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Apply By: April 01, 2025
Next Start Date: May 12, 2025

Nursing Practice - Organizational Systems Leadership Overview: Post-Masters DNP

Advance your nursing career and make a greater impact in the fields of health care and nursing by enrolling in one of the most flexible and affordable online DNP programs in Indiana. The University of Southern Indiana’s 100% online MSN to DNP program offers a top-quality nursing education from specialized experts who will prepare you for a range of leadership roles that align with top regional and national health care needs.

Organizational Systems Leadership is designed for students with a non-clinical background who are interested in systems leadership, health care policy, strategic planning, resource allocation, technology and informatics to improve health care outcomes.

Complete a DNP project as you move through your DNP courses so that you can apply a real-world project to your nursing discipline or specialty. Although our program is entirely online, your project can be implemented in a health care site in your hometown or wherever is most convenient to you. Many of our DNP students pursue quality improvement projects.

Why get a DNP at the University of Southern Indiana? USI’s commitment to fostering a caring environment is unique among online DNP programs. We prioritize collaboration between nursing students, alumni, faculty, staff and health care professionals to optimize your personal and professional growth. You’ll also be assigned a dedicated faculty mentor based on your specific interests who will support you through every phase your DNP project.

Online Learning

USI faculty and staff are dedicated to giving you the support you need no matter the modality for which you're taking classes. Check out our robust resources for online students including what online learning is, technology requirements and frequently asked questions.

Online Student Resources

Other Emphases

Nursing Practice - Advanced Nursing Practice
Doctoral
Nursing Practice - Organizational and Systems Leadership (BSN to DNP)
Doctoral
Nursing Practice - Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (BSN to DNP)
Doctoral
Nursing Practice - Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Acute (BSN to DNP)
Doctoral
Nursing Practice - Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP)
Doctoral
Nursing Practice - Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (BSN to DNP)
Doctoral
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100% Online
78 Credit Hours
Complete in 2+ Years

Credits Breakdowns

Doctoral Credit
Requirements

78
Credits

Total Credits

78
Credits

Program Curriculum for the Doctor of Nursing Practice

You may apply a maximum of 42 graduate credits toward the required 78 hours for the degree. The USI DNP curriculum is built upon three distinct areas of graduate nursing content as determined by the AACN Essentials document. You can then choose one of the two specialty tracks: Advanced Nursing Practice or Organizational and Systems Leadership. In both tracks, the plan of study includes the same 12 required DNP courses. Assignments within each course, in addition to the DNP project, will focus topics consistent with each track.

Visit the 2024-2025 Graduate Bulletin for a full course listing. 

The online graduate nursing programs are limited to working with certain states in the U.S. only. Moving into a state not recognized by the graduate nursing program will lead to inability to continue in graduate nursing coursework. The exception to this is active military status. Click here to see your availability.

We offer synchronous online intensives twice a year and accept up to 42 credit hours from your MSN to help accelerate your DNP.

Admission Requirements:

  • Completed master's degree in nursing from a nationally-accredited nursing program and a regionally-accredited college or university.
  • Earned graduate program GPA of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent.
  • Satisfactorily completed a course in graduate research (grade of B or better).
  • Complete application file.
  • International students may be required to supply additional information as outlined by the School of Graduate Studies.
  • Faculty may request an interview with an applicant.

Handbooks

These handbooks are a compilation of selected policies and guidelines for the College of Nursing and Health Professions and those seeking a Graduate Nursing degree.

CNHP Handbook

Graduate Nursing Handbook

Course Checksheet View in Bulletin
  1. Submit an online application and a $40 application fee.
  2. Upload a current professional resume or curriculum vitae to your application account.
  3. Submit transcripts to Graduate Studies. 
    • Official transcripts are required only from the institution at which your highest degree was earned. Electronic transcripts are preferred and can be emailed from the previous institution to Graduate.Studies@usi.edu 
    • Unofficial transcripts from other institutions attended can be submitted via email by the applicant to Graduate.Studies@usi.edu 
    • Applicants who wish to seek transfer credit for graduate coursework must submit an official transcript from the institution where that work was completed. 
    • Mailed transcripts can be sent to this address:Graduate Studies
      University of Southern Indiana 
      8600 University Blvd. 
      Evansville, IN 47712
  4. Read the full transcript policy by clicking here.
  5. International applicants may be required to submit additional information.

Incoming Students

  • Start Date:
    January 13, 2025
  • Start Date:
    May 12, 2025
    Application Deadline:
    April 01, 2025
    Document Deadline:
    April 15, 2025
  • Start Date:
    August 18, 2025
    Application Deadline:
    July 01, 2025
    Document Deadline:
    July 15, 2025

College & Department Contacts

Dr. Bailey P. Rankin
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Chair of Graduate Nursing Programs

Career Outlook

Evansville Regional Data

Whether you’re interested in leadership in acute care settings, community and population health, or educational institutions, our online Post-MSN to DNP program will give you the expertise and advanced nursing skills you need to effectively benefit patients, improve outcomes and make meaningful contributions in your chosen health care career. 

Evansville Regional Data

Top Regional Occupations by Income

*income information provided by O*NET Online. Occupation opportunities vary by region and experience.

Related Career Fields

  • Systems Leader
  • Chief Nursing Officer
  • Nurse Administrator
  • Healthcare Consultant
  • Quality Improvement Coordinator

The University of Southern Indiana is committed to making college accessible to those wishing to further their education by providing numerous scholarships, grants, and financial aid options to assist students in managing tuition expenses.

Tuition and Fees
Scholarships and Aid
Grants

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Southern Indiana is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Out-of-State Licensure Information

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  • ABOUT
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