D.N.P. in Executive Leadership Classes and Requirements
OHSU’s D.N.P. in Executive Leadership program prepares you for senior executive leadership roles.
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D.N.P. in Executive Leadership program curriculum
To earn your D.N.P. in Executive Leadership from OHSU, you’ll need a total of 57 quarter credits, including core coursework, seminars, practicum hours and a D.N.P. project.
- Location: Online. Take your courses online and complete your practicum in your local area.
- Length: 18 months
- GPA: 3.0 to graduate
D.N.P. in Executive Leadership classes and program of study
Get a glimpse of the nursing classes you’ll take each year in the program.
D.N.P. in Executive Leadership student learning outcomes
D.N.P. in Executive Leadership program student learning outcomes:
- Influence and lead high-performing boards and teams.
- Apply ethical and legal frameworks in leadership.
- Develop and sustain healthy work environment.
- Demonstrate mastery in leadership communication.
- Lead and foster high-performing interprofessional teams.
- Advocate for policy change and health care reform.
- Lead health care organizations with strategic and systems thinking.
Degree requirements
You need 57 quarter credits to graduate and a minimum GPA of 3.0 with a grade of C or better in all courses.
- Core D.N.P. courses: 30 credits
- Practicum: 13 credits (1,000 hours)*
- D.N.P. project: 7 credits
- D.N.P seminar: 7 credits
* Practicum hours from your master’s degree may count toward this total. Depending on the number of hours completed, you may need more than 13 practicum credits.
Application requirements
Before applying, you must have:
- 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
Follow these steps 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.
Get application details for international students and veterans.
OHSU D.N.P. in Executive Leadership class descriptions
NURS 723: Critical Appraisal of Evidence
3 credits. This course is the first in a series to prepare students to deliver patient-centered care that emphasizes evidence-based practice and quality improvement. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to different types of evidence and the critical appraisal process. The philosophical underpinnings and methods of knowledge development are introduced. Descriptive and inferential statistics are reviewed. The key steps in the EBP process and its importance to advanced nursing practice are highlighted.
NURS 724: Application of Evidence to Clinical Practice
3 credits. This course is the second in a series to prepare students to deliver patient-centered care that emphasizes evidence-based practice and quality improvement. The purpose of this course is to give students an opportunity to evaluate evidence in the context of practice-based decision making. Students will identify a clinical problem and apply the clinical inquiry process. The focus is on critiquing evidence for practical applications. Implementation science, models and change theories used in translating knowledge into action are highlighted.
NURS 726: Health Care Economics and Finance
3 credits. This course provides the foundation for assessing the financial impact of practice policies, procedures and initiatives when meeting the health needs of the practice populations. The course will emphasize principles of economics and finance, analysis of practice quality and cost effectiveness of care. Strategies to design effective and realistic care delivery or practice initiatives are examined.
NURS 727: Leadership and Health Systems
3 credits. This course is designed for the practical and integrated application of leadership and system theories to real-world problems in health care. Upon completion of this course, students will be prepared to engage in health care leadership at the entry level.
NURS 728: Health Policy and Population Health
3 credits. This course will provide an overview of health care policy at the state and national level and a foundation for evaluating its impact on health outcomes. Basic principles of population health will be explored within the context of epidemiology, determinants of health, health equity and health disparities. The course explores how social, political, legal and economic factors affect the relationship between health policy and population health.
NURS 751: Roles and Responsibilities: Executive
1 credit. This seminar focuses on the unique roles and responsibilities of the nurse in executive leadership positions. This course delves into the competencies, decision-making skills and leadership responsibilities required of nurse executives. Students will explore how nurse executives influence policy, lead organizational change, foster interprofessional collaboration and ensure the delivery of high-quality care. Emphasis will be placed on the development of executive presence, ethical leadership and strategic decision making.
Through case studies, interactive discussions and analysis of real-world health care leadership scenarios, students will refine their understanding of the complexities involved in leading at the executive level. The course will prepare students to effectively transition into roles that require leadership in health care governance, operations and innovation.
NURS 752: Demonstrating Advocacy Through Agility
2 credits. This seminar equips students with the skills and knowledge to become effective advocates for health care reform and policy change at local, regional and national levels. The seminar emphasizes the concept of agility learning, focusing on the ability to adapt quickly and strategically to evolving health care policies, regulations and organizational challenges. Students will explore the nurse leader's role in advocacy and influencing policy, learning how to navigate political landscapes, build strategic partnerships and mobilize resources to impact health care policy.
