Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

• Bachelor's degree in nursing¹ or master's degree in advanced practice nursing² that is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing for unconditional admission
• Minimum overall 3.000 GPA on a 4.000 point scale for unconditional admission
• Completion of an undergraduate- or graduate-level statistics course with a minimum C grade
• Active, unrestricted registered nurse license in the state in which the student's practica will be completed
• GRE scores, no more than five years old (Effective spring 2019, GRE scores will only be required for post-Bachelor of Science in Nursing applicants)
• Résumé or curriculum vitae that demonstrates professional experience in nursing
• Essay (300 words) describing professional goals and reasons for seeking the professional practice doctorate
• Three letters of reference from health care professionals or academic faculty who can speak to the applicant's professional and academic abilities
• Pre-admission interview
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 560 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
  • Minimum 83 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
  • Minimum 78 MELAB score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 55 PTE score

Students selected for admission to the nursing program must meet the College of Nursing's Clinical Compliance Policy. For more information about graduate admissions, please visit the Graduate Studies admission website. For more information on international admission, visit the Office of Global Education’s admission website.

1. Upon admission to the D.N.P. degree, students who hold only a CCNE- or NLNAC-accredited bachelor's degree in nursing will be admitted also to the M.S.N. degree. This will allow students to complete M.S.N. coursework and enroll in some D.N.P. coursework after successfully completing their first two full-time semesters of graduate study. Students must first complete M.S.N. coursework, earn the M.S.N. degree and obtain APRN national certification before they can continue with D.N.P. coursework and earn the D.N.P. degree.

2. Students with a master's degree must submit proof of current, national certification as an advanced practice registered nurse within their first semester or prior to beginning their practicum hours, whichever comes first.