Applicants submit materials simultaneously to 1) the Graduate Programs, School of Nursing and 2) the College of Graduate Studies and Research (CGS&R). The CGS&R reviews the University Graduate Application and forwards the student transcript to the School of Nursing for review. The School of Nursing reviews the information from the CGS&R along with the School of Nursing Graduate Programs Admission information to make admission decisions.
Completed applications for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) are due in the Office of the College of Graduate Studies and Research (CGS&R) by March 15, 2010. Applications for admission will remain open after March 15, until positions are filled. Applicants submit all materials to the College of Graduate Studies and Research. The CGS&R reviews the University Graduate Application and forwards the student transcript to the School of Nursing for review by the Consortium Program Management Council (PMC). The PMC reviews the information from the CGS&R along with the Program Application to make admission decisions.
1. Admission to the Minnesota State University (MSU) College of Graduate Studies and Research (CGS&R). See the Application Requirements for the CGS&R at http://grad.mnsu.edu/ (CGS&R Application--PDF)
2. Official copies of transcript(s) from each institution attended for graduate study as evidence of graduation with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, from a CCNE or NLNAC accredited graduate program in nursing.
3. Satisfactory scores on the TOEFL test for international or non-English speaking students.
4. Completion of MSU School of Nursing Graduate Programs Application form (application form--PDF)
5. BSN/BS/BA degree* from a CCNE or NLNAC accredited school of nursing as verified by transcript sent to the CGS&R
6. Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale. If GPA < 3.00, the student’s Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores must be submitted along with the application.
7. Current RN licensure with eligibility for licensure in Minnesota
8. Two years of practice as a registered nurse must be clearly documented in an accompanying resume. Application may be made during the cycle when the two years of experience as a registered nurse will be reached.
9. One professional reference from current or recent supervisor (Reference Form--PDF)
10. Professional resume including:
a) Name, address, phone, cell phone, email, and any other contact information
b) Education (degree, institution, major, date degree conferred)
c) RN Licensure #
d) Certifications
e) Professional employment history as a registered nurse (institution, city, state,
position title, dates, percent time worked)
f) Honors, awards, and scholarships
g) Professional organization memberships
h) Leadership positions/involvement in professional organizations and
employment situations (past and current)
i) Scholarly activities including publications, professional presentations, research
activities, and or consultation (local, regional, national, international)
j) Professional service activities
11. A professional goal statement essay written onsite (either in Mankato or Edina at the MSU site at 7700 France Ave. S.) while attending a graduate nursing programs admission session
12. Applicants who successfully fulfill all the above requirements may be invited for an onsite interview as a part of the application process
*Associate degree or diploma nursing graduates who have a baccalaureate degree in another field and can demonstrate equivalency in leadership/management, research, and public health nursing theory and clinical are also eligible for provisional admission. These competencies must be met by completing the appropriate undergraduate nursing courses (N320, N472, and N473) at MSU (which are available primarily online) prior to being fully admitted to the graduate program.
Students are assigned an academic advisor upon admission to the program. Guidance is provided for course scheduling and registration, as well as completion of the finalized plan of study. When the student selects a nursing faculty member as a chairperson for their culminating experience and thesis committee, the faculty chairperson becomes the student's advisor for the duration of the student's Masters program. If the committee advisor is different from the initial advisor, the student must file a "change of advisor" form with the College of Graduate Studies & Research (CGS&R).
The student applying for the DNP Consortium Program will choose which institution(s) to apply to as their home University. The graduate studies office of that institution will screen the applications for items such as the academic transcript(s) and Grade Point Average to ensure that the minimum standards for doctoral admission are evident and that applications are complete. The applications will then be sent from the DNP Consortium home University to the Consortium Program Management Committee (PMC) for review.
Each candidate for admission to the DNP Consortium program will indicate the campus or campuses that he/she is applying to and willing to attend. The PMC will review applications according to Consortium admission criteria. Applicants will be considered for each of the Universities that they have indicated. Students will be accepted based on the admission criteria and the student preference(s) for home University. Recommendations for admission or denial will be forwarded from the PMC to the graduate studies office at the student's home University. The graduate studies office at the student's home University will officially accept or deny the application and will notify the applicant.
Students are assigned an academic advisor upon admission to the program. Guidance is provided for course scheduling and registration, plan of study and Capstone Project. Each student will have a Capstone Project Committee that will review and approve the Capstone Project as it is being developed. The faculty members on the Capstone Project Committee will evaluate the student's final performance on the Capstone Project.
