UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies
Earn your DNP from UMKC and become a clinical leader, innovator, and advocate for improved patient outcomes and healthcare systems.
Call 816-235-1700 for more info.
Why Choose UMKC?
Next Generation of Nurse Leaders
Earn your DNP from the UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies, the region’s first designated Professional Degree program. With over 25 years of distance education experience and a 99% certification rate, UMKC prepares advanced practice nurses for leadership, growth, and advocacy in healthcare.
Flexible Year-Round Curriculum
Our DNP program is an affordable, nationally ranked program that can be completed online from the comfort of your own home. For those pursuing our MSN-DNP Completion option, the program is 100% online. For those seeking a new or second NP role, we do require campus visits in which we host 2-3 days-long intensives during clinical courses only, with all other coursework being online.
Flexible Financial Aid
Our program offers affordable tuition in states we are authorized to deliver our DNP program. We secure the in-state resident tuition rate for all degree-seeking students enrolled in our graduate nursing online programs, with opportunities for financial aid and scholarships available.
The UMKC Advantage
We offer the region’s first DNP program, which is designated as a Professional Degree. With 25+ years of distance education experience and a 99% certification rate, UMKC prepares graduates to lead in healthcare through advanced practice, leadership, and advocacy. UMKC is a Carnegie Research 1 (R1) Institution, which means that faculty conduct meaningful research at an impactful level and are excellent at mentoring students in research.
Hub of Innovation
The UMKC Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is nationally recognized for its innovative use of technology, offering one of the first online DNP programs in the U.S. Taught by experienced faculty active in national professional organizations, the program consistently ranks among the top online DNP programs by U.S. News & World Report, ensuring students stay current with evidence-based nursing and healthcare practices. Our diverse learning environment, combined with online-certified faculty engaged in scholarship at local, national, and global levels, prepares students to thrive professionally and lead in a dynamic healthcare landscape.
“UMKC and the faculty leaders have impressed upon me that achieving overall excellence is paramount, [and that] developing mutual relationships with healthcare leaders allows for growth as a person and leads to a meaningful experience.
It was clearly evident the faculty really cared for the students and wanted me and my classmates to succeed in the DNP Program. I found the curriculum challenging, but rewarding. I came back each summer as part of the summer intersession to reconnect with the faculty and provide updates on my scholarly project.
As our healthcare landscape changes, I truly can say UMKC and its faculty remain an outstanding facility for health care academics.“
How Does The Program Work?
UMKC’s graduate nursing programs are designed to fit your lifestyle while delivering top-quality education. Learn from experienced, clinically active, and online-certified faculty engaged in nationally funded research and inter-professional education.
With a proven record of excellence in distance education, our DNP program was a pioneer that has remained one of the best in the country. Our students consistently achieve 100% first-time pass rates on national certification exams.
You’ll benefit from peer mentoring, faculty support, and real-world insights in every course. As a distance learner, you receive the same academic advising and support services as on-campus students.
UMKC Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Options
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The DNP program is a practice-focused doctoral program that prepares experts in advanced nursing practice specialization. The curriculum provides innovative and evidence-based content which prepares nurses to lead in practice, systems, and policy arenas, while improving patient outcomes in a variety of healthcare settings.
Online Tracks
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- MSN to DNP Completion
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
- Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) custom plan of study
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) custom plan of study
As part of the program, all students develop an evidence-based project that integrates all the components of the DNP Essentials, focused on improving healthcare and leading systems.
*MSN-DNP tracks with an added NP role are offered by way of adding a Post-MSN Certificate, which often is done first and followed by the MSN-DNP curriculum, sometimes with overlap
Post-MSN DNP
The Post-Master’s DNP curriculum (31 credit hours minimum) is designed for nurses who have already earned a Master of Science in Nursing degree. UMKC SONHS offers two entry pathways in the Post-Master’s DNP program.
- Post-MSN to DNP
- Post-MSN to DNP (including returning for new or a 2nd NP role)
Is Financial Assistance Available?
Yes! UMKC can help you fund your future.
Explore a range of financial support, including scholarships, grants, and loans through UMKC, the School of Nursing and Health Studies, and external agencies, so you can focus on what matters—achieving your goals.
Flexible, Year-Round Curriculum
We designed the graduate programs to fit a professional’s schedule.
Our DNP program offers flexible full-time and part-time options. The standard post-MSN to DNP track takes 6 semesters; an extended plan (1 course per semester) takes 9.
Courses are entirely online, using the online learning management system Canvas, and include a mix of live and self-paced learning. Synchronous sessions—usually Thursdays or Fridays—are scheduled in advance.
NP students can complete clinical and project hours near their location, coordinated with faculty. Through NetTutor, you’ll also receive personalized mentoring and 24/7 academic support.
How Do I Apply?
Are you convinced that the UMKC DNP program is right for you? Here is what you need to know to apply and enroll:
Admission Requirements
- MSN from an accredited Baccalaureate or master’s nursing program.
- The GPA required for admission is a 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.
- Current unencumbered licensure in the state where the student completes clinical requirements.
*Students may be admitted on probation with a GPA of 3.0-3.19
The following three courses are pre-requisites to progression in the Post-MSN DNP program:
- MSN Nursing Theory course with a minimum grade of B
- MSN Nursing Research course with a minimum grade of B
- Graduate level statistics course with a minimum grade of B.
- Personal interviews are conducted before admission.
Application Deadlines
Applications are processed in the order they are received. Completing your application earlier increases the likelihood of early acceptance.
- October 16th, 2026 (for regular acceptance) to start coursework in Spring 2026
- March 5, 2027, to start coursework in the Summer or Fall semester
All required materials are due by 5 pm CST on the due date.