Admissions Requirements

Candidates for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program who apply for post-BSN entry must have earned a baccalaureate degree in nursing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Applicants for post-master's entry must have an earned master’s in nursing and are required to complete a total of 1,000 clinical practicum hours. 

Beginning in fall 2018, admitted students may apply up to 500 hours earned during their master’s program toward the 1,000 required hours. Hours needed for national certification might also be applied. Evaluation and time verification is required before being formally admitted to the program. 

All applicants will be automatically considered for available merit-based scholarships at the time they are reviewed for admission. Students will be notified if they are in receipt of such scholarships either at the time of admission or very shortly thereafter.

In addition to the above, applicants to the Post-Master’s DNP program who are advanced practice nurses (certified nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists and nurse practitioners) must submit their current State Board of Nursing license as an advanced practice nurse and current national certification.

Applicants to the Post-Master’s DNP program who are not advanced practice nurses must show proof of up to 500 clinical practice focused hours during their masters program. Applicants who are unable to show proof of hours require a review of their file by the graduate program director prior to submitting their application. 

Additional Requirements for International Students

• For applicants whose native language is not English, the TOEFL is required with a minimum score of 79 on the iBT. These scores should be sent officially to NursingCAS using the NursingCAS-specific TOEFL code of: B506.
• A WES evaluation is required for applicants who completed their degree outside of the United States. This can be requested and submitted through NursingCAS.

Application Deadline

Fall term: March 1

Additional Admissions Information

Due to university policy, the Nursing Department does not evaluate the number of credits transferred into our programs until after admission to the university. Learn more about Temple’s policy for credit transfers.

Non-matriculated Student Policy

Non-matriculated students can take a total of nine graduate credits prior to matriculation. Only the following courses may be taken while a non-matriculated student.

• EPBI 5002 (3 credits): Biostatistics
• NURS 5501 (3 credits): Theories for Advanced Practice Nursing of Families and Individuals
• HRPR 8985 (3 credits): Teaching in Higher Education: Health Professions