BSN to DNP Admissions
For RNs who are practice-oriented and who hold, at minimum, a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent) in nursing. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares nurses for leadership as advanced practice nurses, clinical experts, health care executives, policy experts, and informaticians. The three-year DNP program is for students who already hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing, and involves both coursework and specialty practica.
We offer an Executive Model of education, which means that the majority of coursework is online with three (3) on-campus sessions in the Fall and Spring semesters, and two (2) on-campus sessions in the Summer semester. In all, students are required to be on-campus about eight (8) times per year. Some of the APRN specialty areas will require additional on-campus sessions beginning in the second year of the program.
Specialties
The DNP program at the School of Nursing offers a wide range of specialties: Experiential Requirments
Some specialty areas require experience before matriculation or clinical practice. A table listing of these requirements is available to compare the experience requirements by specialty area. The School of Nursing is a leader in distance learning options and internet-enhanced courses. A number of courses are offered in a web-assisted format with mandatory on-campus seminars scheduled each semester. Admission to the DNP program includes an interview with faculty in the chosen specialty by invitation only. Not all applicants are granted an interview. Application Deadline
The Nurse Anesthesia specialty deadline is September 1. Application priority deadline for all other specialties is November 1. Other DNP applications will be considered on a space available basis until March 1. A $60 application fee is required. Tuition Rates
Tuition for the BSN to DNP option is $877.89/credit for the 2011-2012 school year, with a 9 credit tuition band of $7,901.00 per semester. Tuition for the Post-MS DNP option is $871.00/credit. Detailed tuition and fees information is posted on One Stop. Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission into the DNP program, you must have the following: A baccalaureate degree with a nursing major
You must hold an entry level nursing degree (e.g. BSN, BAN, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, or entry-level Master of Nursing) from a regionally accredited institution. Some specialty areas have experiential requirements.
Registered nurses without a baccalaureate degree in nursing should complete that degree before applying. If you are not a nurse and have a baccalaureate degree in a major other than nursing, you are not eligible for the DNP program; however, you may consider pursuing the School of Nursing's 16-month Master of Nursing (MN) program. The MN program is specifically designed for individuals who have a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing area. High scholastic achievement
Successful applicants typically have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.4 or above (on a 4.0 scale). Each applicant will be considered individually for any exception to the stated requirements. Graduate Record Examination
Graduate Record Exam scores are required. The GRE code for the School of Nursing is 5942. The GRE must have been taken within the last five (5) years. The preferred minimum combined verbal and quantitative score for the new GRE revised General Test is 297. The preferred minimum combined verbal and quantitative score for the older GRE General Test is 1,000. Please view the GRE revised General Test webinar for more information about the new version of this exam.
Prospective applicants who have already earned a Master's degree may want to consider filling out the GRE Waiver Request Form. An unofficial copy or photo copy of your Master's degree granting institution transcript is required for verification. Nursing license
As part of your application you must submit a photocopy of a current registered nurse license. You must hold an RN license in the state in which you will complete clinical courses. International nurses must submit a photocopy of a current RN license from their home country.
If you are an international nurse, you must obtain a Minnesota license by the end of your second semester in residence. You will need to pass the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) exam and the NCLEX exam in order to obtain a Minnesota license. You are encouraged to take the CGFNS exam in your home country prior to enrollment. For more information, contact the Minnesota Board of Nursing: www.nursingboard.state.mn.us or call 612-617-2270. Professional references
Three references from past or current professors, supervisors or professional colleagues are required. One (1) out of the three (3) references must be from a supervisor. You must use the Admission Reference Forms included in the online application; you will find these under the "references" tab. The references should attest to your potential for success in the DNP program (including preparation, initiative, and aptitude) and your commitment to the profession. The evaluation must be received, not post-marked, by September 1 for the Nurse Anesthesia specialty and November 1 (priority deadline) or March 1 (final deadline) for all other specialties. Essays
The DNP application requires three essays. Doctoral students are expected to possess strong writing abilities. The ability to express one’s thoughts in a logical, analytical manner is essential to being a successful doctoral student. Below are the competencies we assess when reviewing your application essays, as well as the spontaneous essay you are asked to write as part of the interview process: • Ability to present thoughts in a logical, sequential, and analytical manner
• Ability to clearly answer essay questions
• Ability to use proper grammar and syntax
The specific essay requirements can be found within the "essays" tab of the online application. English Language Proficiency
If your native language is not English, you must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and score at least 586 (written) 240 (computerized) or 95 (IBT). The School of Nursing will accept TOEFL or MELAB exams taken within three years of the time of application. Information is available on the TOEFL Web site at www.toefl.org. If the TOEFL is not available in your country, you must take the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) and score at least 85. Information about the MELAB is available at http://www.lsa.umich.edu/eli/testing/melab.
You are exempt from taking the test if, within the past 24 months, you have completed 24 quarter credits or 16 semester credits in residence as a full-time student at a recognized institution of higher learning in the United States. Immunizations
All students enrolled in programs within the Academic Health Center at the University of Minnesota are required to submit immunization documentation to Boynton Health Service (on-campus health center) as a condition of enrollment. If admitted, you will receive a Student Immunization Record Form to be completed by a health care provider. Immunization includes: Mantoux Tuberculin Test (two-step); Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR, two-step); Hepatitis B (three-step); Varicella (two-step); Tetanus/Diphtheria. For additional information, see the Boynton Health Service Web site: www.bhs.umn.edu. You may ask to decline the vaccination if it is contraindicated because of potential allergic reactions or pregnancy; however, a health-care provider signature is required. Interview
Following an initial screening by the Graduate Admission and Progression Committee, you may be invited to participate in an interview to explore your interests in pursuing the DNP degree. Curriculum Vitae
A current curriculum vitae (preferred) or resume complete with professional accomplishments and activities. Official Transcripts from ALL Institutions
Official transcript(s) from every post-secondary institution you have attended, even if no degree was earned, must be received in a sealed envelope by September 1 for the Nurse Anesthesia specialty and November 1 for all other specialties, if you plan to meet the priority deadline. Other DNP applications will be considered on a space available basis through March 1. Please note, we require official transcripts from the University of Minnesota; we will not pull these transcripts for you. Additionally, even if credit from one institution shows up on another transcript, we still need the transcript from the original institution for verification.
Applicants who have completed college-level courses outside the U.S. and Canada must have their international coursework evaluated. This can be accomplished by sending transcripts to a foreign credentials evaluation service. This evaluation must be sent to the School of Nursing. The following is a list of foreign credential evaluation services:
Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc
http://www.ece.org
414-289-3400
World Education Services, Inc.
http://www.wes.org
212-966-6311
If your international coursework was completed as part of a study abroad through a U.S. institution, only the U.S. transcript is required. Application Deadlines
You must complete and submit all portions of the School of Nursing DNP application by September 1 for the Nurse Anesthesia program. The application priority deadline is November 1 for all other specialties. Other DNP applications will be considered on a space available basis through March 1. This includes all letters of recommendation and transcripts. Applicants must send all application materials together in one envelope to:
U of MN School of Nursing
Office of Student and Career Advancement Services
5-160 Weaver-Densford Hall
308 Harvard Street SE
Minneapolis, MN, 55455
|
