Admission Requirements

• Degree Requirements: Masters degree in nursing from an accredited institution (Masters degree in Nursing Leadership and Management preferred but applicants with an MS in a nursing specialty other than leadership will also be considered). Applicants with a BSN degree and a master’s in a non-nursing, health-related field (MBA, MPH, MHA, MMHC, etc.) are also eligible to apply for the DNP Executive Leadership Track. 
• GPA: Overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. A GPA as low as 2.75 will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Transcripts and Pre-requisite Courses: Transcript will demonstrate successful completion of academic credits in graduate level pathophysiology, pharmacology, and advanced physical assessment from a regionally accredited school. One official transcript is required from each US post-secondary institution attended. 
• License: Must have a valid unrestricted North Carolina registered nurse license or a compact state license in order to complete DNP project within the state student is licensed. 
• Recommendations: Three professional references. Recommender will submit a survey through the online application tool.
• Resume: Verification of practicum hours completed during previous graduate degree. All students are expected to have 1.000 post baccalaureate practice hours. Students with less than 500 hours in their prior Masters program will need to complete additional hours in order to meet the 1,000-hour graduation requirement. 
• Nurse Leadership or Executive Nursing History: One-page only
• Essay: Maximum 600 words.
  • Describe your short-term and long-term professional goals and how earning the Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Nurse Leadership will help you achieve these.
  • Describe experiences that demonstrate formal or informal leadership attributes that define you as a nurse leader.
  • Identify one significant contemporary health care issue (organizational, national, or population-specific) that can be impacted by the DNP-prepared Nurse Executive.
• Interview: Interview with the School of Nursing faculty may be required to determine congruence between student practice interests, career goals and faculty expertise.
• International Applicants must present evidence of professional standing in their home countries. This requirement excludes U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.
• Differential Tuition: Differential tuition applies to this program. View a complete listing of current tuition/fees.
• Verification of hours [PDF]

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