The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a terminal, practice-focused nursing doctorate that prepares nurses for the highest level of clinical practice, leadership, and system level improvement. Unlike the research focused PhD, the DNP emphasizes the application of evidence-based research to improve patient outcomes, strengthen healthcare delivery systems, and influence health policy. DNP prepared nurses serve in advanced professional roles such as Nurse Practitioners, healthcare administrators, nurse educators, and informaticists. Through expertise in quality improvement, leadership, population health, and systems thinking, they are uniquely positioned to enhance health outcomes for individuals, families, populations, and healthcare organizations.

What Does a DNP Prepares You For:

• Advanced Clinical Practice at the Highest Level: Providing expert, direct patient care in advanced practice roles such as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, with DNP preparation strengthening clinical decision making, diagnostic reasoning, and evidence-based intervention skills to effectively manage complex conditions and improve quality of care across healthcare settings.
• Leadership in Healthcare Systems: Taking on roles as directors, managers, or executives in healthcare systems to guide teams, influence organizational culture, and lead strategic change initiatives.
• Health Policy Advocacy & Influence: Advocate for patients and the profession and contribute to legislative and regulatory discussions that shape healthcare.
• Quality Improvement & Patient Safety Initiatives: Leading data-driven decision making, performance improvement models, and outcome evaluation to reduce errors and enhance system reliability.
• Academic & Clinical Education Roles: Equipped to teach in academic and practice settings, mentor future clinicians, and support workforce development.

Key Focus Areas in DNP Programs:

• Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)
• Translation of evidence into practice
• Healthcare Innovation
• Population Health & Health Equity Initiatives
• Healthcare Informatics & Data Utilization
• Quality Improvement & Patient Safety
• Leadership & Systems Thinking
• Interprofessional Collaboration
• Health Policy & Advocacy
• Scholarly Project Design & Implementation

DNP vs. PhD in Nursing:

• DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice): A terminal, practice-focused nursing doctorate, focused on translating research into clinical practice and leading healthcare delivery.
• PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) in Nursing: A research doctorate, focused on creating new nursing knowledge through scientific inquiry, research design, data analysis and theory development

Career Paths for DNP Graduates:

• Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Midwife)
•  Healthcare Executive or Administrator (Chief Nursing Officer, Director of Nursing, Service Line Leader) Academic Faculty or Clinical Educator
• Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Specialist
• Health Informatics Specialist or Clinical Data Leader
• Population Health or Public Health Leader (Local, State, or National Government Levels)
• Entrepreneur or Independent Practice Owner

At South College, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Competency Based Education (CBE) is a terminal, practice-focused nursing doctorate and the highest clinical nursing degree, completed through an educational model that emphasizes demonstrated mastery of skills and competencies rather than traditional seat time. This approach prepares nurse leaders to apply evidence-based practice, strengthen healthcare systems, and lead meaningful changes across clinical and organizational settings. The CBE focused DNP program allows nurses to progress by demonstrating proficiency in areas such as quality improvement, leadership, health policy, and population health, ensuring they are equipped to translate research into improved patient and population outcomes.

Key Aspects of a DNP in CBE:

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): A terminal, practice-focused nursing doctoral degree that prepares advanced nurses for the highest level of clinical practice, leadership, and system level improvement.
• Competency-Based Education (CBE): An educational modality where progression is based on proving mastery of specific skills and outcomes, allowing for personalized, flexible learning.
• Focus Areas: DNP programs emphasize skills in:
  • Evidence-Based Practice (EBP): Translating and applying research findings to improve clinical decision making, patient outcomes, and care delivery processes.
  • Quality Improvement & Patient Safety: Designing, implementing, and evaluating initiatives that enhance safety, efficiency, and measurable healthcare outcomes across systems.
  • Leadership & Health Policy: Leading interprofessional teams, influencing organizational strategy, and advocating for policies that improve access, quality, and value in healthcare.
  • Informatics & Healthcare Technology: Utilizing data analytics, electronic health records, and emerging technologies to support clinical decision making, workflow improvement, and outcome evaluation.
  • Population Health & Health Equity: Developing prevention focused and community-based interventions that address social determinants of health and improve outcomes for diverse populations.

