Online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Lead the Future of Health Care with a DNP Degree
Small student-to-faculty ratio
Affordable tuition
100% online coursework
Learn More Today
Complete this short form to learn more about this program.
- Duration 16 months
- Cost per Credit $875
- Credit Hours 33
Program Benefits
- Practicum courses and a residency
- Asynchronous learning format
- Small cohort size with personalized attention
- Supportive faculty
Reach the Highest Level of Academic Nursing Achievement
- Apply By: 07/01/2026
- Start Class: 08/17/2026
With your Doctor of Nursing Practice, achieve the highest level of nursing expertise and be a key player in the future of health care in New Mexico. DNP-level nurses make a difference by directly influencing health care delivery and treatment outcomes across diverse settings. This degree prepares nurse leaders to use evidence-based practice, focus on quality improvement and shape policy to improve health care for patients in rural communities or specialty populations within New Mexico.
More Information About This Program
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Curriculum
Transform Knowledge Into Expertise
13 total courses
Minimum 495 practice hours
Our online DNP program builds on the strength of the licensed RN and challenges students to expand and refine critical thinking for high-impact professional nursing roles, methods of health care delivery and approaches to health care practice issues.
The curriculum features 13 core courses which cover essential topics, from evidence-based practice and informatics to health care economics and health policy. Beyond the online coursework, you will take part in practice projects and a practice residency, in addition to practice hours that prepare you for direct application of knowledge in real-world health care settings.
Evidence-Based Practice Projects
Apply knowledge to improve nursing practice and patient outcomes on a clinical practice problem or care gap in a specialty population.
Practice Residency
Implement the practice project, working with individuals, groups or agencies designated as the target population.
Admissions Requirements
Start Your Application Today
Application Deadline 07/01/26 Fall 2026
Start Date 08/17/26 Fall 2026
Begin your journey to become a doctoral-prepared nurse leader by ensuring you have an active RN license from New Mexico. To submit your application to the Doctor of Nursing Practice online, you will need:
| Online Application Form | Apply Now (No application fee required) |
|---|---|
| Degree and Minimum GPA |
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| Transcripts | Official copies of all college transcripts |
| Official Test Scores | Not required |
| Additional Requirements |
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Tuition & Aid
Affordable Education That Delivers Results
$875 per Credit
$28,875 Total Tuition
Tuition Calculator Calculate your costs for attending New Mexico Highlands University
At New Mexico Highlands University, you can expect affordable, competitive tuition for our high-quality programs. Invest in your future with our online Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program that opens doors to leadership, administrative, academic and policy roles in health care.
Tuition Details
Unlock Multiple Career Trajectories with a DNP Degree
Your DNP credentials position you for advanced roles in nursing education, administration, consultation, research and health care innovation. Graduates can go on to become postsecondary nursing instructors and teachers, clinical managers and chief nursing officers. The knowledge gained can help you pursue opportunities to serve diverse patient populations within health care organizations and systems in rural areas or specialty populations of New Mexico.
Explore CareersWhat You’ll Learn
The online Doctor of Nursing Practice degree offers the highest level of advanced nursing practice expertise to shape the future of the field. Graduates can continue in direct patient care roles and lead interdisciplinary teams in a variety of settings focusing on quality and safety issues, health policy and economics, and social determinates of health with the goal to improve or transform health care programs.
Program Outcomes
- Knowledge of Nursing Practice: Incorporate theoretical, scientific and experiential knowledge from nursing, biopsychosocial, organizational science, leadership development and quality improvement models to improve health care across diverse settings.
- Population Health and Health System: Utilize epidemiological and biostatistical data, knowledge of cultural practices as well as rural health promotion strategies and social determinants of health to influence, cost, accessibility and quality of clinical health services locally and nationally. Contribute to shaping policies that improve health care and advance the profession of nursing.
- Practice Scholarship and Translational Science: Apply evidence-based practice strategies to inform delivery models, guidelines and best practices in order to influence clinical health care, and project outcomes or resolve practice problems.
- Quality and Safety: Use organizational and leadership principles to guide quality improvement activities
- Interprofessional Collaboration in Practice/Professionalism: Incorporate communication and decision-making skills to convene, lead or participate in interprofessional groups for the purpose of analyzing complex practice and organizational issues to improve health system, population or individual health outcomes
- Technology and Informational Literacy: Use information systems and emerging technology to promote patient and group health practices, analyze practice patterns and design innovative strategies for health care delivery.
- Person-Centered Care: Initiate performance-related outcomes derived from nursing and related sciences that measure the effectiveness of care management, health education, as well as the quality and safety of care delivered by advanced practice nurses.
- Personal and Professional Leadership Development: Use personal and professional activities to foster personal and professional well-being; participate in lifelong learning to support development of nursing knowledge and leadership skills.
Diverse, Expert Faculty Committed to Your Success
The faculty in our program take a student-first approach to instruction. You’ll have unparalleled access to your instructors, ensuring you get the personalized attention you need to achieve your goals. You’ll be paired with a faculty advisor who will offer one-on-one support as you move through the program. Our faculty embrace high standards and ensure you get the in-depth education you need to compete for leadership roles in nursing by sharing their extensive experience and supporting you in your goals.
Elizabeth Holguin, Assistant professor of nursing
Faculty Spotlight: Elizabeth Holguin
Elizabeth Holguin, PhD, MPH, FNP-BC is a family nurse practitioner who resides in Corrales, NM with her husband and three children.
She has worked on infection control programs and public health initiatives in Kenema, Sierra Leone and Bahir Dar, Ethiopia as a Master’s International student. She was one of thirty nurses chosen globally to participate in the Global Nursing Leadership Institute at the International Council of Nurses and has written policy statements and attended the World Health Assembly several times and the United Nations General Assembly.
She has served as Medical Director for Presbyterian Community Health and the COVID Infusion Clinic and has also served as the Deputy Directory of Homelessness and Clinical Director for the City of Albuquerque. She works clinically performing advanced wound care. In all her work, she seeks to increase access to healthcare for those that need it most.
Credentials
- Master’s of Science in Nursing from Duke University
- Master’s in Public Health from Tulane University,
- PhD in Nursing from the University of New Mexico
Awards
During her doctoral studies, she was awarded the Jonas Nurse Leader Scholarship and served as a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Nursing and Health Policy Collaborative Fellow.
An Accessible, Online Learning Experience
Online students have access to the same quality education that students at New Mexico Highlands experience on campus. Through engaging coursework and ongoing communication, our faculty ensure that you are challenged while still maintaining the flexibility you need in your busy life. Small class sizes allow you to connect with classmates and be part of a supportive, cohesive program.
- Asynchronous coursework
- Personal attention
- Diverse student population
Answers to Common Questions
Explore our frequently asked questions. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to reach out to us for assistance or more information.
The first step is to start your application. Learn more about admission requirements.
Get started now by completing our online application.
We offer this program online, enabling you to study when and where you prefer. Visit the courses page to learn more.
Although we do not offer scholarships for this online program, there are many ways to make your education cost-effective. Please explore these options when you apply:
Complete the FAFSA® to determine your financial aid eligibility. Our FAFSA® code is 002653.
Apply for a Sallie Mae loan.
To review the tuition for this program, visit the tuition page.
When budgeting for your online program, be sure to plan for textbook and supply costs, but there are no additional fees associated with this program. You can review all costs on the tuition page.
No, there are no entrance exams required. You can learn more about the requirements for this program on our admissions page.