Online Doctor of Nursing Practice – Executive Leadership

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The University of Michigan-Flint’s Doctor of Nursing Practice with a concentration in Executive Leadership program empowers you to expand your influence as a nurse leader in various healthcare settings with strong decision-making, communication, and administrative skills.

Offered in a convenient online learning format, the DNP – Executive Leadership program not only increases your nursing knowledge but also hones your business acumen with twice-per-semester online residencies at the School of Management.

Apply to the DNP in Executive Leadership Online Program


Why Choose UM-Flint DNP – Executive Leadership Program?

A Doctorate Degree Program Designed for Nurse Leaders

The online DNP with a concentration in Executive Leadership is created for nurses with an existing master’s degree to elevate their careers. Focused on leadership, the program helps current management-level nurses, such as nurse managers in various types of patient care units and chief operating officers of nursing or medical centers, revolutionize organizational change and improve healthcare outcomes.

Convenient Online Format

Offered in an online format, the DNP in Executive Leadership program allows practicing RNs to expand their expertise with doctoral-level courses and research in a manner conducive to the busy lives of healthcare professionals.

UM-Flint’s high-caliber online education delivers an engaging and rigorous learning experience. Our Office of Online & Digital Education also offers 7-day-a-week support to our online learners.

Multi-Faceted Credentials

UM-Flint’s online DNP degree in Executive Leadership complements your advanced nursing knowledge with expertise in management leadership. Upon graduation, you achieve a DNP degree. This equips you for the influential role you will play in guiding complex care that is based on research, evidence, and best practices.

Through the program of study, you are also prepared to take the Nurse Executive Advanced Certification exam through the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the Certified in Executive Nursing Practice exam through the American Organization of Nurse Executives.

Dual Degree Options

DNP students or graduates interested in Business or Healthcare Administration can pursue the DNP/MBA dual degree. Students can apply up to 15 specified credits toward both degrees. Each degree is awarded when completed, with specified credits accepted for the second degree after the first has been awarded. The MBA degree is awarded with a concentration in Health Care Management.

The dual Doctor of Nursing Practice/Master of Science in Leadership and Organizational Dynamics program is designed for UM-Flint Doctor of Nursing Practice students and graduates with an Executive Leadership concentration who are interested in leadership positions in their organizations.  The curriculum allows the DNP student or graduate to apply up to 15 specified credits toward both degrees.  The degrees are independent; each is awarded when completed with specified credits accepted for the second degree after the first has been awarded.  The MS degree is awarded by School of Management.

Nurse Faculty Loan Program

Are you interested in pursuing a Nursing faculty position? Find out how you can get your school paid for while gaining the skills and expertise required of faculty in the field of Nursing.

Program Curriculum

The Doctor of Nursing Practice – Executive Leadership degree requires you to complete at least 30-34 credits to graduate. The robust curriculum includes nursing core courses and concentration courses that focus on building your knowledge in organizational leadership and management.

Review the program curriculum and full course list. A sample course schedule can be found here.

Academic Advising

At UM-Flint, we provide dedicated advisors to help guide your educational journey in earning the DNP degree in Executive Leadership. If you have questions about the program curriculum and requirements, or want to talk about your education plan, book an appointment today.


Influence as A Leader – Career Outcomes

Executive nurse leaders are a crucial part of the rapidly changing healthcare field. The national demand for DNP professionals with executive leadership skills increased 47% in the past four years. Nurses with the knowledge and experience earned through the online DNP – Executive Leadership program set the standards and vision for nursing practice in the delivery of care that meets the “Triple Aim” developed by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement:

  • Improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction); 
  • Improving the health of populations;
  • Reducing the per capita cost of health care.

Building upon your existing management experience, the University of Michigan-Flint’s Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in Executive Leadership enables you to excel as a high-level nurse administrator. You may lead in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, community clinics, offices of physicians, government agencies, and outpatient care centers.

According to Indeed, chief nursing executives make an average of $133,570 per year.

$133,570 median annual wage for chief nursing executives

Effective July 1, 2024, the University of Michigan-Flint will implement new enrollment criteria for programs leading to professional licensure and certifications. Only applicants who are located in a state where the program’s educational requirements are known to be satisfied will be eligible for initial enrollment.
Refer to School of Nursing Statement 2024 for more information.

