Post-Graduate Doctor of Nursing Practice: (MSN to DNP)

Admission Requirements

• Graduate Application for Admission and $30 Application Fee
• Unofficial transcripts
  • Applicants must have earned an MSN degree from a CCNE or ACEN- accredited institution. Recommended 3.0 cumulative GPA.
  • Completion of a graduate Statistics course within the past three years, with a “C” or better.
  • All transcripts from non-U.S. based institutions must be course-by-course evaluated by a NACES or AICE accredited academic credential evaluation company to obtain equivalency information on courses, grades, and degrees earned. Upload a copy of this course-by-course evaluation to serve as your unofficial transcript from that institution.  Please note: If choosing to upload an unofficial evaluation, please contact the evaluating agency to ensure the same official version can be sent at a later date. Unofficial and official evaluations must be conducted by the same evaluation company to ensure consistency. 
• Three Letters of Recommendation
  • ​​​​​If you graduated within the last five years, at least one from a previous faculty member at your most recent institution. Two recommendations from individuals who can attest to clinical experience. It is recommended that one of the references be from a doctorally-prepared nurse.
  • References will be sent a link to an electronic form to complete once you save their email address into the application form
• Professional Current Resume/C.V.
• Essay (500-750 words) answering the following questions:
  • Why are you choosing to pursue the DNP?
  • Brief description of an idea for the DNP project, to include a brief introduction to a practice program, a problem statement (The problem is…), and the purpose of your project.
• Copy of current unencumbered RN license – multi-state or individual state (must obtain licensure in the state in which you do clinical rotations)
• Copy of current Advanced Practice Nursing certification, as applicable. Applicants without national certification will be individually evaluated and must submit evidence of their specialty expertise.
• Completion of 2,080 documented RN or APRN (direct patient) hours 
  • Documentation of Registered Nurse Clinical Hours Form
  • Documentation of Nurse Practitioner Clinical Hours Form (if applicable)
• NP applicants must be able to verify a minimum of 500 master’s degree precepted clinical hours. 
• Language Proficiency Requirement must be met. Submission of TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo English Test (DET) may be required. See our policy for full details.
• Video interview submission. Please record and answer required questions (see application submission form for more instructions).
  • Describe your nursing experience including any leadership roles (committees, precepting, charge, etc). 
  • Discuss one life experience that has influenced your decision to return to graduate school or become an APRN. 
  • What is the role of the specialty you plan to pursue: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psych Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, or Nurse-Midwife?
  • Why did you choose Shenandoah University?
  • What do you see as the challenges of fitting graduate school into your current life? 
  • If we asked a colleague or family member, what would they say is a strength for you? What would they say is a weakness?