Online D.N.P. in Executive Leadership
Become a Transformative Leader Focused on Improving Health Care
Flexible Online Courses
24 – 26 Months
36 – 40 Credit Hours
$1,050 per Credit
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Complete this form to receive information about coursework, admissions, tuition and more.
Grow as a Leader with Our Online Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.)
- Apply By: 08/04/25
- Start Class: 08/25/25
The ever-changing health care sector requires innovative leaders capable of solving pressing challenges. With Benedictine University’s online D.N.P. in Executive Leadership program, you can expand your expertise and fulfill your ambitions for fueling positive change in health care.
Our online D.N.P. program imparts leadership skills for improving complex health care systems. While studying online and part time, you’ll receive the support and flexibility needed to thrive in your classes and career.
Program Highlights
- Includes on-ground clinical practicum experiences
- No application fee
- Begin your rise to advanced nursing positions
- Learn from renowned nurse leaders
Online D.N.P. Program Highlights
Curriculum
Our D.N.P. Online Program Is Rooted in Flexibility and Collaboration
12 Courses
8-Week Terms
Benedictine University’s online D.N.P. in Executive Leadership goes beyond the typical classroom experience. You’ll take flexible courses that allow you to study where you want, with cohort-based learning that emphasizes collaboration and personal connections. At the same time, you’ll receive personal support from experienced faculty members who provide valuable insights and help develop an individualized plan and approach for achieving your clinical hours.
We designed the curriculum for our Doctor of Nursing Practice degree to align with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education, delivering the right education for success in nursing today. You’ll earn proficiency credit for the 125 clinical hours incorporated into the eight foundation courses. The program also includes practicum requirements, and the 500 clinical hours you completed for your M.S.N. degree will count toward this program’s requirement of 1,000 clinical hours. We offer clinical practicum placement support, with the option to complete this requirement where you work.
This online program culminates with a D.N.P. project, allowing you to focus on solutions for improving patient outcomes, addressing organizational challenges and developing strategic initiatives. Through this rewarding experience, you’ll build on everything you’ve learned by making meaningful contributions to the nursing field.
Course Highlights
- NRHL 7700 Advanced Knowledge for Innovative Nursing Practice
- NRHL 7704 Information Management and Health Care Technologies
- NRHL 7706 Leading a Culture of Quality and Safety
- NRHL 7722 Advocacy and Accountability for Person-Centered Care
Admissions Requirements
Apply to the Online D.N.P. in Executive Leadership at No Cost
Application Deadline August 04, 2025
Start Date August 25, 2025
Benedictine University offers a simple, supportive admissions process for students interested in completing an online D.N.P. in Nursing program. Request information to connect with an admissions counselor who can help you begin your application and explore opportunities to receive credit for your past coursework and work/life experiences. For every 125 clinical hours completed during your M.S.N. program, you’ll receive one semester credit hour required for the Graduate Clinical Immersion Practicum.
| Online Application Form | Apply Now |
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| Degree and Minimum GPA | Master of Science or higher degree in Nursing from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale). |
| Transcripts | Official sealed transcripts from the institution where the highest degree in nursing was conferred. |
| Transfer Credits | Transfer up to six credit hours, pending approval from the graduate program director. |
| Credit for Prior Work/Life Experience | Seek credit for up to three semester hours based on work/life experience to meet the planned clinical practice experience hours associated with NRHL 7000 Graduate Clinical Immersion Practicum, pending approval from the nursing and health chair or graduate program director. Students are required to submit appropriate documentation as part of the prior learning assessment. |
| Supervised Clinical Practice Experience |
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| Additional Requirements |
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International Admission Requirements
Benedictine University’s online programs enable you to earn a degree from a respected American university without leaving home. With students and graduates from all 50 U.S. states and more than 16 countries, Benedictine provides you with abundant opportunities for networking as a student and after graduation through our alumni association and online directory of graduates.
| Foreign Transcript Evaluation | A three-year bachelor’s degree program must be deemed equivalent to a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree program by Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), World Education Services (WES) or Educational Perspectives in order to qualify for admission to a graduate program. |
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| English Language Proficiency | International students applying to graduate programs must meet one of the following requirements on a proficiency exam:
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Tuition & Aid
Review the Tuition for Your D.N.P. Online Degree
Calculate your cost for attending BenU Use our tuition calculator to help you estimate your total tuition costs.
With the online D.N.P. in Executive Leadership, you’ll invest in your future by developing competencies that set you up for success as a health care leader. To make the program more cost-effective, we offer discounts through partnership agreements with health care systems in our region. Additionally, our Alumni Scholarship awards 25% savings per credit hour to students who attained a bachelor’s or master’s degree from Benedictine.
| Cost per Credit Hour | $1,050 |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Credit Hours | 36 – 40 |
| Total Estimated Tuition | $37,800 – $42,000 |
| Additional Fees | $125 tech fee per semester (the program includes six semesters) |
| Other Costs to Budget For | The estimated tuition does not include factors like textbooks or other expenses, including costs that may be associated with your chosen placement site. |
Proud to Support Our Military Students
Benedictine University is grateful for the service of the men and women of the U.S. military. We participate in the Yellow Ribbon program and offer a Military Scholarship to active-duty and veteran service members. Additionally, our admissions team can help you make the most of the education benefits available through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
We strive to provide valuable returns as you progress through your online program and career. To make your program cost-effective, we can help you explore financial aid options, scholarships, military benefits and more. Plus, learn how tuition reimbursement programs help you save money while earning a career-aligned degree.
