Why the Doctor of Nursing Practice at Russell Sage?

The changing demands of this nation’s complex healthcare environment require the highest level of scientific knowledge and practice expertise to assure quality outcomes. The DNP degree can significantly contribute to professional growth, leadership competencies, and expanded career opportunities.

Tuition & Fees

24-72 credits
72 credits for RNs with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing; 24 credits for Nurse Practitioners (A gap analysis will determine if additional credits are required)

$950 per-credit

$3,055 Graduate Assistantships available per semester
(enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits per semester) *Must be available for in-person Graduate Assistantship work on our Albany or Troy campuses.

Length & Format

2 to 5 years
to graduate, dependent upon track and part-time or full-time status

100% Online
program delivery, with in-person clinical labs and clinical practicum

About The School of Health Sciences

Russell Sage College is the region’s premier institution for health professions, offering the most comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs.

Explore the School of Health Sciences
Apply Now

Specialties in our Doctor of Nursing Practice program

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is the highest academic preparation for nursing practice and obtaining a DNP may, in the near future, become a prerequisite for board certification and licensure for APRNs.

With the exception of in-person clinical practice hours with a preceptor and 4 to 6 health assessment labs, the program considers the schedule of the working nurse by offering coursework online in a convenient synchronous format with faculty who are expert nurse practitioners and researchers.

Graduates have refined critical thinking skills and clinical knowledge to translate research into practice, evaluate outcomes using information systems and fiscal analysis and provide clinical leadership across healthcare settings. The DNP degree can significantly contribute to professional growth, leadership competencies, and expanded career opportunities.

Address social determinants of health with the goal of increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion across healthcare settings, including the formulation of policy, advocacy, and social justice initiatives that lead to improved health outcomes and the implementation of innovative quality improvement processes.

Create and evaluate healthy work environments and learn to utilize new sustainable care delivery models.

Collaborate in innovative interprofessional clinical practice and research teams and develop stronger systems leadership skills.

Two pathways: The path that RNs in this program take is determined by the degree they already hold.

  • B.S. in Nursing to DNP: This 72-credit program is an entry-level pathway for RNs with a current New York state license and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, which allows them to earn a doctorate without a master’s degree needed in between. The field experiences range from 1,150 to 1,200 clinically precepted, faculty-supervised hours in the students’ population focus and specialty track. Students can start this program in the fall semester only. Including summers, students can complete this program in three years if full time or five years if part time.
  • M.S. in Nursing to DNP: This 24-credit program is for master’s prepared Nurse Practitioners who wish to achieve a doctoral degree and are admitted with advanced standing after a gap analysis is conducted to determine if additional credits are needed. In addition to didactic courses, 500 hours of clinical must be completed. Students can start this program in the spring semester only. If full time, students can complete this program in one year (including summer) or two years on a part-time basis without summer studies.

Easily Apply

Start the B.S. to DNP program in the fall or the M.S. in Nursing program in the spring semesters.

Applicants to the DNP program must:

  • Be a Registered Nurse with a current unencumbered license
  • Meet Russell Sage graduate admission requirements, including having achieved a 3.0 grade-point average or higher in previous academic programs
  • Complete an online Russell Sage College graduate application
  • Provide transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
  • Submit a 2- to 3-page personal statement that includes reason the DNP is being sought, career goals, scholarly project idea and how the applicant will balance the demands of doctoral education with other life responsibilities.
  • Provide a current resume
  • Submit three letters of recommendation, with one letter or more from a doctorally prepared nurse. One should be from someone in academia, one from a supervisor, and one from an advanced practice RN who can speak to the applicants breadth and depth of experience and potential as a doctorally prepared nurse. 
  • Successful completion of a descriptive statistics course within 5 years.
  • Have one year or 2,000 hours experience as a Registered Nurse

Qualified applicants will be interviewed by the DNP Admissions Committee.

Note: Applicants with a master’s degree from an accredited Nurse Practitioner program who apply to the DNP program for advanced standing must meet with the DNP program director for a gap analysis to determine eligibility and additional requirements. They must hold a current unencumbered New York state RN and NP license and have current national certification as a nurse practitioner.

Apply Now

Clinical Partners

Students have the opportunity to complete the required clinical practicums in their region or with tertiary, comprehensive, and community hospitals, primary care clinics, and inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings based on course and track requirements.  

Industry Need

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates demand for Nurse Practitioners is expected to grow by 45% nationally between 2022 and 2032, with NPs making a median annual salary of $126,260.

In New York state alone, the Center for Health Workforce Studies has projected a nearly 56% increase in available NP positions between 2020 and 2023, with the need growing by about 52% in just the Capital Region.

Alumni of our graduate Nursing programs have career opportunities as nurse practitioners, nurse educators, nurse executive-administrators and clinical nurse specialists. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook for Nurse Practitioners.

$126,260

the median annual wage for nurse practitioners.

56%

increase in employment opportunities predicted between 2020 and 2023.

Personal advising, experienced faculty

Our DNP program comes with a deep, Russell Sage-level of support from an assigned faculty advisor who works with you to ensure your success.

Glenda Kelman, Russell Sage College Nursing program chair
Glenda B.
Kelman

Professor and Chair

Learn more about Glenda
Woman with glasses and shoulder-length blond hair standing outside.
Kim
Gendron

Assistant Professor of Nursing

Learn more about Kim
Racheal Paige
Racheal
Paige

Assistant Professor of Nursing

Learn more about Racheal
Jody Scardillo
Jody
Scardillo

Professor & Program Director, Nursing

Learn more about Jody
Sage Park - Troy
Tracey A.
Continelli

Associate Professor of Nursing

Learn more about Tracey
Nancy Michela, Russell Sage College Nursing program faculty member
Nancy J.
Michela

Associate Professor of Nursing

Learn more about Nancy
Woman with long brown hair standing outside with trees in the background during fall.
Emilie
Deck

Assistant Professor of Nursing

Learn more about Emilie
Need help?
Glenda B. Kelman
Professor and Chair
[email protected]
518-244-2001

Take the Next Step

It's time to take the next step. Choose yours below.
Request More Info
Apply
Visit
Financial Aid