MSN to DNP Degree Admission Requirements and Curriculum

Admission Requirements for MSN to DNP Applicants

• Graduate from an accredited MSN program.
• Curriculum vitae or resume.
• Current unencumbered RN licensure. *Students who reside outside the state of Michigan will be considered on a state-by-state basis.
• Grade point average (GPA) in graduate course work: minimum required is 3.0 on 4.0 scale with all official transcripts.
• DNP Essay Goal Statement with literature support - 1000 to 1250 words in length following APA format including four scholarly references from the literature.
  • Provide your reason(s) for pursuing a DNP practice degree.
  • Identify your professional career plans and goals.
  • Include potential interest areas for the doctoral project.
  • Explain your understanding of the DNP degree and the purpose of a practice doctorate degree.
• Discussion with the Graduate Nursing Coordinator.
• Letters of recommendation are not required but may be requested at the discretion of the graduate nursing coordinator.
• Additional international student admission requirements:
  • Completed international application for graduate admission.
  • An academic report by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools.
  • A score of 92 or higher on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT), 580 Paper-based TOEFL (PBT), or an IELTS band score of 7.0 in each skill area.
  • Evidence of financial support.
• Recommended: Review Graduate Nursing Handbook 2024-25 (1,805KB)

Additional admission criteria may be required for any applicant based on record review.

The Nursing Department promotes an inclusive learning environment and will provide reasonable accommodations providing essential program/curriculum elements are maintained.

Prior to practice courses, a criminal background check, evidence of current immunizations, physical exam, CPR, and drug testing are required as described in the Graduate Nursing Handbook. 

MSN to DNP Plans of Study

MSN to DNP Program Core Curriculum (31 cr, including 1,000 clinical hours)

» View the complete list of courses and descriptions

A minimum 31 credits required which includes a minimum total of 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical and/or DNP practice hours. A gap analysis will be completed on admission.

• NURS 630 - Policy & Leadership in ANP 2 credits
• NURS 772 - Epidemiology & Population Hlth in ANP 3 credits
• NURS 774 - Informatics for ANP 3 credits
• NURS 776 - QI/Patient Safety for ANP 3 credits
• NURS 778 - Interprofessional & Organiz Leadership 3 credits
• NURS 805 - Communication for Advanced Nursing Prac 1 credits
• NURS 810 - Scholarship for ANP 3 credits
• NURS 814 - Translational Scholarship for ANP 2 credits
• NURS 824 - Analytic Methods of Quality Improvement 3 credits
• NURS 830 - Financial Data for Practice Change 3 credits
• NURS 837 - DNP Practice 1 6 credits
  (1 cr. = 60 DNP hours) Credits / Units: 1-6
• NURS 850A - DNP Project/Immersion 1-3 credits
• NURS 850B - DNP Project/Immersion 1-3 credits
• NURS 850C - DNP Project/Immersion 1-3 credits
• NURS 850D - DNP Project/Immersion 1-3 credits
• NURS 850E - DNP Project/Immersion 1-3 credits
• NURS 850F - DNP Project/Immersion 1-3 credits

   

All DNP students must complete a minimum of 3 credits of DNP Project/Immersion in 3 semesters.
These courses may be taken more than once for credit in order to fulfill program requirements.

• 1 cr. = 60 DNP hours
• Credits will vary by Program Plan - Credits / Units: 1-3