Questions? Contact Us
For questions about the DNP programs or applying to the DNP programs, call MU School of Nursing Office of Student Affairs at 573.882.0277 or 800.437.4339, or email musonnursing@missouri.edu.
Application Dates
Start classes in |
Apply by |
June or August (PNP, PCNS, AGCNS, LDR, FNP &PMHNP- Summer/Fall start) |
January 31 |
January (FNP & PMHNP – Spring start) |
September 30 |
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), Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA) 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. nursing 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 level statistics course with a grade of “C” or higher with in the last five years. If you have not taken a graduate level statistics course, you may complete Nursing 7010 (preferred) or STAT 7020 Statistical Methods in the Health Sciences within the first year of 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. If students have combined classes, e.g., patho/pharm or physiology/health assessment, they would need to take each class individually to be eligible to sit for certification.
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. All recommendations, Kira interview and application materials need to be completed by DEADLINE.
Following is a checklist of items that are required to be uploaded for the application:
- Upload unofficial copies of all transcripts. If you are accepted, you will be asked to provide official transcripts.
- For MU alumni click here for instructions on: How to Obtain an Unofficial Academic Record in myZou for Current and Former MU Students
- Copies of current, unencumbered Registered Nurse license(s).
- Copies of all advanced practice nursing certification and/or credentialing/recognition documents for applicants with a master’s degree as applicable.
- Completion of the clinical hour verification form for applicants with clinical hours from previous MS and/or certificate programs.
- Curriculum vitae using the official MU Sinclair School of Nursing template.
- 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.
- As part of the Nursing Consolidated Application System (NCAS), a written and recorded interview utilizing Kira Talent will be requested of the applicant. There is a minimal fee to complete the Kira Talent interview. The Kira Talent process consists of several written questions and recorded interview question(s).
Please Note Upon Admission
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 English language test score within the last 2 years are required for non-native English speaking applicants.