Executive Leadership

Our online post-master's Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership (DNP-EL) program develops nurses for various senior leadership roles aimed at transforming healthcare delivery and improving outcomes at the systems level. 

Executive leadership in an everchanging and complex healthcare industry requires the knowledge and skills to revolutionize care delivery models and improve patient and organizational outcomes.  Focused on systems leadership and innovative change, the DNP-EL prepares graduates for a variety of leadership roles including but not limited to Chief Nursing Officers, Clinical and Project Directors, Healthcare Consultants, and Practice Leaders. 

Offered online with only a few on-campus intensives, the DNP-EL can be completed while working full-time from any location.  An unparalleled advantage, this interdisciplinary curriculum incorporates content from Wharton Executive Education, Wharton Online, and the Perelman School of Medicine Health Care Innovation Graduate Program.  Situated within a resource-intensive university, students avail of online library services, and take courses taught by faculty with vast healthcare leadership experience.  In-person intensives provide students with networking opportunities, individualized faculty mentorship and access to executives from our world-class academic health system. 

The DNP-EL includes coursework in strategic planning, innovation and design thinking, organizational change, and policy advocacy.  A mutual benefit for students and their employers, the program culminates with the design of a systems-level evidence-based project implemented within their own organization.

Offline Recommendation

Penn strongly prefers that recommenders submit letters of recommendation online through the admissions system. If, however, your recommender is unable to submit an online recommendation, please follow these instructions:

1) Select the “Recommendation Form PDF Download” and download the form.
2) Complete the first section. Be sure to include the address of the appropriate admissions office — refer to the "Contact Graduate Admissions" list below. 
3) Print out the form and provide it to your recommender.

Please note:

• If you are applying to a program in Nursing, print out and provide your recommender with these special instructions for completing your letter of recommendation.
• If you are applying to a program in the School of Social Policy & Practice, print out and provide your recommender with these special instructions for completing your letter of recommendation.

4) Your recommender should send the form directly to the admissions office you designate, along with the letter of recommendation.