionate, ethical, and evidence-based approaches.
  • Assess clinical and financial performance to achieve operational goals, leveraging technology and data management principles.

Academic Leadership Program: Shape the Next Generation of Nurses

This specialized, practice-based terminal degree prepares you to excel as a leader in nursing education. Equip yourself with the skills and knowledge to drive transformative change in academic settings and improve nursing education and professional development programs.

Academic Leadership Program: What to Expect

In addition to core coursework in nursing theory, evidence-based practice, informatics, and population and global health considerations, your Academic Leadership DNP curriculum includes:

  • Higher Education Leadership: Equip yourself to lead and innovate within the complex landscape of nursing education.
  • Organizational Resource Management: Master the management of educational and organizational resources to support high-quality nursing programs.
  • Nursing Program Development: Examine issues related to nursing program development within the complex and highly regulated environment of nursing education.

The program includes practice immersion experiences that enhance your leadership in various academic nursing and healthcare education roles, reflecting the most current practices in the field.

The Academic Leadership program is committed to producing graduates who are prepared to:

  • Function as a leader who continuously strives to facilitate optimal outcomes using innovative, collaborative, and analytical processes.
  • Integrate theoretical knowledge and evidence-based practice research to achieve ethical, inclusive, and methodological approaches toward all aspects of nursing practice.
  • Use advanced knowledge and skills as foundational information, including expertise from financial, legal, technological, cultural, and global perspectives, to guide decision-making associated with the complex role of a doctorate-level nurse.
  • Evaluate information for appropriateness and applicability using systematic approaches and critical appraisal strategies.

Graduates can:

  • Facilitate the development of innovative curriculum models and evidence-based educational strategies to promote student success and address evolving healthcare and nursing education trends.
  • Integrate transformative leadership principles with best practices in operations management to foster excellence and compassion in nursing education across diverse settings.
  • Uphold and advocate for ethical principles and academic standards in nursing education, guided by a comprehensive understanding of legal and regulatory policies.
  • Engage in scholarship and promote intentional change to advance best practices and innovation in nursing education and professional development.

How to Start: Post-Licensureⓘ

Our application is free and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. No essays required. 


Note for the Online DNP program: 

  • If you’re not yet ready to apply, speak your Enrollment Counselor, call us at 844-848-1515.

Once we receive your application, a Galen representative will call you to schedule an appointment with the Enrollment Counselor assigned to you. If we don’t reach you immediately, don’t worry! We will keep trying to reach you via phone and email. If you’re ready to make your appointment now, call us at 877-223-7040.

After you’ve submitted your application, we’ll be in touch to collect required documents.

Required Documents: 

  • Official College Transcript: Submit your official college transcript.ⓘ
  • Active RN Licensure: Our team will confirm proof of active RN licensure.
  • Note: If you are applying to the DNP program specifically, you will also be required to provide a current curriculum vitae or resume to show 1 year of full-time employment in a nursing or health-related administrative role.
  • Note: If you are applying to the Fast Track option for the BSN program specifically, you will also be required to provide a proof of your bachelor’s in a non-nursing discipline.

Optional Documents:

  • If you’re interested in reviewing transfer credits: please provide your official college transcripts for any courses you want us to consider for transfer credit.

Contact our enrollment team with any questions (844-848-1515, onlineadmissions@galencollege.edu). We want your process to be as smooth as possible.

If you’re accepted and you’ve submitted all required documentation, the next step will be to attend an Enrollment Appointment. Our enrollment team will be in touch to get you scheduled.

During this appointment, you will have the opportunity to ask any questions before you make a commitment to attend Galen. There is no pressure! When you’re ready, we’ll walk you through final paperwork and we’ll get you registered for classes. Welcome to Galen!

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It's all About the Details

Tuition & Requirements
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Here, you’ll find more information about tuition & admission requirements for Galen’s Online DNP program.
Resources
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Interested in reviewing Galen’s curriculum, catalog, calendar or booklists for the Online DNP program? Explore more.

How We Help You Succeed

Receive individualized support that aligns with your educational and career goals. We help you start strong and remain on a successful path to graduation. 

More on Personalized Support

You have access to the right resources, when and how you need them. Talk with academic advisors through chat or a virtual appointment. Get career support to plan your next move. 

Learn more about what it’s like to be a student here.

The faculty advisors and professional tutors (trained experts in nursing education) at Galen are knowledgeable and friendly. They provide you with one-on-one help and can answer your coursework and career questions. Think of them as your teammates.

Academic Advisor: You know their name; they know yours. This is your “primary care” academic advisor. Meet regularly by appointment.

On-demand live chat: Reach out to our academic advising team during business hours and get fast, accurate answers when you need them.

Transfer Credit Review
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Finish faster: if you completed doctoral level nursing courses elsewhere, you may be able to transfer them here. Find out more.
Paying for College
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All about the money: Learn about ways to pay for college—scholarships, grants, private loans, federal student aid, and more. Get answers to questions about tuition and fees.
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