Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP

Courses You'll Take

The Belmont University Graduate Program Course Catalogs outline study plans and course descriptions. Click the link below to download a sample plan of study.

See All Program Requirements

Downloadable Programs of Study

Family Nurse Practitioner Track Program of Study

Leadership & Innovation Track Program of Study

Post-Master's DNP

Belmont's DNP program requires three in-person immersion experiences per year. These Impact Sessions allow students to advance their education without pausing their careers, maintaining a balance between work and study while benefiting from hands-on, in-person training.

Impact Session Dates for 2025-2026 Academic Year

• September 15-17, 2025 (First-Year Students Only)
• November 3-7, 2025
• March 9-11, 2026
• July 23-24, 2026 (FNP Students Only)

Belmont's DNP programs offer a wealth of experiences to enrich your academic journey and professional growth: 

• Students will practice cultural humility, leadership, shared decision-making and systems analysis to participate in quality improvement that promotes health by building long-term capacity. 
• DNP students will participate in interprofessional teams to explore multifaceted practice and systems issues through applying best practices in community engagement and evidence-based health promotion. 
• Students create close and lasting relationships with professors through three levels of advising: academic, clinical and project advising. 
• DNP students may choose to participate in local and global service and learning opportunities throughout the program of study. The College of Nursing and Belmont Global Health work in tandem to create service learning and grant-funded research opportunities for nursing students. 
• All DNP students have the opportunity to disseminate their impressive work at venues including the Center for Nursing Innovation’s annual Nursing Innovation Summit and Belmont University’s SPARK Symposium. 
• Students have the opportunity to participate in the Wayfarer Program, an interprofessional fellowship that integrates creativity, contemplative practices and community support into health care training. Leveraging the rich spiritual and creative resources of the Belmont community, Wayfarer helps students ground themselves in their sense of purpose, find joy in their work and collaborate deeply with others. 

Students benefit from Belmont’s 50,000 square-foot Center for Interprofessional Engagement and Simulation, which provides cutting-edge facilities for clinical practice and collaboration across health care disciplines. This center enhances clinical skills through realistic, hands-on simulations in a controlled learning environment.

Supportive Faculty and Competency-Based Curriculum

Belmont’s DNP faculty prioritizes individualized attention, fostering strong relationships with students and providing tailored support throughout the program. The competency-based curriculum ensures students graduate with the skills, confidence and leadership abilities necessary to excel in advanced practice nursing roles.

Rich University Ecosystem

Belmont University’s DNP draws on a diverse and resource-rich ecosystem that includes the Center for Nursing Innovation, the Massey College of Business, the O’More College of Architecture & Design, the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences and the Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine. This interdisciplinary approach ensures that DNP students are exposed to a broad array of perspectives and opportunities for collaboration, equipping them to address the complex challenges of today’s health care environment.

Innovation & Leadership

A distinctly forward-thinking curriculum, combined with the resources of the Center for Nursing Innovation, positions students to lead the transformation of health care. Whether it's reimagining health care environments or developing new care delivery models, Belmont empowers its DNP students to become trailblazers in health care innovation. Choosing Belmont’s DNP program means joining a collaborative, innovative and forward-thinking community that prepares you for leadership in health care on both local and global stages. 

Belmont’s DNP program offers unique global health opportunities through the Belmont Global Health Initiative, where students can engage in transformative projects with organizations such as the United Nations, the Aga Khan Foundation in Tanzania and Bangalore Baptist Hospital in India. These experiences give students an international perspective on health care innovation and service.

Application Steps

The Inman College of Nursing receives applications for admission and most applicant credentials exclusively through the Nursing Central Application Service (NursingCAS), provided by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Applicants must submit a separate supplemental application and fee directly to Belmont.

The application steps are as follows:

1. Click the “Apply” link at www.nursingcas.org
2. Create an account and login to your secure NursingCAS online application. When creating your account, be sure to click “Yes” to the question, “Are you applying to a graduate level program in nursing?”
3. When logged in, complete all “Required” items on the Application Checklist as directed by NursingCAS.
4. In addition, Belmont University College of Nursing requires the following items also be submitted through NursingCAS (these items are indicated as “Optional” in NursingCAS):
   1. In the Professional Experience Section, submit information for all nursing certifications including such as a nurse practitioner by selecting “Certifications” from the drop-down menu and completing information requested.
   2. In the References Section, submit two (2) letters of recommendation.
   3. In the Personal Statement Section, complete an essay that addresses your professional goals, identification of a topic for your scholarly project should you be admitted to the DNP program, and potential location(s) for project implementation.
5. Be sure to designate Belmont University in the Designations Section of the application and to link your Belmont essay. NursingCAS charges $60 for your application to be sent to the first program designation and $45 for each additional designation.
6. Following a preliminary review of the completed application file, the Admissions Committee will make a decision on your application within two weeks. In some cases, candidates will be invited to interview prior to receiving a final admission decision.

