Applying to the DNP program
Learn more about:
Doctor of Nursing program
The doctor of nursing practice program (DNP) at the Sinclair School of Nursing enables students to obtain advanced education online to prepare for leadership roles in nursing to improve quality of health outcomes for individuals, populations and systems.
Admission Criteria
- Completed application for admission to the MU Graduate School at the University of Missouri (including $45 for U.S. citizens, $60 for nonresident international applicants).
- Completed application for admission to the DNP program at the MU Sinclair School of Nursing (include $50.00 application fee).
- Submission of all official transcripts documenting a baccalaureate or master degree in Nursing from a program accredited by a national organization responsible for nursing accreditation (i.e. National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE))
- A grade point average (GPA) of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale based on the last 60 hours of undergraduate nursing course work for applicants with less than a master's degree.
- A cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for applicants with a master's degree in nursing.
- Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA requirements must submit acceptable scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and the exam must have been taken within the last five years.
- Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA requirements also may provide additional evidence documenting examples of outstanding professional leadership, practice, and/or scholarship for special consideration.
- Submission of copies of current, unencumbered Registered Nurse license(s).
- Submission of copies of all advanced practice nursing certification and/or credentialing/recognition documents for applicants with a master's degree.
- Submission of three (3) professional letters of recommendation supporting the applicant's potential success in the DNP program.
- References should be from master's or doctorally prepared nurses or faculty members who can address the applicant's potential or ability to function in the advanced practice nursing role (i.e. clinical skills, critical thinking, independent decision making, collaboration and communication with other health professionals, and leadership abilities).
- Applicants currently enrolled in a nursing program must submit at least one (1) recommendation from a current faculty member in that program.
- Please do not include letters from a family friend, fellow staff nurse, or minister. Each letter of recommendation form should be in a sealed envelope with the reference's signature across the seal.
- Submission of a curriculum vitae using the official MU Sinclair School of Nursing format which documents educational preparation, work experience, leadership and professional organization activities, and scholarly endeavors such as publications, presentations, research, honors and awards.
- Submission of a three- to five-page essay describing your professional goals and how participation in the DNP program will enhance these goals.
- The essay should identify a topic of clinical interest or a practice-based problem of interest that you might address as the topic for your final, scholarly, DNP project.
- The scope of the project should be large enough that it would result in, for example, a change at the organizational, system, regional or national level; new or revised state health policy, or the establishment of a significant new health-related service to a population or geographic region.
- The purpose of the essay is to provide the Admission Committee insight into the professional goals and expectations of the applicant, congruency of topic area with faculty expertise, and an opportunity to evaluate the applicant's written communication skills.
- Documentation of English-language proficiency (of non-native English speaking applicants), demonstrated through a satisfactory Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score within the last two years. Our minimum TOEFL score requirement for the school of nursing is 600 (paper-based test), 250 (computer-based test) or 100 (Internet-based test) with no part score below 15. The minimum total academic IELTS score for graduate admission to MU is 5.5.
- For more information, visit the University's Admission web pages.
- Completion of a satisfactory interview with School of Nursing faculty. The interview will be arranged after preliminary review of academic credentials and application materials. The match of applicants' educational goals with faculty programs of practice is an important factor that is assessed in the interview.
Technology requirements
- Student will require a computer with a video card (responsibility of the student).
- Computer plus laptop is ideal for clinical courses and on-campus sessions.
- For home: 384K minimum download/upload speed; a business connection best for quality. If using satellite or wireless – connection delays may be a problem and you are expected to find a site near your home to make connection for classes (i.e. library, or AHEC office). No excuses for not attending.
- For work: firewalls need to be evaluated, conducive location when at work – not interfering with work.
- Quality – testing (initial, and 30 minutes before classes and as needed)
- Logitech camera (webcam)
- Headset with microphone or speakers and microphone.
- Windows XP or newer, with 1GB RAM, 80GB Hard Drive, 2.0Ghz or better processor (Core 2 Duo -Dual Core preferred).
- Microsoft Office – latest version (Office 2007) (to purchase)
- Endnote (to purchase)
- E-mail capabilities
- Functional Anti-Virus Software (example: Norton-Symantec/McAfee) (software)
Prerequisite Coursework
- Completion of a graduate course in introductory statistics or biostatistics. Students who have never taken graduate statistics must take such a course for credit and grade prior to entry into the DNP program.
Transfer of Graduate Credits
Up to 20 percent of graduate credits of required coursework can be accepted in transfer with the approval of the Program Director.
Upon admittance to the program, the following must be completed by the student and documentation of these items must be submitted before registering for coursework:
- Current required immunizations
- Satisfactory criminal background check
- Satisfactory drug screen
- Current CPR certification
For more information about any program, please contact:
Steps in Applying
- Apply for admission to the University through the graduate school.
- Forward official transcripts from each college or university attended to the graduate school, along with official GRE scores.
- Apply for the DNP program with the Sinclair School of Nursing.
- Include a reference form with your application
For more information or to return application materials, contact:
Graduate Admissions
S235 Sinclair School of Nursing
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211
Phone: (573) 882-0277
E-mail: Nursing@missouri.edu