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Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program: Admission Requirements

As of the Fall 2023 admission cycle, the program will be transitioned to hybrid format and no longer be offered as 100% online.

Admission Requirements

Online Application FormCompleted Application
Degree and Minimum GPAMaster of Science in Nursing, or a master’s degree with a concentration in nursing (including an undergraduate statistics course), with a minimum GPA of 3.2 on a scale of 4.0
TranscriptsOfficial transcripts from all previously attended institutions
Official GMAT/GRENo GMAT/GRE scores required
Current LicensureYou should provide proof of:
  • Current U.S. licensure as a registered nurse in your state of residence
  • Current advanced practice nursing licensure and certification documents
Prerequisite CourseworkAn undergraduate or graduate statistics course taken within six years of admission is strongly recommended.
As part of the NU 700 course, students will take a self-paced online statistics course, after which they must pass a statistics exam with an 80% score or higher
If they don’t pass, students will need to take a course in statistics before they can progress in the program.
Additional Requirements
  • Two recommendation letters (one clinical and one academic)
  • Professional portfolio with a graded writing sample
  • Personal statement of professional goals
  • An essay articulating a focal area of clinical nursing practice interest that can be supported by the Sacred Heart University doctoral nursing faculty
  • An interview with either the program director or a faculty member
  • Proof of individual and professional liability insurance coverage that meets current state requirements ($1,000,000/$3,000,000)
  • Background check

International Students

At Sacred Heart University, we welcome students from all around the world. If you are an international student and are interested in enrolling in the online Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program, you are required to submit the items listed above, as well as the following:

Course EvaluationA course-by-course evaluation (and a translation, if applicable) from an acceptable transcript evaluation services agency, such as World Education Services.
TOEFL, IELTS or MELAB scoresIf English is not your native language, you need a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (PBT), 213 (CBT), or 70 (iBT). Or, a minimum IELTS score of 6.

If you are unable to provide proof of English language proficiency, Sacred Heart University can administer an online English proficiency test for you. Also, please note that international students on an F-1 student visa are not permitted to enroll in online programs.

Transfer Credit

Sacred Heart University accepts up to six transfer credits for this program with university approval.