DNP Admissions - International Students
ADMISSION CRITERIA (Summer start only)
1. Current designation as a professional nurse in the country of practice:
- Online students who will be practicing only in their native country should hold licensure or professional recognition of a nurse in that country. The application packet must include verification of licensure/designation.
- Online students who will be practicing nursing in the U.S. must have a current nursing license to practice in a state or territory of the U.S. where they will be practicing as students. The application packet must include verification of licensure.
2. A bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree from an institution of higher learning recognized as an acceptable equivalent to a U.S. college or university.
3. A master's degree with a GPA of 3.5 or higher, from an institution of higher learning recognized as an acceptable equivalent to a U.S. college or university. A master of science in nursing is preferred. Applicants who hold a non-nursing masters degree will be evaluated for admission on an individual basis. This process may entail review of a portfolio or other evaluative mechanisms, and may require completion of some masters level nursing course(s).
4. Prerequisite courses:
Undergraduate or Graduate course in Statistics (3 credits)
Graduate course in Nursing Research Methods (3 credits)
5. A score of 600 or higher (80 iBT) on the Test of English as a Foreign language (TOEFL).
6. A credential evaluation from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) for nursing course work and World Education Services (WES) for non-nursing course work are required.
7. Successful phone interview with DNP Admissions Committee member.
8. If accepted, you must attend the mandatory on-campus Doctoral Week in May.
9. Students must meet the Technical Standards for Admission.
On-campus Residency
Students are required to be on campus for one week in May immediately following admission. During that week, students meet with faculty advisors, attend lectures by visiting professors, participate in seminars for required courses, complete examinations, and participate in program evaluation. First-time DNP students will begin a 1-credit introductory course.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The admissions process for nursing graduate studies is handled exclusively by the School of Nursing. Duquesne University has developed a common online application for all graduate programs. Applicants to the School of Nursing must complete the online University Application AND the School of Nursing Graduate application.
1. Complete the online Duquesne University International Application.
Please choose the INTERNATIONAL application, not the Graduate Nursing application
2. Mail the following to the School of Nursing:
- Current curriculum vitae (CV): a complete resume with dated work and practice, honors, awards, publications and presentations
- Copy of current unencumbered RN license
- Provide a brief statement of your goals in relation to the DNP. Include both short-term and long-term goals. Please limit to one typed page, 12 pt. font
- Describe one problem in practice or education of interest to you. Briefly outline how study of this problem will improve nursing. Please limit to one typed page, 12 pt. font
- Provide three reference letters from professional practice, sealed in envelopes and signed across the envelope seal by the endorsers.
- Provide a sample of your scholarly writing (i.e. published article, Master’s thesis, scholarly paper, etc.)
- The request for Advanced Standing Form and supporting documents, if requesting advanced standing
3. Arrange for these documents to be sent directly to the School of Nursing:
- Official BSN transcript
- Official MSN transcript
- Official transcripts for prerequisite courses, if not included on Master's degree program transcript
- any additional official transcripts of graduate courses, if requesting advanced standing
- Credential evaluation from CGFNS and WES
4. Arrange for TOEFL scores to be sent directly to the Office of International Programs.
5. If you are interested in graduate loans, you must complete the
Graduate Financial Aid Application and mail directly to the Financial Aid Office.
6. If you are accepted, a non-refundable $250.00 deposit will be required to reserve your place in the class.