DNP Application Requirements

NURSING@SIMMONS

At Simmons, we take a holistic approach to reviewing applications. Whether you are a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) graduate looking to pursue the BSN-DNP program or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) graduate looking to complete the MSN-DNP program, we consider your personal, professional, and academic experiences as a whole in order to evaluate your preparedness and potential for success.

In addition the specific program requirements outlined below, applicants to the BSN-DNP or MSN-DNP must have: 

• BSN-DNP

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  To be considered for admission to the BSN- DNP program, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or a Bachelor of Science with a major in nursing with a preferred GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (in rare circumstances, a student who earned a bachelor’s degree from a university with national accreditation may be permitted to complete their application for review if approved by program leadership.)

• MSN-DNP

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  To be considered for admission to the MSN to DNP program, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have earned a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from a regionally accredited U.S. postsecondary institution with a preferred GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (in rare circumstances, a student who earned a bachelor’s degree from a university with national accreditation may be permitted to complete their application for review if approved by program leadership). 

Experience

All applicants to the MSN-DNP program must have a minimum of two years of professional experience as a licensed registered nurse (RN). It is preferred that they also have either:

Simmons alumni will be considered for the DNP program with less than two years of RN experience.

Both the BSN-DNP pathway and MSN-DNP program offer the following tracks: Executive Leadership, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). The FNP and PMHNP tracks will prepare you to sit for the ANCC or AANP Family Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner board certification exam, while the Executive Leadership track will prepare you to drive meaningful change in health care systems as a nurse leader.

Those applying for the BSN-DNP pathway are able to have the MSN Leadership conferred, allowing you to gain advanced knowledge in nursing leadership theory and enhance your career trajectory while completing the program.

In order to be considered for admission to the BSN-DNP pathway or MSN-DNP program, regardless of the track, you must submit the following:

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test is not required, but if you feel GRE scores will strengthen your application, please contact an admission counselor at 1-855-461-7466.

• Online Application

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  Complete the online application.

• Application Fee

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  A $50 nonrefundable application fee is required to apply to Nursing@Simmons. Those who apply before the priority application deadline will receive a reduced application fee of $30. Application fee waivers are available for applicants affiliated with non-profit organizations such as: City Year, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and Teach for America, and military personnel, veterans, and their spouses. Please contact your admission counselor to request the fee waiver.

• Résumé

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  Your résumé must include:

  • Your educational background, including institutions, degree(s) awarded, degree(s) in progress, dates of degree(s) awarded, and/or anticipated date(s) of receiving degree(s)
  • Relevant employment history, including:

  • – Job title (including unit), job description, and relevant duties performed
  • – Employment dates of each position

  • Community service or volunteer experience
  • Evidence of awards, publications, presentations, and memberships
  • Evidence of leadership and career progression

• Statement of Purpose

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  Applicants to the BSN-DNP Executive Leadership non-APRN tracks/degree program: 

  You will be asked to submit a one- to two-page essay that addresses the following:

  • What are your reasons for pursuing an advanced nursing degree to become a leader or executive in nursing? 
  • How will Simmons University help you accomplish your goals? 
  • The Simmons School of Nursing Core Values are listed below. Which of these values do you most identify with and why? How will this value guide your practice as a doctorally prepared nurse practitioner?

  Simmons School of Nursing Core Values

  • Respect
  • Social justice and inclusion
  • Integrity and accountability
  • Collaboration and teamwork
  • Care and compassion
  • Professional development
  • Excellence

  Short answer prompts: Answer the following short answer prompt (250 words or less per prompt).

  • What professional and/or personal life experiences do you bring to the profession and the communities you will serve?
  • Describe your plan for academic success, detailing how you will carve out sufficient time to dedicate to your graduate education. (Full-time study requires a commitment of at least 40 hours per week).

