Our Post-MSN Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Clinical Leadership is designed for master’s-prepared Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) who are ready to expand their impact from individual patient care to system-wide transformation.
We see you leading transformative change, shaping healthcare systems, and driving innovation to advance the future of nursing.
Lead the Future of Healthcare
Advance your leadership skills, clinical expertise, and reshape healthcare systems with a practice-focused doctorate built for experienced advanced practice nurses.
Develop the leadership, strategic decision-making, and systems-thinking skills needed to improve patient outcomes and drive change across healthcare. Graduate ready for leadership roles in clinical practice, healthcare administration, patient safety, healthcare systems, and executive nursing—equipped to make a lasting impact on patients, organizations, and the nursing profession.
Program Snapshot
Complete in approximately 3 years
100% online coursework
Asynchronous classes
Part-time pace (approximately one course per semester)
Fall entry
The Cedar Crest College Online Advantage
Flexibility: Designed with working nurses in mind, coursework is offered in an online, asynchronous format.
Our reputation: When you become a part of our School of Nursing, you become part of a long tradition of modern nursing. Cedar Crest nurses are known throughout the area for their competence, care, and compassion.
An Accessible DNP
Our program was designed with busy healthcare professionals in mind, offering the flexibility to advance your education without stepping away from your career. The fully online, asynchronous format empowers you to balance work, life, and your doctorate, ensuring you can continue practicing while gaining the skills to lead meaningful change. Take the next step toward your goals—on your time.
A gap analysis will be completed for each student to determine previously earned post-BSN clinical hours and identify any additional hours needed to meet the DNP requirement of 1,000 post-BSN clinical hours. Based on the results of the gap analysis, an individualized progression plan will be developed to ensure each student meets the required clinical hours for degree completion.
Year
Completion Rate Aggregate
First Time Certification Exam Pass Rate
(Aggregate for MSN/ PMC NP options)
Ultimate Pass Rate (Includes Repeat Testers)
(Aggregate for MSN/ PMC NP options)
2022
ACEN 67%
CCNE 87.5%
80%
100% (15/15)
2023
ACEN 67%
CCNE 87.5%
85%
91% (10/11)
2024
ACEN 60%
CCNE 86%
85%
100% (13/13)
2025
ACEN 45%
CCNE 71%
100%
100% (4/4)
On Time Completion Rate (by Program)
Year
Master’s
Post Master’s Certificate
DNP
2022
Nurse Educator
67%
n/a
Nurse Administrator
n/a
n/a
FNP
67%
100%
n/a
AGACNP
67%
n/a
n/a
2023
Nurse Educator
57%
n/a
Nurse Administrator
66%
n/a
FNP
70%
n/a
n/a
AGACNP
60%
100%
n/a
2024
Nurse Educator
n/a
n/a
Nurse Administrator
n/a
n/a
FNP
60%
n/a
n/a
AGACNP
75%
n/a
n/a
2025
Nurse Educator
100%
n/a
Nurse Administrator
n/a
n/a
FNP
80%
n/a
n/a
AGACNP
0%
n/a
n/a
Integrate knowledge of theory and research to develop a comprehensive and ethical approach for nursing practice, education, and administration in a global society.
Utilize advanced clinical knowledge and skill to promote, maintain, and/or restore optimum wellness to clients.
Articulate the issues and trends that affect the social, economic, political, and institutional forces that influence nursing and health care delivery.
Critically appraise and utilize scientific, expert, and other sources of knowledge to ensure quality outcomes in the context of evidence-based practice.
Develop collaborative and interprofessional relationships to improve health outcomes in a variety of settings.
The technical standards for the Cedar Crest College School of Nursing outline the essential skills and competencies required for both undergraduate and graduate nursing students to provide high-quality, compassionate patient care. These standards emphasize the acquisition of both foundational and advanced knowledge in clinical reasoning, healthcare systems, and evidence-based practice. Undergraduate students must demonstrate the ability to synthesize information, communicate effectively, and apply clinical judgment in patient care. Graduate students build on these skills by integrating complex theoretical knowledge, analyzing data, and making informed, evidence-based decisions. Both levels require proficiency in using technology, patient-centered care, and maintaining professionalism and lifelong learning. Students must also be able to perform essential technical skills and procedures, with accommodation provided as necessary to support individual needs and ensure equitable access to meet these requirements. The College provides reasonable accommodations to students on a nondiscriminatory basis consistent with legal requirements as outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments ACT (ADAAA) of 2008, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. If you are an applicant with a disability who may require accommodations in our program, we encourage you to contact Student Accessibility Services at for a confidential consultation.
Graduate Nursing Programs Technical Standards
Acquiring Fundamental Knowledge
Theoretical Foundations: Graduate nurses must successfully complete advanced education in subjects such as pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment. This knowledge forms the basis for understanding complex patient care by delving into theoretical frameworks to develop effective clinical reasoning skills.
Current Research and Trends: Graduate nursing students must stay current with the latest research and emerging healthcare trends to provide high-quality evidence-based care. Critical appraisal, synthesis and translation of scientific evidence informs best practice.
Healthcare Systems Knowledge: Graduate nursing students must understand the structure, policies, and functions of healthcare systems to enable them to navigate the complexities of patient care within different settings.
Developing Communication Skills
Effective Verbal Communication: Graduate nurses must master the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with patients, families, students, preceptors and the healthcare team. This includes active listening, providing patient education, and navigating sensitive discussions with compassion and clarity.