How it Works Together:

• Demonstrated Mastery: Rather than progressing based solely on course completion or time spent in class, nurses advance by showing measurable proficiency in advanced practice competencies, such as evaluating health policy, leading quality improvement initiatives, and implementing evidence-based practice changes.
• Accelerated & Flexible Progression: Competency-based education allows nurses to move more efficiently through content in which they already demonstrate expertise, enabling focused development of new skills and supporting timely degree completion while maintaining rigorous academic standards.
• Real-World Practice Impact: Graduates are prepared to apply complex, evidence-based solutions in diverse clinical and organizational environments, strengthening healthcare delivery systems and improving patient, population, and organizational outcomes.

Competency-based education (CBE) is a method of education and training that gives people the flexibility to learn at a pace that suits them. It can respond in more agile ways to different learning abilities. In a CBE modality, a student passes a competency once they have demonstrated—or mastered—a required skill. The South College Competency-Based modality is an innovative, educational approach that creates opportunity for students to submit evidence of mastery of required content at their own pace in their own surroundings for faculty evaluation.

This degree-seeking modality creates a unique environment for self-starters, working professionals, and students who prefer to learn at their own speed. Through our CBE program offerings, you can pursue varying levels of Master’s, Doctoral, and Post-Doctoral or Post-Master’s Certificates at a path that suits your lifestyle. No matter your schedule or where you are located, our subscription-based CBE approach enables you to pursue the path towards your dreams while experiencing the high quality, high-impact education that South College has provided for over 144 years.

Yes. A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) graduate has earned a terminal doctoral degree and is academically entitled to use the title “Doctor.”

However, in clinical settings, many DNP-prepared nurses introduce themselves by their professional role (e.g., Nurse Practitioner or Dr. Smith, your nurse practitioner) to avoid confusion with physicians. This supports clear communication and patient understanding, which is emphasized by professional organizations and healthcare institutions.

In academic, leadership, research, and professional environments, it is common and appropriate for DNP-prepared nurses to use the title Doctor, including in faculty roles, conference presentations, publications, and executive leadership positions.

The DNP program (Post-Master’s):

• Duration: Average completion time is 18-30 months depending on mastery progression.
• Format: Online.

The DNPc program (Post-Master’s):

• Educational Leadership in Nursing Concentration Specialization
• Nurse Executive Health Systems Leadership Concentration Specialization
  • Duration: Average completion time is 18-30 months depending on mastery progression.
  • Format:

BSN to DNP program (Post-Baccalaureate):

• Duration: Average completion time is 24-36 months depending on mastery progression.
• Format:

The length depends on your starting point (BSN or Master’s) and chosen concentration specialization.

Yes, South College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award degrees at the doctorate, educational specialist, master’s, baccalaureate, and associate levels.  The Doctor of Nursing Practice program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Tuition and fees for South College students vary by program, and tuition rates are tiered based on the number of credits taken each quarter. For example, in our undergraduate programs, students taking 10-20 credits per quarter are charged one quarterly tuition rate based on their program, while students in the same program taking 1-5 or 6-9 credits are charged different tuition rates. Our tuition rates are designed such that South College students who take a high number of credits per quarter may be able to complete their program at a lower total cost than students who take fewer credits per quarter. Contact our admissions team who can help you prepare the budget for the field of study you want to pursue. And don’t forget we also offer numerous grants, scholarships, and financial aid packages to those that qualify.

Yes! Financial aid for South College is available to those who qualify. Students at South College have access to a range of financial aid to provide the economic assistance they need to pay for college. Aid is available in the form of scholarships, grants and awards, work-study programs, and loans. We’re happy to participate in numerous federal, state, and private student aid programs, and to offer funding directly. In addition to federal and state financial aid, South College institutional grants can reduce out-of-pocket expenses for qualified military-affiliated students, first responders, and recent high school graduates. Visit our financial page or contact our admissions team. We want you to succeed! Let us help you give your dream direction and address your financial aid questions.