Through case studies, policy analysis and interactive discussions, students will gain insight into the mechanisms of health care advocacy, including legislative processes and regulatory frameworks. The course also prepares students to respond to health care crises and emerging challenges through agile leadership and continuous learning.
NURS 753: Healthy Work Environments
1 credit. This seminar explores the principles and strategies essential for creating and sustaining healthy work environments in health care settings. The course focuses on the impact of organizational culture, leadership practices and team dynamics on workplace health and employee well-being. Students will examine evidence-based frameworks to promote positive work environments that enhance staff satisfaction, retention and patient outcomes.
Through case studies, discussions and leadership simulations, students will develop the skills necessary to foster a culture of collaboration, respect and safety within health care organizations. The course emphasizes the role of the nurse executive in promoting ethical leadership, work-life balance, conflict resolution and emotional intelligence to improve organizational health.
NURS 754: Influence and Negotiation
1 credit. This seminar provides students with foundational skills in influence and negotiation within health care leadership roles. The course emphasizes the development of strategies for effective communication, stakeholder engagement and conflict resolution in complex health care environments. Students will explore negotiation theories and techniques, as well as methods for building influence within interprofessional teams and health care organizations. Through case studies, simulations and reflective activities, students will refine their ability to lead, negotiate and drive positive change in health care settings.
NURS 755: Strategy and Organization
1 credit. This seminar focuses on the strategic and organizational skills necessary for executive leadership in health care. The course explores key concepts such as strategic planning, organizational behavior and change management within health care systems. Students will analyze real-world case studies and current health care challenges to develop strategies that drive innovation, enhance operational efficiency and improve patient outcomes.
Through interactive discussions and practical applications, students will gain insights into the complexities of leading health care organizations, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and aligning organizational goals with long-term strategic initiatives. The seminar prepares students to lead at the highest levels of health care organizations, focusing on system-wide impact, value-driven care and sustainable leadership practices.
NURS 756: Leading High Performing Boards
1 credit. This seminar focuses on developing the leadership skills necessary for students to effectively lead and collaborate with high-performing health care boards. The course covers governance structures, strategic decision making and the role of nursing leaders in influencing board-level discussions to improve organizational outcomes. Students will explore best practices for fostering board engagement, navigating complex stakeholder relationships and driving health care innovation through effective leadership at the board level.
NURS 761: The Interprofessional Team and Care Models of the Future
3 credits. This course explores the evolving dynamics of health care delivery through interprofessional collaboration and innovative care models. Emphasizing a team-based approach, students will examine the roles of various health care professionals in achieving optimal patient outcomes. The course will focus on emerging trends such as value-based care, population health management and technology-driven solutions like telehealth, virtual nursing and AI-assisted care.
Students will gain practical skills in leadership, communication and collaboration within diverse health care teams. By analyzing current and future care models, students will learn to adapt to the rapidly changing health care landscape and improve patient-centered care delivery by being prepared to lead in normal and emergent times. The course prepares students to be leaders in creating, managing and advocating for care models that emphasize efficiency, equity and interdisciplinary teamwork.
NURS 762: Systems Thinking at the Micro and Macro Level
3 credits. This course provides students with the tools and frameworks to apply systems thinking at both the micro (individual and team) and macro (organizational and societal) levels within health care. Students will explore the complexities of health care systems, including the interactions between various components such as patients, providers, technology and policy. The course emphasizes how systems thinking can be used to improve patient care, optimize organizational performance and influence broader health care policies.
Through real-world case studies, simulations and critical analysis, students will learn to identify and address systemic issues, design sustainable solutions and lead initiatives that enhance both individual and population health outcomes. The course prepares students to navigate and manage dynamic interrelationships within health care organizations and systems, equipping them to lead effectively in complex, ever-changing environments.
NURS 763: Policy and Improvement Science in Evidence-Based Practice
2 credits. This course develops advanced competencies in improvement science with a focus on the integration of policy implications, real-world applications and human-centered design. Students will engage in the use of agile methodologies to adapt and respond to dynamic health care challenges, fostering flexibility and iterative testing within health care improvement initiatives.
