Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) Admission

Cohorts begin three times per year in the spring, summer, and fall.

• Application Deadline for Spring Term Admission: October 1st or until cohort is filled
• Application Deadline for Summer Term Admission: March 1st or until cohort is filled
• Application Deadline for Fall Term Admission: June 15th or until cohort is filled

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Wilmington University offers two concentrations:

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) : requires current national board certification as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, i.e. Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Midwife, or Nurse Anesthetist. Note: APRNs will need to complete a total of 500 experiential engagement hours during the program.

Leadership (for Non-Advanced Practice Nurses) : requires current employment in an advanced nursing practice specialty, i.e. nursing administration, executive leadership, health policy, informatics, or population health. National board certification (i.e. NEA-BC, CPHIMS) is preferred, but not required. Note: non-APRNs will need to complete a total of 1,000 experiential engagement hours during the program.

 For consideration and admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program, applicants should submit:

1. A Doctoral Application

A $35 non-refundable application fee is required.

2. Official Transcripts Reflecting a (1) B.S.N. degree, or a bachelor’s degree in any discipline and entry-level M.S.N. from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited program and (2) Master’s degree in nursing (M.S.N.) and/ or Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in a health related discipline (i.e. M.P.H., M.B.A., M.H.A.) with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher

• Electronically or
• Mail them directly from the school of attendance in a sealed envelope to:
  
  Wilmington University
  Office of Admissions
  320 N. DuPont Highway
  New Castle, DE 19720-6491

Any transcripts from institutions outside of the United States require an official course-by-course evaluation by a NACES.org approved agency.

3. Current Resume or Curriculum Vitae

4. One Letter of Recommendation From a Doctorally Prepared Professional 
(i.e. D.N.P., Ph.D., Ed.D., MD, DO, PharmD) 

• Recommendation letters should be submitted on letterhead and sent directly from the recommender.
• Recommender's Instructions: please write candidly about the applicant's qualifications and potential to pursue a doctorate in nursing practice. Include the applicant's problem-solving ability, capacity for critical thinking, leadership potential, and ability to effect change in the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. Descriptions of significant accomplishments and personal qualities related to nursing practice and leadership are particularly helpful.

5. Valid U.S. RN Licensure

6. APRN Licensure

• Advanced Practice Concentration Applicants Only

7. APRN National Board Certification

• Advanced Practice Concentration Applicants Only

8. Essay

1. How will earning a D.N.P. contribute to your personal/professional goals and why are you interested in earning a D.N.P. rather than another doctoral degree?
2. What professional experiences have prepared you for doctoral study?
3. Describe a particular area of interest that you believe can be improved as a result of an evidence-based doctoral project. Please also include any other research areas of interest.

*All referenced documents can be located in the Doctoral Application Materials document and submitted through your Admissions Portal.

This video will guide you through submitting documents through your Admissions Portal.

Only completed application packets will be considered.

International Doctoral Nursing Students

For admission to College of Health Professions, all international doctoral nursing students who do not have a RN license in the United States are required to take and receive a passing score on the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) Qualifying Exam. The CGFNS Qualifying Examination is a prerequisite for admission to the Doctoral Division. The examination is required by the state of Delaware and many others prior to taking the Registered Nursing Licensing Exam (NCLEX). The registration deadlines for these exams are several months prior to their administration. Early application is essential.

Application materials may be requested from:
CGFNS
3600 Market Street, Suite 400
Philadelphia, PA 19014-2651
USA
Phone: (215) 349-8767
Website: www.CGFNS.org

Please click here for more information about international admission requirements.