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Dedicate Yourself to Patient Care
Whether you envision yourself in a higher-level care or leadership role, nurture your drive with ACU’s online DNP program structured to empower working adults. As you complete online courses and in-person assignments around your existing obligations, our vibrant, virtual, Christ-centered community embraces your passion for improving care quality, delivery and access.
Lock In Your Tuition, Unlock Your Future.
Our Locked-In Tuition program guarantees you’ll pay the same price for your entire graduate degree.
About the Program
You have the opportunity to demonstrate leadership that proactively develops, implements and evaluates ethical healthcare policies at all levels. By earning an online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, you’ll encourage your own career development while helping guide and support colleagues in their own journey in the healthcare profession.
Program Structure
All the Details on Your Degree
ACU’s online DNP program adheres to and aligns with current trends in nursing education and supports recommendations set forth by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the National Academy of Medicine and numerous other healthcare organizations.
Required Hours
39 hours
26 month minimum timeframe
Cost: $767/Hour with $200 resource fee per term
Example Coursework
Informatics to Improve Patient Outcomes
Healthcare Policy and Clinical Practice
Epidemiology and Population Health
Organizational and System Leadership
Upcoming Start Dates
August 26, 2025
January 13, 2026
Common Job Titles
Academic Nurse Leader
Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)
Director of Nursing
Lead Clinician
Director of Clinical Services
Public Health Coordinator
Curriculum
Start your journey with an 18 credit-hour core. Over this sequence, you’ll explore the role of the DNP in today’s healthcare industry, including as a practitioner, patient advocate, leader and scholar. From here, you’ll broaden your mindset through courses diving into epidemiology as a tool to promote population health; research and statistical analysis in healthcare delivery; using data and other technology to better predict patient outcomes; healthcare policies involving finance, regulation, care quality and access; and managing a medical practice, from organization to accommodating patients.
Champion change from within by refining your critical thinking skills, integrating technology and rooting decisions on evidence-based practice. For applying these concepts, you’ll additionally complete 500 clinical hours and two projects requiring you to plan and implement a clinical program and present a paper for review.
Executive Nursing Leadership
You experienced a taste of leadership after earning your MSN or completing ACU’s BSN to DNP pathway program. Continue cultivating related competencies with a concentration highlighting techniques for directing teams of healthcare workers and how finance factors into a clinical practice. Stay connected to industry trends by studying the impact and care of chronic health conditions and learning how to both manage a practice and train beginning to mid-career nursing professionals.
Infomatics
You’ll become an empowered nurse with cutting-edge expertise at the intersection of nursing science, data management and health information technology. Prepare to lead clinical and administrative teams by mastering clinical decision support systems and evidence-based informatics practices. Graduates emerge ready to drive innovation, improve patient outcomes, and optimize care delivery across today’s complex healthcare environments.
Meet the Program Director
Dr. Sandra Cleveland, Doctor of Nursing Practice
Dr. Sandra Cleveland is an accomplished associate professor with over 28 years’ experience in teaching, curriculum development, and educational leadership. She has served in various capacities, notably at Abilene Christian University and American Sentinel University. As a National League of Nursing Certified Nurse Educator, she excels in implementing comprehensive training programs that enhance knowledge, skills, and competencies. Dr. Cleveland ‘s expertise spans across program management, curriculum development, online and in-class learning methodologies using emerging technologies, and cross-functional collaboration. Adept at mentoring, she has successfully guided numerous Doctor of Nursing Practice students in their projects. Dr. Cleveland holds a Ph.D. in Education with Specialization in Nursing.
Spotlight
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Marcia Sotelo
Dr. Marcia Sotelo is more than just an advocate for future nurses and seasoned nursing professionals. As a clinical nurse, trainer, professor, and board member for various universities across the country, Dr. Sotelo knows a thing or two about what it takes to be a healthcare expert. Focused on championing her students and their well-being, Dr. Sotelo is excited to see what she can do for her students as the newest program director for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at ACU Online.
Student Spotlight: Dr. Shecarra Cook
One conference was all it took to inspire a dream. Learn how a connection with ACU Online led to Dr. Shecarra Cook discovering her calling and earning her Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Everything You Need to Know About ACU Online’s DNP Program
Nurses who want to enact change may consider advancing their skills with a DNP degree. Learn all about ACU Online’s DNP program and how it will prepare you to be a leader in the nursing industry.
How to be an Effective Nurse Leader
Looking to inspire, lead and motivate your team of nurses so you can provide the best possible care for patients? Here are 5 traits you need to be an effective nurse leader.
Telemedicine: The Future Of Healthcare
Telemedicine has seen an explosive renaissance in the last two years. Learn about its history and how ACU Online is equipping medical professionals for this new modality.
Take a leap forward not only with your career but for the future of healthcare delivery. Reflecting demand for a more nuanced, elevated skill set, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has identified 45% growth for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners between 2020 and 2030. Our DNP program gives you an edge to unleash your potential and persevere in today’s medical environments as a:
- lead clinician;
- chief nursing officer (CNO);
- director of nursing;
- director of clinical services;
- public health program director or coordinator;
- informaticist;
- clinical nurse specialist;
- certified nurse midwife; or
- nurse educator.
To be considered for admission, students must:
- Complete the online program application accompanied by a non-refundable processing fee.
- Have a Master’s in Nursing from an accredited school of nursing (ACEN, CCNE).
- Submit official transcripts from the accredited colleges or universities that awarded the baccalaureate and master’s degree to the applicant sent in a registrar’s sealed and stamped/signed envelope or official electronic transcripts.
- Have a minimum nursing cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Supply two professional recommendation letters that attest to the applicant’s character, work ethic and professional abilities.
- Author a 500-word purpose statement outlining your interest in the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. Include the location (healthcare facility or organization) in which you plan to complete your DNP Project and a problem that is negatively impacting patient care and outcomes within that facility or organization.
- Submit a professional CV or resume.
- Provide proof of unencumbered registered nurse licensure in the United States.
- Complete an undergraduate level statistics course with a “C” or better.
- Apart from students living overseas on military bases, all applicants must reside in the United States to complete the required Clinical Practice Experience (CPE) hours.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Abilene Christian University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791