Excluding clinicals and residencies, coursework is 100% online.

We have two DNP programs. One offers six distinct tracks including Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse-Midwifery, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. The DNP-ENL helps students to develop executive knowledge and competencies to strategically lead change, transform care models to improve patient outcomes, and influence healthcare organizations and systems. To learn more, you can go to our DNP page or fill out the form to get a program guide.

Students typically complete the DNP program in the following timeframe. Please note that actual length to program completion will vary depending on the student's background and selected track.

Specialty Advanced Practice Tracks (DNP-FNP, DNP-NNP, DNP-PNP, DNP-NM, DNP-AGACNP, DNP-PMHNP)

• BSN holders typically complete our DNP program in three (3) years and four (4) months, skipping the Master’s degree program entirely
• MSN holders typically complete our DNP program in 18 to 24 months 
• Students in our Pediatric Primary/Acute Care track typically complete the program in four (4) years 

Executive Nurse Leadership Track (DNP-ENL)

• DNP-ENL students typically complete the program in two (2) years

Baylor University's Louise Herrington School of Nursing understands the needs and challenges of busy RNs. Our online coursework allows you to balance your career with your other commitments.

All DNP specialty advanced practice tracks have 3 starts a year with the exception of Nurse-Midwifery and Neonatal Nurse Practitioner which have 2 starts per year.

You can find more information on this page or contact your Baylor University Enrollment Advisor at 888-227-5901.

DNP Admission Requirements

The requirements to apply for the online DNP-ENL program are:

• MSN from a regionally accredited school of nursing, or any master’s in business/health-related degree such as MHA, MPH, MBA, etc.
• BSN from a regionally accredited school of nursing 
• GPA: 3.0 or above (BSN)
• Current unencumbered RN license
• Two years of supervisory/management experience at Director level or above, with strategic planning, budgetary, and financial responsibilities within the past five years
• Current Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume

The requirements to apply for the online BSN-DNP FNP program are:

• BSN from a regionally accredited school of nursing
• 3.0 cumulative GPA
• One (1) year of full-time experience as a practicing professional nurse by the first day of class
• Current unencumbered RN license
• Complete an acceptable written personal statement
• Three letters of recommendation, as follows: one must be from an immediate supervisor, one must be from a peer nurse, and one must be from an MSN, DNP, or PhD-prepared nurse
• No GRE or MAT Required

The requirements to apply for the online Post Master's DNP program are:

• Verification of an unencumbered license to practice as an APRN
• Master's degree with a major in nursing
• Cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Three letters of recommendation as follows: One must be from an immediate supervisor, one must be from a peer nurse and one must be from an MSN, DNP, or PhD-prepared nurse
• Verification of total clinical hours obtained for the Master's degree
• Complete a written personal statement
• Current clinical practice within the last two years
• Successful completion of graduate-level statistics course with a grade of B or better (must be completed prior to matriculation into the program)

The requirements to apply for the online BSN-DNP Nurse Midwifery program are:

• BSN from a regionally accredited school of nursing   
• 3.0 cumulative GPA 
• At least one year of full-time experience as a professional nurse in labor and delivery, on the mother-baby unit, or in an outpatient OB/GYN setting at time of application. Extensive observational experiences of birth, or education and practice as a doula will be considered. Applicants with other experiences in the maternal-child health specialty will be considered individually.
• Current unencumbered RN license 
• Complete an acceptable written personal statement
• Three letters of recommendation, as follows: one must be from an immediate supervisor, one must be from a peer nurse, and one must be from an MSN, DNP, or PhD-prepared nurse
• No GRE or MAT Required

The requirements to apply for the online Post Master's DNP program are:

• Verification of an unencumbered license to practice as an APRN
• Master's degree with a major in nursing
• Cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Three letters of recommendation as follows: One must be from an immediate supervisor, one must be from a peer nurse and one must be from an MSN, DNP, or PhD-prepared nurse
• Verification of total clinical hours obtained for the Master's degree
• Complete a written personal statement
• Current clinical practice within the last two years
• Successful completion of graduate-level statistics course with a grade of B or better (must be completed prior to matriculation into the program)

The requirements to apply for the online BSN-DNP Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program are:

• BSN from a regionally accredited school of nursing  
• 3.0 cumulative GPA 
• The equivalent of a minimum (1) year of full-time Level 3 NICU neonatal clinical practice experience (by the first day of class). Experience MUST be current and required within the last five years as a registered nurse in the care of critically ill neonates or infant in critical care inpatient settings. Students may participate in the pre-clinical portion of the program while obtaining the necessary practice experience. 
• Current unencumbered RN license 
• Complete an acceptable written personal statement
• Three letters of recommendation, as follows: one must be from an immediate supervisor, one must be from a peer nurse, and one must be from an MSN, DNP, or PhD-prepared nurse
• No GRE or MAT Required

The requirements to apply for the online Post Master's DNP program are:

