Degree Admissions Requirements
Admissions requirements for the Joint DNP program in Nursing and Healthcare Leadership are as follows:
- a completed application with payment of nonrefundable application fee;
- transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate coursework
- a written essay.
There are different levels of admission depending upon prior credentials of applicants and whether or not they hold a BSN, MSN, or a BSN ·and a master’s in another discipline. Additional requirements for admission to the DNP program include:
1. BSN·DNP applicants:
1. A bachelor’s degree in nursing is required;
2. For international applicants, a bachelor’s degree in nursing or equivalency (for BSN to DNP applicants), or a non-nursing master’s degree or equivalency (for MSN to DNP applicants) from a nationally accredited nursing program or comparably recognized non-U.S. institution, with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale;
2. MSN-DNP applicants:
1. MSN
2. BSN and a Masters In a non-nursing business- or health related field (MBA, MPH, MHA,MMCH, etc.)
NOTE: A gap analysis is conducted to evaluate completion of graduate level courses in Leadership, Finance, Quality Improvement, and master’s level clinical hours in a specialty. Additional courses and/or clinical hours to the admitted student’s program of study may be required.
3. Unencumbered licensure as a Registered Nurse in the United States and eligibility for licensure in Tennessee or equivalency for international students;
4. Three letters of recommendation are required: one from the applicant’s current (most recent) supervisor, one from a faculty member who has worked directly with the applicant during previous academic study, and one from an individual selected by the applicant;
5. All applicants will participate in an interview;
6. All applicants will be required to complete a writing sample describing a problem the applicant has identified in practice that the applicant might explore in the DNP program;
7. All applicants must submit a cover letter expressing the applicant’s personal goals for doctoral study; and
8. All applicants must submit a current resume or vita.
The completed application form and fee, transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate work, essay, documentation of nursing licensure in the United States, MSN certification (where applicable), letters of recommendation and resume or vita must be submitted through the online application portal to the ETSU College of Graduate and Continuing Studies or the TTU Graduate College, depending upon the applicant’s choice. International students must also upload the additionally required documentation to the appropriate school.
Factors given consideration in the admission decision include: previous grade point average (GPA), clarity of the applicant’s selected problem as stated in the writing sample and during the interview, writing ability, professional work experience and achievements, professional honors and awards, interest In rural and underserved population groups, and quality of references/recommendations. The ETSU-TTU DNP Program Admission Committee may recommend admission to a promising applicant who has not met all the admission standards on a conditional or provisional basis.
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