Doctor of Nursing Practice Admissions Requirements

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is the terminal degree for nurses in clinical practice. It is a 38-credit, post-master's program intended to prepare advance practice nurses and nurse leaders at the highest level of nursing practice to improve patient outcomes and translate research into practice (American Association of Colleges of Nursing). Registered Nurses who possess a DNP degree are prepared to assume clinical and leadership roles in a variety of settings. Knowledge acquisition in the DNP program includes the ability to analyze organizational and clinical systems, critique evidence to support clinical practice and improve patient outcomes, and develop practice guidelines to enhance patient safety.

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit the Nursing CAS Graduate Application (nursingcas.org) and additional department requirements by the published application deadlines:

1. Official transcripts from all post-secondary educational experiences. At least one official transcript submitted must provide evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree in Nursing from an accredited U.S. institution, or a degree equivalent to a four-year baccalaureate degree in nursing from a college or university of government-recognized standing with a 3.0 Grade Point Average or higher.
2. Two official Evaluations (requested, completed, and submitted electronically through Nursing CAS). The two Evaluations must be from healthcare professionals (prefer letters from nurses in leadership/education) who are able to attest to the applicant's nursing skills and/or abilities.
3. Proof of English language proficiency (for international students only)
4. International supplemental application and supporting documentation (for international students only). See graduate studies requirements for this at: https://www.oakland.edu/grad/.
5. Professional statement of 500 to 1,000 words. The statement should focus on career goals after completion of the program, how recent clinical experiences have prepared you for advance practice role, and plans for professional development. The professional statement will be evaluated on content and appropriate use of grammar, style, spelling, and rhetoric.
6. Proof of current unrestricted Registered Nurse License in the United States or its territories.
7. Evidence of a certification for all APRN applicants or other specialty certification.
8. For applicants with one of the four APRN specialties (nurse practitioner, nurse anesthesia, nurse midwife, clinical nurse specialist) please provide evidence of the number of clinical practicum hours completed in the master's program by completing the DNP Supplemental Application. Students may receive credit for up to 640 hours of practicum accrued in the master's program (you may not count unsupervised post-graduate clinical practice). Clinical practicum hours are assessed individually for each applicant. The DNP Supplemental Application must be fully completed and uploaded to your NursingCAS application.

DNP applicants must complete and submit (through NursingCAS) the Supplemental Application-Doctor of Nursing Practice Program form to provide Validation of Supervised Clinical Practicum Hours.

To apply, go to nursingcas.org.