Enrolling in this program
Program eligibility requirements
Entry into the DNP program occurs in one of two ways depending upon your level of nursing preparation.
- The BSN to DNP option is for nurses who have a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Award upon successful completion is the DNP degree with a concentration as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
- The ELMSN to DNP option is for nurses who have earned an entry-level master's degree in nursing. Award upon successful completion is the DNP degree with a concentration as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Transcripts must indicate completion of a BS or BA in nursing or Entry Level Master's in Nursing from an accredited college or university, also accredited by either the National League for Nursing (NLN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Students in their last semester of their baccalaureate program in nursing may apply for conditional admission.
Applicants must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA for all previous post-secondary study and degrees, including any courses completed that did not lead directly to a completed degree.
An interview with DNP faculty will be required.
If accepted into the DNP program, students are required to complete a lower division statistics course (BSN-DNP track) or an approved graduate level statistics course (ELMSN-DNP track) prior to program start. See Applying to the Program for application information, details on the requirements, deadlines and International Student application requirements.
Evaluation of Credentials of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools
Graduates of foreign nursing schools who apply to the nursing program are required to have transcripts evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. The evaluation report will serve as the basis for the transcript evaluation needed for admission to the university and the nursing program.
Applicants must have one year of full-time registered nursing practice experience (equivalent to 2,080 hours) completed by the time of application.
Application instructions
Program eligibility requirements
Entry into the DNP program occurs in one of two ways depending upon your level of nursing preparation.
- The BSN to DNP option is for nurses who have a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Award upon successful completion is the DNP degree with a concentration as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
- The ELMSN to DNP option is for nurses who have earned an entry-level master's degree in nursing. Award upon successful completion is the DNP degree with a concentration as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Transcripts must indicate completion of a BS or BA in nursing or Entry Level Master's in Nursing from an accredited college or university, also accredited by either the National League for Nursing (NLN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Students in their last semester of their baccalaureate program in nursing may apply for conditional admission.
Applicants must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA for all previous post-secondary study and degrees, including any courses completed that did not lead directly to a completed degree.
An interview with DNP faculty will be required.
If accepted into the DNP program, students are required to complete a lower division statistics course (BSN-DNP track) or an approved graduate level statistics course (ELMSN-DNP track) prior to program start. See Application Instructions for application information, details on the requirements, deadlines and International Student application requirements.
Application instructions
The Family Nurse Practitioner DNP program is using NursingCAS for processing applications. To begin the application process go to https://nursingcas.org/, and click on the APPLY NOW button. Select the term you are seeking admission for and click apply. Create or log into your account, then select the Metropolitan State University DNP-Family Nurse Practitioner program. Carefully review all instructions and complete the four sections of the application.
Deadlines
Applications must be verified by 11:59 p.m. ET on the deadline date. Applications received by Nov. 1 will received priority admission. Application deadline date is Feb. 1. Applications can only be verified once all payments, transcripts, and letters of evaluation have been received. To ensure your application is verified on time, try to complete your application at least four weeks before the deadline.
Application Process
- Complete the NursingCAS Application
- Request that official transcripts from all US institutions attended be sent to NursingCAS
- Upload a personal essay statement in the Documents section of NursingCAS (see details in this section for essay questions)
- Request 2 letters of recommendation be sent through the NursingCAS recommender portal
- Upload verification of hours worked as a RN in Document section
- Upload RN License Verification
- Answer Supplemental Questions
Interview will be required for all applicants.
Statistics completion: Prior to fall program start, all admitted DNP students must have completed an lower division level statistics course that is less than five years old with an earned grade of "B" or better. For more information about statistics, contact david.jones.2@metrostate.edu. Post-ELMSN applicants: The statistics course must be graduate-level.
Note: The ELMSN-DNP track is designed for Metropolitan State University ELMSN Graduates.
*Non-Metro ELMSN or MSN applicants: You will need to meet with program coordinator upon admission to determine plan of study and petition applicable courses.
International Applicants: Request that official evaluations of transcripts from all foreign institutions be sent to NursingCAS as follows:
- Use the World Education Services (WES) link in the Academic History section of the application to order your official WES evaluation or
- Use the “Download Evaluation Request Form” in the Academic History section of the application to request an evaluation from an evaluation service other than WES
Note: If requirements are different for international students, you may want to consider a separate designation for that population or consider conditional questions.
Characteristics of a Successful Candidate
o Admissions requirements/profile
o 3.0 GPA or higher
o Bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited university
o 2080 minimum hours worked as RN
o Committed to Metropolitan State University Mission and Vision
Questions about application requirements, or the DNP/FNP program in general, can be sent to David.Jones.2@metrostate.edu (preferred) or you can call 651-793-1356.