Nursing Practice (DNP)

Cupola atop a building on the Molloy University campus

The D.N.P. degree is an innovative program which prepares expert, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to be leaders in meeting the healthcare needs of the 21st century.


The D.N.P. degree is an innovative program which prepares expert, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to be leaders in meeting the healthcare needs of the 21st century. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) in its landmark publication "The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health," has called for an increase in doctoral prepared nurse leaders to address the needs of society and the growing aging population. Nursing has been challenged with changing the health care system to improve patient outcomes, reduce costs, eliminate health disparities, prioritize prevention and improve access and utilization of health services, with a focus on the primary care arena.  Graduates of the Molloy DNP program are in a unique position to lead this endeavor.

Why Choose the DNP Program at Molloy University 

Post-Baccalaureate Degree to DNP

Postbaccalaureate to DNP pathway students will complete an integrated course of study that will prepare them as a  nurse practitioner in one of the specialties (adult-gerontology primary care, adult gerontology acute care, family, pediatric, psychiatry mental health) and upon graduation will attain state and national certification in that specialty. The program of study ranges from 67 to 70 credits based on the specialty selected, with at least 1000 clinical hours, and is a part time, 5-year program. At the completion of the course of study a degree as a Doctor of Nursing Practice is granted. Postbaccalaureate to DNP students complete a program of study that includes twelve (12) APRN level courses in addition to nine (9) common core courses and four (4) DNP clinical role immersion residency courses.

Post-Masters Degree to DNP

The Post-Masters to DNP pathway is a part time course of study and is composed of nine (9) common core courses totaling 27 credits. Students will also complete four (4) clinical role immersion residency courses- Clinical Residency I and II require 100 clinical hours each, Clinical Residency III and IV require 150 clinical hours each- for a total of 500 clinical hours. The four (4) Residency courses will add 10 credits to the program. A total of 37 credits will be required to complete the Post-Masters to DNP program. Threaded throughout the individual course objectives are the concepts of policy development, business acumen, translational research, advanced practice, leadership, scholarly writing, informatics, and media savvy.

Post-Graduate Advanced Certificate Program to DNP

The Postgraduate Advanced Certificate Program to DNP pathway may be completed in the following areas: adult-gerontology primary care, adult gerontology acute care, family, pediatric, psychiatry mental health. The Postgraduate Advanced Certificate NP component of the program is part-time, includes 27 credits (30 for FNP and AGACNP) and a minimum of 500 clinical hours for AGNP, AG-ACNP, PNP and PMHNP areas and 715 clinical hours for the FNP concentration. Certified AGNP, PNP or Women's Health Practitioners may seek admission based on a gap analysis. A minimum of six credits and 300 clinical hours are required to be taken at Molloy. Accepted students will have a "Gap Analysis" of previous graduate work to determine their progression plan.