DNP Degree | Doctor of Nursing Practice

““The DNP program at Troy University allowed me to accomplish my ultimate career goal of obtaining the highest level of nursing. Under the auspices of the amazing DNP faculty, I was compassionately provided the foundation and support that I needed to complete my aspirations. Words cannot express the gratitude and appreciation for mentoring, guiding, and sharing their knowledge that has empowered me to further conduct evidence-based quality improvement projects to positively impact the health care of the vulnerable neonatal population. The well-organized structure of the DNP coursework allowed me the flexibility to work full time as a neonatal nurse practitioner, complete didactics and attend all clinical rotations without feeling overwhelmed. I feel blessed, honored and proud to be a graduate of TROY's outstanding DNP program.””

Lydia P. Jackson Harris, DNP, NNP-BC | [Job Title, Employer] | 2021 graduate, Doctor of Nursing Practice

An Accredited DNP Program That Fits Your Career Path

Learn in a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), an independent organization that ensures educational programs meet rigorous quality standards. Choose from two specializations according to your career goals: the Family Nurse Practitioner DNP or Nursing Leadership DNP. Prepare to become a primary care provider or advanced practice nurse with the Family Nurse Practitioner DNP or to climb the ranks of your healthcare organization with the Nursing Leadership DNP.

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A Supportive, Online DNP Program with Hands-On Practice

Take online DNP courses on your schedule and put your knowledge to work in synthesis projects, clinicals and preceptorships — all while receiving support and mentorship from expert faculty. The Doctor of Nursing Practice faculty are effective mentors who bring a wide variety of specializations, interests and experiences to their courses. They regularly hold virtual office hours and class meetings to foster meaningful, one-on-one relationships with you and your classmates.

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Doctor of Nursing Practice Curriculum

While specific courses vary year to year and by your specialization, courses for the Doctor of Nursing Practice include:

Academic Catalog

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree Maps

Academic Catalog
Post Master's Program
Post Baccalaureate Program- Family Nurse Practitioner - non-clinical MSN
Post Baccalaureate Program- Family Nurse Practitioner - no MSN
Post Baccalaureate Program- Nurse Leader- no MSN
Post Baccalaureate Program- Nurse Leader- non-clinical MSN

DNP Program Locations

Balance academic, family and work commitments by taking online DNP courses.

Online

Nurse Faculty Loan Program

If you want to teach after completing the DNP, you may be eligible for the Nurse Faculty Loan Program. The Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) provides loans to students enrolled in the DNP program interested in becoming nursing faculty at higher education institutions. If you work full time as a nursing faculty member after graduation, the program cancels up to 85% of your loan.

The NFLP helps fill a critical need for nursing faculty and makes graduate school more affordable and accessible for nursing students. It is made possible through the TROY School of Nursing and funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

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What Can You Do with a DNP

DNP jobs can encompass primary care, family practice and nurse leadership roles in a wide variety of organizations, including rural health clinics, urgent care centers, hospitals, hospital systems and outpatient care centers.

Faculty Profiles

Djuana Burns, DNP

Dr. Djuana Burns is an Associate Professor of nursing. Her main research interests include pediatrics-asthma, diabetes, hypertension, nursing leadership and urgent care. Dr. Burns' clinical focus is family practice.

Learn more about our faculty 334-241-8650 dburns@troy.edu

Holly Carter, Ph.D.

Dr. Holly Carter is an Associate Professor of nursing. Her main research interests include primary care practice, nutrition/blended tube feeding, ethical issues in nursing practice, healthcare policy and nursing leadership. Dr. Carter's clinical focus is family practice, pediatrics and ear, nose and throat.

Learn more about our faculty 334-808-6192 hcarter@troy.edu

Kelli K. Cleveland, DNP

Dr. Kelli Cleveland is an Associate Professor of nursing. Dr. Cleveland's clinical focus is family primary care and case management.

Learn more about our faculty 334-670-5936 kkcleveland@troy.edu

Gypsy Glover, DNP

Dr. Gypsy Glover is an Associate Professor of nursing. Her main research interests include colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, evidence-based practices to improve patient outcomes and colon cancer screening services. Dr. Glover's clinical focus is gastroenterology.

Learn more about our faculty 334-808-6782 Jvincent194050@troy.edu

Lenetra Jefferson, Ph.D.

Dr. Lenetra Jefferson is an Assistant Professor of nursing. Her main research interests include complementary approaches to chronic disease management, student persistence and student success. Dr. Jefferson's clinical focus is adult health nursing and medical-surgical nursing.

Learn more about our faculty 334-808-6854 ljefferson150835@troy.edu

Shellye Vardaman, Ph.D

Dr. Shellye Vardaman is a Professor of nursing. Her main research interests include nursing education, acute care, adult health, nursing workflow, leadership and informatics. Dr. Vardaman's clinical focus is adult health nursing, intensive care unit and medical-surgical nursing.

Learn more about our faculty 334-670-3429 svardaman@troy.edu

Stephanie Lewis, Ph.D.

Dr. Stephanie Lewis is a Professor of nursing. Her main research interests include vulnerable populations, end-of-life care, nursing moral distress, neonatal intensive care/pediatric nursing issues, reflective practice (action research) and nursing education. Dr. Lewis's clinical focus is neonatal intensive care, pediatric nursing and health promotion.

