Application & Admission

Applications are currently being accepted for our Post Masters to DNP program. Any APRN (Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwife, Clinical Nurse Specialist or Nurse Anesthetist) interested in obtaining the Doctor of Nursing Practice terminal degree is welcome to apply.  Applications are also being accepted for our FNP Graduate Certificate program. Application deadline for starting in Fall semester is February 1.

The application period to our DNP program for preparation as a family nurse practitioner with classes beginning in summer 2024 is now accepting applications.  

Email graduatenursing@mnsu.edu if you have any questions.

Candidates for Minnesota State University, Mankato's DNP program must hold either a Bachelor's or a Master's degree in nursing. If candidates are Master's prepared and seeking to obtain a post-APRN masters DNP, they must be certified in one of the advanced practice nursing roles: clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist or nurse practitioner.

Admissions

DNP Applicants submit materials to the College of Graduate Studies and Research (CGS&R). The CGS&R reviews the University Graduate Application and forwards the student transcripts to the School of Nursing for review. The School of Nursing reviews the information from the CGS&R information to make admission decisions.

University Doctoral Application   Apply Now

1. Admission to the Minnesota State University, Mankato College of Graduate Studies and Research (CGS&R). To apply please click the "Apply Now" link above.
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. BSN/BS/BAN/BA/MSN/MS/MAN/MA/MN from a CCNE or NLNAC accredited school of nursing as verified by transcript.
5. 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. GRE scores are not needed for students with a graduate degree.
6. Current RN licensure with eligibility for licensure in Minnesota. Current certification if applying for post-Master's DNP program.
7. One year of work experience as a baccalaureate prepared registered nurse prior to beginning nursing course work.
8. One professional reference from current or recent supervisor, available in GradCAS.
9. Professional resume including:
   • Name, address, phone, cell phone, email, and any other contact information
   • Education (degree, institution, major, date degree conferred)
   • RN Licensure #
   • Certifications (if applying for the post-Masters DNP program)
   • Professional employment history as a registered nurse (institution, city, state, position title, dates, percent time worked)
   • Honors, awards, and scholarships
   • Professional organization memberships
   • Leadership positions/involvement in professional organizations and employment situations (past and current)
   • Scholarly activities including publications, professional presentations, research activities, and/or consultation (local, regional, national, international)
   • Professional service activities

10. The application period to our DNP program for preparation as a family nurse practitioner with classes beginning in summer 2020 is now closed.  

    Check back in early 2020 for information on the Summer 2021 cohort.

     Email graduatenursing@mnsu.edu if you have any questions.

Admission Process for Post-Nursing Masters DNP   Apply Now

Must have national APRN certification for Post-Nursing Masters DNP Program

1. Prospective students apply to the College of Graduate Studies and Research via GradCAS and include transcripts of completed masters and undergraduate degrees. GRE scores will not be necessary for students with a masters degree.
2. Prospective students are evaluated and may be invited for an interview. We continue to review applications for classes starting each fall until classes are filled--please email gwen.verchota@mnsu.edu to learn more about current availability.
3. Recent MSU graduates should email gwen.verchota@mnsu.edu to learn if the post-Masters DNP application is necessary.
4. Our revised program is a six semester fully online program. Our website is being updated; however, the 8 courses listed below reflect the curricular plan with the courses taken in fall, spring, and summer over 2 years.

Fall Year I	Spring Year I	Summer Year I
N708 Quality Improvement, Safety, and Risk Management for APNs (3 credits)	N709 Health Care Informatics and Data Management (3 credits) N711 Health Care Policy and Organizational/systems Leadership (3 credits)	N607 Family Mental Health Nursing (3 credits)
Fall Year II	Spring Year II	Summer Year II
N610 Genetics/Genomics for Family Nursing (3 credits) N741 DNP Project I (100 clinical hours) (4 credits)	N742 DNP Project II (100 clinical hours) (4 credits)	N743 DNP Project III (100 clinical hours) (4 credits)