Online D.N.P. in Executive Leadership
The D.N.P. in Executive Leadership program at OHSU prepares you for top executive roles across health care, higher education, public service and industry. You’ll gain expertise in strategy, finance, policy and governance to guide organization-wide decisions and drive measurable change.
Why earn your D.N.P. in Executive Leadership at OHSU?
Earn your degree from Oregon’s only academic health center.
- Quick path to your future. Complete your degree in just 18 months.
- Flexible, online courses. Complete your coursework online asynchronously, with live discussions scheduled in advance so you can plan ahead.
- Local practicum. Complete your practicum in your local area. No need to travel or relocate.
- Diverse practicum settings. Work in a leadership environment that fits your goals, like a health system, university or nonprofit. Choose your own site and preceptor, or we will help you arrange them.
- Top faculty. Learn from leaders dedicated to your success.
Nursing scholarships
OHSU offers more nursing scholarships than ever before. See if you qualify.
Contact us
- Ask admissions
- Attend an information session
- Call us at 503-494-7725 or 866-223-1811 (toll free)
Admission and application requirements
Admissions requirements
- M.S.N., M.N. or a B.S.N. plus an M.S. in a related field such as business, public health, health care administration, informatics, education or policy
- RN license, current and unencumbered
- 3.0 GPA or higher across all graduate courses
The GRE exam is not required.
How to Apply
- Apply by July 1 for a fall start.
- Go to Nursing CAS and apply.
- Enter your college courses in Nursing CAS.
- Submit 2 letters of reference, your resume and statement of purpose in Nursing CAS.
- Send transcripts to Nursing CAS. Contact Nursing CAS to ensure your transcripts arrive.
Tuition and scholarships
- Cost: $700 per credit for Oregon residents and $908 for non-residents. Learn more about tuition and fees.
- Scholarships: Access more nursing scholarships than ever before to help fund your education. You may also qualify for loan forgiveness and repayment programs.
Classes and degree requirements
You need 57 quarter credits to complete the D.N.P. in Executive Leadership. This includes core coursework, seminars, practicum hours and a D.N.P. project.
Who should apply
You don't need a formal executive title to apply. We believe executive nurse leaders are most effective when they reflect the communities they serve and have the courage to confront systemic inequities in health care.
We welcome applicants from diverse professional and geographic backgrounds, including those from:
- Rural and frontier communities
- Safety-net systems
- Tribal and public health settings
- Academia
- Policy
- Military service
- Frontline clinical practice
Strong applicants think critically about power, resources, accountability and the long-term impact of leadership decisions. They also:
- Demonstrate influence with or without positional authority
- Demonstrate a commitment to ethical leadership
- Apply systems thinking and structural analysis to complex problems
- Bring lived experience that informs their perspective and judgment
- Have a clear vision for advancing equity in health systems
Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership FAQs
Who is the D.N.P. in Executive Leadership program for?
This program is for:
- B.S.N.-prepared nurses with a master’s degree in nursing or a related field
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurses seeking executive training rather than more clinical education
- Current directors, managers or leaders of teams, programs or system initiatives
- Nursing professionals preparing for vice president, chief nursing officer, CEO or board-level roles
What is the difference between a D.N.P in Executive Leadership and a Post-Masters D.N.P.?
The D.N.P. in Executive Leadership focuses on executive, enterprise-level leadership in health care. It prepares nurses and APRNs to lead strategy, policy, finance and governance across health systems and related fields. This nonclinical D.N.P. prepares you for top executive roles across health care, higher education, public service and industry.
A Post-Master’s D.N.P. is clinically focused and designed for APRNs who want to advance their practice in a clinical specialty. It emphasizes patient care, clinical leadership and applying research to improve outcomes. This D.N.P. prepares you for advanced clinical practice or clinical leadership roles.
Can I work while earning a D.N.P. in Executive Leadership?
Yes. You can continue working while you earn your degree. Courses are asynchronous and offered fully online, with live discussions scheduled in advance. Your practicum takes place in your local area.
How long does the D.N.P. in Executive Leadership take to complete?
You can finish the program in 18 months.
Do past practicum hours count toward graduation?
Yes. You must complete 1,000 total practice hours to graduate. Practicum hours from your master’s degree may count toward this total.
What jobs can you get with a D.N.P. in Executive Leadership?
Graduates take executive and enterprise leadership roles across health care, population health, quality, strategy, operations, policy and innovation.
Roles include:
- Executive director
- Vice president
- Dean
- Chief Nursing Officer
- CEO
- System-level or population health executive
- Practice administrator
- Board member
Still have questions? Contact an admissions counselor.
Accreditation
OHSU is accredited by the NWCCU and OHSU School of Nursing is accredited by the CCNE.