Yes! South College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award degrees at the doctorate, educational specialist, master’s, baccalaureate, and associate levels, as well as certificates. With over 100 programs and concentrations and campuses on multiple states the state authorizations have been obtained. Visit the link to see the full listing. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the appropriate licensing board to confirm whether a South College program will meet the requirements for professional licensure in that state. South College will assist with this information for fully online programs. For onground/hybrid programs, the institution ensures that the program meets requirements for the state in which the campus is located.

Visit South College and see for yourself what the college has to offer. Campus tours include a personal admissions consultation, campus facility tour and more! When you are ready to start your journey at South College, submit an online application or speak with an admissions representative. Once your application is received, we will begin building your personalized plan to pursue the chosen degree or certificate program based on your interest. We want you to have the best possible educational experience. To learn more about the educational opportunities available for your future, Apply today!

South College offers a wide range of degree and certificate programs in areas such as business, healthcare, legal studies, education, criminal justice, and technology. At this time, we do not currently offer housing options. Our expansive online study and hybrid options allow our students to learn wherever they are located, and often with the flexibility of their own convenient time. With academic advisors that support the students throughout their tenure at South College, along with tutors, study groups, and a student success team, students at South College have resources at their fingertips to assist them in their educational pursuits and may be able to guide towards housing areas close to the campus of their choice. The individual attention and support provided by our faculty and staff helps to set us apart. Students interested in a more personalized learning experience are often attracted to South College over other larger universities and colleges in our campus locations. Request more information about South College today!

South College was founded in 1882 and focused on serving students who want a hands-on, relevant education that can have a meaningful impact on their lives. South College strives to provide quality instruction, resources, and support services based on systematic and ongoing assessment and evaluation of objectives/outcomes to ensure the development of student abilities necessary for the achievement of positive student outcomes and the mission/vision of the college. The institution establishes policies and procedures to maintain compliance with applicable federal, state, and accrediting requirements. Click below to learn all about South College’s history, and who we are as an institution today.

Yes! Credit for transfer work may be given if it was taken at an accredited collegiate institution, if it is equivalent to courses offered at South College, and if it carries a grade of C or better. Any coursework taken over seven years ago may be denied transfer credit if the material is outdated. Policies for the acceptance of any graduate level transfer credit are determined by the associated program faculty within guidelines determined by the institution. We want students to succeed and will do our best to help you in your journey to apply transfer credits to those who qualify. Contact admissions for assistance for your transfer individualized plan and consideration and learn about transfer specifications and time limits by course here:

Since its founding 141 years ago, South College‘s mission has been to serve students who want a hands-on, professional focused education. Today this means offering traditional classroom experiences along with accelerated, hybrid, and online learning options. It means small class sizes, modern labs, and campuses that are convenient to large numbers of students. Most of all, it means experienced instructors who provide real world experiences in their classes and lead in-depth discussions on the concepts taught. South College also offers non-traditional distance-learning programs, allowing students to earn a college degree online providing more flexibility with the same level of quality education and experience from all academic programs offered. This option is great for potential students who are working a full-time job or are not in travel distance to one of the learning sites. Online vs. campus? You decide. Get the student experience you desire in the program that fits your style best on your road to success!

As an institution of higher education, South College recognizes its responsibility to society and supports both institutional and individual commitments to service. South College encourages its administration, faculty, and staff to invest their knowledge, experience, and expertise in community, professional, and institutional service. South College’s core values of excellence, responsibility, and integrity serve as the foundation for assessing the quality of institutional, school/departmental, and individual performance in achieving this mission. South College is grateful for the service and sacrifice of our military and their families. We are happy to provide the South College Military Grant to support our military – past and present – in the pursuit of their education and skill development. The South College Application Fee is waived for all active-duty military members, veterans, their spouses, and their dependent children who receive this Grant.