DNP Admission Requirements

Post-Baccalaureate Entry:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a nationally accredited program. (Applicants currently enrolled in a BSN program can apply for Fall 2012 admissions as long as you will graduate and obtain your RN license prior to August 2012.)
  
• Nursing grade point average (NSG-GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Preferred cumulative grade point average (CUM-GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate coursework (official transcripts for all post-secondary school coursework are required)
• Undergraduate statistics course
• Unencumbered, active registered nurse (RN) license in state where practicums will be conducted
• Three references from professionals knowledgeable about the applicant's academic and nursing leadership potential (must use University forms)
• Current CV or Résumé
• Personal essay that includes the applicant's professional goals, reason for wanting to study in a particular area of specialization, and how the applicant anticipates the role and scope of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, (500 to 600 words typed on one page)
• Interview, if requested, by the Admissions, Progression, and Graduation Committee
• GRE scores are not required.

Post-Master's Entry

• Bachelor's of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree* from a nationally accredited program and evidence of credentialing within the applicant's specialty.
  
• Preferred cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate and graduate coursework (official transcripts for all post-secondary school coursework are required)
• Verification of the amount of supervised clinical hours from the applicant's graduate program
  
• Unencumbered, active advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) license in state where practicums will be conducted
• A copy of current APRN specialty certification must be submitted (does not apply to Nurse Administrators)
  • If you are not certified, you are required to provide evidence of completion of graduate level courses in Health/Physical Assessment, Physiology/Pathophysiology(across the lifespan) and pharmacology (broad categories of drugs) within the past 5 years.  These must be three separate courses that meet current criteria for content based on the Concensus Model for APRN regulation (AACN, 2008)
• Three references from professionals knowledgeable about the applicant's academic and nursing leadership potential (must use University forms)
• Statement of professional goals, including an indication of scholarly project to be undertaken in residency at the end of the program of study (500 to 600 words typed on one page)
• Current CV or Résumé
• Interview, if requested, by the Admissions, Progression, and Graduation Committee
• GRE scores are not required.

*Post-MSN Nurse Educators are not eligible to apply for Post-MSN entry, but can apply for Post-BSN entry.
*Post-MSN Nurse Administrators can apply for Post-MSN entry with submission of a professional portfolio documenting evidence of applicant's area of expertise and the amount supervised clinical hours.  Please note Nurse Administrators who are interested in becoming Nurse Practitioners will need to apply for the Post-BSN program.
*Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) can apply for Post-MSN entry if seeking a doctorate degree in their CNS specialty.  A CNS who is interested in becoming a Nurse Practitioner must apply for Post-BSN entry in one of the three focus areas: Adult, Pediatric or Family.
*CRNA's cannot apply for our Post-MSN DNP program.