CON Admission for Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree

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UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER COLLEGE OF NURSING
Admission for Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree	Policy: 2304 (5.3.4)
Student Policies - Professional Graduate Students	Originating Date: April 2012
Responsible Reviewing Agency: Professional Graduate Affairs Committee Approving Agency: General Faculty Organization	Revised: April 2014 Revised: October 2014 Revised: March 2016 Revised: May 2016 Revised: March 2021 Revised: February 2024 (changes) Revised: August 2025 (changes) Revised: March 2026 (changes)

Purpose

Establishes criteria for admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) professional graduate nursing degree program.

Scope

This policy applies to applicants to the DNP professional graduate nursing program.

Policy

Applicants with an accredited baccalaureate degree in nursing are eligible to apply for the BSN to DNP track, while those holding an accredited master’s degree in nursing may apply for the MSN to DNP track.

United States citizens, prior to admission to the professional nursing graduate degree program, must be legally licensed to practice nursing in one of the 50 states. Foreign citizens not legally licensed to practice nursing in the United States shall provide evidence that they have the equivalent of a baccalaureate or masters’ degree in nursing. Prior to enrollment in clinical courses, students must hold a Registered Nurse Licensure in the particular state/states in which they are participating.

English as a Second Language

Applicants whose language of nurture is not English must present current (within the last two years) scores from instruments that measure listening, structure, reading, writing and oral communication competency in the English Language. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the Pearson Test of English (PTE, the International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) or Duolingo are acceptable examinations to demonstrate English language competency.

Applicants whose language of nurture is not English and who have completed a nursing degree from an accredited English–speaking university may have the English proficiency requirements waived.

The minimum scoring standards:

1. TOEFL (iBT): Minimum total score of 92.
2. PTE: Minimum overall score of 59.
3. IELTS: Minimum band score of 6.5.
4. Dualingo: Minimum overall score of 120.

International applicants who originate from a country whose native language is English will be evaluated individually

Guidelines

Faculty representing specialty areas recommend applicants for admission to the CON’s Professional Graduate Affairs Committee.

The CON’s Professional Graduate Affairs Committee reviews all recommendations for admission from specialty areas, and is the official voting body; a majority vote is required after establishment of a quorum. Preference is given to residents of Nebraska, to individuals who wish to pursue study that can be adequately supported by UNMC CON resources, and to those who have adequate preparation.

The following guidelines may be used to evaluate applicants:

• BSN to DNP track: A BSN degree from an institution with a nursing education program that was accredited through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), or NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA) at the time of graduation with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Post-Graduate track: A master's or doctoral degree from an institution with a nursing education program that was accredited through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), or NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA) at the time of graduation with a minimum GPA of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale.
• A personal statement that responds to specific questions addressing educational and professional goals including the applicant’s area of practice interest.
• Curricula vitae or professional resume
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, including non-nursing coursework
• Three letters of recommendation (preferably from persons holding a doctorate) submitted electronically by the recommender.
• Interview conducted in person or via electronic technology.
• On occasion faculty representing a specialty area may recommend admission for an applicant whose GPA is below the required minimum. Additional qualifications may be considered such as leadership and practice experience in the nursing profession.

Admission is recommended for the most highly qualified applicants based on a match of career goals with the specialty and college’s resources.