Nonverbal Communication: Graduate nurses must recognize and effectively utilize body language, facial expressions, and other nonverbal cues as important for building rapport and ensuring understanding. This is demonstrated by congruency between verbal communication and nonverbal expression, with consideration of diverse cultural mores.
Documentation Skills: Graduate nurses must demonstrate proficient writing skills. This is necessary for accurate and thorough documentation of patient care, transitions of care, research, scholarship, and legal compliance.
Interpreting Data
Clinical Data Analysis: Graduate nurses must be skilled in analyzing and synthesizing clinical data from various sources, including patient histories, diagnostic tests, and monitoring systems. This involves identifying patterns and anomalies that inform care decisions.
Use of Technology: Graduate nurses must be familiar with electronic health records (EHRs) and data management systems, as well as adept at using technology to enhance data interpretation and patient care.
Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis: Graduate nurses must understand that the analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data is important for making comprehensive clinical assessments and engaging in research activities.
Integrating Knowledge to Establish Clinical Judgement
Holistic Assessment: Graduate nurses must be able to conduct thorough assessments that consider physical, psychological and socio-cultural factors affecting patient health. This holistic approach informs clinical judgment and decision-making.
Application of Theoretical Knowledge: Graduate nurses must integrate knowledge from various disciplines (nursing, medicine, psychology, sociology, education) into clinical practice to make informed decisions that are patient-centered and evidence-based.
Ethical and Legal Considerations: Graduate nurses must incorporate ethical principles and legal frameworks into clinical judgment to ensure that care decisions respect patient autonomy and adhere to professional standards.
Implementing and Evaluating Nursing Interventions
Evidence-Based Practice: Graduate nurses must be able to select and implement interventions based on the most relevant and current evidence. This includes utilizing clinical practice guidelines and evidence-based protocols to inform their actions.
Patient-Centered Care: Graduate nursing level care should be tailored to meet the individual needs and preferences of patients. This involves engaging patients in their plans of care and considering their values and beliefs.
Outcome Evaluation: Graduate nurses must evaluate the effectiveness of nursing interventions. Graduate nurses must be skilled in assessing patient outcomes, adjusting plans of care as necessary, and using feedback to improve practice.
Incorporating Appropriate Professional Attitudes and Behaviors into Nursing Practice
Professionalism: Graduate nurses are expected to demonstrate professionalism through reliability, accountability, and adherence to ethical standards. This includes maintaining patient confidentiality, advocating for patients’ rights and contributing to a safe, collegial workplace. Graduate nurses must uphold high standards of honesty, integrity, ethical behavior, and advocacy for the nursing profession as a whole within interdisciplinary teams.
Compassion and Empathy: Graduate nurses must be committed to providing compassionate care. Graduate nurses must cultivate empathy and understanding to address the physical, psychological and socio-cultural needs of patients.
Lifelong Learning and Adaptability: Graduate nurses must embrace a mindset of lifelong learning to adapt to the evolving healthcare environment. Graduate nurses should actively seek opportunities for professional development and be open to feedback and change.
To be considered for admission to the program, applicants must submit the following items:
A completed admission application, found at www.cedarcrest.edu/apply
Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions of higher education
Transcripts from institutions located outside the United States will need to be accompanied by an official course-by-course evaluation, with degree equivalency, completed by a NACES-recognized foreign transcript evaluation agency, such as World Education Services (www.wes.org).
Active, unencumbered Registered Nurse licensure in Pennsylvania or a compact license
APRN License/ certification
Current resume
Professional goal statement
Two (2) professional recommendations from individuals qualified to evaluate the applicant’s potential for graduate study. Preferably, at least one recommendation should be from a nurse with a graduate degree in the applicant’s intended specialty area. Recommendations may include a current employer, nursing faculty member, or other nursing professional.
Satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for all applicants who are non-native English speakers.
MSN-DNP Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Completion of a master’s degree in nursing, with a focus on an APRN clinical role, awarded by an accredited college or university. Applicants may apply while finishing their master’s degree requirements, however the degree must be conferred, as shown on an official transcript, prior to the start of the student’s first matriculated semester at Cedar Crest College.
Minimum MSN GPA of 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale). However, applications are reviewed holistically, and applicants with a GPA below 3.2 may be granted conditional admission at the discretion of the program director if their application materials demonstrate the potential for success in the program.
Completion of undergraduate statistics, research, and health assessment courses with a grade of C or better
One year of clinical experience preferred but not required.
Completion of an interview with the Director of the program and/or representatives from the Graduate Nursing Program Committee.
Applicants who reside outside Pennsylvania should contact the Admissions Office or the program director to confirm program eligibility.
Graduates of the Cedar Crest College School of Nursing who meet program admission requirements are eligible for direct entry into the program. Applicants must submit an application for admission and official transcripts from any institutions attended after graduating from Cedar Crest College. All other application requirements, including the interview with the program director, are waived.
Tuition Reduction
Tuition for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs have been reduced beginning in the Fall 2024 semester, making them comparable to similar nursing programs in the Lehigh Valley.(Note: ABSN and CRNA programs not included)
Cedar Crest College collaborates with several academic institutions to provide our students with innovative pathways that help them succeed in their chosen fields.
Visit the gallery show “Hello It’s You” by Lance Rautzhan this fall, with an Artist Talk/Reception taking place Sept. 10 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The gallery system at Cedar Crest College contributes to the cultural quality and overall experience…
