Nursing D.N.P. — Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Concentration (Post Bachelor’s)

Admission Requirements: NursingCAS

Applicants must apply to the program through the Nursing Centralized Application Service (NursingCAS).  Please submit all required materials by the application deadline to avoid a delay in the evaluation and screening of your application.  All official transcripts are submitted to NursingCAS, and do not need to be resubmitted UNC. 

The UNC School of Nursing will review applications following the application deadline. Official admission notifications will be sent in the 2-4 weeks that follow.

Admission Requirements: Graduate School

Applicants must apply to the program through the Nursing Centralized Application Service (NursingCAS) before the program area reviews the applicant’s request for admission. Failure to submit all required materials will delay the evaluation and screening of your application.

Each applicant must:

• Possess a bachelor’s degree from an NLN or CCNE accredited institution with an upper division major in nursing.
• Have one year of clinical experience.

• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or better (on a 4.00 scale) for the most recent degree earned or current degree in progress.

  • If you are still completing your bachelor's or master's* degree at the time you apply, admission will be based on your current cumulative GPA and you will need to re-submit your official transcript (showing your conferred degree and final GPA) during your first semester. If your final GPA fell below 3.00, you will be given additional requirements as defined by the academic program that must be met within one calendar year to remain enrolled at UNC. 

    *The cumulative GPA of your master's degree will be used if 18 or more credit hours towards this degree has been completed.

Take the following steps to be considered for admission:

Step 1: Complete the Application

Complete the NursingCAS application.

• Answer the application questions.
• Send your requests for letters of recommendation.
  • Request three (3) academic or professional letters of recommendation from those who can attest to your academic potential and abilities. You will be asked to supply information for your recommenders in the application.
• Send to NursingCAS an official transcript from each college or university where courses were taken including documentation of a bachelor's degree or higher was earned (or is in progress).  Help with Transcripts – NursingCAS

Step 2: Request Transcripts

Please Note: As all official transcripts are submitted to NursingCAS, they do not need to be resubmitted to the Office of Admissions.

Applicants with academic credentials from outside the U.S. will need to follow the requirements for submission of foreign transcripts. Click on the Transcripts tab for information about international transcripts.

Step 3: Note About the GRE

This program does not require GRE scores.

Step 4: Supplemental Items

You will need to submit the following in NursingCAS:

• A statement of career goals articulating "why now" for your practice doctorate. Prospective DNP applicants must describe their current professional RN role as it relates to their clinical experience(s), clinical advancement(s,) leadership role(s) and career goals as an NP.
• Current vita or resume
• Copy of current RN license
• Submission of a brief sample of professional writing (maximum of 10 pages). Examples:
  • Describe a scholarly evidence based case study that best exemplifies your practice.
  • Describe a current practice related concept including its scope and significance, the patient population and the clinical setting of interest.
  • Discuss alternative approaches described in the literature and identify an approach that you might take in addressing the concept.

A personal interview may be required.

International Applicants

International applicants (non-U.S. citizen/non-U.S. Permanent Resident) please refer to the International Admissions Requirements page for further information about submitting transcripts, English proficiency scores, passport copy and financial documentation.

For More Information 
For more information about the admission process, please email the Office of Admissions at grad.admissions@unco.edu or call 970-351-2881.