Quick Highlights
- From an MSN, a DNP typically takes 2 to 3 years full time or 3 to 4 years part time. From a BSN, the full path typically runs 4 to 6 years done sequentially; integrated BSN-to-DNP programs typically take 3 to 4 years.
- A-State’s online DNP – General program is 36 credit hours, completed in as few as 14 months.
- DNP students complete 1,000 total clinical practice hours, based on a combination of MSN
- A-State’s DNP – General practice experience is completed at the student’s own workplace, structured around asynchronous coursework rather than a fixed clinical schedule.
How long a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) takes depends almost entirely on one thing: whether a nurse enters with an MSN already in hand or is starting from a BSN. Arkansas State University (A-State) offers a DNP – General online program that gives a concrete answer either way. This guide breaks down both timelines, walks through A-State’s own program length and covers what the process looks like specifically for nurses completing a DNP while working full time.
DNP Program Length: BSN-to-DNP vs. MSN-to-DNP
| Starting point What it includes | Typical timeline | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| MSN-to-DNP (already NP- or MSN-credentialed) | 2 to 3 years full time; 3 to 4 years part time | DNP-level coursework, a DNP scholarly project and required clinical practice hours |
| BSN-to-DNP (no graduate degree yet) | 4 to 6 years total | MSN-level NP coursework and certification, followed by the DNP portion above |
Most practicing NPs pursuing a DNP fall into the MSN-to-DNP category, since they already hold a graduate nursing degree and NP certification. The BSN-to-DNP timeline is longer because it includes the full MSN portion before DNP coursework even begins.
Two variables push either timeline past its baseline range: enrollment intensity and prior clinical hours. A nurse who can sustain a full course load each term will land at the shorter end of either range, while reduced course loads during demanding work periods stretch completion closer to the upper bound. Clinical hours matter just as much, nurses entering the MSN-to-DNP pathway with well-documented supervised hours from their master’s program typically move through the doctoral clinical requirement faster than those who need to make up a shortfall before starting DNP-level coursework.
A-State’s Online DNP – General Timeline
Arkansas State University’s (A-State) online DNP – General program is 36 credit hours, completed in as few as 14 months, at $560 per credit hour ($20,160 total tuition). Admission requires an MSN from a CCNE-, ACEN-, CNEA- or COA-accredited program, a 3.25 GPA, an active, unencumbered RN license and documentation of at least 40 faculty-supervised clinical hours completed during the MSN. This reflects published program details as of September 2026 and is subject to change; confirm current tuition, credit hours and admission requirements directly with A-State.
Unlike a traditional NP practicum, DNP students do not complete off-site preceptorships. Instead, the program requires 1,000 total clinical practice hours, calculated as a combination of hours already completed during the MSN and three dedicated DNP internship courses (540 hours total across those three courses). Students who completed fewer clinical hours during their MSN complete a gap analysis with the program to determine any additional coursework needed to reach the 1,000-hour total.
Important Note
The 1,000-hour clinical requirement is a combined total, not additional hours stacked on top of a full MSN clinical load. Nurses with fewer supervised MSN hours may need extra coursework to close the gap, which can extend the 14-month timeline above.
For most students who enter with the required MSN clinical hours already documented, the 14-month timeline holds without adjustment. From there, the bigger variable for working nurses is less about credit hours and more about how full-time or part-time enrollment fits around an existing job.
Completing a DNP While Working: Enrollment Pace, Clinical Hours and Cost
For a working nurse, the practical question is rarely just “how long,” but “how long around my schedule.” A-State’s DNP – General program is offered both full time and part time, so students can choose the pace that fits their work and family commitments rather than being locked into a single cohort schedule. Multiple start dates throughout the year add further flexibility, so students can begin when the timing works, rather than waiting for a single annual intake.
Clinical practice hours are also structured to fit around a working schedule. Rather than requiring students to leave their jobs for a block of precepted clinical time, A-State’s DNP practice experience hours are completed through a combination of course assignments and asynchronous learning activities, often based at the student’s own workplace. Most DNP projects are completed at the student’s employer, which means the clinical and project components of the degree can align directly with a nurse’s current job rather than pulling them away from it.
Many hospital systems and healthcare employers offer some form of tuition assistance or reimbursement for advanced nursing degrees, though the amount and eligibility requirements vary significantly by employer. Nurses considering a DNP while working should check with their employer’s education benefits before enrolling, since employer support can meaningfully offset the total cost shown above.
Plan Your DNP Timeline Around Your Career
Whatever your starting point, a DNP timeline isn’t a fixed countdown. It’s a series of choices about pace, workload and how much existing coursework and clinical experience carries forward. Nurses entering with an MSN save time on both ends: less coursework to repeat and clinical hours that count toward the 1,000-hour total. Nurses starting with a BSN take a longer, more foundational path, but arrive at the same terminal credential.
A-State’s online DNP – General program is built around working nurses: full-time and part-time enrollment, multiple start dates throughout the year and clinical and project work completed in the student’s own workplace rather than through outside placements. For a nurse mapping out a realistic finish date, those structural choices matter more than any single “how long” number in determining whether a doctorate fits around a career or requires stepping away from one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a DNP take from an MSN?
Typically, 2 to 3 years full time or 3 to 4 years part time, depending on enrollment pace and prior clinical hours.
How long does a DNP take from a BSN?
4 to 6 years total on average, since it includes the full MSN-level NP coursework and certification before DNP-level work begins.
How long is A-State’s online DNP – General program?
As few as 14 months, for 36 credit hours, for students entering with an MSN and qualifying clinical hours already in place.
Do DNP students complete traditional clinical placements?
No. A-State’s DNP students complete 1,000 total practice hours through a combination of MSN clinical hours and three DNP internship courses, based on asynchronous coursework rather than off-site preceptorships.
Can I complete a DNP while working full time?
Yes. A-State’s DNP – General program offers full-time and part-time enrollment, and most DNP projects are completed at the student’s own workplace.
Does my employer help pay for a DNP?
Many healthcare employers offer some tuition assistance for advanced nursing degrees, though terms vary. Check your employer’s education benefits directly.
Ready to see how a DNP fits your schedule? Explore A-State’s online DNP – General program and see if you qualify to start.