Most important takeaways…
- University of Alabama DNP is mostly online with one required in-person intensive.
- MSN-to-DNP in-state tuition runs $480 per credit hour plus $25 fee.
- For 2027, UA DNP offers FNP and PMHNP specialty tracks.
The University of Alabama's online Doctor of Nursing Practice program gives working nurses a path from bedside care to advanced practice without relocating, making it a natural fit among Online DNP Programs for Working Nurses. Enrollment is primarily distance-based, with one short on-campus intensive required, while coursework and clinical placements are completed near the student's home community.
The MSN-to-DNP track charges $480 per credit hour for in-state students across 35 to 36 credits. BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP options differ in length and clinical expectations, so the earlier entry point changes both total cost and time to completion. In Alabama, the DNP is increasingly seen as the standard for nurse practitioner roles and leadership positions in systems that are hiring for advanced clinical and administrative capacity.
Is the University of Alabama DNP Program Fully Online?
Working nurses researching DNP NP Programs in Alabama choose an online DNP to keep a job and family life intact, but "online" rarely means no campus time. The University of Alabama DNP is mostly distance-accessible, yet it is not a zero-campus program. One in-person intensive is required, and clinical hours must be completed at approved sites.1 For many working nurses, that still means far less travel than a traditional campus-based doctorate.
How the program is delivered
The University of Alabama graduate catalog lists the DNP as a distance-accessible program.1 That means the bulk of coursework can be completed remotely, but students should not read that as a fully asynchronous or no-travel guarantee. The online structure removes the weekly need to commute to campus, but it does not remove every in-person obligation , a key point in the Online DNP vs. On-Campus DNP comparison.
The required on-campus intensive
UA requires one on-campus intensive conference. The requirement is attached to the DNP project courses, and attendance is required for all DNP students.1 The intensive takes place on the University of Alabama campus. The catalog and program pages do not publish a specific number of days for the intensive, so applicants should ask the college for the current schedule before planning travel.
One nuance: some program materials describe a single on-campus intensive conference held every other year for the DNP overall, while the graduate catalog is more specific about the one required intensive during the project courses. Since scheduling can vary by cohort, confirm dates directly with the program.
Clinical practicums are in person
Clinical work is not online. UA's DNP requires 540 DNP Immersion clinical hours. BSN-to-DNP students must also complete additional post-baccalaureate direct patient care clinical hours, bringing their total to a minimum of 1,000 hours.1 These hours are completed in person at approved clinical sites. Depending on where a student lives and which sites are available, this may require local or regional travel. Plan early to identify a site that meets both university requirements and state board expectations.
DNP Pathways: BSN-To-DNP Vs. MSN-To-DNP
Your entry point into the University of Alabama Doctor of Nursing Practice program shapes how many credits you complete, how long you are enrolled, and how your clinical hours are counted. The BSN-to-DNP path is a longer integrated route for bachelor's-prepared nurses, while the MSN-to-DNP path builds on a master's foundation. Here is how the two compare.
| Feature | BSN-to-DNP | MSN-to-DNP |
|---|---|---|
| Typical applicant background | Registered nurses who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and want to earn the DNP while preparing for advanced practice certification | Registered nurses who already hold a Master of Science in Nursing and want doctoral-level practice or leadership preparation |
| Credit requirements | 70 to 91 credit hours depending on specialty: 70 credits for the Family Nurse Practitioner track and 91 credits for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track | 38 to 42 credit hours |
| Time to completion | 11 semesters for the Family Nurse Practitioner track and 13 semesters for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track | Program length varies with prior coursework and pace; the University of Alabama sources reviewed did not list a single semester total |
| Clinical hours | 540 DNP immersion hours plus additional post-baccalaureate direct-patient-care hours to reach at least 1,000 total hours | 540 DNP clinical immersion hours combined with prior graduate clinical hours to meet a minimum of 1,000 total graduate hours |
| Best fit | Nurses who want to move directly from a BSN to both DNP completion and advanced practice registered nurse certification in one continuous plan | Nurses who already have graduate nursing education or advanced practice certification and need a more focused doctoral pathway |
DNP Specialties and Curriculum
Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner pull you in two different clinical directions: FNP emphasizes primary care across the entire lifespan, while PMHNP focuses on mental and behavioral health. That choice shapes both your online coursework and the clinical residency settings where you will complete supervised hours.
Two UA NP Concentrations
UA Capstone College of Nursing's DNP program offers two nurse practitioner specialties: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). No additional nurse practitioner concentration tracks are listed in current UA materials. If you are considering the Nurse Executive pathway, that option appears at the MSN level, not as a DNP NP track. The FNP track, one of the FNP Programs in Alabama, prepares you to assess, diagnose, and manage acute and chronic conditions across all ages. The PMHNP track, one of the PMHNP Programs in Alabama, prepares you to assess psychiatric disorders, prescribe psychotropic medications, and provide therapy in mental health settings.
Shared DNP Core
The clearest published shared core requirement is a DNP project seminar. This course walks you through project development, funding discussions, peer feedback, presentation preparation, and dissemination review. You must complete NUR 794 with a grade of B or better before enrolling in the seminar. That shared capstone expectation keeps both concentrations aligned around the same scholarly project.
