Post Masters DNP Program Admissions Criteria

• Master's degree in Nursing from a university or college nursing program accredited by the National League for Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
• Master's Degree and certification in advanced practice, administration, or as a clinical nurse leader will be accepted into the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program.
• Cumulative 3.0 GPA in the nursing master's program.
• Curriculum vitae (Required Format for CV).
• Two letters of recommendation from academic and professional references in which one of whom holds a doctorate (guidelines below).
• Statement of the applicant's goals for the DNP degree of no more than 500 words.
• Current licensure in the State of Florida as a registered nurse.
• Interview may be required.
• Complete Verification of Post-Baccalaureate Clinical and Practice Hours form.

*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.

No GRE Required
No GMAT Required

Guidelines regarding Letters of Reference

Purpose: The purpose of the letters of reference is to provide the College of Nursing with information about how professional colleagues and associates perceive the applicant's potential success in completing 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

Acceptable references are from 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.

How to Apply to the Post Master’s DNP program

Complete a Florida Atlantic University Graduate Application. Please make sure to select Summer as your entry date, as we do not admit in Fall or Spring.

The following supporting documents will need to be uploaded in order to complete your application

• Curriculum vitae (Required Format for CV).
• Statement of the applicant's goals for the DNP degree of no more than 500 words. 
• Two letters of recommendation from academic and professional references in which one of whom holds a doctorate. * 
• Copy of national certification in advanced practice, nursing administration or as a clinical nurse leader.
• Current licensure in the State of Florida as a registered nurse.
• Upload all official transcripts from all prior colleges or universities.

*You will request two letters of reference electronically in the FAU application. Therefore, be prepared with reference names and current e-mail addresses. We are unable to accept letters older than 6 months from the date of application.

Application deadline is February 1^st 

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications with missing documents/transcripts are considered incomplete.
You may check your application status online: http://www.fau.edu/graduate/applyonline/applicationstatus/index.php

 

Contact for Information & Advising

• Joseph Lotito
  Academic Advisor
  Nursing Room 116A
  (561) 297-1109 
  lotitoj@health.fau.edu

 

• Debra Hain, PhD, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, FAAN, FAANP, FNKF
  Interim DNP Program Director, Professor (tenured) and Co-graduate Coordinator AGNP Concentration
  Nursing Room 326
  (561) 297-3262 
  dhain@health.fau.edu

All materials sent to the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing must be submitted by the program deadline.  If you are unable to submit all necessary materials by the program deadline, you are advised to re-apply for the next application cycle. All program prerequisites must be completed before the application is submitted.  Regulations governing admission to the graduate study in Nursing at FAU include those established by both the University and College of Nursing.