Admissions Requirements

Applicants for post-baccalaureate entry to the Nursing DNP program must have earned a baccalaureate degree in nursing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Applicants for post-master's entry must have earned a master’s degree in nursing. All applicants must be actively licensed as a registered nurse.

Evaluation of transcripts and verification of clinical hours is required before admission to the program. Completion of 1,000 clinical practicum hours is required for graduation from the program. Those students who are board-certified advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) at the time of admission may apply up to 500 clinical practicum hours earned during their master’s program. Hours needed for national certification may also be applied.

All applicants will be considered for merit-based scholarships at the time they are reviewed for admission. Students will be notified of any scholarship awards either at the time of admission or shortly thereafter.

All APRN applicants (certified nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists and nurse practitioners) are required to 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 ARPNs are required to show proof of up to 500 clinical practice focused hours completed during their master's program. The graduate program director will review the file of any applicant who is unable to show proof of completed clinical hours prior to the completion of 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

According to university policy, the number of credits transferred into any nursing program is not reviewed until after admission. Learn more about Temple’s policy for credit transfers.

Non-matriculated Student Policy

Non-matriculated students can take up to nine graduate credits prior to matriculation, depending on track and program of study. The following courses may be taken be non-matriculated students.

• EPBI 5001 (3 credits): Biostatistics for Health Professionals 
• NURS 8201 (3 credits): Health Indices of Urban Populations in Primary Healthcare
• NURS 8204 (3 credits): Policy: Health Care Advocacy in Advanced Nursing Practice