Overview
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program enrolls students once per year for a fall start. Applicants are evaluated with respect to the University of Utah and College of Nursing admission requirements, and with respect to the pool of applicants. The College of Nursing adheres to the University of Utah's policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity in admission decisions.
Applying to the DNP program requires completion of one application that is used by both the University of Utah, Office of Graduate Admissions, and the College of Nursing. Due to the competitive nature of admission to our specialty tracks, applicants may only apply to one specialty track. Complete applications (including three letters of recommendation) are due December 1 for the following fall semester. We will notify DNP applicants of their admission status in February.
Applying to the DNP program requires completion of one application that is used by both the University of Utah, Office of Graduate Admissions, and the College of Nursing. Due to the competitive nature of admission to our specialty tracks, applicants may only apply to one specialty track. Complete applications (including three letters of recommendation) are due December 1 for the following fall semester. We will notify DNP applicants of their admission status in February.
Eligibility Checklist
To apply to the DNP Program you must have:
- An earned or in-process BS or MS in Nursing from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university that includes a CCNE or ACEN accredited nursing program.
- Applicants may participate in the admissions process while completing the BS or MS in Nursing degree. If recommended for admission, the degree must be completed prior to beginning your program of study.
- Applicants to the Post-MS to DNP specialty track will have a BS in Nursing and a Master’s degree in Nursing OR a non-nursing field.
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale calculated by the Office of Admissions using academic records from all institutions an applicant has attended. Degrees from competency-based institutions are awarded a 3.0 GPA.
- An active, unrestricted Utah state RN license posted before fall semester begins.
- Applicants are encouraged to have at least one year of direct patient care experience before entering the DNP program in the fall semester.
Application Requirements
Applications open in August for Fall 2025. All application materials must be submitted by December 1.
- Submission of FutureU application. Click HERE to apply.
- Transcripts from each college or university you have ever attended. Unofficial copies may be submitted for initial review, but official transcripts must be submitted if you are recommended for admission.
- Resume
- Personal Goal Statement (limit of 1-2 pages)
- Three letters of recommendation, in addition to University Recommendation Form, from professional or academic references.
- Verification of RN license. If the RN license will not be posted by the application deadline, please upload a document stating the anticipated date of the NCLEX.
- International applicant requirements
Fall 2025 Doctor of Nursing Practice Admission Information Session Presentation
Deadline
Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on December 1 to begin study the following fall. Incomplete and late applications will not be reviewed.
Prerequisite Course Requirements
Individuals admitted to the DNP Program must show proof of completion of two prerequisite courses before starting course work in the fall: basic statistics and an upper-division physiology course. Please click on the courses below for details and
- Prerequisites do not have to be completed before the December 1 application deadline and may be completed during the admissions cycle.
- Prerequisite courses can be completed at any college/university or community college. Online courses are also acceptable.
The Prerequisite Course Equivalency Chart includes statewide equivalent courses. If a course has been taken and is not listed on this chart, please send the course information (course name, course number, date taken) to gradstudentinfo@nurs.utah.edu.
The University of Utah offers online courses to meet the prerequisite requirements:
- NURS 5905 Clinical Physiology (spring and summer semesters)
- NURS 5550 Practical Statistics (summer semester)
- A Non-Degree Seeking Student application for spring or summer must be submitted to take these courses
Required for all specialty tracks of the DNP Program except for the Post-MS to DNP specialty track.
For the Fall 2025 admissions cycle, the prerequisite course is needed if:
- BS in Nursing graduation date is before 2025.
- Upper-division (300 or 3000-level or higher) physiology or pathophysiology course was not included in the undergraduate curriculum.
- An upper-division (300 or 3000-level or higher) course was taken, and the grade received was lower than a B-.
- A basic statistics course must have been taken within five years of the anticipated start date of the DNP Program and passed with a minimum B- grade.
- Any basic statistics course fulfills this requirement.
Admitted Student Intent to Enroll
To secure your place in the upcoming DNP fall cohort, click here to submit the non-refundable $500 intent to enroll fee. The $500 deposit will be credited toward your first semester’s tuition.
If the enrollment deposit is a financial challenge, you may request a deposit extension in writing to gradstudentinfo@nurs.utah.edu.