DNP in Nursing

Information Sessions about the DNP program are held on a regular basis

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Application due date: March 15, 2013 for Fall 2013 admission

ADMISSION INFORMATION:

Admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program is on a competitive basis. The doctoral program in nursing seeks candidates whose master’s preparation, scholastic achievement, professional experience, interest, motivation, and references are predictive of successful doctoral study.

Applicants with a masters degree in nursing. (e.g.,  advanced practice nurses [nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist], nursing education, nursing management/administration, etc.) are eligible to apply to the DNP program.

ADMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:

Each student’s application for admission will be evaluated based on a composite of the following recommended standards.

1. A master’s degree in nursing from a degree program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the National League for Nursing.

2. A minimum graduate cumulative grade point average of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale.

3. A graduate course in statistics taken within 5 years of time of application with a minimum grade of B or taken during the first year of matriculation into  DNP program.

4.  Test Scores: MAT or GRE taken within five years of application submission:

• Miller Analogy Test (MAT) - A score that ranks in the 45th percentile or higher for intended major.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) -
  • Taken prior to August 1, 2011 - combined aptitude scores of 1,000 (V.Q.) or higher.
  • Taken after August 1, 2011 - a verbal reasoning score of 153 or higher; a quantitative reasoning score of 147 or higher; and, minimum of 4.0 on the analytic writing sample.
    
    
• Submission of official TOEFL scores In addition to GRE scores, applicants whose native language is not English must have earned a score of at least 550 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), 79 or higher on the Internet-based test, or 213 on the computer-based test.

5. Current resume.

6. The completed DNP application must include an essay (maximum 3 typed double-spaced pages) describing your motivation for pursuing this degree and the vision you have for your role as an advanced practice nurse. The essay is an important part of the application since it demonstrates your ability to think, organize ideas, and express yourself well in writing

• Discuss your specific career goals for pursuing the DNP.
• Identify prior experiences that have contributed to your decision to apply to a DNP program.
• Discuss how the goals, objectives, and curriculum of USM’s program will enable you to meet your post-DNP career goals .
• Identify a specific clinical problem or issue that could be the focus of your capstone project.

7. A date-specific formal interview with graduate faculty from the School of Nursing will be required following a preliminary review of all required admission materials. Individual consideration will be given to each applicant based upon the total profile presented.

APPLICATION MATERIALS:

In addition to the material described in the Admissions section above, applicants must also submit the:

Application for Graduate Study

please note: if you are unable to select the "DNP" as a program option on the application form, please contact Lisa Sweet at 207-780-4165 or lsweet@usm.maine.edu for assistance

Office of Graduate Studies & Research
University of Southern Maine
96 Falmouth Street
PO Box 9300
Portland, ME 04104-9300
Phone: (207) 780-4386

2. Three letters of recommendation reflecting professional practice and/or academic achievement. Recommendation Form (PDF)

3. Evidence (photocopy) of unencumbered current RN licensure as a registered professional nurse.

4. Evidence (photocopy) of current national certification in advanced practice specialty and state certification in which currently practicing.

5. Completion of the Verification of Post-Baccalaureate Clinical and Practice Hours form (PDF).

6. Two sets of official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, including USM.

EXTERNAL TRANSFER POLICY & CREDIT:

This credit must be approved at the time of admission and request for approval included as part of the admissions application. No graduate courses that are older than five years will be accepted for transfer credit. Graduate course in statistics will not be accepted for transfer credit if older than five years at time of admission. Up to a total of nine credit hours may be approved as transfer credit provided a grade of at least a B was earned in each individual course. Transfer credits will be noted on the student’s USM transcript and counted toward the student’s degree.

• For each graduate course the student wishes to have considered for transfer credit the student must:
  • Have completed the course in question no more than five years prior to beginning doctoral study in nursing at USM.
  • Have submitted as part of the application file a transcript that indicates completion of the course under consideration for transfer with a minimum grade of B.
  • Have submitted a complete syllabus (course name &number, course description & objectives, reading lists, etc.), supporting documentation (evaluation information, papers/reports, etc.) and indicated the USM course name and number to be considered as equivalent.
• The request will be reviewed by the DNP admissions committee and referred to the faculty designee who has expertise in the area of instruction. The faculty designee may ask for additional information from the student, including an official transcript, or consult with the previous instructor or other sources.
• The designee will then make a recommendation to the DNP admissions committee and the committee members will vote to determine whether the course(s) is/are considered equivalent.
• The student will be informed about the faculty members’ decision by the DNP committee.
• The result of the request will be documented in the students SON academic file and transmitted to the office of graduate studies.