Top Online DNP Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Programs near Dallas, TX
From the cutting-edge simulation labs at UT Southwestern's Clements University Hospital to the fast-growing pediatric corridors of Children's Health Dallas, North Texas invests heavily in primary care talent. Dallas-Fort Worth already ranks third nationally for hospital bed count, and the metro area's booming population—topping 7.9 million in 2025—means every new subdivision, corporate campus, and VA outpatient clinic needs Family Nurse Practitioners who can diagnose, prescribe, and lead. Meanwhile, the Texas Department of State Health Services projects a 38 percent jump in NP jobs by 2032, outpacing local RN growth and pushing average salaries for Dallas-area NPs past $123K.
Suppose you hold an MSN and want the terminal credential employers prize for leadership and autonomy. In that case, an online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Family Nurse Practitioner program lets you finish coursework from home in Plano, Plano, or any city you serve, while completing practicums in North Texas. Below, we spotlight the region's strongest options, compare tuition and credit loads, and map out admission tips so you can earn a doctorate without leaving the Metroplex.
2025 Top Online DNP Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Programs near Dallas, TX
Texas Wesleyan University
Fort Worth, TX - Private 4-year - txwes.edu
Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice-Family Nurse Practitioner
Online Learning - Visit Website
Texas Wesleyan University's online Doctor of Nursing Practice-Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP-FNP) program is tailored for nurses aiming to elevate their practice to the highest level. This CCNE-accredited program emphasizes a holistic approach to patient care, integrating advanced clinical skills with nurse coaching and business acumen. Designed for experienced professionals, it prepares graduates for FNP certification, focusing on diagnosing, prescribing, and treating diverse populations. Unique to this program is its emphasis on self-care and professional growth, ensuring nurses are well-equipped for leadership roles in primary care. No entrance exam is required for admission, making it accessible for busy healthcare professionals seeking advancement.
- Accredited by CCNE
- Online DNP-FNP program
- Holistic patient care approach
- Nurse coaching skills
- Prepares for FNP certification
Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX - Private 4-year - tcu.edu
Doctorate - Family Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Texas Christian University offers a hybrid Family Nurse Practitioner Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program designed for registered nurses seeking to advance their careers. This program combines online coursework with on-campus intensive sessions, focusing on comprehensive primary care across all ages. It emphasizes health promotion, disease management, and interprofessional collaboration, preparing graduates for leadership roles in a rapidly growing field. Admission requires a BSN, and the program is noted for its solution-focused curriculum and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) affiliation. With a projected 40% job growth by 2033, it's an excellent choice for those aiming to impact primary care shortages.
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Online and on-campus hybrid
- Interprofessional collaborative approach
- Solution-focused curriculum
- Preparation for clinical leadership
- Comprehensive primary care focus
- Health promotion expertise
- 40% job growth projection
- Two on-campus intensive sessions
- BSN required for admission
Why Earn a DNP-FNP in Dallas?
- High-volume clinical sites. Parkland Memorial, Baylor Scott & White, and Medical City Dallas see millions of outpatient visits annually, giving DNP students access to complex family-practice cases.
- Primary-care demand. Nearly 29 percent of Texas counties are federally designated Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas—many within a two-hour drive of Dallas.
- Texas-sized paychecks. NPs in the Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington metro average $59.25/hour ($123,230 annually), and DNP-prepped practitioners often negotiate 5-10 percent higher starting offers.
Explore related content: Online Nurse Practitioner Programs | Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs
Dallas-Focused Curriculum Highlights
| Academic Phase | Representative Courses | Common Dallas-Area Practicums |
| DNP Core | Epidemiology for Advanced Practice, Health-Care Economics, Evidence Translation | Quality-improvement offices at Parkland or Baylor Heart Hospital |
| FNP Specialty | Advanced Pediatric & Adult Assessment, Diagnostics & Management of Chronic Conditions, Women's Health Across the Lifespan | Primary-care clinics in Irving, community health centers in Oak Cliff, and retail clinics in Frisco |
| DNP Project | Population-health initiative addressing diabetes in Latino communities, or telehealth access for rural North Texans | Dallas County Health & Human Services, Texas Health Resources outpatient network |
Most Dallas-aligned programs meet NONPF competencies and require 1,000 post-BSN clinical hours—often reduced to 500–600 if you bring verified MSN practicum hours.
Admission Requirements for North Texas Applicants
- CCNE- or ACEN-accredited MSN (or BSN-to-DNP entry)
- Texas RN & APRN licenses in good standing
- GPA 3.0 or higher (GRE typically waived ≥ 3.2)
- Résumé and two professional references (one from a current Dallas-area supervisor)
- 500-word goal statement describing service to Metroplex families
- Preferred: One year of primary-care NP experience; some schools waive with a strong RN background
- Virtual or on-campus interview in Dallas or Fort Worth
Program Cost & Completion Snapshot
The brief narrative below sets up the table that follows: tuition in Texas varies widely by public vs. private status and residency. The table shows per-credit rates and time-to-degree so you can project total cost before applying.
| University | Format | Credits | Typical Length | 2025 Tuition* | Notable Value |
| Texas Woman's University (TWU) – Dallas | 100 % online + Dallas intensives | 46–51 | 7 semesters | $379/credit (in-state) | State-rate tuition plus TWU's Dallas campus preceptor network |
| University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) | Online, no mandatory campus visits | 45 | 6 semesters | $654/credit | Accelerated 8-week courses; in-district tuition for Dallas County residents |
| Baylor University – Waco (Dallas clinicals) | Online + two Waco residencies | 75 (post-BSN), 38 (post-MSN) | 3 years (post-BSN) / 18 mos (post-MSN) | $1,100/credit | HRSA traineeships & faith-based service scholarships |
| Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) – Lubbock (Dallas cohorts) | Online, 1-week Lubbock immersion | 36 | 5 semesters | $463/credit (in-state) | Border-county reciprocity for Oklahoma & New Mexico nurses near Dallas |
*Excludes university fees, books, and travel.