• Verification of an unencumbered license to practice as an APRN
• Master's degree with a major in nursing
• Cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Three letters of recommendation as follows: One must be from an immediate supervisor, one must be from a peer nurse and one must be from an MSN, DNP, or PhD-prepared nurse
• Verification of total clinical hours obtained for the Master's degree
• Complete a written personal statement
• Current clinical practice within the last two years
• Successful completion of graduate-level statistics course with a grade of B or better (must be completed prior to matriculation into the program)

The requirements to apply for the online BSN-DNP Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program are:

• BSN from a regionally accredited school of nursing   
• 3.0 cumulative GPA 
• One (1) year of full-time experience as a practicing professional nurse caring for pediatric patients by the first day of class 
• Current unencumbered RN license 
• Complete an acceptable written personal statement
• Three letters of recommendation, as follows: one must be from an immediate supervisor, one must be from a peer nurse, and one must be from an MSN, DNP, or PhD-prepared nurse
• No GRE or MAT Required

The requirements to apply for the online Post Master's DNP program are:

• Verification of an unencumbered license to practice as an APRN
• Master's degree with a major in nursing
• Cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Three letters of recommendation as follows: One must be from an immediate supervisor, one must be from a peer nurse and one must be from an MSN, DNP, or PhD-prepared nurse
• Verification of total clinical hours obtained for the Master's degree
• Complete a written personal statement
• Current clinical practice within the last two years
• Successful completion of graduate-level statistics course with a grade of B or better (must be completed prior to matriculation into the program)

The requirements for applying for the online BSN-DNP Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program are:

• BSN from a regionally accredited school of nursing 
• 3.0 GPA
• One (1) year of full-time experience as a practicing professional nurse by the first day of class
• Current unencumbered RN license
• Complete an acceptable written personal statement
• Three letters of recommendation, as follows: one must be from an immediate supervisor, one must be from a peer nurse, and one must be from an MSN, DNP, or PhD-prepared nurse
• No GRE or MAT Required

The requirements to apply for the online Post Master's DNP program are:

• Verification of an unencumbered license to practice as an APRN
• Master's degree with a major in nursing
• Cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Three letters of recommendation as follows: One must be from an immediate supervisor, one must be from a peer nurse and one must be from an MSN, DNP, or PhD-prepared nurse
• Verification of total clinical hours obtained for the Master's degree
• Complete a written personal statement
• Current clinical practice within the last two years
• Successful completion of graduate-level statistics course with a grade of B or better (must be completed prior to matriculation into the program)

The requirements to apply for the online BSN-DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track are: 

• BSN from a regionally accredited school of nursing 
• 3.0 cumulative GPA 
• One (1) year of full-time experience as a practicing professional nurse by the first day of class 
• Current unencumbered RN license 
• Complete an acceptable written personal statement 
• Three letters of recommendation, as follows: one must be from an immediate supervisor, one must be from a peer nurse, and one must be from an MSN, DNP, or PhD-prepared nurse 
• No GRE or MAT Required 

No, these tests are not required to apply for our programs.

Clinical placement is the required clinical education component of Baylor University’s Online Doctor of Nursing Practice programs (DNP) and the Distance ABSN program. Clinicals work closely with the classroom-based coursework to prepare you for your future providing primary care in the field.

Your preceptor is your on-site role model and will help you develop as a nurse during your clinical rotation. They will:

• Bridge the gap between theory and actual practice
• Orient you to the practice setting (key personnel, organization, and institutional policies)
• Help you plan clinical assignments
• Provide one-on-one supervision and daily feedback
• Review and co-sign all documentation in the clinical records

Your responsibilities during clinical rotations include:

• Reviewing objectives for fulfilling clinical requirements
• Providing your preceptor with daily written objectives and evaluation forms
• Reviewing existing clinical protocols and Baylor University’s protocols with your preceptor
• Documenting all clinical encounters using a SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment and Plan) format
• Ensuring you are always under the supervision of your preceptor

Clinical orientation is different for each site, but you can expect to complete the clinicals clearances, learn about appropriate dress codes and the necessary clinical tools. 

You’ll receive an email notification approximately 30 days before you begin your clinical rotation. This email will detail the site and preceptor information, any additional requirements requested by the site. It is at this time that you will introduce yourself to the site and determine a detailed schedule for completing your clinical hours for that rotation.

The Placement team will ensure your clinical site and preceptor are located within your regional area and meet all the requirements - from restricted settings and support to education and experience. Once you have received your site information, your only responsibility will be to contact the site and discuss your clinic hours.

During the placement experience, you will have access to faculty and other resources to support you. Faculty will be available to mentor and support you throughout the rotation if there are any specific questions about procedures, patient interactions, and general proficiencies. At the end of the placement rotation, you and your preceptor will review requirements, complete surveys and officially end the placement rotation. If you have multiple rotations, you will receive the next preceptor/site details.

Shortly after enrollment, you will be provided with a placement intake form you are required to complete that captures your competencies, experience, and placement preferences. 

