• Commencement Information

    Happy graduation week! If you still need your rain tickets or honor cords, they will be available for you at check-in on Friday (Hickory campus).

    Student check-in is Friday at 4:30 p.m. in Shuford Arena. Guests are asked to be in their seats by 5:30 p.m.

    Any changes to the commencement schedule will be posted here. 

    Commencement Information

Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP


Be the change in patients’ lives at the highest level of nursing practice.

You are ready to advance your nursing career. Our Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program will assist you in building upon your degree and in developing advanced competencies to serve others as a doctorally prepared nurse.

Two DNP Track Options


Our program offers two tracks.

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing to DNP with Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certificate
  • Post-Master's DNP

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Take the next step toward completing your DNP/FNP or Post-Master's DNP at Lenoir-Rhyne University.

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Take the next step toward completing your DNP/FNP or Post-Master's DNP at Lenoir-Rhyne University.

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Bachelor of Science in Nursing to DNP Program


Our program allows you to build upon your baccalaureate nursing skills and develop advanced competencies to function as a family nurse practitioner.

The nurse practitioner role enables you to diagnose and manage acute minor illness and chronic disease processes. Certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner provides a wide variety of practice opportunities and is focused on maximizing health and prevention of disease in a variety of settings. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing to DNP program is designed for registered nurses and offers clinical specialization toward certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

Post-Master’s DNP Program

You will expand the skills you learned with your master’s degree in nursing and develop advanced competencies to function as a doctorally-prepared nurse.

This program is designed for registered nurses with master’s degrees such as:

  • Master of Science in Nursing Nurse Anesthesia
  • Master of Science in Nursing Administration
  • Clinical Nurse Leader
  • Any Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) who hold a master’s degree in a nursing-related field

As a DNP graduate, you will be a visionary leader for the practice of nursing and the delivery of healthcare in all settings, with the goals of improving individual patient care and population health outcomes.

Program Accreditation


The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Lenoir-Rhyne University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202.887.6791

State Authorization & Professional Licensure

Lenoir-Rhyne University is approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. Although institutions that are members of SARA are authorized to provide education to students from all SARA member states, some states have an authorization process. This is an evolving area, therefore students who hold a license as a registered nurse outside the State of North Carolina are encouraged to contact the National Council on State Boards of Nursing and the professional certification board.

News & Events

Kiera Elliott standing in front of the Rhyne Building

Lineberger Scholar and Cantos editor Kiera Elliott '25 has rubbed elbows with the literary giants of the Visiting Writers Series. Someday she plans to become one of them.

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Salma Ramirez in front of George Hall

After accepting a soccer scholarship, Salma Ramirez-Sanchez '24 made a radical relocation from Spain to LR, where she she has embraced every aspect of college life.

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