Funding Tips for Dallas DNP Students
- Employer tuition benefits. Baylor Scott & White reimburses up to $5,250/year; Parkland offers $4,000.
- Texas NURSE Corps Loan Repayment pays up to $15,000/year for APRNs serving Medicaid-heavy clinics in Oak Cliff or Mesquite.
- DNP scholarships. TWU's Woodcock and Annie Webb Blanton scholarships award $3K–$7K based on GPA.
- Federal Graduate PLUS loans cover remaining gaps; consolidate post-graduation with income-driven repayment.
For more aid ideas, visit CCNE Accredited Nurse Practitioner Programs.
Salary Expectations for Dallas-Area FNPs
Before the table, note that Dallas’s salaries beat many Sun Belt metros, partly thanks to the lack of state income tax.
| Scope | Hourly Mean Wage | Annual Mean Wage |
| Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington Metro | $59.25 | $123,230 |
| Texas (statewide) | $57.01 | $118,580 |
| United States (all NPs) | $63.47 | $132,050 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024.
Career Paths & Dallas-Centric Specializations
Graduates can:
- Led family-practice panels at Baylor Scott & White Family Medicine – Uptown Dallas.
- Serve as telehealth FNPs for Texas Health Aetna's virtual-care hub in Las Colinas.
- Open direct-primary-care micro-clinics in Denton or Weatherford with DNP-level business acumen.
- Transition into faculty roles at UT Southwestern School of Health Professions.
Compare scope differences with Nurse Practitioner Programs in TX.
Balancing Work, Study & Life in Big D
- Leverage self-scheduling. Most Dallas hospitals offer 3 × 12s—stack shifts Tue-Thu and keep Mon/Fri free for coursework.
- You can use DART rail from the suburbs to TWU's downtown campus immersion days. Parking is $15/day near Ross Tower.
- Form study pods on Slack for pharmacology and biostatistics; rotate hosting at coffee shops in Deep Ellum.
- Reserve PTO for the final DNP project semester—expect 180-200 clinical hours in a 14-week block.
Accreditation & Licensure
Each listed program is CCNE-accredited and aligns with NONPF standards. It prepares you for the AANP or ANCC FNP board exams required by the Texas Board of Nursing. See Nurse Practitioner Licensing & Certification for timelines.
Networking & Professional Development around Dallas
- North Texas Nurse Practitioners (NTNP) – monthly CE dinners in Plano; annual fall symposium in Grapevine.
- Texas Nurse Practitioners (TNP) – state conference rotates to Dallas every odd year.
- UT Arlington Center for Continuing Education – discounted DNP student CE bundles.
- Discussion threads in our Online DNP Family Nurse Practitioner Programs forum.
Local Employers Recruiting DNP-FNPs
| Organization | Recent Openings (June 2025) | Population Served |
| Baylor Scott & White Health | DNP-FNP for Dallas Diabetes Management Program | Adult & pediatric diabetes |
| UT Southwestern Medical Center | FNP for Employee Health Clinic | Multicultural workforce |
| Children's Health Dallas | FNP in Adolescent Primary Care | Teens & young adults |
| Parkland Health | FNP Float for Community-Oriented Primary Care Clinics | Underserved Dallas County families |
LinkedIn showed 210 FNP postings across DFW in the past 90 days—40 percent requested or preferred a DNP.
Five Steps to Pick Your Best Dallas-Area DNP Program
- Total credits vs. practicum hours. TWU's 46-credit plan vs. Baylor's 38-credit post-MSN option.
- Residency requirements. TWU requires three Dallas intensives; UTA is 100 % online.
- Preceptor guarantees. Public schools often secure sites at Parkland or UT Southwestern; private schools may expect self-placement.
- Scholarship renewal rules. Maintain a GPA ≥ 3.5 for TWU endowed awards.
- Long-term goals. If future teaching appeals, choose programs with educator cognates.
Need a side-by-side view of other tracks? Check Online Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs.
Ready to Lead Primary Care across North Texas?
Dallas families need clinician-scholars who understand both bedside care and systems-level change. By earning an online DNP-FNP from a top local university, you'll gain the clinical authority, leadership skills, and salary boost to elevate community health, without pausing your career or leaving the Metroplex.
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics – Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, May 2024
- Texas Department of State Health Services, Nurse Practitioner Workforce Projections, 2025
- Texas Woman's University College of Nursing – DNP Tuition & Dallas Intensives
- University of Texas at Arlington College of Nursing – Online DNP Cost Sheet
- Baylor University Online DNP-FNP – Tuition & Scholarships
- Texas Tech University HSC School of Nursing – DNP Program Handbook 2025
- North Texas Nurse Practitioners Job Board – June 2025 postings
- Top Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Programs near Houston, TX - June 16, 2025
- 20 Residency Personal Statement Examples that Matched - April 25, 2025
- Pediatric ER Nurse: Career Overview - March 11, 2025
Related Articles
- Are Nurse Practitioners Leaving Primary Care?
- How to Secure Strong Letters of Recommendation for Nurse Practitioner Programs
- 6 Steps NPs Can Take to Create High-Level Patient Care Teams
- Dual Role (Family NP/Emergency NP)
- Top Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Programs near Houston, TX
- Fastest Nurse Practitioner Programs of 2025: Accelerate Your Path to Advanced Practice Nursing