National University

What you'll study

The curriculum spans 13 courses (46 credits) covering leadership, population health, finance, informatics, policy, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and development/implementation of health promotion and disease prevention initiatives. Course formats are primarily 8-week foundational courses with dissertation/project courses running 12 weeks. Example course topics and credit values taken from the program text include:

• Organizational leadership and interprofessional team development (3.0 credits): leadership and consultative skills, systems assessment, ethics and legal issues, and strategies for system-wide practice initiatives.
• Contemporary topics in healthcare (3.0 credits): theoretical foundations affecting nursing practice, interprofessional competencies, health disparities, ethics, and population health outcomes related to quality and safety.
• Healthcare economics and financial management (3.0 credits): economic principles, financial management, business strategies, cost evaluation, and designing cost-effective care delivery systems with attention to health equity.
• Information science and informatics (3.0 credits): data management systems, technological resources for decision-making, quality improvement implementation, and evaluation of patient-care technologies.
• Policy, advocacy and leadership for public health improvement (3.0 credits): policy development, analysis of disparities in US and international systems, policy theory application, and organizational change for public health.
• Scientific frameworks for advanced practice and quality improvement (3.0 credits): nursing, behavioral and social science theories, evidence-based practice models, stakeholder partnerships, and change strategies to improve outcomes.
• Program design for health promotion and disease prevention (4.0 credits; prerequisite DNP-7005): planning, development, implementation and evaluation of prevention and promotion initiatives within practice settings, working with a mentor/advanced nurse leader.

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold an earned Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a minimum 3.0 GPA and maintain a current, active, unencumbered RN license. The program lists a $0 application fee and no GRE/GMAT or essays/exams required. The university may accept up to 12 semester credit hours in transfer toward the doctoral degree for eligible graduate coursework with a grade of B or better. Students must have access to a computer with webcam, microphone, and high-speed internet.

Career prospects

The DNP in Executive Leadership prepares nurses for broader leadership responsibilities such as nurse executive or senior administrative roles within healthcare organizations. Graduates are expected to lead interdisciplinary teams, direct system-level practice initiatives, engage in healthcare policy advocacy, and apply data and technology for organizational decision-making. The program emphasizes preparation for roles that influence quality, safety and organizational finance.

Scholarships & funding angle

The program page does not list specific scholarships. Prospective students should explore institutional financial aid, employer tuition benefits, federal loan options where applicable, and external nursing leadership scholarships or grants to support doctoral study. Verify available funding and any university-specific awards directly with the institution’s financial aid office.