Admission

The DNP program prepares graduates for advanced nursing practice in direct (certified registered nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, midwife, nurse practitioner) and indirect (health care systems leadership) roles. The program conforms to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing standard that calls for DNP-level preparation for all advanced practice nursing specialties by 2015.

Admission Deadlines

July 21 for the fall term and November 15 for the spring term.

Admitted Student Deposit

Admitted students will be required to submit a $500 nonrefundable admissions deposit to hold their spot in the cohort. See admissions representative for details.

Admission Requirements—Domestic Applicants

The university graduate and program admission requirements below must be met before an application is considered complete.

Admission of students into the DNP program will be evaluated by each of these criteria.

• Graduate application for admission
• $45 nonrefundable application fee
• Official transcripts from all institutions leading to and awarding the applicant’s bachelor’s and master’s degrees from a regionally accredited institution and all postbaccalaureate study
  
  

  An official transcript is one that Azusa Pacific University receives unopened in an envelope sealed by the former institution and that bears the official seal of the college or university. A cumulative minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average on the posted degree is required for regular admission status. Provisional admittance may be granted to individuals with a lower GPA if competency can be shown through multiple measures.

Transcripts should show completion of a BSN and a master’s degree (master’s degree may be in nursing or another field).

• Copy of any professional certifications/registrations used by nurses with advanced practice, state or national. Transcripts may be used as evidence if needed.
• Letter from your advanced practice program stating the number of clinical hours completed as part of that program. (Up to 500 hours may be transferrable toward the DNP program's required total of 1,000 hours, per departmental approval.) Show evidence that letter has been requested.
• Graduate-level statistics course, taken within the last five years
• Graduate-level nursing research course
• Evidence of written creative work and/or scholarly papers
• Written statement of educational objectives, specific focus of research, and career goals
• Current curriculum vitae or résumé
• Two letters of recommendation from persons who are suited to evaluate applicant’s qualifications for DNP education in nursing, including at least one from the applicant's direct supervisor and/or a previous faculty member
• Faculty member(s) interview with the prospective student
• Status as a licensed registered nurse; evidence of current licensure as a registered nurse in the state of California is mandatory at the time of program entry

Send official transcripts to:

Graduate and Professional Center
Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
gpadmissions@apu.edu

Admission Requirements—International Applicants

At this time, international students who require a form I-20 or DS-2019 (F-1 or J-1 visas) are not being accepted to the DNP program, which is 100 percent online due to current Homeland Security requirements.

International students who are in the United States on another type of non-immigrant status may be considered for admission. For more information about which non-immigrant statuses can apply and admissions requirements for international students, please contact the International Center.

Admitted Student Deposit

Admitted students will be required to submit a $500 nonrefundable admissions deposit to hold their spot in the cohort. See admissions representative for details.