Choose your path to a doctorate in nursing
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Choose a DNP program featuring multiple degree pathways and several potential specializations. You can go from BSN to DNP or MSN to DNP with Herzing University.
Doctor of Nursing Education (DNE)
Master’s-prepared nurses may elect our innovative DNE program, designed to help nurse educators train the next generation of nurses across all degree levels.
Your choices for DNP specialization
BSN to DNP
In 28-32 months you can go from bachelor’s degree to a DNP.
MSN to DNP
Advanced your graduate education to the doctoral level in 20-24 months.
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Nursing Leadership and Administration
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Public Health Nursing
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
- DNP – No Specialization
Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best online graduate nursing programs in 2025
Quick facts about doctorate in nursing options with Herzing University
| Accreditation | CCNE accredited,† Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission |
|---|---|
| Degree pathways | Choose a practice-focused Doctor of Nursing Practice, or pursue nursing education in our Doctor of Nursing Education program |
| Format | 100% online didactic classes and completion of a DNP Practice Project or DNE Scholarly Project |
| Format | 100% online classes with a hands-on clinical component |
| DNP eligibility | DNP options for both bachelor’s- and master’s-prepared registered nurses |
| QuickPaths | Transfer credit, stackable credentials, and adaptive learning technology build a faster pathway to a higher education with Herzing University; you may be eligible for post master’s certificate programs to continue expanding your nursing education in the future |
Learn More Today!
Your clinical placement is our pledge.
We understand securing clinical placement as part of a DNP degree program is one of the biggest concerns students face. At Herzing, we offer guidance and support through our step-by-step Clinical Guidance Process to ensure you can get the clinical practice experiences you need.
As a Herzing student, we’ll encourage you to find your own preceptor and clinical sites as there are many benefits to doing so. However, we provide extensive support should you find difficulty along the way. With Herzing, you are never on your own.
Because of our strong relationships with healthcare providers across the U.S. and our comprehensive Clinical Guidance Process, we are confident in our ability to help you find clinical placement. So much so that if you are unable to find a clinical site on your own, we pledge to step in and help you secure clinical placement.*
* Subject to terms and conditions outlined in the enrollment documents.
Accreditation & Recognition
Our accredited & recognized online school
We strive to earn rank as one of the top private, nonprofit universities in the United States. Just as you work every day to become the best version of yourself, so do we as a university.
We are proud to have attained institutional and programmatic accreditation in addition to industry recognition for our accomplishments helping students earn a college education and find career success.
✝The doctor of nursing practice program at Herzing University Madison is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). Herzing University is approved to offer programs in an online learning modality through association with the main campus in Madison, Wisconsin.
Ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the best online graduate nursing degree programs in 2025.
Herzing University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Waived Enrollment Fee
Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.
Here to Serve You
Pathways to Success
Many of our online programs offer pathways for continued learning, which allow you to move from one degree, such as an associate degree, to a bachelor’s degree, to a master’s degree.
Flexible and Convenient
Earn your degree from the comfort of your own home. There are no designated times you must be online. You can log into your virtual classroom when it’s convenient for you.
Personalized Attention
At Herzing, being online does not mean being alone.You’ll receive the same personalized attention and career-focused education that we offer in our traditional classroom.
Online and/or On-Campus
Get the best of both worlds. Some of our degree programs are offered exclusively online and some programs are offered as a combination of both campus and online classes.
Faq
Frequently Asked Questions
Didn't find the answer to your question? Send us an inquiry and we will be happy to answer all your questions!
Yes! There are many reasons why it’s worth pursuing a DNP, including:
- Reach the height of the nursing profession with the terminal degree in nursing
- Advance your skills regardless of your specialty
- Prepare for future APRN education requirements
- Doctorally-prepared nurses are needed to translate evidence and research
- Earn a key role in improvement science
- Become a better educator/teacher
- The healthcare system needs doctorally-prepared nurses
Each school designs their own nursing education curriculums for unique types of students, which results in several different types of naming conventions at the doctoral level—each with their own meaning. Some of the most common names include:
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). The DNP is a practice-oriented degree, focused in clinical practice, leadership, and advanced nursing roles. Emphasis is placed upon evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and systems leadership.
- Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD). The PhD is a research-focused degree which places greater emphasis on academia and scholarship in nursing. .
- Doctor of Education in Nursing Education (Ed.D). These are general Doctor of Education programs for which they offer a nursing education concentration. Leadership, policy, and educational practice is the focus of the Ed.D.
- Doctor of Nursing Education (DNE). The DNE represents a doctoral curriculum designed to fully prepare students for educational roles and leadership in nursing. Programs are focused on curriculum development, teaching methodologies, and assessment strategies in nursing.
The DNP represents the terminal degree in nursing, meaning it’s the highest degree you can earn in nursing. It’s one level higher than the MSN. The main differences include:
- Curriculum differences
- Certification requirements
- Enrollment trends
- Salary potential
- How long it takes to earn
Learn more about the difference between MSN vs. DNP.
The DNP is a practice-focused doctoral degree, while a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing is a research-focused degree. Some key differences include:
- PhD students are trained to develop new knowledge for both the science and practice of nursing, while DNP students learn the skills necessary to translate evidence from the research and put it into practice. Program curriculums vary accordingly.
- PhD students complete a dissertation, while DNP students complete a minimum number of clinical hours and/or a scholarly project
- Credit requirements can vary
- Unique employment opportunities upon graduation
Our program can be completed in less than 2 years: 20 months, or 5 semesters when you choose full-time enrollment.
Choose part-time enrollment and you can complete the program in 7 semesters, or 28 months.
Due to the significant shortage of nurse educators, any Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) can potentially be in high demand on the job market, which includes MSN graduates who pass the CNE certification exam.
If you currently have an MSN and you’re mostly interested in teaching undergraduate nursing courses, choosing a shorter post master’s certificate in nursing education program (8 months) is a viable pathway.
While MSN-prepared graduates are capable of teaching undergraduate courses, doctorally-prepared nursing educators can potentially be better prepared to teach graduate-level courses as well. A Doctor of Nursing Education program also includes advanced coursework outside the scope of an MSN program.
Your career goals as an educator are what really matters. Our admissions team can help you decide if the MSN/certificate or DNE pathway makes the most sense for you.
Salaries vary widely across different types of jobs in advanced practice nursing, and earning a DNP can potentially apply to them all. However, earning a DNP can potentially help you compete for higher pay.*
According to the 2020 National Nursing Workforce Survey, registered nurses whose highest education was a DNP reported a median salary of about $100,000, 11% higher than the $90,000 median for those who had earned as much as a master’s degree.
In October of 2004, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) endorsed the Position Statement on the Practice Doctorate in Nursing, which recommended moving the current level of preparation needed for advanced nursing practice from the master’s to doctorate level.
The AACN set an initial goal to phase out master’s level prep for APRNs and transition fully to DNP by 2015. That deadline has come and gone, and a master’s level education remains the minimum requirement to practice as an APRN (additional requirements vary per certification).
However, the transition has been discussed for many years—and not only by AACN. The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) set a goal of 2025 to move all entry-level nurse practitioner education to the DNP degree.
While enrollment in DNP programs has increased continuously for 20 years running as of the AACN’s most recent Annual Survey, a DNP has not yet become required to practice as an APRN.
However, the landscape is changing and the DNP is trending towards becoming the standard for APRNs at the highest level.
The Student Experience at Herzing
The program was a lot of work, but so worth it. I had a wonderful experience, and so will future students. Just put your all into it and you’ll come out on top!
Loren Arnold
Nursing | Online CampusDisclosures
* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2023 / Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.
Waived Enrollment Fee
Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.