Admission Criteria have been established by the faculty against which each applicant is evaluated for admission. Applicants to the Gessner College of Nursing DNP program will be reviewed holistically on an individual basis. The purpose is to predict individual potential to succeed at the DNP level.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to submit all necessary documentation to NursingCAS by the published deadline for admission consideration to the DNP program. Categories of admission are determined by the degree of criteria met.

*Individuals with an international degree need to complete additional procedures before applying.

All applicants are required to meet the following requirements:

• Earned baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program.*
• Earned master’s degree in an advanced nursing specialty from a nationally accredited nursing program.*
• Evidence of current, unencumbered, valid licensure as a registered nurse in the State of Texas or recognized compact.
• Certificate as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) (if applicable).
• Certified, or eligible for certification, in American Organization of Nurse Leaders (AONL), American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Nurse Executive (NE-BC), or ANCC Nurse Executive, Advanced (NEA-BC) (if applicable).
• Have a grade point average of 3.0 or above on a 4.0-point scale in upper division nursing and/or graduate courses.
• Written statement of area of practice interest, career goals, areas of research interest, and reasons for pursuing doctoral study (500-word limit).
• Submit a resume or CV. This document will be uploaded into the NursingCAS application.
• Submit two letters of recommendation: one from a university faculty/doctoral prepared registered nurse with a doctoral degree and one from an employer.
• Submit evidence of an unencumbered, current Texas Registered Nurse license.
• It is preferred that all applicants have a minimum one (1) year of experience as an advanced practice nurse and are continuously employed as an APRN throughout enrollment of the program.

Individuals who meet the above requirements are encouraged to apply to the DNP degree.

Please note that applications are not carried forward to the next deadline date and there are no waiting lists.