• Return to Normal University Operations on Thursday, Feb. 20

    Lenoir-Rhyne University will return to normal university operations on Thursday, Feb. 20, at our all of our campus locations—Hickory, Columbia and Asheville. Classes will resume as scheduled, and all offices will be open.

    UPDATE: Feb. 20, 9:15 a.m. (from Academic Affairs)
    Due to the recent weather changes in Hickory, you may opt to move your classes to remote delivery today if you have concerns about safely traveling to campus. If you choose to hold classes remotely, please notify your students and your dean as soon as possible.

    For those holding in-person classes, we ask that you exercise flexibility with attendance policies, understanding that some students may face transportation challenges or safety concerns. Students should not feel compelled to risk unsafe travel conditions to attend class.

    Please communicate your teaching plans to your students and your dean.

    Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring everyone's safety while maintaining academic continuity.

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

Request Information

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

University Updates text with Lenoir-Rhyne University logo

Lenoir-Rhyne University will return to normal university operations on Thursday, Feb. 20, at our all of our campus locations—Hickory, Columbia and Asheville. Classes will resume as scheduled, and all offices will be open.

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Tishara Sneed stands next to her art on exhibit, a woven design with traditional masks

Appearing in “The Art of Profession” exhibition, the four students shared work inspired by nature, street art and Indigenous cultures.

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