DNP Admissions

No, there are no entrance exams required. You can learn more about our admissions policy here.

The first step is to start your application.

Yes, the MSN-DNP program requires two years of full-time experience working as an RN within the past 5 years. You can learn more about our admissions policy here.

Yes, the MSN-DNP program accepts up to 9 transfer credits. It may be possible to transfer previous graduate credits to meet the requirements of our programs. There are limitations to the number, age, and types of credits that students may transfer to meet requirements. It is also possible to “waive” certain courses based on previous coursework; however, if a required course is waived, students may need to take an additional course to meet the required credit hours for graduation.

You can learn more about our admissions policy here.

Up to 9 credits may be transferred and applied toward the MSN-DNP program. You can learn more about our admissions policy here.

The MSN-DNP program only admit in the Fall and Spring terms. In addition, please note that nursing program application deadlines are earlier than general Graduate College deadlines. Please contact us for more specific application deadline information.

You'll need a minimum GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale across all coursework to apply to the MSN-DNP program. You can learn more about our admissions policy here.

The requirements for the MSN-DNP program include: 

• Awarded Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), (or equivalent Master’s Degree) from an institutionally accredited institution
• Minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.20 calculated across all transcripts for unconditional admission*
• Graduate or undergraduate-level research methods and statistics course
• Professional Goals Statement (written in APA sixth edition style)
• Resume or CV
• Three letters of recommendation: from individuals who can evaluate your ability to complete graduate academic work, such as a nurse manager, previous nurse faculty or supervisor. A minimum of two references should be from individuals prepared at the graduate level. If you are also seeking an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) certificate, one letter should be from an APRN
• Resident of and evidence of valid, unrestricted RN licensure in an approved state. A current list of approved states can be found on our graduate nursing application information website
• Evidence of the equivalent of two years full-time experience working as an RN within the past five years
• An admission interview with faculty
• Students should be prepared to provide documentation of any national certifications, such as an APRN, Nurse Executive, etc.
• Upon admission, students should be prepared to provide documentation of any precepted practicum/clinical hours earned through a graduate nursing program

Prior to clinical/practicum experiences, applicants must also provide proof of the following:

• Specified health status requirements (immunization status, TB screening, etc. as delineated in the current Graduate Nursing Student Handbook)
• State and Federal background checks free from disqualifying offenses
• Malpractice insurance. Students in the APRN program tracks are required to have nurse practitioner malpractice insurance students in the Nurse Leader/Executive or Nurse Educator program track are required to have registered nurse malpractice insurance. Insurance provided by the employer is not acceptable

You can learn more about our admission requirements here.

*All applicants with an international academic history must provide a US credential evaluation, regardless of whether a degree was conferred or not. Any coursework completed outside of the US requires an evaluation - even if the applicant holds a separate US degree. We accept evaluations from WES, ECE or other agencies approved by NACES.

Students are admitted into the DNP program in the Fall term. Please contact us for additional details.

At this time, there are no virtual open houses scheduled for the DNP program. Please contact us for information about the next event.