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Entrance requirements

All students applying for admission to the BSN to DNP program must have:

• Successful completion of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited nursing school
• Successful completion of a three credit undergraduate statistics course within five years of admission to the program. Please note- this is a prerequisite for NURS 540 - Evidence-Based Nursing Practice, which is taken the first term of the program. If you have not completed a three credit undergraduate statistics course within the last five years, you will need to complete this prior to the start term of the program.
• A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (science and undergraduate nursing GPA are appraised as part of the admissions process, 3.0 GPA in those areas are strongly encouraged for review)
• Current unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse in the USA, current CPR certification, and actively working in practice
• Certified Background Check with Castle Branch required upon acceptance
• GRE exams are not required

Application requirements

All students applying for admission to the BSN to DNP program must submit:

• Current resume of your education and professional experience
• A formal admissions essay addressing the following areas:
  • Your rationale for pursuing a career as an APRN
  • Your personal compatibility with the s¼¶ËØÈË mission
  • Your plan for success in the program, including time management, stress management, and professional communication
  • Upon completion of your degree, where you envision yourself practicing and with what populations
• Two references: one must be from a professional and/or academic with a current MSN or higher and one must be from an individual who has worked with the applicant in a professional capacity.
• Copy of current unencumbered RN licensure
• All official college transcripts leading to your bachelor's degree (and any applicable graduate work)

Please note: in clinical experiences, students are required to work in healthcare systems or clinics, and must comply with any vaccination requirements of the clinical sites.

Application / admission process

• All official college transcripts leading to the bachelor's degree
• An essay that addresses the following topics:
  • Rationale for choosing a career in healthcare informatics
  • Career goals
  • Personal compatibility with the s¼¶ËØÈË mission
  • Plans for academic success, including time management, stress management, and professional communication
  • Any previous academic issues
• Professional resume
• Three letters of reference; two must be professional and/or academic and one must be from an individual who has worked with the applicant in a professional capacity and has a minimum of a master's degree.
• Applicants who have completed graduate level classes and wish to have them evaluated for transfer must submit these transcripts and the transfer credit form. GRE exams are not required.

The application deadline for fall admission is July 1st. 

In addition to the Graduate Admission Requirements, there may be a pre-admission telephone interview.

The admission committee will review applications and forward recommendations to the Dean of the School of Nursing. After the recommendation for admission is approved, a formal letter of acceptance or denial is sent to the student.

Please note: in clinical experiences, students are required to work in healthcare systems or clinics, and must comply with any vaccination requirements of the clinical sites.

Concordia University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Concordia University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education ().

States have established standards of practice for the nursing profession. While at the present time, we cannot provide a particular state’s educational requirements for licensing, we can assure you that we will provide you with the contact information for the Board of Nursing for the state in which you are doing your study. We are currently not accepting new students from Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Tennessee or Wyoming. Additionally, Washington D.C. students are required to do clinicals in Virginia.

Concordia's flexible, online BSN to DNP program consists of 70 credit hours, 1,008 practicum hours, and can be completed in three to five years.

Three year plan (fall start)
Four year plan (fall start)