Baylor University will collaborate with you to identify a quality placement site and preceptor. While the placement team is securing sites and preceptors, you will be responsible for completing clinical clearance requirements in preparation for placement, including:

• Drug screening
• Background check
• Recommended vaccinations

You will not be permitted to begin your placement rotations without your clearances complete. Once the sites have been approved by the School of Nursing, Baylor University will share the placement site details with you prior to placement.

Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing believes you are only as successful as your training, which is why we will collaborate with you to identify clinical sites and preceptors for clinical rotations. This will enable you to focus on coursework and developing core competencies rather than spending a significant amount of time on the logistics of clinical placements. However, if you already have a placement site or preceptor in mind, students are encouraged to refer them to the placement team to secure. Additionally, you may find clinical placement sites to be potential locations for future employment opportunities upon graduation.

Clinical faculty and your preceptor will be your primary support during clinical rotation courses. You will also record your assessment /recommendations in SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment and Plan) Notes. This will be reviewed and critiqued so you can achieve better practice methods.

Baylor University’ Online DNP program requirements for clinical hours are:

DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner:

• NUR 5452 - Advanced Health Assessment 
• NUR 5250 or 5251 - Domestic Low Resource or FNP International Clinical
• NUR 5153 - Advanced Practice FNP I & NM I Primary Care Practicum 
• NUR 5450 - FNP Residency
• NUR 6V76 - Advanced Practice Nursing Residency
• NUR 5359 - Advanced Family Practice II 

DNP - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner:

• NUR 5163 - Advanced Assessment of the Newborn/Infant Practicum
• NUR 5266 - Advanced Neonatal Nursing Practicum I
• NUR 5363 - Advanced Neonatal Nursing Practicum II
• NUR 5369 - NNP Residency
• NUR 6V76 - Advanced Practice Nursing Residency

DNP - Nurse-Midwifery:

• NUR 5153 - Advanced Practice FNP I & NM I Primary Care Practicum
• NUR 5452 - Advanced Health Assessment
• NUR 5345 - Nurse Midwifery III: Care of the Childbearing Family 
• NUR 5346 - Nurse Midwifery IV: High Risk Family 
• NUR 5V43 - Nurse Midwifery II: Women’s Health 
• NUR 5370 & NUR 6V76: Advanced Practice Nurse-Midwifery Residency

DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner:

PRIMARY CARE TRACK

• NUR 5100 - Advanced Pediatric Health Care Management I: Practicum
• NUR 5200 - Advanced Pediatric Health Care Management II: Practicum
• NUR 5309 - Advanced Pediatric Health Care Management III: Practicum 
• NUR 5400 - PNP Primary Care Residency
• NUR 6V76 - Advanced Practice Nursing Residency

ACUTE CARE TRACK

• NUR 6310 - Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner I: Practicum 
• NUR 6406 - Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner II: Practicum

DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner:

• NUR 5213 - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP I Practicum 
• NUR 5214 - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP II Practicum
• NUR 5336 - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP III Practicum
• NUR 5215 - AGACNP Residency 
• NUR 6V78 - APN Residency

DNP – Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: 

• NUR 52ab Psychiatric Mental Health NP Management I: Practicum 
• NUR 53bc Psychiatric Mental Health NP Management II: Practicum 
• NUR 53cd: Psychiatric Mental Health NP Management III: Practicum 
• NUR 52dd: Psychiatric Mental Health Residency 
• NUR 6V76: APN Residency 
• NUR 6V76 APN Residency 

Yes. Baylor University’s online Doctor of Nursing Practice programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE**). The DNP Nurse Midwifery online program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME*).

The online DNP programs are each $1,150 per credit hour. Cost varies depending on the overall credits required to complete your degree, as well as any transfer credits. To calculate total tuition cost for your specific degree path, contact an Enrollment Advisor today at 888-227-5901.

A variety of financial aid is available to online students. Find more information on our Tuition & Financial Aid page.

No, Baylor does not allow students from educational institutions that do not have a traditional grading system. Students from Western Governor’s for example, are not eligible for Baylor’s nursing programs.

You must have completed your MSN board-certification in one (1) of the following Baylor offered disciplines to qualify as a post-graduate student.

• Family Nurse Practitioner 
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner 
• Practitioner of Nurse-Midwifery 
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (coming soon)
• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (coming soon)
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

If your MSN degree is in any of the following disciplines, you may need to participate in our full program. Please speak with an Enrollment Advisor for more information.

• MSN-Nurse Educator
• MSN-Clinical Leadership
• MSN-Informatics
• MSN-Leadership
• MSN-Administration

The following practitioner degree disciplines may be eligible to transfer to the online DNP programs:

• Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
• Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Typically, there are very few clinical courses included in these disciplines. Examples of courses that may be considered for transferability include (but not limited to) include:

• Pathophysiology
• Pharmacology
• Physical Assessment