Florida Atlantic University - Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing

Master's degree in Nursing from an accredited university.
Only students with a Master's Degree and certification in advanced practice or administration will be accepted into the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program.
A minimum cumulative 3.5 GPA in the nursing master's program is required.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores.
Curriculum vitae (Required Format for CV).
Three letters of recommendation from academic and professional references in which one is from a master's program professor holding a doctorate. (guidelines below).
A copy of one example of work that evidences a culminating scholarly product from the master's program.
A typed statement of the applicant's goals for the DNP degree of no more than 500 words.
Satisfactory oral interview by members of the Graduate Admissions Committee.

*A state/federal criminal background check is required for all applicants and admitted students. Some clinical agencies require annual background checks or affidavits. A drug screen may be required. All costs for these requirements are the responsibility of the applicant/student.

BSN to DNP Program Admissions Criteria

Baccalaureate degree in Nursing from an accredited university.
A minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA in the baccalaureate program is required.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores.
Curriculum vitae (Required Format for CV)
Three letters of recommendation from academic and professional references in which one is from a baccalaureate program professor holding a doctorate. (guidelines below)
A typed statement of the applicant's goals for the DNP degree of no more than 500 words.
Satisfactory oral interview by members of the Graduate Admissions Committee.

DNP Program Application Procedure

Application to the DNP Program (similar to application for other graduate programs) involves a *two step process*.

Effective June 30, 2011, graduate applications to FAU will no longer be completed through FACTS.ORG.

Please note that graduate applicants who already have an application in process through FACTS must complete their application and submit it to FAU through FACTS.ORG prior to June 30, 2011.

The university has developed an online application to replace the FACTS.ORG application. The new Graduate College online application will go live on or around May 24, 2011. The university has developed an online application to replace the FACTS.ORG application. The new Graduate College online application will go live on or around May 24, 2011.

Step 1: First complete a Florida Atlantic University Graduate Application. You must complete the FAU Graduate Application in order to obtain your Z Number. You will receive your Z number in about 2-5 days after completion of the FAU Graduate Application.

Step 2: Complete the College of Nursing Graduate Application. The College of Nursing Application cannot be processed without your Z Number. Please wait 2 business days after receiving your Z Number to allow us to recognize completion of Step 1.

*Your final acceptance into the program is contingent on both applications (Step 1 & 2) being completed.

All materials sent to the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing must be submitted together in one envelope by the program deadline. No application will be considered unless all material is submitted together. If you are unable to submit all necessary material by the program deadline, you are advised to save your material and re-apply the following next semester. All program prerequisites including specific courses required for the track of the student's choice must be completed before the application is submitted. Please visit the specific program pages for application requirements.

Regulations governing admission to the graduate study in Nursing at FAU include those established by both the University and College of Nursing.

"All materials submitted in support of your application become the property of Florida Atlantic University. We cannot return materials or copies to applicants. Thank you for considering Florida Atlantic University for your graduate school needs."

Guidelines regarding Letters of Reference

Purpose: The purpose of the letters of reference is to provide the College of Nursing with information about how colleagues and associates perceive the applicants to the DNP program. Letters should be on letterhead stationery, dated, with the signature of the person and the person's name and title typed underneath. We are unable to accept letters older than 6 months from the date of application or letters that are not dated and official in appearance. An e-mailed reference or faxed letter must be followed with a mailed hard copy with a written signature.

The following points should be addressed in the letters of reference:

1. How long has the reference known the applicant?

2. The relationship of the reference to the applicant (e.g. manager, staff nurse,

professor)?

3. Specify information about all of the following in reference to the applicant:

Initiative and critical thinking
Scholarly achievements and/or dispositions
Ability to complete tasks
Self-reflection and self-correction
Career orientation
Impression that the applicant will be able to achieve the DNP degree
Overall assessment of the applicants administrative and/or clinical expertise

References are faculty, colleagues, and associates who are qualified to address all characteristics listed above. They may be nurses, physicians, other health team members, administrators, or professors/instructors. One reference should be from a doctorally prepared faculty member from the master's program, if possible.

Although there is no criteria for the length of the reference letter, it is preferred that the letter succinctly provides valuable information that will enable the college to thoroughly evaluate the applicant. Thus, applicants should select references who are able to address all the areas according to direct and first-hand knowledge.

Contact for Information & Advising

Ruth McCaffrey, DNP, ARNP-BC

Program Coordinator

Nursing Room 116C

(561) 297-2945

rmccaffr@fau.edu

Krisa Kolbe

Doctoral & Bridge Program Assistant

Nursing Room 102

(561) 297-1109

Email: kkolbe@fau.edu