Doctor of Nursing Practice

• MSN degree from an accredited school of nursing.
• Current RN licensure in the state of residence.
• Current certification as an advanced practice nurse (nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, or registered nurse anesthetist) or as an advanced nurse administrator.
• A cumulative 3.5 GPA from previous MSN coursework (those applicants with a 3.25-3.49 cumulative GPA from MSN coursework will be considered on a probationary status).
• Graduate-level statistics course that includes descriptive and inferential statistics taken within the last five years (must have achieved a grade of B or higher).

Please note: this program is offered online through our sister campus at Concordia University Wisconsin.

Entrance requirements

All students applying for admission to the program must have:

• MSN degree from an accredited nursing school
• Current unencumbered RN licensure in the state of residence
• Current certification as an advanced practice nurse (nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, or registered nurse anesthetist) or as an advanced nurse administrator
• A cumulative 3.5 GPA from previous MSN coursework (strong applicants with a 3.25-3.49 cumulative GPA from MSN coursework will be considered)
• Graduate level statistics course that includes descriptive and inferential statistics, taken within the last five years (must have achieved a grade of B or higher)
• Application deadline for fall term is July 1st

Application requirements

Students must apply online through NursingCAS. When applying, students will submit:

• Resume or curriculum vitae describing nursing experience and education and the applicant's progression in advanced practice or leadership positions
• Two references: one must be from a professional and/or academic with a current MSN or higher and one must be from an individual who has worked with the applicant in a professional capacity.
• All official transcripts
• Current certification as an advanced practice nurse (nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife or registered nurse anesthetist)
• Documentation of the number of faculty-supervised clinical hours completed in the MSN program
• Admission essay explaining reasons for enrolling in the DNP program. Address future professional goals, including plans for scholarship to meet the DNP Project
• Admission interview (will be conducted by phone/Zoom)

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In addition to the Graduate Admission Requirements, there will be a pre-admission telephone interview.

The admission committee will review applications and a formal letter/email of acceptance or denial will be sent to the student.

Please note: in clinical experiences, students are required to work in healthcare systems or clinics, and must comply with any vaccination requirements of the clinical sites.

Contact Us

For additional information, please contact the Graduate Admission Office at graduate.admission@cuw.edu or 262.243.4300.

The Doctor Of Nursing Practice program at Concordia University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

States have established standards of practice for the nursing profession. While at the present time, we cannot provide a particular state’s educational requirements for licensing, we can assure you that we will provide you with the contact information for the state Board of Nursing for the state in which you are considering seeking licensure.

Please Note
We are not accepting new students from Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Tennessee or Wyoming. Additionally, Washington D.C. students are required to do clinicals in Virginia.

Concordia University of Wisconsin is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission to conduct practice experiences in the state of Washington for the post master’s DNP program. For more information, please go to Nursing Commission’s website at: http://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/NursingCommission/NursingPrograms.aspx.

• Ability to put nursing education, leadership principles, and scientific background into practice to improve care quality and patient safety
• Skilled in communicating and collaborating in an inter-professional health-care environment
• Experienced in using informatics and health-care technologies to improve patient care
• Demonstrated knowledge of health-care policy and ability to advocate for quality health care for all citizens
• Knowledge of clinical prevention and population health at the individual and group/aggregate/population levels
• Advanced professionalism and professional values
• Skills to perform at the highest level nursing practice reflective of the educational preparation