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School of Nursing  :  Academic Programs   :  Graduate   :  Doctor of Nursing Practice  :  Post-Bachelor's DNP

Post-Bachelor's Doctor of Nursing Practice

Program Description, Curriculum, Admission and Application Information

The post-baccalaureate DNP curriculum is designed for registered nurses who have completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. DNP graduates will develop the knowledge, skills, and expertise to become clinical scholars and transformational leaders, and to function at the highest level of nursing practice .
The DNP program is divided into two components.

The first component consists of courses for initial preparation for the advanced practice clinical or functional role. The second component consists of courses for doctoral level preparation for advanced practice clinical or functional roles. Review the courses each component at the links below:

Leadership Major

Advanced Practice Major

Admission Criteria

The KU School of Nursing selects applicants who, in the judgment of the Student Admission and Progression Committee, demonstrate the academic achievement, integrity and motivation necessary for successful advanced practice or functional area leadership in nursing. In addition, the Committee looks for applicants who will contribute academic, nonacademic and socioeconomic diversity to the class. The Committee is interested in evidence of capacity for mature and independent scholarship.

    Eligibility and requirements:
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from a nationally accredited program  (NLNAC or CCNE)
  • Current registered nurse licensure in at least one state in the United States; upon admission, advanced practice students are required to be licensed in both Kansas and Missouri prior to enrollment.
  • Minimum of one year of clinical work experience as a registered nurse
  • Minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Preference is given to applicants with a 3.5 GPA in the BSN program.
  • Potential for leadership and application of scholarship in nursing
  • Potential to provide expert advanced clinical care or expert service in functional area.
  • Graduate level statistics course (may be completed prior to admission or during first semester of enrollment)
  • Satisfactory criminal background check (completed once an offer of admission has been extended to applicant)

English Language Requirements: All applicants for study at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) whose native language is not English must demonstrate an established level of English language proficiency through either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the academic format of the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). The test must have been taken within two years of the first semester of enrollment. When submitting test scores to KU Medical Center, please submit only original scores sent directly from the testing agency. Photocopies will not be accepted. For testing purposes, the ETS school code is 6895. Contact the Office of International Programs for more information.

Application Process and Deadlines

The following materials are required for application to the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program. Prospective students can apply to the DNP program using the KU Medical Center Online Application.
Application deadlines: April 1 (for fall semester), September 1 (for spring semester)
Late applications are not accepted.

  • Graduate application to the School of Nursing, online at https://www.applyweb.com/apply/kumc/ 
  • $60 nonrefundable application fee.
  • Official transcript(s) of all college coursework  (must show conferral of undergraduate and/or graduate degree).
  • Statement of career goals and practice interests.
  • Three references from advanced practice nurses, nursing faculty or physicians who are able to attest to the applicant’s potential ability for advanced practice and engagement in scholarly activity and leadership roles.
  • An application vitae, as outlined in this document PDF document (image)
  • Evidence of current registered nurse licensure in at least one state of the United States. Upon admission, students will need to meet additional licensure and participation requirements. Please see the section regarding enrollment in nursing courses for more information.
  • An informational on-campus or telephone interview with a School of Nursing representative. To schedule an appointment, call (913) 588-1619.

Admission decisions for each semester are finalized approximately 6 weeks after the application deadline.  All applicants are then notified of their admission status with mailed letters from the Associate Dean for Student Affairs.

Background Check Requirement

For KU programs to maintain accreditation status, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations requires that all persons, employees, volunteers and students involved in patient care activities to have background checks. This status is very important to healthcare organizations to demonstrate to patients and professionals that they meet the highest of standards for patient care.

This background check will be done at the applicant’s expense after provisional acceptance has been granted. The information from this report is held in confidence by the school. More information regarding background checks for students

Questions? Contact Us!

The University of Kansas School of Nursing
Office of Student Affairs
Mail Stop 2029
3901 Rainbow Blvd. 
Kansas City, KS 66160

toll-free: 1-888-588-1619
913-588-1619
TTY 711
E-mail: soninfo@kumc.edu


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