U-M School of Nursing Post-baccalaureate DNP program

Post-Baccalaureate DNP applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

• Earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or are in the process of completing a BSN from a nursing education program accredited through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), or NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA). Applicants may apply while a bachelor’s degree is still in progress but must receive the degree prior to the first term of enrollment at the School of Nursing.
• Minimum grade point average of a 3.0 on a 4-point scale (or equivalent measures of performance if a graduate of an institution with no grading system) for those credits completed towards the nursing bachelor’s degree. Applicants not meeting the GPA requirement will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Prior to their first term of enrollment, all admitted students must have an active and unencumbered RN license in the state where they will be completing their clinical experiences.

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required for admission consideration to any of the University of Michigan School of Nursing’s graduate programs.

The School of Nursing is currently only offering online programs at the MSN level. Those interested in a DNP have the opportunity to pursue a post-master's DNP upon successful completion of their MSN.

The non-refundable application fee is $80 payable through NursingCAS. For information on application fee waivers, visit the NursingCAS website.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to check their NursingCAS application account frequently to make sure documents have been received and processed by the deadline. 

NursingCAS Applications Sections:

Academic History

U.S. Institution Transcripts:

Send all official transcripts from each college/university attended.

• Please note that transcripts are required regardless of the number of credits taken or if the credits were transferred to another school.
• Transcripts should not be sent to the U-M School of Nursing. All transcripts must be processed through NursingCAS.
• Current or previous University of Michigan students are required to request transcripts to be sent to NursingCAS through the Office of the Registrar.

For additional information, refer to the NursingCAS Section on Sending Official Transcripts to NursingCAS.

Non-U.S. Institution Transcripts: 

Non-U.S. international transcripts must be translated by World Education Service, Inc. or Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. is required for your application to be considered complete. 

• Translations must be literal and complete versions of the original records.
• Evaluations from other foreign evaluation vendors will not be accepted by the University of Michigan School of Nursing. 

For additional information, refer to the NursingCAS Section on Foreign and French-Canadian Transcripts.

Program Materials Section:

Personal Statement

Provide an answer to the following question: What are your professional and educational goals as they relate to the graduate program to which you are applying? (700 words maximum). 

References

Three letters of recommendation are required for admission consideration. Recommendations must be sent directly to NursingCAS. Please review the NursingCAS Program Materials and reference the section labeled “References” for more information. It is recommended that references have a master's level nursing degree or higher.

Resume

The submission of a well written, formatted appropriately and easy to read one to two page resume with your NursingCAS application. We do not require specific work experience prior to applying for a program.

Video Assessment

Applicants will be required to complete a video assessment via Kira Talent as part of their application. Access to this assessment is available through NursingCAS. 

We recommend taking the first steps on your application at least five-six weeks before the application deadline. All application materials must be received by NursingCAS by the deadline in order to be considered for admission.

Academic History

Transcripts:

• Official transcripts are required from all institutions regardless of the number of credits taken or if the credits were transferred to another school.
• Late receipt of transcripts is the primary reason why applications are considered incomplete. Transcript processing can take upwards of 4-6 weeks
• Transcripts sent to the U-M School of Nursing will not be accepted. All transcripts must be processed through NursingCAS.

Program Materials Section:

Personal Statement

The answer should state your reason for pursuing the program. It is most effective when you have researched the program and can communicate an understanding of the scope of practice. You should elaborate on how the degree and specialty best fit your professional, personal, and academic goals.

• Personal statements are a perfect place to relay information to the admission committee that was not included in other parts of your application.
• You should  incorporate information about the experiences that lead you to pursuing this specialty.
• Utilize your personal statement to clarify any aspects of your academic or professional background that may require further explanation.

References

As part of your NursingCAS application, you will be required to submit three electronic Letters of Reference (LOR).

• All references must be completed using NursingCAS’s Recommender Portal called Liaison Letters.
• Reference request will come from the following email address: [email protected].
• For technical requirements and accessibility information, please review Liaison Letters Help Center for Troubleshooting.

Choosing a recommender: 

• Recommenders should be updated on your personal goals to be able to comment on your potential success as a graduate student and as an advanced practice nurse in the area for which you are applying. 
• Applicants should send their evaluation requests early in the application process to ensure recommenders have adequate time to complete their request.

Hard copy or electronic versions of recommendations sent directly to the school will not be accepted.

Resume

Highlight important educational and professional experiences, including volunteering, professional associations, leadership, research, job shadowing and awards. 

• Example of Nursing Resume
• Resumes should be current and no longer than two pages.
• Applicants should keep information relevant to nursing-specific experiences and leadership activities.
• For individuals with limited to no work experience as an RN, it is recommended that job shadowing and/or volunteer work relates to the chosen program of study.
• Involvement in extracurricular leadership activities are a good item to have on your resume. Examples include involvement in Student Nurses Associations or student groups while in school or participating in unit committees while working.
• Achievements and awards can also be included in your resume, such as Daisy awards or departmental recognition.

For additional information, application help, and our FAQ, please view our Application Help Guide.

All application materials must be received by NursingCAS by the deadline to be considered for admission.

Graduate applicants qualify for an exemption from taking an English proficiency examination if one of the following criteria are met:

• You are a native speaker of English.
• You are an applicant from Puerto Rico.
• You completed all of your undergraduate education and earned an undergraduate degree at an institution where the language of instruction is English only. Undergraduate degree requirements must be completed before the start of classes at U-M.
• You completed all of your graduate education and earned a graduate degree at an institution where the language of instruction is English only. Graduate degree requirements must be completed before the start of classes at U-M.
• You are a current U-M student.

Does not meet English proficiency exemption:

• A one year graduate degree does not meet an English exemption.
• If you completed a Master’s degree that was strictly research and no academic classes, that degree does not meet the exemption. This type of Master’s degree is generally awarded at a non-U.S. institution.

If you have questions about qualifying for an exemption from taking an English proficiency examination, please contact the Office of Admissions and Records at [email protected].

English proficiency exemption documentation

If you think you qualify for an exemption based on receiving a degree from an institution where the language of instruction is English only, you must have your previous institution submit a letter directly to the School of Nursing following these guidelines:

• The letter must state that the language of instruction for all courses taken at the institution was English only.
• The letter must be signed, stamped, dated and sent in a sealed envelope directly from a school official to the School of Nursing.
• Documentation sent directly from students will not be considered for an exemption. *

Letters may be sent to the following address:

Admissions & Records
400 N. Ingalls St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5482

Exemptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed.

English language test information

Scores must be sent directly to the University of Michigan

• Test scores are valid for two years after the test date.
• Official score reports must be received from the testing agency no later than the program application deadline. 
• Tests accepted are the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) for graduate applicants.
• Only the highest total score from one test date will be considered in the admissions process.
• Photocopies and/or faxes of English proficiency scores will not be accepted.

TOEFL (Preferred)

• Total score must be 94 or higher
• We accept TOEFL internet-based-test
• Official scores should be sent directly to the University of Michigan, School Code 1839.
• For  testing information, please view: https://www.ets.org/toefl

IELTS 

• Total score must be 7.0 or higher
• We accept IELTS, IELTS indicator exam
• Official scores should be sent directly to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor or have them mailed to the following address:

Admissions & Records
400 N. Ingalls St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5482

• For testing information, please view: https://www.ielts.org/en-us

Admission decisions are sent on a semi-rolling basis by email. We  encourage applicants to submit their application as early as possible.