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Nurse smiling and looking at a notebook: Explore Regent's DNP advanced practice nursing program.

DNP in APRN

Doctor of Nursing Practice in Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (licensure)

Become the leader in nursing you were born to be.

Regent’s fully online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN) is for nurses who are looking to obtain a terminal degree in their practice, sit for national certification, and become eligible for their APRN licensure. You can be prepared in areas of interprofessional collaboration, healthcare policy, evidence-based research, healthcare informatics, and patient-centric advocacy.

Online w/ Residency
74
August 25, 2025

Expand Your Career

Become proficient in the necessary nursing and healthcare skills to educate and lead others.

Be the Change in Culture

Receive an education deeply rooted in and balanced with the Christian faith to address modern nursing industry issues.

LEARN FROM THE BEST

Be mentored by faculty in Virginia Beach who hold the highest degrees in their field. Regent has been ranked among the Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report (2025).

Fulfill A Need

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted that openings for nurse practitioners in the U.S. will increase 45% between 2020 and 2030, and that between 2014 and 2024, every state in the U.S. will see an increase in jobs for nurse practitioners.

Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and master’s degree program in nursing at Regent University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice Program and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Regent are pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 2002-887-6791. Applying for accreditation does not guarantee that accreditation will be granted.

Regent's fully online DNP in APRN with a concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner is designed to prepare nursing leaders who are looking to obtain a terminal degree in their practice, sit for national certification, and become eligible for their APRN licensure.

Learn More

Regent's fully online DNP in APRN with a concentration in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner is for nurses who are looking to obtain a terminal degree in the mental healthcare field, sit for national certification, and become eligible for their APRN licensure.

Learn More

On completing the DNP–APRN degree, you can:

  • Lead at the forefront of providing preventive care services to the public.
  • Promote policies and initiatives that support patient safety.
  • Integrate evidence-based principles and strategies that improve patient outcomes. 
  • Advise on treatment plans using patient-centric advocacy skills.

Career Opportunities

Depending on your track, pursue a career as a nurse practitioner in: 

  • Family Health Care
  • Mental & Behavioral Health Professional
  • Hospital-Based Practice
  • Remote Telehealth
  • Advanced Organizational and Professional Nursing Leader
  • Clinical or Academic Nursing Educator
Table listing featured courses with course code, name, and credit hours.
APRN 886DNP APRN Advanced Practicum3
Clinical practice and leadership experience that will provide the opportunity to gain advanced skills and engage in scholarship. Depending upon the student's track, the clinical practicum site will be the focus area of their DNP Scholarly Project. A total of 1,000 post-baccalaureate practice hours are required for the DNP degree.
NURS 550Advanced Health Assessment3
Comprehensive physical assessment and the obtainment of an in-depth health history across the lifespan; risk reduction, health promotion and prevention, early detection of physical and common emotional illnesses, and clinical decision making. Culturally competent patient education, health promotion and clinical prevention considerations will be integrated.
NURS 605Global Nursing Leadership & Healthcare Delivery Systems3
Nursing and healthcare delivery systems including organization and financing, and the economic, legal and political factors that influence health care. The professional role of an MSN nurse in relation to healthcare delivery systems in the delivery of safe high quality care to patients will be explored.
NURS 801-803DNP Scholarly Project I-III3
Develop and conduct a DNP scholarly project under the direction of a faculty committee. The content of the study can be an empirical study or another suitable professional activity/project approved by the faculty committee. Register for three consecutive terms or by petition. Pass/No Pass.
NURS 805Role Development of Nurse Leader3
Provides an overview of various nursing leadership roles in various healthcare settings and examines the knowledge, expertise and character traits necessary to produce an eminent nurse leader.

Students should refer to their catalog or audited degree plan (ADP) for required courses to complete their degree.

2024-25 Semester Check-In Deadlines

All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.

SessionSemester Check-InSession Start Date
Session AFriday, August 9Monday, August 19
Session CWednesday, January 8Monday, January 13
Session EFriday, May 2Monday, May 12

Prerequisites

DNP in APRN applicants must:

  • Have a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from an accredited institution and a 3.0 GPA in previously completed nursing courses.
  • Report no more than two previous documented failures in DNP courses.

Admissions Requirements

Step 1: Apply to Regent University

Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts

Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.

Step 3: Complete an Admissions Questionnaire

Please complete a brief admissions questionnaire based on your professional goals and interests. This should only take a few minutes to complete but please answer the questions completely and thoughtfully. This gives us a better opportunity to get to know you and align your objectives with our programs. Once completed, it will be sent directly to an admissions counselor who will be in touch with you right away to help complete the rest of your application.

Step 4: Submit Your Resume

All graduate nurse candidates are required to submit a resume demonstrating one year of full time clinical RN experience prior to entering the degree program. Please submit to regent.edu/items.

Step 5: Submit Your Nursing License

To be admitted to the DNP program, you must submit an active unencumbered/unrestricted Registered Nurse license from your state of practice. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.

Step 6: Submit Your Government-Issued ID

To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.

Step 7: Faculty Interview

Interviews for all licensure programs are by invitation only after review of the completed application. These required interviews are conducted online, and you must have both a webcam and microphone to participate. Your admissions counselor will provide information regarding interview days/times for you to register once your file is complete.

Applicants invited to the virtual interview should keep in mind that an interview does not assure admission. The College of Health & Behavioral Sciences reserves the right to determine in its sole discretion whether a candidate is suitable for admission into the program.


Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.

Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

Part-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
DNP$5803$1,740
MSN$5906$3,540

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
DNP$5806$3,480
MSN$5909$5,310

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$900 (Fall & Spring)
$750 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$750

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

PART-TIME STUDENTS

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
DNP$5803$1,740
MSN$5806$3,480

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
DNP$5806$3,480
MSN$5809$5,220

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

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Kristen Aguilar, MBA, 2018 General Management
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Sheri Terrillion, MBA, 2019 Healthcare Management
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Taniki Richard, B.S. Business Leadership, 2016 Former U.S. Marine Corps
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Cynthia Arocho, M.A., 2012
“Thanks to Regent, I finished my degree and took hold of my future.”
Mandy Rogers, 2010