The course emphasizes data science skills, including the application of predictive analytics to anticipate health care needs, identify emerging trends and inform decision-making processes. By leveraging data-driven insights, students will be prepared to design and implement proactive, evidence-based interventions that address both individual and population health outcomes.
Through systems thinking and the application of complexity science, students will gain a nuanced understanding of the interrelated factors that influence health care systems. This perspective allows students to approach health care improvement from a holistic standpoint, addressing multifaceted issues through innovative, scalable solutions. By examining policy implications, students will learn to identify opportunities for influencing policy that supports sustainable, patient-centered improvements within complex systems.
Graduates of this course will be equipped to lead transformative health care initiatives, advocate for policy changes and utilize data-driven insights and agile practices to promote high-quality, equitable health care delivery.
NURS 764: Vision, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
3 credits. This course highlights the unique value of nursing and nurses as natural innovators, leveraging their clinical expertise, patient-centered care approach and leadership skills to identify and implement creative solutions to health care challenges. Students will learn entrepreneurial thinking, business strategies and innovative approaches to improve patient care, enhance health care delivery and create new opportunities in the evolving health care landscape.
NURS 765: Advanced Theory for Leaders who are Nurses
3 credits. This course provides an in-depth exploration of advanced nursing theories and their application to leadership roles in diverse health care settings. Emphasizing the integration of theoretical frameworks, students will critically examine nursing and interdisciplinary models to drive evidence-based decision making, improve health care outcomes and foster transformative leadership. Topics include systems thinking, change management, policy development, quality improvement and ethical decision making.
The course encourages students to apply theoretical concepts to complex health care issues, focusing on enhancing leadership capacity within interprofessional teams. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to influence policy, lead health care innovation and contribute to the advancement of nursing practice at organizational and systemic levels.
NURS 766: Legal, Ethical and Moral Environment of Health Care
3 credits. This course offers students a comprehensive examination of the legal, ethical and moral issues that shape the health care environment. Students will explore the complexities of health care law, patient rights and professional responsibilities, with a focus on ethical decision making in advanced nursing practice. The course addresses topics such as health care policy, patient advocacy, social justice, confidentiality and legal accountability. Through case studies and critical analysis, students will gain the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the legal and ethical challenges inherent in leadership and clinical practice, ensuring the delivery of safe, equitable and high-quality care.
NURS 767: Multidimensional Communication and Strategy
3 credits. This course equips students with advanced communication strategies essential for effective leadership and collaboration in complex health care environments. The course focuses on the multidimensional aspects of communication, including interpersonal, organizational, interprofessional and public communication. Students will explore theories and techniques in strategic communication, negotiation, conflict resolution, cultural competence and the use of technology in health care communication. Emphasis is placed on developing communication skills that enhance leadership, promote teamwork and support patient-centered care. By the end of the course, students will be adept at using communication as a tool for driving organizational change and improving health care outcomes.
NURS 703A: D.N.P. Project Planning
2 credits. The purpose of this course is to plan an improvement science project for the terminal D.N.P. benchmark. Students will work with course faculty and the specialty chairperson to design a project to meet program expectations. Students will write a project proposal and plan for Institutional Review Board submission. At the end of this course students will submit the project proposal for faculty approval. Students move to the implementation and evaluation of the project in 703B. Alternate projects in program development, program evaluation or projects centered on policy may be developed with specialty program faculty approval.
NURS 703B: D.N.P. Project
5 credits. The purpose of this course is to implement, evaluate and disseminate an approved D.N.P. Project within the advanced nursing practice specialty. The project takes place within the context of the student’s practicum experience. It provides an experience that can be the foundation for future clinical scholarship.
NURS 790 D.N.P. Practicum
This clinical course allows students to synthesize and integrate program competencies in varied clinical settings. Students can seek clinical experiences that allow exploration of new skills for clinical practice, as well as experiences with teaching, policy making or leadership. Mentored experiences in this course allow the student to demonstrate acquired knowledge in the D.N.P. program as well as expand their experiences.
D.N.P. in Executive Leadership program faculty
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)
Technical standards policy
OHSU requires all students to have a set of basic skills, called 'technical standards,' to successfully complete their program. Review OHSU’s technical standards policy.
Accreditation
OHSU is accredited by the NWCCU and OHSU School of Nursing is accredited by the CCNE.