Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Admission Requirements

The student must apply to and meet all requirements for admission to the Graduate School. In addition to the general requirements of the Graduate School, the following are required:

1. Earned Bachelor of Science (BS in Nursing or BSN) from program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or other nationally recognized accrediting body for nursing education.
2. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (calculated based on previous 60 credits of undergraduate coursework) from a Bachelor of Science degree program (BS in Nursing or BSN).
3. English Proficiency Exams: The SON DNP Program adheres to the ISU Graduate School policy for those students who have not graduated from an accredited college or university in the United States (at the undergraduate and/or graduate level) and whose native language is not English.
4. Completed application, preferably before December 1st. Applications for Fall Admission are reviewed in the order they are received and accepted on a rolling basis until class filled.
5. Verification of valid and current unencumbered Registered Nursing license.
6. Completion of a preadmission interview by the School of Nursing DNP Admissions Committee. If the applicant resides at a distance of 100 miles, an interview by video conference may be arranged.
7. Mandatory attendance at the orientation for the DNP program to be held on the ISU Pocatello campus in August of the year of admission.

Two years of documented previous healthcare or nursing experience before admission is preferred, but not required. The GRE is not required for admission.

Admission to the FNP or PMHNP DNP degree option is contingent on sufficient enrollment as defined by the SON. If located outside of Idaho and Utah, some restrictions may apply based on applicant's state of residence. 

Currently we are only able to accept DNP students from Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Oregon (FNP only at this time).  If you reside in one of these states and are willing to conduct your clinical hours in Idaho or another approved state, we can allow you to attend.

The School of Nursing DNP Admissions Committee will make the final recommendation regarding admission. This decision will be based on the evaluation of established application and admission requirements.

Online Application

Apply to Idaho State University
Applications for Fall 2025 Admission will open September 1, 2024 and applicants are encouraged to apply well before December 1st, 2024. We will begin evaluating applications in January and applicants will be notified of admission decisions by the end of May 2025.

Application Requirements

The student must apply to and meet all requirements for admission to the Graduate School. In addition to the general requirements of the Graduate School, the following are required:

1. Submission of official transcripts from each institution at which they have taken any post-secondary work directly to the Graduate School. Evidence of a completed BS in Nursing or BSN from an accredited nursing program must be listed in official transcripts.
2. Three professional references attesting to the applicant's capacity and potential for doctoral study.
3. Submission of professional vitae or resume.
4. Submission of a 3-4 page professional essay. Please respond to the following in your own words:
   1. Explain why you chose to pursue the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree instead of the Master’s Degree for your NP education?
   2. Describe the patient population about which you are most passionate.
   3. Explain problems or areas of improvement related to the patient population described above.
   4. Clarify how you might go about addressing/solving one of the problems or areas of improvement in your role as an NP.
   5. Formatting Guidelines (use APA Format as a guide):
      1. Double-space.
      2. One-inch margins.
      3. Times New Roman font with 12 point size.

Post Master's Applicants ONLY:

1. Post Master's applicants must provide proof of certification in the option (FNP of PMHNP) for which application is submitted.
2. The Post Master's applicant must submit at the time of application an official letter (with the university seal) which documents the total number of clinical hours completed in previous Master's degree advanced practice program in Nursing from which the student graduated. An official transcript which documents the total number of clinical hours completed in previous advanced practice program will be accepted. The applicant will be required as a process of admission to contract with the School of Nursing to complete additional clinical hours as determined to meet national requirements for the DNP degree.

If located outside of Idaho and Utah, some restrictions may apply based on applicant's state of residence. 

Selection Process for the Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nursing Program

Applications for the DNP program will open in September of any academic year and be accepted on a rolling basis until a class is filled. Preference will be given to Full Time applications and applications will be received on a rolling basis, preferably before December 1. Applications will be reviewed in the order they were received starting in January and reviewed until a cohort is full. All application and admission requirements as posted on the website for the DNP degree program apply. Notification of successful applicants for admission and alternates will be announced in May of any year.

International Applicants

Do you accept International Students into Graduate Nursing Programs?

• It depends on the student and on the program. To start, please discuss Idaho State University application and admissions information with the ISU International Programs Office. Their staff will have a better idea how international degrees/credits transfer into ISU and what other admissions requirements you may have to complete for Idaho State University. You should also contact the ISU Graduate School and review their requirements for International Students. Once you have contacted those two offices and found out whether or not you are eligible to apply, contact the Academic Advisor for the School of Nursing to discuss program eligibility                        
• For International Students not located in the United States: Our graduate programs require admitted students to attend program Orientation on our Pocatello Campus and certain programs require clinical and/or practicum hours be completed domestically in the United States. These requirements may prevent International Students from successfully completing our graduate programs.
• For more details about the International Programs Office, please see their website at
  http://www.isu.edu/ipo/ and contact ipomail@isu.edu.

For more details from the Graduate School, please contact them at gradadmissions@isu.edu. For more information about the nursing program, please see www.isu.edu/nursing and contact the Academic Advisor.