Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership
Our online DNP in Executive Leadership program develops nurses with a master’s degree in a related field who already have leadership experience with the executive-level skills to lead systems and organizational change.
For information regarding Penn Nursing accreditation, please visit our Accreditation page.
Related Links
Curriculum
Offered online with a one-week on-campus intensive during which students attend the Wharton Nursing Leaders Program, the DNP-EL can be completed while working full-time from any U.S. location. Students will complete a DNP project, which can take place at their own site of employment, bringing additional organizational impact to the project site. For more information about the DNP scholarly project, please consult the DNP Handbook or view previous DNP Scholarly Projects.
The interdisciplinary curriculum incorporates content from Wharton Executive Education, Wharton Online, and the Perelman School of Medicine Health Care Innovation Graduate Program. Synchronous online engagement provides students with networking opportunities, individualized faculty mentorship, and access to executives from our world-class academic health system.
The DNP-EL includes coursework in strategic planning and execution, value-based healthcare innovation, advanced healthcare economics and finance, and transformative executive-level leadership competencies. Upon completion of the program, students achieve outcomes informed by the American Organization of Nurse Leaders (AONL) Nurse Executive Competencies.
Click the link below to view the curriculum for this program.
Requirements
Minimum qualifications for the program
- BSN and MSN or masters degree in a related field, e.g., Master’s in Business Administration (MBA), Master’s in Healthcare Administration (MHA), Master’s in Public Health (MPH), etc. with a GPA of 3.2 or higher.
Prerequisites
- Undergraduate or graduate-level introduction to statistics course with a grade of C or higher.
- Undergraduate or graduate-level research methods course or evidence based practice course with a grade of B or higher.
Experience
Two years of leadership and fiscal management experience (or formal graduate coursework in finance/accounting) is required. Greater than 5 years is preferred.
Licensure
RN (required) and APRN (if applicable)
International Applicants
Due to visa requirements, International applicants are not accepted.
Application Deadlines
Summer 2026 Enrollment
Priority Admissions Deadline: October, 15 2025
Decision Notification: early-December
Regular Admissions Deadline: January 15, 2026
Decision Notification: early-March
*Dates subject to change without notice.
Costs & Tuition
Discount available for employees of our Academic Practice Partners. Click here to learn more.
Total Estimated Cost (11 CUs starting in 2025): $80,275
Your program costs will depend on your individual plan of study. Tuition is charged per CU based on your enrollment for the semester.
*Summer semesters are charged per CU regardless of enrollment status
**Registration for less than 4 CUs is charged per CU
In addition to tuition and fees, there are additional estimated expenses related to the Wharton Nursing Leaders Program (note: estimates are for the December 2025 attendance).
Program Outcomes
Graduates of the DNP-EL track will demonstrate the following major-specific proficiencies:
- Demonstrate ethical decision-making, accountability, and professionalism in clinical
practice, adhering to legal, regulatory, and organizational standards while promoting a
culture of respect and integrity in healthcare settings. (Professionalism). - Employ effective communication strategies to establish collaborative relationships with
patients, families, and interprofessional teams, ensuring person-centered care and
fostering trust within diverse healthcare environments. (Communication & Relationship
Building). - Apply advanced knowledge of the healthcare system, including policy, regulations, and
resource management, to navigate complex healthcare environments and advocate for
improvements in patient care and outcomes. (Knowledge of the Healthcare Environment). - Exercise leadership capabilities by utilizing business principles, strategic thinking, and
management techniques to drive organizational efficiency, foster team development, and
influence positive changes in healthcare delivery systems. (Leadership; Business Skills &
Principles).
The DNP in Executive Leadership aims to graduate nurses for middle- or executive-level leadership roles including those in clinical operations or project/program leadership at a departmental or systems level.
