DNP – Nursing Leadership
Advance your career and strengthen your influence as a nurse leader. Messiah University’s post-master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in nursing leadership is designed for experienced nurses who want to lead with excellence, innovation and integrity in today’s complex healthcare environments. Built for working professionals, this 100% online program equips you with the skills to guide teams, improve systems, and impact patient outcomes across diverse healthcare settings.
Nursing Leadership overview
The program is ideal for nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists, certified nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, nurse educators, nurse administrators, clinical nurse leaders and other advanced practice nurses who are ready to expand their leadership capacity. Whether your goal is to influence organizational decision-making, mentor future nurses or drive evidence-based improvements in care delivery, Messiah’s DNP in nursing leadership prepares you to lead meaningful change in the profession you love.
- 100% online coursework
- 39 credit minimum
- $960 per credit
- Completion of DNP scholarly project
- Year-round program entry
- Completion in as little as 2 years
- No-fee tuition
Doctoral preparation to enhance leadership in the advanced nursing practice roles of:
- Nurse practitioner
- Nurse anesthetist
- Nurse midwife
- Clinical nurse specialist
Additional career opportunities:
- Nursing management
- Director of nursing
- Chief nursing administration
- Nursing executive
- Nursing education
- Health policy
- Health informatics
- Quality improvement
- Organizational/professional leadership
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, the master's degree program in nursing, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Messiah University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Messiah University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education. It is the highest accrediting authority recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for degree-granting colleges and universities located in Pennsylvania, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and several other locations internationally.
Certificate of advanced graduate studies (CAGS) options:
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The curriculum and coursework for Messiah’s Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in nursing leadership is designed to be immediately relevant to your career. Accelerated course plan available.
Nursing Leadership tuition cost
No-fee tuition
Know what you are paying for with Messiah’s no-fee tuition. With our graduate programs, the cost per credit is what you pay – there are no hidden fees for labs, courses, services or technology. We put the true cost of your program upfront so that you can accurately compare and plan for your graduate education. There are additional costs to the program not billed through Messiah University (background checks, clearances, course materials, clinical expenses, etc.)
Deferred billing
Deferred billing is available for students with employer reimbursement. For more information contact Student Financial Services at gradfinancialserv@messiah.edu.
2025-2026
No-fee tuition per graduate credit hour: $960
Nursing Leadership (Post Master’s DNP) tuition cost for the entire program at the 2025-2026 rate: ranges from $37,440 (39 credits) to $48,960 (51 credits)
Nursing Leadership (Post Master’s DNP) tuition cost for the entire program at the 2025-2026 rate: ranges from $37,440 (39 credits) to $48,960 (51 credits)
Graduate students are eligible to apply for federal financial aid.
Next steps for admissions
Applying for admission to a graduate program at Messiah University is the first step to making your personal and professional goals a reality.
What makes our DNP nursing leadership program unique?
- One of the state’s few DNP programs taught from a Christian faith perspective
- Nursing faculty are experienced Christian educators, nursing professionals and accomplished scholars who mentor you in your education, faith and career
- Clinical hours are intentionally planned and meaningfully assigned to fit your goals
- 100% online coursework
- Messiah’s nursing graduates are well respected and in demand
- Completion in as little as two years
- CCNE accredited
- Deferred payment options with no out-of-pocket-tuition fees
- Flexible start dates and plans of study