UA's current catalog does not publish a full shared core sequence or credit totals. Foundational DNP NP coursework often includes advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and evidence-based practice, but because UA does not itemize every core course in the available public materials, treat these as common to DNP preparation rather than a confirmed UA list. Contact the college for the current plan of study.
Online Didactics and Clinical Residencies
All didactic courses are distance accessible, which lets working nurses complete most coursework online. The one in-person requirement UA highlights is a single on-campus intensive conference, attended during DNP project courses.
Clinical residencies are the hands-on counterpart to that online work. Since FNP and PMHNP tracks prepare you for NP certification, you will need supervised clinical hours in primary care or psychiatric settings depending on your concentration. UA publishes clinical hour totals by pathway , 540 hours for MSN-to-DNP and 1,080 to 1,620 hours for BSN-to-DNP , so confirm the current requirements for your concentration directly with the program before applying.
Admissions Requirements and Application Process
Requirements vary by pathway and specialty. Confirm current deadlines and state-specific eligibility before applying.
- BSN-to-DNP degreeA bachelor's in nursing from a regionally accredited institution is required.
- RN licensureHold an unencumbered RN license in the state where you will complete coursework or clinical hours.
- Minimum GPABSN-to-DNP requires a 3.0 undergraduate GPA; MSN-to-DNP requires a 3.0 graduate GPA overall or in the last 60 hours.
- GRE/GMAT policyBSN-to-DNP applicants with a 3.2 or higher GPA may waive the exam. Otherwise, a 297 combined GRE (verbal and quantitative) or 480 GMAT is required. Nurse Anesthesia DNP has no waiver and requires GRE; Women’s Health DNP requires GRE or GMAT below 3.2.
- TranscriptsSubmit official transcripts from every college or university attended. Missing documents can delay or disqualify your application.
- Background checkFinal admission is contingent on acceptable drug and background screen results.
- Prerequisite courseAdmitted DNP students must show proof of a descriptive statistics course before starting.
- Deadlines and feesMSN-to-DNP Spring 2027 example: October 15, 2026. Application fee is $50 domestic/green card, $60 international.
UA DNP Application Process: Step by Step
The University of Alabama DNP application is completed online through the Graduate School. Each admissions element helps the committee understand your academic readiness and professional goals.
Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid for UA DNP
Tuition for the University of Alabama DNP program varies by pathway and residency. The MSN-to-DNP pathway is reported at 35 to 36 credit hours with an in-state tuition rate of $480 per credit hour and a $25 per credit hour fee. BSN-to-DNP tuition details were not available in the provided data, and financial aid options such as scholarships, federal loans, and military benefits should be confirmed with the UA Office of Student Financial Aid.
| Pathway | Total Credits | Tuition per Credit (In-State) | Tuition per Credit (Out-of-State) | Total Tuition | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSN-to-DNP (post-master's) | 35-36 credit hours | $480 | Not published | $16,800-$17,280 | $25 per credit hour |
| MSN-to-DNP (out-of-state online rate) | 35-36 credit hours | Not applicable | $1,345 | $47,075-$48,420 | Not published |
The University of Alabama's online DNP gives working nurses a direct path to advanced practice and leadership roles, with flexible online coursework and strong career advancement potential in Alabama and beyond.
Related Articles
Common Questions About UA's DNP Program
Below are quick answers to common questions about the University of Alabama's online DNP program. The details reflect information published for the 2026 cycle and may vary by pathway or concentration.
- Is the University of Alabama DNP program fully online?
- The University of Alabama DNP is a primarily online online DNP nurse practitioner program rather than a fully online one. Students complete online coursework plus in-person clinical experiences and attend one required on-campus intensive during the DNP project courses. Clinical placements are arranged for the required hours, so plan for some time away from home.
- How many clinical hours are required for the UA DNP program?
- Clinical hours depend on pathway and concentration. For the MSN-to-DNP, the program requires 540 DNP clinical immersion hours, split across three courses of at least 180 hours each. BSN-to-DNP students complete 1,080 to 1,620 clinical hours depending on concentration. Some MSN-to-DNP applicants may also need to verify prior graduate clinical hours.
- What is the difference between BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP at the University of Alabama?
- BSN-to-DNP is for nurses with a bachelor's degree and combines advanced practice preparation with doctoral coursework, requiring more credits and clinical hours. MSN-to-DNP is a post-master's pathway that builds on existing advanced practice knowledge and focuses on leadership, evidence-based practice, health policy, and the DNP project. It requires 35 to 36 credits and 540 clinical hours.
- How much does the University of Alabama DNP cost?
- UA Online lists DNP tuition at $480 per credit hour plus a $25 College of Nursing fee per credit. For the 35 to 36 credit MSN-to-DNP, that comes to roughly $16,800 to $17,280 in tuition or $17,675 to $18,180 including the nursing fee, before other fees, books, travel, and clinical costs. BSN-to-DNP totals vary by concentration and required credits across nurse practitioner programs in Alabama.
- Is the University of Alabama DNP accredited?
- Yes. The University of Alabama holds regional accreditation, and the Capstone College of Nursing's DNP program is professionally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Prospective students should confirm the current accreditation term with the college before applying, since program-level status can change and affects certification and federal financial aid eligibility.
