Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Launches at Touro University
Post-Master's DNP Expands Educational Pathways and Prepares Advanced Nurse Leaders for Top Level Executive, Administrative and Research Roles
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Touro University has received approval from the NYS Department of Education to launch its new Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program, further expanding the nursing education offerings within the Touro University School of Health Sciences and creating a seamless pathway for nurses seeking the highest level of clinical and leadership preparation in the profession.
The new program, offered through the Department of Nursing at the Touro University School of Health Sciences, is a terminal practice doctorate designed for nurse practitioners who already hold a master's degree. The curriculum includes 44 credit hours and 665 clinical hours and is aligned with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials and nationally recognized competencies for doctoral-prepared nurse practitioners.
“With the addition of the DNP, Touro continues to strengthen its commitment to developing nursing professionals who can lead healthcare transformation, improve patient outcomes and address the increasingly complex challenges facing healthcare today,” said Dr. Sandra Russo, Chair and Director of the Department of Nursing, Touro University School of Health Sciences.
The approval of the DNP program enhances Touro’s comprehensive continuum of nursing education. Students can now advance through a full range of academic pathways, from undergraduate nursing preparation through graduate and doctoral study. The Department of Nursing offers pre-licensure bachelor's-level preparation, master's-level nursing programs, nurse practitioner education, and now the Post-Master’s DNP, providing nurses with opportunities for career advancement at every stage of their professional journey.
“Touro is proud to be a national leader in medical and healthcare education. This DNP is the latest addition to our portfolio of mission-driven programs that are training healthcare professionals to provide high-level care and serve communities across America,” said Dr. Alan Kadish, Touro University President.
The program is designed to prepare experienced nurses for leadership in complex healthcare environments by strengthening expertise in evidence-based practice, quality improvement, patient safety, healthcare policy, population health, informatics, healthcare finance, organizational leadership, and systems management.
Delivering Strong Return on Investment for Nursing Professionals
The new DNP program offers a significant return on investment for students by positioning graduates for advancement into high-level leadership, operational, and executive positions across healthcare settings. Graduates will be prepared for roles such as chief nursing officer, nursing director, executive director, health system administrator, clinical operations leader, and quality and patient safety executive.
In addition to increased career mobility, the program equips graduates with the skills needed to lead organizational change, improve healthcare delivery systems, influence policy decisions, manage resources, and drive measurable improvements in patient and population health outcomes. These competencies are increasingly sought by healthcare organizations navigating workforce challenges, quality mandates, and evolving care models.
The program is also ideal for nurse leaders who seek to expand their impact beyond direct patient care and into strategic decision-making roles where they can shape the future of healthcare delivery and community health.
Admission to the Post-Master’s DNP program is highly selective, welcoming master's-prepared nurses who demonstrate strong academic achievement, professional accomplishment, leadership potential, and a commitment to advancing nursing practice and healthcare delivery. This rigorous admissions process is designed to cultivate a cohort of accomplished nurse leaders prepared to make meaningful and measurable contributions to the profession and the communities they serve.
