Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Online

Study on Your Schedule

At WCU, you have the flexibility to complete your DNP program at the speed that is right for your schedule! We offer two program pace options:

Flexibility of an Online DNP Program

With mobile-accessible coursework, 24-hour access to our online library, and around-the-clock technical support, you can decide where and when (within your weekly deadlines) to complete your WCU coursework. You can work your study time between shifts and around your at-home responsibilities, making it easier to reach your educational goals. Enjoy the flexibility that comes with a virtual classroom!

Doctor of Nursing Practice Curriculum

To achieve the graduation requirement of 30 credits, all students must complete 30 credits of core and track courses.  Core courses provide students with the specific discipline experience required for the degree. All students will complete at least 26 core course credits as detailed below. The remaining 4 credits are based on the program specialty the student is enrolled in. The currently available tracks are:

• DNP – Executive Leadership

Academic Calendar

The DNP program accepts students during the Spring I, Summer I, and Fall I terms, with the calendar year typically consisting of six terms. For more information about our term start and completion dates, view the Academic Calendar.

How Much Does The DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Cost?

We know school is a substantial commitment. At WCU, we want to equip you with all the information you need to make the right decision for your future.

Our goal is to give you a clear understanding of DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice tuition costs so you can be well-informed as you navigate the application and enrollment process. To assist you in your decision, we provide a breakdown below of the DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice program costs at West Coast University.

We offer several DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice financial aid options – including scholarships, grants, and loan access – to help support you through your studies. We also offer reduced tuition rates for military personnel and their spouses.

For more information about your financial support options, visit our financial aid page.

Doctor of Nursing Practice - Executive Leadership

Accelerated*

Working Professional*

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the Doctor of Nursing Practice must meet the following admissions requirements:

1. Complete an online application for admission.
2. Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree.
   1. Graduate research methods course with a grade of C- or better.
   2. Applicants with a non-nursing master's degree are required to show prior completion of or take the following graduate level coursework to meet MSN Essentials:  
      1. Research, ethics, Policy, Health Promotion
3. Submit official transcripts.
4. GPA of 3.0 or higher. 
   1. Applicants with a cumulative graduate GPA of 2.7 to 2.99 may be admitted under probation.  A student admitted under the probationary admissions pathway must achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better on all coursework attempted in the first nine (9) credits in the program.  Students failing to meet this requirement by the end of the first nine (9) credits will be dismissed from the program.  

   2. Students accepted under the probationary admissions pathway will be considered regular students and eligible for Title IV, if the student otherwise qualifies for funding, for the first trimester of their program of study while completing the requirements for full admission to their program.  

5. Active, unencumbered license as a registered nurse required in the United States.
6. Submit a current resume curriculum vitae, two (2 letters of recommendation, and a one (1) page statement of purpose describing:
   1. The reason for pursuing doctoral study.
   2. Short- and long-term professional and academic goals.
   3. Leadership experience.
7. West Coast University requires proof of English Proficiency. Applicants submitting non-U.S. or non-English transcripts should refer to the International Admissions section of the catalog.   
8. West Coast University offers conditional admission to DNP applicants who are academically qualified but have not met all the conditions for admission. 
9. A virtual interview may be conducted as part of the admission process.

Recommendation for admission following an interview with the Admissions Committee. Past academic performance and professional activity will be evaluated, e.g., community, organizational, and volunteer service, and creative professional accomplishments. These qualifications will be evaluated using a rubric to determine the applicant’s level of qualification.

Clinical Requirements

Students will complete 1000 post-baccalaureate practice hours. Students will complete experiential hours that support the focus of the DNP. The DNP student will identify a practice problem and a site that will support application-oriented learning for implementation of the DNP project. These sites will require approval by the Clinical Practice Coordinator and the student’s nursing faculty advisor must approve the project.  Each student will have a preceptor, a healthcare leader at the project site where the student will be completing practice hours and their DNP project.

WCU graduates are given tools to influence healthcare policy at institutional, state, and/or federal levels, and they are trained to lead, whether that means leading interprofessional teams or by helping guide organizational decision-making.

 A Doctor of Nursing Practice is a degree designed for highly motivated and dedicated students who want to use evidence-based clinical approaches to positively impact patient outcomes and impact workplace practices.

Below are the program learning outcomes for our online DNP program.

1. Evaluate new practice approaches based on scientific knowledge and theories from nursing
2. Adapt organizational and systems leadership for quality improvement and systems thinking
3. Demonstrate clinical scholarship and analytical methods for evidence-based practice
4. Analyze critical elements necessary to the selection, use, and evaluation of healthcare information systems and patient care technology
5. Influence healthcare policy at institutional, state, and/or federal levels
6. Lead interprofessional teams in the analysis of complex practice and organizational issues
7. Analyze epidemiological, biostatistical, environmental, and other appropriate scientific data related to individual, aggregate, and population health
8. Demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability in designing, delivering, and evaluating evidence-based care to improve patient outcomes

Career Services & Placement

WCU’s Career Services department provides DNP students and graduates with ongoing assistance through professional and career development guidance and workshops.³ Whether you need help building a stronger resume, narrowing down your job search, or preparing for an interview, you have a team that is ready to support you.

 We will also provide you with other forms of support while you are a student at WCU, including clinical placement assistance as well as your own assigned Student Success advisor, admissions and financial aid advisors, no-cost tutoring, one-on-one faculty mentorship, and more.

Work with Our Clinical Placements Team

Completing your clinical practicum is an exciting part of your degree, but it can also feel overwhelming for many students. Fortunately, our Clinical Placements team is here to support you every step of the way.

 We offer assistance from helping you find an ideal preceptor and clinical site in your local area to providing advice along the way so you can enhance your practice experience. Receiving guidance is easy – all you have to do is jump on a coaching call with your assigned coordinator of clinical relations.

 WCU has partnerships and connections with various healthcare providers, so we are well-equipped to help our students with their placement needs.

Featured Faculty

George Byron Peraza-Smith, DNP, RN, AGNP-C, GNP-BC, GS-C, CNE, FAANP

Dean/Director, DNP, RN to BSN, AGPC-NP & Graduate Specialty Programs

Dr. George Peraza-Smith is a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). He obtained his Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Case Western Reserve University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Mast of Science in Nursing (MSN) in nursing administration from the University of Texas Medical Branch. He has both a gerontological nurse practitioner post-master’s certificate from the University of South Florida and an adult nurse practitioner post-doctoral certificate from Brandman University.

Dr. Peraza-Smith is board-certified as an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (AGPCNP), a gerontological nurse practitioner, an APRN gerontological specialist, and a certified nurse educator. He is the immediate past president of the Florida Nurses Association and the immediate past inaugural president of the Gerontology Nursing Certification Commission (GNCC) for which he remains a trustee on the board. The GNCC offers an APRN gerontological specialist certification to distinguish APRNs who possess expert knowledge, experience, and skill in managing the complex health needs of older adults.

Dr. Peraza-Smith has been teaching in MSN and DNP online and hybrid programs for over 10 years. He has held academic leadership positions such as Professor, Program Director, Department Chair, and Associate Dean. Dr. Peraza-Smith resides in Zephyrhills, Florida with his husband and two children.