Degree Options
Doctor of Nursing Practice
How to Apply
The DNP Admission Checklist is your personal tracking form for admission to the DNP program; please read carefully and print the checklist for your records as you move through the processes listed below:
Application Process
- Apply to the University to complete prerequisite course (NURS R505 - graduate statistics). Complete a Graduate non-degree Online Admissions Application, pay the $60 application fee, and submit the application.
- Upon completion of the prerequisite courses, complete and submit a second University application as a degree-seeking DNP student. Contact the Graduate Advisor for Doctoral Programs before submitting this application.
Admission Criteria
- Have earned a Master’s degree in Nursing from an NLNAC- or CCNE-accredited program with a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher;
- Meet the role requirements of the agency in which you conduct your practicum
- Provide documentation of supervised practice hours from an accredited MSN program. Students with fewer than 500 clinical hours will take additional practicum credits to achieve the 1000 hours required by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
- Have completed NURS-R 505 Measurement and Data Analysis or NURS L650 Data Analysis for Clinical and Administrative Decision-making or equivalent graduate level statistics course completed within the last three years with a grade of B or better;
- Possess an unencumbered RN license in state of practice.
Application Deadline: March 1 for fall admission
Required Application Packet must include:
- Official college and/or university transcript from all institutions attended, except Indiana University. We will print your IU transcript and put that in your submitted application packet.
- Copy of your current unencumbered RN license. Evidence is a current, active unencumbered license to practice as a registered practitioner of nursing is required.
- Certification verification (if applicable)
- Documentation of supervised practice hours from master's degree program. For students with fewer 500 supervised practice hours, their DNP program will be tailored to achieve 1000 hours of post-baccalaureate practice.
- Evidence of completion of NURS-R 505 or NURS-L 650 (graduate statistics).
- Written career goal statement (limit of 500 words).
- Letters of recommendation from three professional references (at least one from a current or former supervisor).
- Resume or curriculum vitae.
- Statement about potential scholarly inquiry project and possible community agency or health system mentor with which to work.
- Submission of the IU School of Nursing DNP Application (no cost, but need an IU or IUPUI userid and passphrase).
Interview Information
Qualified applicants will be interviewed in late March.
Each interview will last one hour and will take place at the IU School of Nursing in Indianapolis. Admission decision notification will be made in late April for August (fall) start.
Competitive Admission
Admission to the DNP program is competitive and requires School of Nursing faculty endorsement and approval. Admission is based on a completed application that includes official transcripts, a professional goal statement, personal interview, and references.
International Students
In addition to the list above, international students must also complete the additional requirements, including an international application through the Office of International Affairs.
There are three ways to meet English proficiency:
- Competitive scores (minimum of 550) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for students whose first language is not English; OR
- Satisfactory Internet-based English test scores; OR
- Satisfactory performance on the international English Language Testing System
All application materials are to be sent to the address/fax below:
Graduate Advisor for Doctoral Programs
Center for Academic Affairs
1111 Middle Drive NU 122
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Fax: 317-274-2996
