How to Apply to the Doctor of Nursing Practice
(Post-Master’s Program)
Next DNP Cohort Begins Fall 2024
Application Deadline: June 2024
Delivery Format: Online
Getting Started
Candidates to North Park University’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences’ DNP program must apply using the online application provided by NursingCAS, Nursing’s Centralized Application Service.
NursingCAS Fee Assistance Program
A limited number of income-based and service-based fee waivers are provided to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more about this fee assistance program and see if you are eligible for one of the two types of fee waivers.
Admission Requirements
- Active RN license
- MSN or MS with a major in nursing degree from a U.S. accredited program.
Applicants are to be certified as advanced practice nurses (APN) or to be
master’s-prepared in administrative/leadership nursing specialties, or in
other master’s nursing specialties as approved by the Dean of the School of
Nursing and Health Sciences. - Cumulative GPA of 3.2 for all MSN/MS program courses
- Documentation of practice hours completed in MSN/MS program courses
Transcripts
Official graduate transcripts from all universities attended should be sent directly to NursingCAS for verification.
After you have submitted all the required documentation and it is verified by NursingCAS, North Park will review applications and call qualified applicants for an interview with faculty before making a final admission decision.
Application Instructions
Starting Your Application
It is never too early to start your application in NursingCAS. Select North Park University’s DNP (post-master’s program) for fall 2022.
Completing Your Application in NursingCAS
- The application form has four required fields in NursingCAS:
- Personal information
- Academic history
- Supporting information
- Program materials
In the Program Materials section, you can review admission requirements, upload resume and certifications and answer the two essay questions.
- CV/Resume
- RN License (upload under License). If you have a second license (e.g. APRN), please upload under “Other.”
- Request three professional recommendations (evaluations). Enter name and e-mail address of the recommenders on your NursingCAS application. At least one recommendation from a current supervisor.
- Answer two questions (essay format):
- Discuss your vision for a leadership position you would like to attain within three to five years following DNP program completion. Describe how DNP preparation will assist you in assuming this role. (Max 2000 characters – briefly two or three sentences)
- Identify a clinical problem that requires a change in healthcare services and that you would like to address in a DNP project. Discuss some potential approaches to address this problem. Note the institutional support you will have for carrying out this project and who would serve as your project mentor within the organization. (Max 4000 characters – briefly four or five sentences).
NOTE: The project (site) mentor is a clinical practice or administrative professional who facilitates student development, implementation, and evaluation of the project within the organization/agency. The project mentor has an ongoing relationship with the student over the course of the project and may support student achievement of DNP practicum goals. The mentor also offers input into proposal and final project evaluation.
Program-Specific Questions in NursingCAS
You will also find North Park’s program-specific questions. Please make sure to answer them.
You should check your personal application page on the NursingCAS application portal to monitor the status of your application and whether your transcripts and recommendations were received. If you have questions, we encourage you to contact our assistant director of admissions at (872) 772-9103 (mobile) or (773) 244-5508 (office).
For questions regarding the submission of documents to NursingCAS, please contact them directly at nursingcasinfo@nursingcas.org.