Doctor of Nursing Practice
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program prepares advanced practice nurses to manage the care of individuals and families across the lifespan. The DNP is designed for nurses holding Masters in Nursing degrees with a NP, who are interested in completing course requirements leading to a doctoral degree in nursing. Graduates of this program are eligible to be leaders in the field of Nursing Practice and Education.
Application Requirements
- Complete and submit a DNP application available online via NursingCAS
- Application Fee $75
- Graduate of an accredited college or University with a Master of Science Degree in Nursing with Advanced Practice Specialty (Nurse Practitioner [NP] or Clinical Nurse Specialist [CNS])
- Graduate Program Accreditation Requirements (Applies to both Domestic and International applicants): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or a National League of Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLN CNEA)
- To confer the DNP degree: 1,000 post Baccalaureate or Entry Level Masters’ Program clinical hours of face to face, healthcare system preceptored experience are required to meet the AACN Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (2006)
- Evidence of 500 clinical hours – Students are accepted as advanced practice registered nurses, NP or CNS, providing documentation of the acquired 500 hours of direct patient care.
- Students acquire the remaining 500 hours during the plan of study of the DNP Program. DNP students conduct their 500 clinical hours on off work hours at one approved healthcare facility-which can be at their place of employment.
- Applicants who fall below the eligibility requirements will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. In each case, additional supplemental items may be required.
- Official transcripts from all regionally accredited institutions
- *International Students: Courses completed outside the U.S. must be evaluated for U.S. course equivalency (see further requirements below)
- Licensing Requirements (Applies to both Domestic and International applicants):
- Unencumbered APRN license in the state where you plan to do your clinical hours. Must be obtained prior to CDU DNP program orientation.
- Required to submit proof of certification in an Advanced Practice Nursing specialty (NP, PMHNP, CNS, CRNA, CNM, etc.)
- If you are CDU Alumni from the NP or Psych NP programs and your enrollment date was prior to 8-4-2021, you must provide the ANCC Verification of Certification
- DNP students are required to maintain an unencumbered APRN License as required in the state in which the student will be practicing. If there is a licensure change status to an encumbered APRN license, the student will need to take an LOA from the CDU DNP program to obtain appropriate licensing.
- Unencumbered APRN license in the state where you plan to do your clinical hours. Must be obtained prior to CDU DNP program orientation.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Personal goal statement- Self-Evaluation
- The Personal Goal Statement-Self Evaluation should address the following areas:
- What impact do you foresee your doctor in nursing practice degree will have in your nursing practice?
- What motivates you to earn your doctor in nursing practice degree?
- What topics are you interested in exploring to complete a DNP project that will focus on change that impacts healthcare outcomes. In what Healthcare system do you foresee doing your DNP project?
- Discuss if you are in clinical practice, include the following and describe the practice, name, location to include city, state and zip code.
- Describe and discuss two of your strong assets/characteristics.
- Describe and discuss two areas where you would like to see improvement.
- The Personal Goal Statement-Self Evaluation should address the following areas:
- Statement-Evaluation Requirements:
- APA format using Microsoft Word and must include both a cover and reference page
- Approximately 750 words in length
- Two to Three reference citations from any source
- Three letters of recommendation (academic or professional)
- Recommendations should address the following areas:
- Relationships with work associates (paid or voluntary)
- Work competence
- Communication and interpersonal skills with persons of diverse backgrounds
- Leadership skills or potential
- Values, ethical standards, responsibility, and initiative
- Please CLICK HERE for the Letter of Recommendation Form (Recommendation form is required)
- Virtual interview with DNP Program Director, DNP Assistant Director, and DNP faculty may also be present.
- Transferable Credits from a previous DNP program taken within one year will be determined by the DNP Program Director.
International Student Applicants
We do not require a separate application or additional fee for international applicants. Students applying to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program should be prepared to meet all of the admissions requirements as outlined above.
Application Requirements for all applicants submitting coursework outside of the USA:
- Coursework completed outside the US must be evaluated for US course equivalency from one of the following services (course-by-course evaluation required):
- World Education Services (WES)
- Josef Silny & Associates (JSA)
- Global Credential Evaluators (GCE)
- International Education Research Foundation (IERF)
- Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute (ACEI)
- American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers, International Education Service (AACRAO IES)
If you need assistance with immigration (I-20 form, F-1 visa, SEVIS, etc.), our Office of International Affairs will be able to assist you. You can contact CDU’s Primary Designated School Official (PDSO) and Director, Office of International Affairs Dr. Lejeune Lockett lejeunelockett@cdrewu.edu or (323) 357-3458.