How to Apply – DNP

This program accepts rolling admissions, so you can apply at any time. We recommend you submit your application at least six weeks before the beginning of the term in which you wish to start your course work.

Application Dates

Start classes in	Apply by
June or August (PNP, PCNS, AGCNS & LDR- Summer start only)	April 1
January	Nov. 1

 

Students can begin coursework any semester following program acceptance.  N7087 Leadership and Technology Institute On-Campus days is required within your admission year during summer semester.  (Fall start would be the next summer.)

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.
• Have earned a U.S. bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution.  If your degree is from a U.S. college or school, the institution must be approved by one of the following U.S. Regional Accrediting Bodies:
  1.  Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
  2.  Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
  3.  Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities
  4.  The Higher Learning Commission (Formerly the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools)
  5.  Middle States Commission on Higher Education
  6.  New England Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
  If your degree is from a college or university outside of the United States, the institution must be recognized and approved by the Ministry of Education or Commission responsible for higher education in the country where the degree is earned. The degree must be equivalent to a four year U.S. bachelor’s degree, or higher degree. Contact gradadmin@missouri.edu with questions regarding degree equivalency.
• 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

The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Various schools, colleges and departments are also accredited by their respective professional associations and accrediting agencies. The MU SSON is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

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. See the Missouri Online state authorization website to learn more.

Federal regulations require the Sinclair School of Nursing to disclose whether its degree programs meet U.S. states’ educational requirements for licensure [34 CFR 668.43 (a)(5)(v)]. Please visit the Missouri Online Licensure and Disclosures website to determine if your program of interest meets the educational requirements.

Current and potential students are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the state licensing board.

How to Apply

The Sinclair School of Nursing is processing DNP applications through NursingCAS, the centralized application service for nursing. Visit https://nursingcas.liaisoncas.org/apply/ 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. Upload unofficial 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. A personal statement should be typed and single-spaced:
   • Please describe why you are interested in this program, what you hope to achieve while you are in the program, and your long-term goals. Be sure to address your population and what problem or opportunity you would like to focus on while in the program. This may be a topic that you wish to explore in the future for your MS(N) Practice Inquiry or your DNP Scholarly Project. (one-page maximum)
   • Discuss your strengths and weaknesses and how it has impacted past performance or may impact future performance. If you have experienced academic difficulties, you may wish to discuss this here and describe how you overcame those difficulties or plan to address them while in a graduate program. (1.5 pages maximum)
   • Describe any experiences you have had or your thoughts around complex cultural and global issues and systems while being conscious of others’ experiences. Critically reflect on implications and appropriate challenges to people and processes to promote inclusion, diversity, and equity. (1.5 pages maximum)
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.

International Applicants

Satisfactory TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Cambridge C1 Advanced scores within the last 2 years are required for non-native English speaking applicants.

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 may 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.