Doctor of Nursing Practice

The state's first Doctor of Nursing Practice Program, this program educates advanced nurse clinicians for expert practice in leadership and clinical roles. This doctoral-level education provides nurses the clinical and management expertise to improve health care outcomes, making them expert collaborators in solving health care problems in systems.

The DNP Post-Master’s No Concentration and Post-Master’s Nurse Executive programs are 100% online with two campus visits for orientation and final project presentation.

Admission Requirements

Admission Criteria for DNP Post-Master’s No Concentration Program: https://www.augusta.edu/gradschool/msn-to-dnp-adm-reqs.php

Admission Criteria for DNP Post-Master’s Nurse Executive Program: https://www.augusta.edu/gradschool/dnp-exec-adm-reqs

(Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 Entry Terms)

GPA

A minimum overall undergraduate and graduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on all coursework attempted.

Minimum Degree Requirement

Minimum of a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from an accredited college or university is required. To be used to satisfy degree requirement, evaluation of foreign educational transcripts must show degree(s) earned that are the U.S. equivalency of degree(s) required by the program.

Official Transcripts

Official transcripts are required from all universities and colleges attended. Only in the case of transcripts from international colleges/universities will an official course-by-course transcript evaluation be accepted in lieu of an official transcript. Official transcripts should be sent to NursingCAS. To remain official, all transcripts must remain in the original, unopened, sealed and stamped/signed envelope from the Registrar's office of the issuing institution. Alternatively, NursingCAS will accept official electronic transcripts from the registrar's office at your prior institution.

Applicants should submit their transcripts via the process provided in the NursingCAS Help Center. ALL transcripts must be sent to NursingCAS. If you send them directly to Augusta University they cannot be loaded into CAS. Without the transcripts in CAS your application cannot be verified and will not be considered.

Transcript/Credential Evaluation of Foreign Transcripts

An official, professional course-by-course evaluation based on official transcripts and documents is required for all foreign educational transcripts and documents from one of the following three credentials evaluation services:Josef Silny & Associates, Inc., World Education Services (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE). Silny and WES are recommended. Official transcript evaluations based on unofficial transcripts, documents or copies will not fulfill this requirement.

Letters of Recommendation

As part of the online NursingCAS application process, applicants must provide the names and current email addresses for three references. References should be individuals qualified to critically assess the applicant's prior academic performance (usually college professors), employment, and clinical experience (required clinical supervisor/manager, if applicable). The person providing the reference should be able to address the applicant's qualifications and potential to be successful in the selected program. Once the online application is submitted, each reference will receive an email notification directing him/her to the online site where he/she can complete the reference form and submit his/her letter of recommendation.

English Proficiency Exam (if applicable)

English proficiency exam scores are required for applicants whose first language is not English and who do not qualify for an English proficiency exam waiver per the criteria listed below. Augusta University will accept official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Test (IELTS) exam scores. Official exam scores must be taken within 2 years of the date of application. The Augusta University institution code for submission of TOEFL or IELTS scores is 5406. Please do not select a department code.

TOEFL Minimum Overall Score: 79 internet based or 213 computer based
IELTS Minimum Overall Band Score: 6.5

English Proficiency Exam Waiver Criteria: An English proficiency exam will be waived for applicants to graduate programs who:

1) submit proof of earning a Baccalaureate, Master’s or Doctoral degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college/university. The requirement will be waived upon receipt of the official transcript showing proof of degree
2) are citizens of countries on the approved waiver list

Please visit Augusta University's International Student webpage for more information.

Program Specific Requirements

Prerequisite Coursework

Applicants must have completed a 3 credit hour undergraduate or graduate statistics or biostatistics course with a grade of "B" or higher.

Resume or CV

Applicants must submit a CV or Resume that includes the date of most recent revision. This item is uploaded directly into NursingCAS.

Essay

Included within the NursingCAS application, applicants must submit a 500-word minimum written essay, which includes an overview of how the selected program will enhance your knowledge, skills, and abilities in your current or future position and how you will impact healthcare outcomes. This essay should reflect scholarly writing to include a clear, concise flow of ideas; responsiveness to the prompt and the use of citations as needed.

Note: Evidence of writing competence will be evaluated through the candidate's prepared essay submitted with the application.

Licensure

Proof of unrestricted RN license from state where applicant is practicing at the time of application. Proof of current unrestricted RN license is required prior to enrollment. This item is uploaded directly into NursingCAS.

Verification of Post-Baccalaureate Clinic and Practice Hours

All DNP graduates must complete a total of 1000 hours of supervised clinical practice as mandated by the American Academy of Colleges of Nursing. These hours include previous supervised clinical hours from MSN, post-master's certificate program plus clinical hours obtained in the DNP program.

Applicants must submit the Verification of Post­ Baccalaureate Clinical and Practice Hours Form (Link to form is found below) as part of the NursingCAS application to certify total number of clinical practice hours in previous MSN or Post­ Master's Certificate program(s).

Not all programs are available to residents in all states. Please check the institution's State Authorization and Professional Licensure website(s) to ensure you reside in an authorized state.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education