Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program
Serve with purpose. Lead with compassion.
At Hawai‘i Pacific University, the online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares experienced nurses to lead health care transformation with cultural humility, clinical insight, and ethical leadership. This flexible, CCNE-accredited DNP program supports your advancement as a practitioner, educator, or systems-level leader — while you continue to serve your community.
Whether you’re a BSN-prepared RN or an MSN-prepared APRN, HPU offers two tailored DNP pathways that combine asynchronous online learning, clinical placement support, and a faculty-guided scholarly project.
Program at a Glance
Why Choose HPU's DNP Program?
LEADERSHIP GROUNDED IN PURPOSE
We prepare nurse leaders who advance health equity and systems transformation — guided by the values of pono, kuleana, and aloha.
A PROGRAM BUILT FOR IMPACT
Earn your doctoral degree through a CCNE-accredited program that integrates clinical scholarship, population health, and leadership development.
TWO FLEXIBLE PATHWAYS
Enter with a BSN or MSN and pursue the path that matches your goals — whether that’s advanced practice, education, or executive leadership.
REAL-WORLD PROJECT, REAL RESULTS
You’ll complete a scholarly project that applies evidence to practice, with lasting impact in your workplace or community.
PERSONAL SUPPORT, PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
From clinical placement to faculty mentorship, you’ll be supported every step of the way — so you can focus on leading with confidence.
BSN–DNP PATH
MSN–DNP PATH
Is This DNP Program Right for You?
You may be a strong fit if you:
- Hold a BSN or MSN and want to advance into leadership or systems-level roles
- Are passionate about improving outcomes, equity, and care delivery
- Want to apply research and evidence to real-world health challenges
- Prefer flexible, part-time study while continuing to work
- Value mentorship, cultural humility, and community-centered learning
The online DNP is designed for experienced nurses who are ready to take the lead in transforming health care at the clinical, organizational, or policy level.
DNP Careers
Increased strains on the health care system have revealed a shortage in primary and acute care providers. The United States is predicted to face a shortage of between 54,100 and 139,000 primary and specialty care physicians by 2033.* Skilled nurse practitioners are best positioned to help bridge this gap. Employment of nurse practitioners is expected to increase 45% between 2019 and 2029, generating 110,700 new openings.**
Nurse leaders are critical to protecting nurses, coordinating care, ensuring quality of care through research and process improvements, aiding in the delivery of cost-effective care, and more.
Graduates of Hawai‘i Pacific University’s online DNP program are expertly prepared to meet this growing demand for advanced nursing professionals and leaders. HPU DNP graduates are also prepared to work in a variety of settings including urban hospitals, rural clinics, schools, urgent care facilities, clinical research sites, community organizations, and more.
*Association of American Medical Colleges
**U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
DNP Career Outcomes
CAREER PATHS
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
- Clinical Nurse Leader or Director
- Health Policy Advisor
- Nurse Faculty or Academic Dean
PRACTICE SETTINGS
- Primary care and specialty clinics
- Hospitals, ICUs, and trauma centers
- Mental health and behavioral health facilities
- Veterans’ health and federal care programs
- Academic institutions or research organizations
- Public health departments or nonprofits
JOB OUTLOOK
- Median Salary: $116,000 (ZipRecruiter)
- Projected Growth: 40% from 2023 through 2033 (BLS)
Careers and median salaries for DNP graduates
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Online DNP Curriculum Overview
BSN to DNP Pathway
The BSN to DNP curriculum combines foundational APRN training with advanced doctoral coursework. You’ll begin with core courses in advanced pharmacology, pathophysiology, assessment, policy, and evidence-based practice, before moving into your chosen NP specialization and completing a faculty-guided scholarly project.
Choose from three specializations:
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP):
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP):
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP):
MSN to DNP Pathway
The MSN to DNP curriculum builds on your advanced practice background and focuses on systems transformation, policy, and clinical scholarship. You’ll complete eight doctoral-level courses and a scholarly project rooted in real-world application and leadership.
Key focus areas include:
- Evidence-based practice and research translation
- Health systems leadership and strategic planning
- Policy advocacy, population health, and ethics
- Informatics, quality improvement, and financial stewardship
- Doctoral project development and implementation
This pathway is ideal for APRNs, educators, and nurse leaders seeking to expand their impact across organizations and communities.
Scholarly Project: Leading Change Through Practice
All DNP students complete a faculty-guided scholarly project that demonstrates your ability to apply evidence-based practice and lead system-level improvements. This capstone project is completed in the final phase of the program and is supported by coursework, mentorship, and practicum hours.
Your project may focus on a specific population, setting, or health care challenge, such as:
- Reducing readmissions through coordinated discharge planning
- Expanding telehealth access for rural or underserved communities
- Improving screening protocols for mental health in primary care
- Standardizing ICU workflows for better patient safety
Projects are designed to be directly applicable to your current role or future goals.
Clinical Placement Support
HPU supports clinical placement to ensure your learning experience is aligned with your goals and meets certification requirements. Here’s what you can expect as an online DNP student at HPU:
- Clinical hours supported for NP specializations (BSN to DNP)
- Practicum hours aligned to project focus for MSN to DNP
- Placement assistance included for all students
- Sites selected based on location, specialty, and licensure
Admission Requirements
BSN TO DNP ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited university
- 3.0 GPA or higher preferred
- U.S. unencumbered state RN license
- Before or during the program, applicants must also demonstrate completion of a Statistics and Research (Evidence-Based Nursing) course. This may be listed on transcripts as Statistics, Research Methods, or Evidence-Based Practice
- Application and application fee
- Application materials include: Transcripts, two letters of recommendation, curriculum vitae or resume, and statement of purpose
- Personal interview (by invitation) via phone or video conference prior to admittance
MSN TO DNP ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from an accredited university with at least 500 APRN practicum hours to meet the minimal program requirement of 1,000 hours
- 3.0 GPA from graduate degree preferred
- U.S. unencumbered state RN license and APRN license
- Before or during the program, applicants must also demonstrate completion of a Statistics and Research (Evidence-Based Nursing) course. This may be listed on transcripts as Statistics, Research Methods, or Evidence-Based Practice
- Application and application fee
- Application materials include: Transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and curriculum vitae or resume
Transfer Credits
Students wishing to transfer course credits from an outside institution will need to meet with their Program Chair to review transcripts, course syllabi and fill out appropriate forms. A maximum of 12 semester credits of graduate work is transferrable if the following requirements are met:
- The institution is accredited
- Official transcripts and syllabi are available for review
- The courses are deemed to be equivalent in level, content, objectives, and competencies to the HPU graduate course it will be replacing
- The proficiency attained is equivalent to a "B" grade or higher
- Courses were completed within five calendar years of admission to HPU graduate nursing
The following courses cannot be transferred to HPU for credit:
- Final project/paper or Capstone course
- Courses taken as part of a granted degree. For example, if a student has had a Master's degree in Public Health conferred, a health policy course taken during that curriculum may not be transferred in and applied to another degree requirements.
Tuition & Financial Aid
HPU offers competitive tuition, transparent pricing, and personalized support to help you plan your investment in a doctoral nursing degree.
- $1,117 per credit
- Total credits vary by entry point (BSN to DNP or MSN to DNP)
- Scholarships, grants, and employer reimbursement available
- Military and veteran benefits supported