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Admission Requirements

DOCTOR OF NURSING PRACTICE ADMISSION CRITERIA/REQUIREMENTS
1. Earned Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) from a nationally accredited CCNE or ACEN program.

2. Certification as Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nurse-Midwife, Clinical Nurse Specialist, or
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

OR

MSN with an Administration concentration and/or at least one year of experience
in a nursing administration role

OR

An earned MSN in a different specialty than above will be considered on an individual basis.
Note: a longer program of study and/or additional requirements may be required to fulfill
required practice hours and consideration is not a guarantee of admission.

3. Unencumbered licensure in the United States as a registered nurse. Practice will dictate
specific state licensure.

4. At least two years of full-time work experience (or equivalent) in nursing as a registered nurse.

5. GPA 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.

6. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores for applicants with cumulative grade point average
less than 3.4 as reported by the MSN institution.

7. Basic statistics course.

8. A completed application packet includes:

  • Completed DNP application
  • Official GRE scores (If applicable).
  • A current resume, which includes employment history, military service, academic
    scholarships, awards and/or honors, professional memberships and awards, professional
    presentations or publication, and community service activities.
  • A three-page typewritten letter discussing the applicant’s goals and personal reasons to
    undertake doctoral education. The letter should indicate the applicant’s career plans upon
    program completion.
  • Three letters of reference pertaining to academic ability, professional proficiency, and
    personal integrity: one from the applicant’s current supervisor, one from a faculty member
    who has worked with the applicant during previous academic study, and one professional
    reference selected by the applicant.

9. An optional telephone or in-person interview as part of the admission process.

10. International students must demonstrate sufficient ability to read, write, and speak English
with a minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL.

11. International students must submit official transcripts for evaluation to one of the following
services: World Education Services (www.wes.org) or Josef Silny & Associates
(www.jsilny.com).

Additional Information
        Prospective students who have been enrolled or are still enrolled in another program may be considered for
admission to the Caylor School of Nursing DNP program. Students dismissed from another DNP program for
academic, practice, or behavioral reasons will not be admitted to the Caylor School of Nursing DNP program.
Prospective students must have a letter from the program director stating that the prospective student is currently in or withdrew when they were in good standing.
       Applicants are reviewed for the graduate program upon completion of all admission requirements. If a student
chooses to interrupt the NURS course sequence for any reason, an admission application must be resubmitted to
Graduate Nursing Office. Readmission to the DNP program is not guaranteed.
       Accepted students must submit a completed medical profile form, immunization record, background check,
and urine screen prior to matriculation. Students must have and maintain for the duration of the program an
unencumbered RN license; current infant, children, and adult CPR certification; health insurance; current
immunization according to the CDC guidelines; negative drug screen; and a background check.