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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

Driven to Transform Health Care

The Health Systems Leader Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Seattle University supports you in developing a deeper understanding of your practice and its larger context. Our students are mission driven to become proactive change agents with the skills to work collaboratively across complex healthcare systems. Often led by a clinical question that arises in their current community or place of work, our students seek to continue their education and advance their understanding of research-based practice to better apply their skills to larger, systematic problems.

Flexible Study Options

Unlike other pathways to the DNP degree, you can select to begin your studies in either the summer or fall quarter and complete the program as a full- or part-time student, allowing you to balance work and studies.

Expand Your Practice

Increase your span of practice by pursuing additional advanced practice nursing education in a new area of study along with your DNP studies. Our advisors can assist you in creating a personalized plan.

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 an 11-quarter 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.

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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, 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

  • Bonnie H. Bowie, PhD, MBA, RN, FAAN
    Bonnie H. Bowie, PhD, MBA, RN, FAAN

    Associate Dean for Graduate Programs
    Premera Endowed Professor of Nursing in Health Promotion and Care Innovations
    Fellow, American Academy of Nursing

Get in Touch

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

Oz Sener, MEd

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