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Advancing Evidence into Practice
Innovate
Planning to drive healthcare innovation and influence policy? Get the analytic skills and evidence-based practice principles you need in the DNP Executive Track at Johns Hopkins. You'll forge your own intellectual path and wrap up your curriculum with an intense DNP final project experience.
Apply Your Experience
You'll address significant healthcare problems-defined by your interests and based on your experience-in real time and in your practice setting. And you'll find numerous opportunities for collaboration, challenging problems for study, and a tradition of rigorous scholarship.
Executive Mentorship
For the selected DNP Executive Track students, the Nurse Leader Executive Mentorship Program has the potential to bring life-changing experiences and learning opportunities. The experience offers avenues to share expertise, and engage and positively influence tomorrow's professional healthcare leaders. Financial support is available.
Why Hopkins?
- Demonstrate organizational and systems leadership for quality and safety in healthcare systems
- Apply clinical scholarship, as well as information systems and technology, to provide and/or transform healthcare
- Use strategies of risk reduction/illness prevention, health promotion, and health maintenance to improve the care of individuals, families, and populations
- Develop, evaluate, advocate, and provide leadership for healthcare policy that shapes healthcare financing, regulation, access, and delivery
DNP Final Project
DNP graduates remain in practice, leading cross-professional teams in the improvement and provision of informed quality healthcare. The knowledge, skills, and abilities to conduct such work is developed across the program and applied in the conduct of the DNP final project. The DNP final project is the student’s original work that establishes them as a Hopkins Nursing clinical scholar.
Project Requirements DNP Projects
Additional Information
View the recording of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Executive Track, DNP Executive Track/MBA, and DNP Executive Track/MPH virtual information session.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Executive Track graduate Beth Abate talks about advanced care for geriatric patients and her role as a nurse practitioner.
Learn more about the DNP Executive Track/MBA Dual Degree
DNP Executive Track/MBA Dual Degree
Learn More About the DNP Executive Track/Master of Public Health (MPH) Dual Degree
Curriculum
The program's executive session format can be completed in six semesters of study, integrating approximately 5 days of on-site immersions during the first year with online and virtual learning experiences.
Onsite Dates
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) - Executive program's executive session format can be completed in six semesters of study, integrating approximately 3 on-site immersions of 3 days each during the first year and one on-site symposium event lasting 1 day the second year combined with online and virtual learning experiences. The DNP/MBA joins the DNP Executive program in year 2 of their 3 year program. The new DNP/MPH dual degree joins the DNP-Executive in the fall semester of year 1.
View the Immersions and Symposium Calendar
Course of Study (Students Admitted in Summer 2019)
First Year (21 Credits)
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Summer (5 Credits )
- Problem Discovery (3)
- Health Finance (2)
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Fall (7 Credits)
- Nursing Inquiry for Evidence-Based Practice (3)
- Advanced Nursing Health Policy (2)
- Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Care (2)
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Spring (9 Credits)
- Translating Evidence into Practice (3)
- Project Advancement (3)
- Electives* (3)
Second Year (19 credits)
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Summer (8 Credits)
- Analysis and Evaluation of Individual and Population Health Data (3)
- Health Information Systems and Patient Care Technologies (2)
- Elective* (3)
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Fall (6 Credits)
- Project Application (3)
- Elective* (3)
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Spring (5 Credits)
- Project Evaluation and Dissemination (3)
- Clinical Data Management and Analyses (2)
*Electives may be taken at the School of Nursing, School of Medicine, Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Carey Business School.
Note: A minimum of 1000 practice hours are required for the DNP program (prior MSN -552 clinical hours plus 448 DNP practicum hours).
** DNP Executive Track students are not permitted to take Electives in the first 2 semesters. A total of 9 elective credits are required. Course credits can range from 1 to 3 and dispersed across semesters 3 through 6
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Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a DNP?
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a doctoral degree for nurses at the highest level of nursing practice (https://www.aacnnursing.org/Education-Resources/AACN-Essentials).
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What are the differences between the DNP and PhD programs?
The DNP program prepares nurse leaders for evidence-based practice in both direct patient care and executive roles. This requires competence in translating research in practice, evaluating evidence, applying research in decision-making, and implementing viable clinical and organizational innovations to change practice.
The PhD program is designed to prepare nurses for careers as research scientists, often in academic or governmental positions. View Comparison Chart
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Are graduates able to become nurse educators in schools of nursing?
Yes, many schools of nursing offer tenure track faculty positions to nurses with DNPs and PhDs. Additional coursework and training as an educator can also be beneficial for those with a doctoral degree in nursing that would like to teach. Check out our Nurse Educator certificate at https://nursing.jhu.edu/academics/programs/post-degree/nurse-educator/ .
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Is the program accredited?
Yes, our DNP program has full accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education until 2019.
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Are GRE scores required?
GRE scores are not required for the DNP Executive track.
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Is part-time study an option?
The DNP-Executive track is designed to fit into the schedule of someone working full time in a clinical setting. The course work and scholarly project are intended to complement their work focus.
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Is a dissertation or final project required?
A dissertation is not required. A DNP scholarly project will be completed by the end of the program. The DNP final project is the students’ original work that establishes them as a Hopkins Nursing clinical scholar. DNP Scholarly Project Requirements and examples of previous Projects can be found on our website.
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Am I eligible for this program if I am not an advanced practice nurse?
All applicants must have earned a minimum of 552 clinical hours as part of their post-licensure master’s program. Nurses who do not have advanced practice licensure should contact the Office of Admissions for an eligibility review at [email protected].
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What is the difference between the DNP-Executive and the DNP-Advanced Practice tracks?
The DNP-Executive track is a post-Master’s program for nurses who have already obtained advanced practice licensure. The DNP-Advanced Practice track at the JHSON is for nurses who are seeking advanced practice licensure as a Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist.
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Is the DNP-Executive track entirely online?
There are four onsite visits associated with the DNP-Executive track that are spread throughout the program. Specific onsite immersion dates will be posted on the program website.
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What if I have more questions?
Contact Laura Panozzo, Assistant Director of Recruitment for the DNP Executive tracks, at [email protected] with any additional questions or to schedule a phone call to discuss ways to make your application as strong as possible.
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What should I do if I am unsure of where I will complete my scholarly project?If you are not currently working in a practice environment where a DNP project might be feasible, please contact the Office of Admissions, [email protected], to discuss your options.
Funding Opportunities
Scholarships
The School of Nursing sets aside a limited amount of merit-based funds for students who demonstrate strong academic ability, leadership skills, outstanding community service, and other personal strengths and accomplishments. These merit awards are granted for achievement, not financial need. There is no separate application to apply for a scholarship. Each student is considered upon applying for admission. Scholarships range from $10,000 to $30,000.
Other Funding Sources
All funding opportunities should be pursued to meet your educational costs. There are organizations that provide scholarship awards ranging from $100 to full tuition and stipend awards. Begin your search early. Application deadlines are typically 6-9 months in advance of the academic year.
Loans and Loan Forgiveness/Repayment Assistance Options
Loans are an important component of assisting students in meeting their educational expenses. Student Financial Services encourages individuals utilizing loans to fully understand the terms of each loan and borrow only what is needed. We also advise individuals to research loan repayment and employment options which can assist in meeting loan repayment obligations. Student Financial Services has gathered a list of loan forgiveness and repayment assistance options that can be explored via the link below.