Cedarville College

What you'll study

The curriculum combines graduate core, direct care core, DNP core and specialty courses specific to your chosen track. Students select one of four tracks: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) or Nursing Leadership in Healthcare Improvement. BSN-to-DNP students complete 75–79 credit hours; MSN-to-DNP students complete a customized plan of 35–68 credit hours determined by transcript review and chosen track.

• Nurse practitioner tracks require 800 hours of direct care clinical experience and include four required 2–3-day on-campus sessions for face-to-face instruction and simulation-based clinical decision-making.
• Nurse leadership track emphasizes quality, safety, organizational behavior and strategic decision-making and includes collaborative online discussion and group work.
• All tracks integrate advanced practice competencies, assessment, diagnosis, management and evidence-based practice appropriate to the concentration.

Entry requirements

The stated first step is to apply for admission; specific entry requirements are provided through the program application materials and the DNP Admission Requirements page. MSN applicants receive an individualized credit-hour plan after transcript review. Students should verify licensure prerequisites with Cedarville and their state board if they reside outside Ohio.

Career prospects

Graduates earn the DNP credential and, for nurse practitioner tracks, are expected to pursue national certification (for example, FNP-C or PNP-PC) as applicable. Career outcomes cited by the program include roles such as Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Manager, Nurse Educator and Nurse Executive. Licensing rules vary by state; Cedarville ensures the program meets Ohio educational prerequisites.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Cedarville describes the DNP as affordably priced and notes availability of financial aid. A limited number of graduate nursing scholarships of $3,000–$5,000 are offered to students with financial need. Additional aid options and start dates (January, May, August) are referenced through the program's admissions and cost information.