How to Apply

Application for the DNP Program will be considered as they are received. Applications must be received by April 1 to be considered for summer semester start. We recommend applying early as applications are considered as they are received. 

See Interview by Invitation below for more information on the the rolling admission process. All students begin coursework the summer following program acceptance and are required to attend the N7087 Leadership and Technology Institute On-Campus days.

Admission Criteria

Students interested in the DNP program must meet the following admission criteria:

• Baccalaureate or master degree in nursing from a program accredited by a national organization responsible for nursing accreditation (i.e. Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or related field for DNP Leadership students and must be from a regionally accredited program from the Higher Learning Commission.
• 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 for their BSN or MS also may provide additional evidence documenting examples of outstanding professional leadership, practice and/or scholarship for special consideration.

Prerequisite Coursework

Completion of a graduate course in introductory statistics or biostatistics within the last 5 years is required prior to entry or may be taken concurrently with N7087 the first semester of program enrollment.

Transfer of Graduate Credits

Up to 38 graduate credits of required coursework can be accepted in transfer with the approval of the program director.

Distance DNP Students

Due to higher education regulation changes, the University of Missouri is unable to accept applications for admission to online programs from students residing in several states (highlighted below). See the State Authorization for Distance Education page at Mizzou Online to learn more.

*At this time, the University of Missouri can accept students from Maryland ONLY for the Family Nurse Practitioner Area of Study.

 

How to Apply

The Sinclair School of Nursing is processing DNP applications through NursingCAS, the centralized application service for nursing. Visit www.nursingcas.org to start an application or log into your existing account. If you need help with NursingCAS, visit the applicant help center or contact applicant support with questions.

Following is a checklist of items that are required to be uploaded for the application:

1. Official copies of all transcripts
   • For MU alumni click here for instructions on: How to Obtain an Unofficial Academic Record in myZou for Current and Former MU Students 
2. Submission of a 3-5 page essay describing your professional goals in addition to a selected practice-based problem of interest that will serve as the basis for your, 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.
3. Copies of current, unencumbered Registered Nurse license(s).
4. Copies of all advanced practice nursing certification and/or credentialing/recognition documents for applicants with a master’s degree as applicable.
5. Completion of the clinical hour verification form for applicants with clinical hours from previous MS and/or certificate programs.
6. Curriculum vitae using the official MU Sinclair School of Nursing template. 
7. Professional Recommendations: Submission of three (3) professional recommendations 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
   • Applicants currently enrolled in a nursing program must submit at least one (1) recommendation from a current faculty member in that program.
   • Recommendations from family, friends, fellow staff nurses, or minister will not be accepted.

Please Note

The Graduate Studies Application Fee and your MU Sinclair School of Nursing Application Fee is required for all new DNP applicants, both U.S. citizens and permanent residents. The application fee is nonrefundable; it is not applicable to the educational fee, student activities fee, computing fee or student health fee; and it is valid for one academic year (three semesters).
Once you have completed your online application, the fee must be submitted online before your application can be processed.

• Documentation of English-Language Proficiency is required for Non-native English speaking applicants. Applicants must submit documentation of English-language proficiency, 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.
• Please upload TOEFL &/or IELTS scores in the online Graduate Studies application to expedite application review. See the Office of Research and Graduate Studies page on English Proficiency. 

Interview by Invitation

Once application materials have been processed through the online application system and after a preliminary review of academic credentials and applications materials, an interview will be arranged. The interview process will take place within weeks of the completed application being received. Student interviews may take place in person or via electronic means for distance students. Applicants will receive notification of their acceptance decision within two weeks.