The programs below come from a 2021 ranking, so confirm current tuition, format, and requirements directly with each school before you apply.
New York DNP Programs
Adelphi University
- Campus: Garden City, NY
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: $925 per credit
- Credits: 43 to 52
- Online: Yes
- Requirements: 3.0 GPA, BSN, RN license, transcripts, letters of recommendation, undergraduate statistics
College of Staten Island (CUNY)
- Campus: Staten Island, NY
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: ACEN
- Tuition: $365 per credit in state, $675 out of state
- Credits: 42 to 48
- Online: Yes
- Requirements: 3.0 GPA, BSN, RN license, transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statement, undergraduate statistics
Lehman College (CUNY)
- Campus: Bronx, NY
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: $365 per credit in state, $675 out of state
- Credits: 43 to 55
- Online: No
- Requirements: 3.0 GPA, BSN, RN license, GRE, transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statement, resume, interview, undergraduate statistics
Molloy College
- Campus: Rockville Centre, NY
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: $895 per credit
- Credits: 42 to 48
- Online: No
- Requirements: RN license, GRE, transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statement
Pace University, Lienhard School of Nursing
- Campus: New York, NY
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: $898 per credit
- Credits: 32 to 42
- Online: Yes
- Requirements: BSN, RN license, GRE, transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statement, resume, clinical experience
How DNP Programs Work
A DNP builds the clinical expertise to practice in advanced roles. You complete specialty coursework and clinical hours, usually at least 1,000 supervised hours. Nurses who enter with a master's can finish in about two years; those entering with a BSN typically need three to four years.
Specialization tracks include family, pediatric, adult-gerontology, women's health, and psychiatric mental health. Graduates work as nurse practitioners, nurse-midwives, clinical nurse specialists, or nurse anesthetists.
Admissions
DNP programs set competitive, doctoral-level standards. Requirements vary: some offer post-master's tracks for current APRNs, while others admit BSN-prepared nurses directly. Plan to submit:
- Current RN license
- Official transcripts showing a BSN from an accredited program
- Resume or CV
- Two to three letters of recommendation
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- One to two years of clinical experience (required or recommended, depending on the program)
Why Accreditation Matters
Choose an accredited program. Accreditation signals the school meets standards for licensure pass rates, faculty qualifications, and clinical training. Most employers hire only graduates of accredited programs, accredited degrees meet state licensure and certification requirements, and accreditation is often required to qualify for federal financial aid, scholarships, and loan forgiveness. Every program listed here is accredited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you earn a DNP online in New York? Yes. Accredited schools offer online DNP programs built for working nurses, with clinical hours completed locally. Some tracks still require occasional campus visits, so confirm the format with each program.
Is a DNP worth it financially? A DNP pays off for nurses who want autonomy and higher earnings. Nurse practitioners earn a national median of $129,210 and nurse anesthetists average $223,210 a year (BLS, May 2024), among the highest-paid roles in nursing. Employment of nurse anesthetists, midwives, and nurse practitioners is projected to grow 35% from 2024 to 2034, with nurse practitioners alone growing about 40%.
How long does a DNP take? Nurses entering with a master's can finish in about two years. Those entering with a BSN typically need three to four years and complete at least 1,000 supervised clinical hours.
Can a DNP holder use the title "doctor" in New York? Yes, since the degree is a doctorate. In clinical settings, though, "doctor" usually refers to a physician, so nurses commonly clarify their role with patients.
Which DNP tracks are easiest to get into? The least competitive tracks are typically the non-clinical ones. Nurse practitioner and nurse anesthetist tracks draw the most applicants, while leadership, education, and administration tracks often admit more students.