It is important to us that your doctoral program be a good fit for you. We look forward to working with you to answer questions about our Doctor of Nursing Practice program and how it fits with the next steps of your nursing career. The sections below will include important and helpful information in assessing whether you meet our admissions requirements and preparing your application.
Admission Requirements
Nursing Degree Requirements:
- BSN, BAN, and post-baccalaureate certificate, or entry-level Master of Nursing degree from an accredited program. If you are not a nurse and have a baccalaureate degree in a major other than nursing, consider the Master of Nursing.
- Post-Master's DNP applicants must also hold a Master of Science in Nursing degree in a nursing practice specialty from an accredited nursing program. Applicants must have a minimum of 120 preceptor supervised practicum hours verified from their master's granting program.
- Nursing specialties associated with the master’s degree include APRN specialties (nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, and nurse anesthetist), nursing informatics, nursing leadership and public health nursing.
- Generalist or nursing education masters degrees and/or those with less than 120 preceptor supervised practicum hours do not qualify for admission into the post-master’s DNP option. These applicants may consider the post-baccalaureate DNP option, which provides opportunity to petition for substitution of applicable graduate coursework for some courses.
- GPA: Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above from their most-recently obtained degree. Applications will not be considered if their GPA falls below the minimum requirement.
Nursing License & Certifications
- All applicants must hold a valid, unencumbered nursing license. International nurses should submit a photocopy of a current RN license/registration from their home country.
- Applicants to the Post-Master’s DNP with a MSN specialty that qualifies for an ARPN license must hold a valid, unencumbered APRN license.
- Applicants to the Nurse Anesthesia specialty must hold a current CCRN certification.
English Language Proficiency (If applicable)
If your native language is not English, you must demonstrate English language proficiency based upon the requirements outlined by the University of Minnesota Graduate School.
Citizenship Status
Applicants must be US Citizens, Permanent Residents, or hold an existing visa that allows for academic program enrollment. The DNP program does not qualify for a F-1 student visa due to the hybrid delivery model.
Professional Nursing Experience
| Specialty Area | Minimum professional RN experience required at time of application. |
|---|---|
| Adult/Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialist | 6 months of nursing practice as an RN |
| Adult Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner | 12 months of nursing practice as an RN |
| Family Nurse Practitioner | 12 months of nursing practice as an RN |
| Health Innovation and Leadership | 12 months of nursing practice as an RN |
| Integrative Health and Healing | 12 months of nursing practice as an RN |
| Nurse Anesthesia | 24 months of critical care experience by the close of applications, August 1 |
| Nursing Informatics | — |
| Nurse-Midwifery | — |
| Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist | 6 months of nursing practice as an RN |
| Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care | 6 months of nursing practice as a pediatric RN |
| Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner | 12 months of nursing practice as an RN in a psychiatric/mental health setting |
| Women’s Health/Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner | — |
| Post-Masters | 6 months of practice in a position utilizing the MSN specialty preparation |
*The minimum RN experiential requirement for the Nurse Anesthesia specialty must be met by August 1
Note: We are unable to consider applicants who do not meet the requirements listed above for admission. Please make sure that you meet all of the stated requirements above before submitting an application.
Application Materials
Applicants to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program must submit the following materials for consideration through the NursingCAS application:
Official Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions where coursework has been taken. This includes coursework that was transferred to another institution.
Valid Nursing License is required
CV or Resume including accomplishments and activities beyond employment history
Personal Statement/Essay addressing the prompts in Step 6 of the application instructions
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion essay response addressing the prompts in Step 6 of the application instructions
3 Professional References are required for a complete application. References may come from the following individuals with at least one being from someone who is responsible for professional or academic performance evaluation and those noted with (*) as preferred. The references should attest to your potential for success in the DNP program (including preparation, initiative, and aptitude) and your commitment to the profession.
- Supervisors*
- Unit Leaders/Educators *
- MD/Advanced Practice Providers*
- Current or Past Faculty/Professors*
- Professional Colleagues
English language proficiency exam (if applicable)
Specialty Specific Materials: The following application materials are only required for the specialty noted.
Nurse Anesthesia:
- CCRN certification
- Shadowing Experience Reflection
Post-Master’s DNP
- DNP Project Proposal
- Specialty Documentation
- APRN MSN Specialties - APRN license
- Non-AAPRN MSN specialties - Clinical Hour Verification (follow submission instructions on the form)
Holistic Application Review
At the School of Nursing, we review application materials through a holistic approach that takes into account the following components.
- Past academic performance
- Professional and relevant experience
- Career reasoning for the chosen specialty
- Understanding of the competencies and skills of a DNP prepared nurse and connection to career goals
- Leadership experiences
- Community involvement
- Understanding of and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Attributes of the applicant (ex: self awareness, grit, resilience)
- Writing and communication skills
- Letters of reference
- Extenuating circumstances