Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

If you aspire to become a change-maker in nursing, well-prepared to lead the charge of improving health care in our country, our Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program may be the right choice for you. Although we offer several paths of study in pursuit of this terminal degree, some elements remain consistent: a mastery of clinical practice, a drive to lead, and a commitment to human connection.

Our DNP program prepares nurses at the highest level of proficiency as they learn to translate science into clinical practice. Students develop the skills to lead collaboratively, integrate research into care, and design better healthcare delivery systems. Some of our DNP students focus their studies on delivering complex care over the lifespan of one population. Others scale up their impact to shape entire systems, organizations, and policies through executive or administrative roles. Whatever your intended focus, you’ll earn your DNP in a unique environment that blends academic strength with nurturing support. Here, what truly fosters our students’ success is their personal connection to our expert nurse faculty as, together, we push science into practice.

No one belongs here more than you.

Welcome to the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, founded more than 40 years ago on the beautiful campus of the University of San Diego. Our school consistently ranks among the best graduate nursing schools locally and nationally. But that's not the only reason future students walk through our doors to pursue one of our graduate degrees.

The personal connections between faculty and students fuel our collective success and impact. Compassion isn’t just woven into our coursework—it’s embodied in our commitment to you. As scholars and clinicians ourselves, we value your talents and experiences. We’re here to mentor, nurture and uplift you as you become all you’re meant to be.