Online DNP – Executive Leadership Admission Requirements

A candidate must meet the following requirements to be eligible for admission:

  • BSN from an accredited college or university with an overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Current unencumbered RN license in the United States.
  • Master’s degree with a GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale in one of the following areas: Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Education, Public Health, Business Administration, Public Administration, Health Care Administration, or a related administrative or nursing field deemed acceptable to SON faculty for entry into this program.
  • Applicants must have 24 months of current mid-level administrative or higher position experience (nurse manager, supervisor, director, assistant director) or a faculty position teaching graduate students nursing administration or a nursing management or executive consultation position full-time in the last five years.
  • Prospective students must also have completed 30 hours of continuing education in nursing administration within the last three years.
    • Candidates admitted to the DNP in executive leadership program must demonstrate that they possess the attributes necessary to succeed in the challenging DNP-level nursing curriculum and must be able to act as professional nurses where appropriate.

Essential qualities of candidates include the cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and physical abilities required for satisfactory completion of the executive leadership curriculum and development of professional attributes required of all students upon completion.

State Authorization for Online Students

In recent years, the federal government has emphasized the need for universities and colleges to be in compliance with the distance education laws of each individual state. If you are an out-of-state student intending to enroll in an online program, please visit the State Authorization page to verify the status of UM-Flint with your state.


How to Apply to the DNP in Executive Leadership Online Program

To be considered for admission to the DNP in Executive Leadership program, submit an online application below. Other materials can be emailed to [email protected] or delivered to the Office of Graduate Programs.

  1. Application for Graduate Admission
  2. $55 application fee (non-refundable)
  3. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Please read our full transcript policy for more information.
    • UM-Flint transcripts will be obtained automatically
  4. For any degree completed at a non-US institution, transcripts must be submitted for an internal credential review. Read the following for instructions on how to submit your transcripts for review.
  5. If English is not your native language, and you are not from an exempt country, you must demonstrate English proficiency.
  6. Curriculum vitae or resume
  7. Copy of current RN license in the U.S. (submit either a license verification printout or a photocopy of license)
  8. Proof of employment as a mid-level administrative or higher position (nurse manager, supervisor, director, assistant director, etc.) or a faculty position teaching graduate students nursing administration or a nursing management or executive consultation position full-time for 24 months in the last five years.
    • Satisfied by a letter from an employer with a position title.
  9. Proof of completion of 30 hours of continuing education in nursing administration within the last three years.
    • Satisfied by continuing education certificate or summary of continuing education.
  10. A completed supplemental application located within your Applicant Portal
  11. Professional Goal Statement should be a one-two page typewritten document in APA format, double-spaced.
    Please include:
    • Description of reasons for pursuing a DNP, professional plans, career goals, and why the candidate wants to attend UM-Flint
    • Description of how candidate’s past nursing experiences will prepare him/her for an advanced nursing degree
    • List of any past achievements in nursing including any professional organization memberships or positions, awards, scholarships, nominations, certifications, committee/project work, or other accomplishments such as scholarly publications
    • Explanation of candidate’s research interests
  12. Three letters of recommendation are required from any of the following sources:
    • Faculty from a recent nursing program
    • Supervisor in an employment setting
    • Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Physician Assistant, MD, or DO
    • All recommenders should be familiar with the candidate’s intellectual ability, academic achievement, and professional commitment.
  13. Phone/in-person interview may be required
  14. Students from abroad must submit additional documentation.

This program is fully online. Admitted students will not be able to obtain a student (F-1) visa to pursue this degree. Other nonimmigrant visa holders currently in the United States please contact the Center for Global Engagement at [email protected].


Admission Deadlines

To be considered for admission, submit all application materials to the Office of Graduate Programs by 5 p.m. on the day of the application deadline.

  • Fall (early deadline) – Feb. 1*
  • Fall (final deadline) – May 1
  • Winter – Sept. 20

*You must have a complete application by the early deadline to guarantee application eligibility for scholarships, grants, and research assistantships.

Enrollment Deposit

If you are selected for admission to the DNP program, you will be required to pay a $100 enrollment deposit (non-refundable) to reserve your seat. The deadline to pay the deposit will be indicated in your letter of admission.

Campus Orientation

If admitted to the program, you must attend orientation before the program begins. The date will be indicated in your letter of admission.

Lead Your Healthcare Team with an Online DNP – Executive Leadership Degree

Ready to elevate your career as a nurse leader? The University of Michigan-Flint’s online Doctor of Nursing Practice with a concentration in Executive Leadership equips you with knowledge and confidence to support your organization and healthcare team as a visionary nurse executive.

Start your application today or request information to learn more!