  Applicants to the BSN-DNP-FNP, BSN-DNP-PMHNP, MSN-DNP-FNP, and MSN-DNP-PMHNP APRN tracks/degree programs: 

  You’ll be asked to submit a one- to two-page essay that addresses the following: 

  • What are your reasons for pursuing an advanced practice degree to become a nurse practitioner in your selected population foci (Family Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner)? 
  • How will Simmons University help you accomplish your goals? 
  • The Simmons School of Nursing Core Values are listed below. Which of these values do you most identify with and why? How will this value guide your practice as a doctorally prepared nurse practitioner?

  Simmons School of Nursing Core Values

  • Respect
  • Social justice and inclusion
  • Integrity and accountability
  • Collaboration and teamwork
  • Care and compassion
  • Professional development
  • Excellence

  Short answer prompts: Answer the following short answer prompt (250 words or less per prompt).

  • What professional and/or personal life experiences do you bring to the profession and the communities you will serve?
  • Describe your plan for academic success, detailing how you will carve out sufficient time to dedicate to your graduate education. (Full-time study requires a commitment of at least 40 hours per week).

• Transcripts

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  Official academic transcripts must be received from all postsecondary institutions you have attended, regardless of whether a degree was earned. This includes community colleges, institutions you may have attended as a non-degree student, or schools where you enrolled but withdrew from classes. If you have any questions when determining if you need to submit a transcript as part of your application, please reach out to your admission counselor. Failure to submit transcripts from all postsecondary institutions can result in dismissal from the program.

  Many schools issue transcripts electronically, either through their own web services or through vendors. If this option is available through the institutions you attended, please specify that your transcript(s) be sent to applicationservices@onlinenursing.simmons.edu, or select “Simmons University – Nursing@Simmons” if listed as an option through the vendor. This will expedite the delivery of your transcript(s) and the completion of your application.

  All coursework from non-U.S. institutions must be evaluated by World Education Services, International Education Research Foundation, Education Credential Evaluation, or AACRAO International Education Services. Please allot additional time in the application process to have your transcripts evaluated by these organizations.

  If your institution submits physical copies, please have official transcripts and other official application materials mailed to:

  Simmons University
  Application Processing Center
  1551 Emancipation Hwy, Unit 1313
  Fredericksburg, VA 22401

  Please note: To be considered an official transcript, the transcript must be sent directly from your institution(s) or through an electronic transcript vendor retained by that institution. Transcripts submitted by enrolled or prospective students are considered unofficial documents, even if they are in a sealed envelope provided to you by the issuing university.

• Letters of Recommendation

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  To apply to one of the DNP programs at Simmons, you’ll need to get two letters of recommendation. We require recommendation letters from either:

  • A current clinical supervisor or nurse manager who has direct knowledge of your skills in the clinical setting and how those skills will translate into the DNP role.
  • A professor, faculty member, or academic advisor who can provide a meaningful assessment of your academic record. If you have been out of school for five years or more, a recent nurse educator, preceptor, or clinical instructor can provide the academic recommendation.
  • A current clinical, professional colleague who can comment on your clinical performance and leadership abilities.

  Both letters must be written within one year of the date of submission.

• TOEFL or IELTS Test Scores

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  International applicants must submit English proficiency scores. This requirement is waived if your primary language is English, or you received the equivalent of a four-year U.S. undergraduate degree in which the main language of instruction was English. 

  We accept official scores from the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System). While self-reported scores are useful for informal evaluation, the official report of your scores must arrive before final application review. 

  TOEFL: The Simmons University school code for the TOEFL exam is 3761. The required minimum score is 100-105.

  IELTS: The required minimum score is 7.0-8.0.

  Duolingo English Test: The minimum recommended score range for the Duolingo exam is at least 120–125.

  Standardized test scores are reportable for a period of two years from the date of the exam. TOEFL or IELTS exam results more than two years old will not be considered. 

NOTE: Nursing@Simmons is in the process of receiving approval from some states. An admission counselor can help you determine the program’s status in your state.

To speak with an admission counselor, call 1-855-461-7466, or request more information below.