Learn more about our faculty 334-448-5239 stlewis@troy.edu

Barbara Miller, Ph.D.

Dr. Barbara Miller is an Associate Professor of nursing. Her main research interests include adult health and veterans health. Dr. Miller's clinical focus is adult health.

Learn more about our faculty 334-938-6556, 12335 bamiller@troy.edu

Latonda Paymon, DNP

Dr. Latonda Paymon is an Assistant Professor of nursing. Her main research interests include asthma, attention deficit and hyperactive disorder and childhood obesity. Dr. Paymon's clinical focus is pediatric nursing.

Learn more about our faculty 334-241-8646 lpaymon@troy.edu

Felicia Renales, Ph.D.

Dr. Felicia Renales is an Assistant Professor of nursing. Her main research interests include childhood obesity, diabetes, mental health and wellness, health promotion and nurse leadership. Dr. Renales's clinical focus is emergency medicine and acute care and health promotion and wellness.

Learn more about our faculty 334-448-5241 frenales@troy.edu

Sherry Seibenhener, DNP

Dr. Sherry Seibenhener, is an Assistant Professor of nursing. Her main research interests include women's health, breastfeeding, mental health and well-being, obstetrics, nursing education and health literacy. Dr. Seibenhener's clinical focus is family, women and psychiatric-mental health.

Learn more about our faculty 334-448-5155 sseibenhener@troy.edu

Jennifer Wilson, DNP

Dr. Jennifer Wilson is an Assistant Professor of nursing. Her main research interests include breast cancer genetics, obesity management, diabetes, and bioidentical hormone therapy. Dr. Wilson's clinical focus is family practice and hormone replacement therapy.

Learn more about our faculty 334-241-8630 jlwilson@troy.edu

Diane Young, Ph.D.

Dr. Diane Young is an Associate Professor of nursing. Her main research interests include end-of-life nursing care, nursing education, psych/mental health issues, workplace incivility, dementia and legal/ethical issues in nursing education. Dr. Young's clinical focus is adult health, hospice and medical-surgical nursing.

Learn more about our faculty 334-241-8633 dayoung@troy.edu

Choose the DNP Program That Fits Your Goals

At TROY, you can pursue the DNP degree that works for you based on your educational background, experience level and career aspirations. Choose between the following tracks:

Family Nurse Practitioner DNP

Enhance your knowledge and skills of direct patient care and prepare to work with any age group or demographic. The Family Nurse Practitioner DNP covers women's health, pediatrics, pharmacology, pathophysiology, adult primary care and many other areas. You'll also work hands-on with a wide variety of patients during your clinical practice hours and synthesis projects.

Nurse Leadership DNP

Prepare for roles in administration, leadership and education in the Nurse Leadership DNP track. You'll study areas such as health policy, healthcare informatics, hospital systems and healthcare technologies. You'll also gain an understanding of advanced nursing roles, research methods and evidence-based practice.

Post-Master's DNP

If you already hold a master's degree in nursing with a clinical concentration, TROY also offers a post-master's DNP option for nurses who want to advance to the highest level of practice. In the post-master's DNP program, you'll study advanced nursing principles and evidence-based practice methods while developing your leadership skills and conducting research.

Alabama Nurses Foundation Endowed Scholarship ($1,000)

The Alabama Nurses Foundation partners with TROY's School of Nursing to offer a scholarship of up to $1,000 for DNP program students.

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Related Programs

Master of Science in Nursing

FAQ About the DNP Degree

Learn more about the Doctor of Nursing Practice and what sets TROY's program apart.

What is a DNP degree?

A DNP degree is a Doctor of Nursing Practice, which is a doctoral-level clinical degree in nursing. It prepares nurses with a bachelor's or master's degree for the highest level of nursing practice. It can also prepare nurses for leadership, administrative and faculty positions.

What does a DNP do?

What a DNP does varies depending on the focus of the degree a student earns, their position and the context in which they work. A DNP may work in family practice, lead a healthcare organization or nursing team, work with patient data and nursing technologies, teach future nurses, work to reduce healthcare disparities and more.

What can a DNP do that an NP cannot?

A DNP nurse typically has a higher level of education than a nurse practitioner (NP). While some positions or duties overlap, DNP nurses can conduct and apply more advanced research, attain higher-level leadership positions and serve as nurse faculty in institutions of higher education. NPs primarily focus on providing direct patient care under physicians within their specialty area.

Is a DNP worth it?

Whether a DNP is worth it depends on your goals and commitments. A Doctor of Nursing Practice can lead to more advanced career opportunities, higher earning potential and more variety in your career. It is, however, a significant commitment with rigorous coursework and 1,000 required clinical hours, meaning you'll want to ensure you can dedicate the time and focus you need to complete it.

What are the clinical requirements?

To enroll in a clinical nursing course, you must have current, written documentation of the following:

Unencumbered RN license for the state where your clinical experience will take place
Annual physical exam with TB screening
Results of serum titers for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella, and hepatitis B, indicating immune status
Evidence of Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) vaccination within the past 10 years
Proof of BCLS certification (ACLS certification is acceptable)
Verification of current health insurance
Drug test and background check prior to beginning the first clinical course and then annually

All evidence documents must be valid from the time of registration through the end of the semester.