Doctor of Nursing Practice at University of Pittsburgh

Programme overview

The Doctor of Nursing Practice is the highest level of clinical practice for nurses and is offered in two forms: the fully online Health Systems Executive Leadership concentration and the on-campus Nurse Anesthesia program. Pitt's DNP is ranked 9th (tie) in the nation and the Nurse Anesthesia DNP 5th (tie) by U.S. News & World Report.

Faculty: School of Nursing | Department: Doctor of Nursing Practice (Health Systems Executive Leadership; Nurse Anesthesia) | Duration: Nurse Anesthesia BSN to DNP: 85.5 credits, 9 terms over 3 years full-time on campus; Nurse Anesthesia MSN to DNP: 36 credits online; Health Systems Executive Leadership: 41 credits, full-time or part-time, fully online (sample full-time plan runs 2 years) | Intake: Health Systems Executive Leadership: Fall (priority deadline November 1, regular April 15). Nurse Anesthesia: Spring (regular deadline April 1). International applicants: priority deadline February 15 for Fall. | Location: Pittsburgh, PA, United States

What you will study

Health Systems Executive Leadership (post-master's, online) covers organizational behavior, evidence-based management and quality improvement, leadership in complex systems, finance and healthcare economics, health policy, and data analytics and population health, with a leadership residency (clinical hours) and a system-level DNP project. Nurse Anesthesia covers chemistry and physics of anesthesia, advanced pharmacology, physiology and pathophysiology, principles of anesthesia care, anesthesia technology, patient safety and simulation, with more than 30 clinical sites, a minimum of 800 administered anesthetics and a scholarly DNP project.

Career pathways

Health Systems Executive Leadership graduates lead as chief executive officers, chief nursing officers and executive directors of quality, clinical informatics, population health and clinical practice. Nurse Anesthesia graduates are eligible for the National Certification Examination for nurse anesthetists and practise in hospital operating suites, ambulatory surgical centers, dental, podiatry and pain management offices, the US military and the Public Health Service.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

School of Nursing DNP criteria: current RN license in the US state/territory or location where clinical requirements will be completed; GPA of 3.0 or higher in the most recent degree from an ACEN, NLN or CCNE accredited program; BSN or entry-level MSN for BSN-DNP, or an MSN (or related master's with a BSN) for MSN-DNP; statistics course (B- or better) or statistics modules before NUR 2011; pre-admission interview (virtual if at a distance); three professional recommendations (at least one from a current or recent direct supervisor); personal essay; experience survey; CV; official transcripts; application fee. GRE is optional for Nurse Anesthesia and considered only as supplemental information. Health Systems Executive Leadership requires at least 2 years of leadership or management experience; Nurse Anesthesia BSN-DNP requires at least 1 year of full-time ICU/critical care nursing experience within the last 5 years. International applicants: course-by-course credential evaluation with 4.0 GPA, TOEFL minimum composite 100 with sub-scores of 21 or higher, IELTS 7.0 overall with speaking 7.0 and other bands 6.0 or higher, or Duolingo 125.

Requirements published at faculty level.

Domestic applicants: USD 32,140 a year (2026-27). Pennsylvania-resident graduate tuition, School of Nursing, full-time two terms (fall and spring). Tuition only; mandatory fees and other expenses excluded. Source

International applicants: USD 40,686 a year (2026-27). Out-of-state (non-PA resident) graduate tuition, School of Nursing, full-time two terms (fall and spring). Tuition only; mandatory fees and other expenses excluded. Source

Intake: Health Systems Executive Leadership: Fall (priority deadline November 1, regular April 15). Nurse An

Duration: Nurse Anesthesia BSN to DNP: 85.5 credits, 9 terms over 3 years full-time on campus; Nurse Anesthesi

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