Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership
Our online Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership (DNP-EL) program develops master’s-prepared advanced practice nurses who already have leadership experience with the executive-level skills to lead systems and organizational change.
Executive leadership in an ever-changing and complex healthcare industry requires the knowledge and skills to revolutionize care delivery models and improve patient and organizational outcomes. Focused on systems leadership and innovative change, the DNP-EL prepares graduates for a variety of leadership roles including but not limited to Chief Nursing Officers, Clinical and Project Directors, Healthcare Consultants, and Practice Leaders.
Academic Partner Discount
Beginning January 1, 2024, students who are full-time or part-time employees with one of Penn Nursing’s Academic Partners* may be eligible for a 25% discount per CU, regardless of the number of CUs registered in a calendar or fiscal year.
Our Curriculum
Offered online with only a few on-campus intensives, the DNP-EL can be completed while working full-time from any location. An unparalleled advantage, this interdisciplinary curriculum incorporates content from Wharton Executive Education, Wharton Online, and the Perelman School of Medicine Health Care Innovation Graduate Program. Situated within a resource-intensive university, students avail of online library services, and take courses taught by faculty with vast healthcare leadership experience. In-person intensives provide 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 are expected to achieve outcomes outlined by the American Organization of Nurse Leaders (AONL) related to Nurse Executive Competencies.
The DNP-EL requires 11-course units which can be completed in two years.
International Compliance
The Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership degree program is offered by the University of Pennsylvania, an institution of higher education authorized to confer degrees and certificates conferring academic credit under applicable laws of the United States. Students who are interested in participating in the program from countries other than the United States are advised that each jurisdiction may have its own laws and regulations governing online educational programs, and some jurisdictions may not recognize course credit or an online degree awarded by the University as satisfying local requirements for professional licensure, employment qualification, or other purposes. Before enrolling in this program, prospective students should investigate their jurisdiction’s treatment of foreign online programs to ensure that participation in this program will meet their objectives.