Tuition Details
Complete Your Journey to Become a Nurse Leader at Benedictine University
As the health care system grows in complexity, more nurses are pursuing D.N.P. degrees. In fact, the number of nurses graduating from these programs increased by 5% from 2022 to 2023.1 By completing Benedictine’s D.N.P. program online, you’ll develop advanced expertise while preparing for positions at the forefront of nursing. The program delivers qualifications for an array of advanced roles, including chief nursing officer, director of patient care services and director of patient safety.
Explore CareersCareers to Pursue After Earning Your D.N.P. Degree Online
Chief Nursing Officer $147,532 average annual salary2
Clinical Operations Director $103,152 average annual salary3
What You’ll Learn
Our online D.N.P. in Executive Leadership prepares you to become an innovative nurse leader. Our supportive faculty members instill next-level knowledge and skills during the online courses and clinical practicum experiences, and we’ll help you develop an individualized plan and approach for achieving your clinical hours. The program also provides opportunities to network with students in your cohort, helping you form connections that support your professional success.
Program Outcomes
- Critically appraise existing research to determine and implement the best evidence to advance the scholarship of nursing.
- Use systems thinking and current leadership practices to develop health care policy intended to promote a culture of safety and deliver quality, cost-effective care.
- Conduct informed decision-making based on relevant data and information technology to effectively communicate strategic initiatives that support nursing practice.
- Lead interprofessional partnerships and teams focused on the improvement of patient and population health outcomes in an ethical, legal and fiscally responsible manner.
- Prepare for a position of nursing leadership along the continuum of professional socialization through mentorship and development of others.
- Advocate for person-centered caring relationships in collaboration with clinical partners to enhance the health and well-being of persons.
- Engage in partnerships to support and improve equitable population health outcomes.
- Complete a systems-based D.N.P. practice project that demonstrates synthesis of coursework and clinical experiences that contribute to system effectiveness, innovation and evidence-based nursing practice.
Follow Our Faculty to the Forefront of In-Demand Fields
Benedictine University’s faculty members bring tremendous professional experience to the classroom. As distinguished instructors and industry leaders, they commit to publishing new findings and pioneering new possibilities in their fields. Thanks to our small student-to-faculty ratio, you will receive personal support throughout your online program.
Deborah Jezuit, Associate Professor, Chair of the Department of Nursing and Health and RN to B.S.N Director
Faculty Spotlight: Deborah Jezuit, Ph.D., RN
Dr. Jezuit has been a faculty member at BenU since 2010 as an adjunct and full time since 2014. She has more than 25 years of online, on-ground and clinical teaching expertise, and she has taught all levels of nursing students.
Dr. Jezuit has served as an ICU unit manager and ADN nursing program director. Her professional nursing practice background is in critical care nursing. Her scholarly work focuses on caring, ethics and end-of-life issues.
Education
Ph.D. in Nursing Ethics, Rush University
Professional Associations
- American Nurses Association
- National League for Nursing
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing
- Sigma Theta Tau
Faculty Spotlight: Alison Ridge, D.N.P., RN, CNE
Dr. Ridge has been on the faculty at BenU since 2012. She has extensive online, on-ground and clinical teaching expertise and has taught all levels of nursing students.
Her philosophy of teaching focuses on partnering with students to promote their success and that mutual learning occurs. Her professional nursing practice background includes care of adults and older adults with mental health issues. Additionally, she has expertise working in the community delivering health promotion programs. Her scholarly work focuses on caring in student and faculty interactions, supporting adjunct faculty and reflective practices of staff nurses to address human suffering.
Education
- D.N.P. – Systems Leadership, Rush College of Nursing
- M.S.N. – Psychiatric Nursing, Rush College of Nursing
- Certified Nurse Educator (CNE)
Professional Associations
- American Psychiatric Nurses Association
- Sigma Theta Tau
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing
- National League for Nursing
Alison Ridge, Professor, Graduate Program Director and Clinical Coordinator
Sources
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing. “AACN Fact Sheet – D.N.P..” Retrieved January 21, 2025, from https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/fact-sheets/dnp-fact-sheet.
- Payscale. “Average Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) Salary.” Retrieved January 21, 2025, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Chief_Nursing_Officer_(CNO)/Salary.
- Payscale. “Average Director of Clinical Operations Salary.” Retrieved January 21, 2025, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Director_of_Clinical_Operations/Salary.