Admission Overview
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program admits one cohort each year, with classes beginning in the fall semester. Admission is competitive and based on:
- University of Utah and College of Nursing admission requirements
- Strength of the overall applicant pool
- Capacity within each specialty track
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for admission, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Nursing Degree
• Earned or in-process bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing from a regionally accredited institution.
• The nursing degree must be completed before beginning the program.
Minimum GPA
• Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. The Office of Admissions will calculate an applicant’s GPA based on academic records.
• Degrees from competency-based institutions will be assigned a 3.0 GPA for admission review purposes.
RN Licensure
• Active, unrestricted Utah RN license required before beginning the program.
• Nurses relocating between Nurse Licensure Compact states must obtain licensure in their new Primary State of Residence within 60 days.
Post-MS to DNP Applicants
• Bachelor’s degree in nursing.
• Master’s degree in nursing or another field.
Application Requirements
- FutureU application - Apply now
- Transcripts - An individual, up-to-date transcript for every college you have attended. Unofficial copies may be submitted for initial review, but official transcripts must be submitted if you are recommended for admission.
- Resume
- Essay responses - Responses to essay questions included in the application (1-2 pages)
- Letters of recommendation – Three letters of recommendation, in addition to University Recommendation Form
- RN license verification - If the RN license will not be posted by the application deadline, upload a document stating the anticipated NCLEX date.
- International graduate applicants information and resources.
Application Deadline
- Fall Applications open: August 1
- Fall Application closes: December 1, 11:59 PM MST
Admission and Enrollment
Once the University’s minimum 3.0 GPA requirement is met, academic history is no longer considered in the DNP application review process.
Application & Admission Timeline
- December 1: Application deadline
- January: Initial application review and interviews
- February: Final admission decisions announced
Intent to Enroll
Students who are offered admission will be asked to submit a non-refundable $500 Intent-to-Enroll deposit to confirm their place in the program. The deposit will be applied toward first-semester tuition.