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Nursing, Health Systems Leader, Post-Master's DNP

Seattle University’s Health Systems Leader Doctor of Nursing Practice degree empowers current master's prepared nursing professionals for leadership roles. Full and Part-time options available.

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About this Program

Post-Master’s DNP: Prepare for Nursing Leadership Roles

Seattle University's post-master's Health Systems Leader DNP program prepares you for nursing leadership positions and roles within complex health care systems. The program equips mission-driven professionals to be proactive change agents, applying research-based practice to address larger systemic challenges, often inspired by clinical questions from their own work or community.

With flexible start options in summer or fall and full- or part-time study, you can balance work and education. You can also expand your practice by pursuing additional advanced practice education alongside your DNP, with advisors helping you create a personalized plan.


Lock In Current Grad PLUS Benefits Before They’re Gone

Major federal loan changes take effect July 1, 2026—including the elimination of Grad PLUS Loans for new graduate borrowers, lower annual and lifetime borrowing limits. Start your program in 2025-2026 academic year, file a FAFSA and borrow a Grad PLUS loan, and you’ll be grandfathered into today’s Grad PLUS borrowing terms—allowing you to borrow up to your cost of attendance. 

No Application Fee

We are committed to removing barriers to graduate education by waiving the application fee for all applicants.

Post-Master’s Health Systems Leader DNP at a Glance

Learn how a post-master’s DNP degree will contribute to your career goals. Then, explore course requirements and see how impactful a Seattle University degree can be.

The post-master’s Health Systems Leader DNP program leads to a practice doctorate in nursing. Master’s-prepared nurses complete a 3-year program of study leading to a clinical doctorate in nursing. Full-time enrollment is 6 credits per quarter. Part-time is 3 credits per quarter.

Students may transfer 500 clinical hours from their MSN degree to contribute to the 1,000 total supervised hours required. Graduates from post-baccalaureate programs that provide less than 500 clinical hours must complete the Clinical Hours Portfolio Template and submit to the College of Nursing for review.

Program of Study

DNP graduates will:

  1. Synthesize knowledge from nursing and other disciplines in the provision of evidence-based advanced practice nursing care.
  2. Utilize information systems technology to improve healthcare access, quality, and outcomes.
  3. Demonstrate competence in an advanced nursing practice specialty.
  4. Exercise leadership through scholarship, advocacy, and community engagement to achieve just and equitable healthcare systems that improve health potential and reduce health disparities of vulnerable populations.
  5. Evaluate and influence healthcare systems and health policy at local, state, federal, and global levels.
  6. Demonstrate effective communication and interprofessional collaboration in the promotion of healthcare access, quality, and outcomes.
  7. Evaluate beliefs, values, and ways of knowing to foster lifelong personal and professional development.
  8. Apply ethical decision-making in complex clinical situations.

What You’ll Learn

Learn about the classes you’ll take as a student here.

Where Ambition Meets Opportunity

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CCNE Accredited

Seattle University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

85.7%

Job Placement Rate

For Seattle University Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) grads.

#1

Top-Ranked Nursing School

Seattle University is a leader in WA state and among the top in the U.S. —College Factual, 2024

Virtual Information Sessions

Have questions about Seattle University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice programs? Attend a one-hour virtual information session to learn more about the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, meet a knowledgeable admissions representative, and get answers to your questions about our programs, the application process and more.

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State-of-the-Art Clinical Performance Lab

The Clinical Performance Lab is a state-of-the-art, 20,000 square foot facility located a few blocks from the Seattle University main campus at Swedish Cherry Hill Medical Center. You’ll take your classroom knowledge and practice in a safe clinical environment with realistic patient scenarios.

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Uniquely Situated in The Dynamic Heart of Seattle

Only steps away from ‘Pill Hill’— so called because of the density of several major medical centers, giving students easy access to clinical classes in a variety of settings.

From Our Alumni

DoQuyen Huynh

"Seattle University’s DNP degree enabled me to take the next step in my career; that is, to address the primary care shortage crisis by giving nurse practitioners the tools they need to succeed in complex community health settings."

DNP, FNP, ARNP, Class of 2014

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) CCNE Accredited

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing/Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Seattle University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Featured Faculty

Get in Touch

We’re here to help. For information about DNP degrees at Seattle University, contact:

Oz Sener, MEd

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