DNP Admission Requirements
We will begin reviewing fall 2013 applications on January 15, 2013. We will continue to review after January 15, 2013 on a rolling basis until all spaces are full. Priority will be given to applications received by January 15, 2013.
The Vanderbilt Doctor of Nursing Practice program can be entered with either a BSN or MSN degree and requires a total of 74 credits including a minimum of 39 master level credits either taken at the School of Nursing or transferred from another accredited MSN program and 35 doctoral level credits taken at Vanderbilt.
Entry with an MSN degree requires APRN certification as either an NP, CNM, CNS or CRNA. Applicants may also enter with an MSN in nursing administration or nursing informatics. Vanderbilt offers post-master’s entry for advanced practice nurses who hold a MSN and wish to add an additional specialty certification.
Applicants with a BSN degree will have the opportunity to make a seamless transition from our advanced practice nursing MSN program into the DNP program. Applicants applying with a BSN degree should complete the online MSN application (available here) and indicate their intention to progress directly in to the DNP program after completing MSN degree requirements. Please refer to the MSN program information for the details regarding your advanced practice interest area.
Admission Criteria for DNP Program entry with MSN degree
1. Official Transcripts. Applicants must submit one transcript from each post-secondary institution attended. Applicants must have completed a master's degree in nursing from a nationally accredited institution. A minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA for graduate work is preferred.
2. Registered Nurse Licensure. An unencumbered Registered Nurse license must be presented.
3. Advanced Practice Certification. Applicants must have the APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) designation in their home states and national board certification as a CNS, NP, CNM or CRNA in their areas of specialty as appropriate. National certification for nursing administration or nursing informatics applicants is desirable but not required. Applicants without national certification will be individually evaluated and may be required to pursue a post-master's certificate in any advanced practice specialty.
4. Letters of Recommendation. Strong professional references from three persons who hold a doctoral degree addressing academic skills including oral and written communication as well as clinical competence. Applicants are strongly encouraged to select a doctorally prepared nurse as one of the three recommenders.
5. Curriculum vitae or resume.
6. Professional Statement. The professional statement must include written essays responding to select questions and identification of a potential practice inquiry within selected populations to frame the program of study. See page 4 of the application.
7. Interview. After initial review of the application, applicants may be contacted for an interview.
8.Technical Requirements. Vanderbilt School of Nursing considers the Internet communication link an essential learning resource for doctoral students. DNP students will be required to have a home computer, printer and Internet service provider that has high speed broadband Internet access.
For International Students Only
1. Complete required application items (application form, goal statement, reference letters, resume, application fee).
2.Prior to consideration for admission, international student applicants whose native language is not English must submit a report of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score. Scores should be less than two years old and the minimum acceptable score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language is 81 on the internet-based test or 620 on the paper-based test to demonstrate proficiency. http://www.toefl.org. Applicants may also take the IELTS (International English Language Testing Service). http://www.ielts.org.
3.International student applicants whose native language is not English are required to have an interview with the Program Director and a member of the Admissions Committee. Personal interviews are preferred, but a telephone interview can be arranged.
4. International student applicants must hold a current Registered Nurse license in the United States and US certification as an APRN. National certification is optional for applicants with an MSN in health systems management (nursing administration) or nursing informatics.
5. International student applicants who have completed college or university coursework at an institution in a country other than the United States must obtain a complete course-by-course evaluation of foreign transcripts, degrees and other relevant documents. In all instances, the evaluating agency will require original, official documentation. Evaluating agencies include World Education Services; Post Office Box 745; Old Chelsea Station New York, NY 10113-0745; telephone (212) 966.6311; web site: www.wes.org and Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.; Post Office Box 514070; Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53203-3470; telephone (414) 289.3412; web site: www.ece.org; Josef Silny & Associates, Inc., International Education Consultants, 701 SW 102 Ave, Miami, FL, 33173, telephone (305) 273-161, website: www.jsilny.com.
6. International students who are accepted into the program may also be required to complete an intensive English language program at Vanderbilt University prior to beginning classes at the School of Nursing. Information about Vanderbilt's English language program may be obtained at www.vanderbilt.edu/international.
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Vanderbilt School of Nursing Admissions team, who will be happy to help. You may reach Admissions via email or by phone (toll free 1.888.333.9192).
Dates of Required On-Campus Intensive Session for 2013-14
| Fall 2013 | August 26-30 |
| Spring 2014 | January 13-16 |
| Summer 2014 | May 5-8 |
