Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

• Graduation from an MSN program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) with a specialty focus.
• Minimum of two years of professional nursing practice as a registered nurse.
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
• A current unencumbered RN license in the state the student intends to conduct DNP residency experience.
• Two letters of recommendation from professionals with graduate level education in the student’s area of specialty practice. At least one of the letters of recommendation must be from someone who is doctoral prepared.
• Essay of 1,000 words addressing:
  1. How the DNP program will facilitate achievement of the student's short- and long-term goals;
  2. How the Lewis University Mission integrates with the student's personal and professional identity; and
  3. The area of focus for the DNP scholarly project that is pertinent to practice.
• A current resume or curriculum vitae.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in graduate level coursework.
• Applicants are required to have successfully completed the following coursework with a grade of B or better
  • A graduate level course in Statistics.
  • A graduate level course in Population Health.
  • A graduate level course in Healthcare Informatics.

If not previously completed, these courses will be required in addition to the course requirements for the DNP degree as bridge courses. If a student does not receive a grade of "B' or above in a bridge course, the student will be dismissed from the program. Bridge courses cannot be repeated.