Post-Admission Requirements

Following acceptance, you will complete the requirements below to register for courses.

• $500 non-refundable enrollment deposit by a specific deadline after acceptance, applied to your first semester’s tuition
• Final official transcript of coursework that was in progress at the time of your application. Official transcripts should be sent to: Belmont University Office of Admissions, 1900 Belmont Blvd, Nashville TN 37212-3757. Official electronic transcripts can be accepted, and must be sent through a secure third party (i.e. Student Clearinghouse, or Parchment). Request them be sent to: belmontadmissions@belmont.edu.
• Documentation of licensure or certification information, as requested
• A background check, as directed by the College of Nursing, with favorable results
• Required immunizations
• Proof of health insurance coverage

If these requirements are not satisfied, admission to the program may be rescinded.

International Applicants

• For applicants seeking an F-1 visa: Unfortunately, the online modality of our program does not meet the standards for an F-1 visa, so we are unable to accept students in need of a student visa.
• For applicants who will not require an F-1 visa: 
  • Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by submitting official TOEFL scores (minimum of 550 PBT or 80 iBT) or by successful completion of ELS Language Center Level 112.
  • International applicants with college-level coursework from foreign institutions must have their transcripts evaluated by a credential evaluation service such as World Education Services or Joseph Silny & Associates.

Applicants must have proof of a current RN license from their state of residence and/or practice. A Tennessee RN license or a license from a state that is in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) is required for clinical experiences in Tennessee. Applicants will be asked to submit a personal statement that elaborates on their career aspirations upon receiving their DNP, along with initial ideas for their scholarly project.

For Family Nurse Practitioner DNP or Leadership & Innovation DNP:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree or Master’s Entry MSN from a nationally accredited baccalaureate-granting institution
• A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, as well as a minimum 3.0 Nursing GPA, and a 3.0 average GPA across Anatomy & Physiology courses
• Two letters of recommendations from faculty members, professional references, doctorally prepared nurses or health professionals

For Post-Master's DNP:

• A master's degree in the field of nursing (MSN*) from a nationally accredited nursing program or a master's degree in a health-related field. This includes (but is not limited to) an MPH, MHI, MHA or MBA.  
• A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, as well as a minimum 3.0 Nursing GPA, and a 3.0 average GPA across Anatomy & Physiology courses
• Two letters of recommendations from faculty members, professional references, doctorally prepared nurses or health professionals

*Applicants who have attended a Master’s Entry MSN are eligible for the FNP or Leadership & Innovation tracks.

Transferring Credits

Students accepted into the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program may request graduate course credits from an accredited institution be reviewed for possible substitution for Belmont University course credit. The program department will determine at its sole discretion what course(s) are eligible for transfer toward the student’s program of study. Eligible transfer course work must have at least a grade of “B” in each course. The department may accept up to 20 credit hours of course work toward the graduate degree. 

2025-2026 Cost of Attendance

Tuition

Belmont University has recently reduced its DNP program tuition to $985 per credit hour, making advanced nursing education more accessible.

Consolidated Graduate Student Fee

Belmont's Consolidated Graduate Fee ranges from $275 to $650 per semester*, depending on the number of enrolled credit hours. 

*Consolidated Graduate Student Fees are based on the 2024-2025 academic year and are subject to change for future terms

Financial Aid

To determine your eligibility for any financial aid, graduate students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available online and should be completed each year. Complete and return the FAFSA by the March 1 priority date.

Belmont will start the financial aid awarding process by February 1 each year. Please allow approximately four weeks to receive a response. Once all the forms are received, your file will be reviewed.

Learn more about Financial Aid

Belmont Nurse Faculty Loan Program

The Belmont Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) offers loan forgiveness for DNP graduates who commit to a full-time faculty role after graduation. Ask us more about this opportunity!

In the spirit of the Belmont University Mission to develop diverse leaders of purpose, character, wisdom and transformational mindset, eager and equipped to make the world a better place, we want to extend a warm welcome to you and introduce you to our program.

As a Belmont University Nursing Student, you will join a community of scholars and leaders committed to improving healthcare and enhancing patient outcomes. You will think critically about patient care, collaborate in interdisciplinary teams and engage in clinical reasoning. You will improve the lives of patients and communities in underserved and underrepresented populations. As a Belmont Nurse, you will make the world a better place.

We look forward to supporting your journey and welcoming you to the most trusted profession in the world.

Dr. Julie Honey, DNP, APRN, FNP, PNP-PC
Dean of Nursing, Gordon E. Inman College of Nursing

The Baccalaureate, Post-graduate APRN and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at Belmont University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington DC 20001, (202) 887-6791.

Belmont University College of Nursing is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the National League for Nursing and the Southern Council of Collegiate Education for Nursing. The program is approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing.

Belmont University College of Nursing is designated as a NLN Center of Excellence in Nursing Education.

In addition, the College of Nursing holds the charter for the Omicron Phi chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Click here for full accreditation and state licensure information