Doctor of Nursing Practice (Post-Master's) Online

Complete all required sections of the application. 

Official transcripts should be sent directly to the Office of Admissions for every U.S. undergraduate and graduate institution attended. You may also order your transcripts directly through GradCAS under Academic History. Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded for each school you attended outside the U.S.

• A master’s degree in nursing is required. Students in an MSN program may apply in their final semester of study. 
• Applicants must have a graduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. 
• English as a second language students must achieve the following TOEFL (https://www.ets.org/toefl.html) scores or greater: TOEFL – 550 (PBT), 79-80 (IBT), or 213 (CBT). The School of Nursing does not accept alternate English proficiency tests.

Upload a current resume. It should include employment history and community service. 

Answer all required questions in the Questions tab. 

Request three (3) professional/academic letters of recommendation. At least one academic recommendation is preferred. Family and friends are not appropriate to use for recommendation. 

Send each reference the Graduate Nursing Recommendation Form. We suggest entering your name and program information before sending. References will receive an email from GradCAS with a link to upload the completed form. References only need to complete this form. A formal letter is not required. 

Please upload the following required documents in the Documents tab: 

• Government Issued ID – Provide a color copy of your driver’s license or passport. 
• Verification of Unencumbered RN License – Provide verification of current, unencumbered RN licensure from your State Board of Nursing website or nursys.com. A copy of your license is not sufficient. 
• Scholarly Writing Sample – The scholarly writing sample must be single or first author in APA format. 
• Statement of Purpose – The statement of purpose is limited to 1,000 words or less in APA format. It should describe your professional goals and address (1) why you are pursuing your DNP, (2) how the degree will enhance your future professional roles and activities, and (3) ways that graduate education will help you achieve your career goals. The personal statement must contain clear evidence that the applicant has read the DNP Program Outcomes and incorporated them into the statement. 

DNP Program Outcomes 

• Domain 1: Knowledge for Nursing Practice: Integrates foundational and advanced knowledge from nursing and related disciplines to inform practice and decision-making in diverse healthcare settings.
• Domain 2: Person-Centered Care: Demonstrates ethical, inclusive, and professional conduct in nursing practice, respecting the rights, autonomy, and dignity of all individuals and groups, while recognizing and addressing the social determinants of health that influence well-being.
• Domain 3: Population Health: Develops and implements strategies to promote health, prevent disease, and improve the well-being of individuals, groups, families, and communities.
• Domain 4: Scholarship for the Nursing Discipline: Utilizes research methods, evidence-based practice, and critical appraisal skills to contribute to the development and dissemination of nursing knowledge that improves health and transforms healthcare.
• Domain 5: Quality and Safety: Employs strategies to identify, evaluate, and mitigate potential risks, ensuring patient safety and minimizing adverse events in healthcare settings.
• Domain 6: Interprofessional Partnerships: Engages in interprofessional partnerships and collaboration to improve patient outcomes, enhance teamwork, and optimize healthcare delivery. 
• Domain 7: Systems-Based Practice: Demonstrates an understanding of the healthcare system, including its organization, financing, policy, and regulation, and applies systems thinking to improve patient care and healthcare delivery.
• Domain 8: Informatics and Healthcare Technologies: Utilizes informatics and healthcare technologies to support and enhance nursing practice, healthcare delivery, data management, and evidence-based decision-making.
• Domain 9: Professionalism: Cultivates a strong professional identity, embracing the values of nursing and contributing to the advancement of the nursing profession.
• Domain 10: Personal, Professional, and Leadership Development: Engages in personal and professional development activities, including leadership training, to enhance skills, knowledge, and abilities as nursing professionals.

Approved Graduate Curriculum and Assessment 11.14.2023

Once all required materials have been received, your application is ready for submission. You must pay the non-refundable application fee to submit your application. You will receive a confirmation email once your application has been submitted. 

If admitted, you must submit additional required program materials by the deadline included in your program admission offer letter. 

• Background Check – Must be completed via CastleBranch using the Indiana State code. The full completed check must be uploaded to the GradCAS application. (Designer note: This link previously went to a D7 page with embedded CastleBranch content. We have replaced that link with the external vendor link, but the web content there is not the same as what was in the D7 page.)

Criminal Background Check Procedure

How do I order my INITIAL background check?

1. Go to CastleBranch.
2. Click on Place Order button
3. Enter Package Code IY95
4. Review the order request information
5. Check the Terms and Conditions of Use box
6. Click Continue
7. Enter Personal Information
8. Enter Personal Identifiers
9. Do NOT need to enter Student Information
10. Click Next
11. Create Password
12. Click Create Account
13. Add Previous Addresses if applicable
14. Click Next
15. Enter your County of Residence
16. Click Next
17. Select whether to order a badge or not (not required for ISU)
18. Click Next
19. Initial background check fee: $62.75 (without a badge order)
20. Select a method of payment: Visa, Master Card and money orders are accepted.
21. Complete information and submit request

How do I order my RECHECK Background Check?

IMPORTANT: The recheck option and below code may be used ONLY if you have previously completed an Initial background check for the School of Nursing using the above INITIAL CODE (IY95). Castlebranch background checks completed for other schools, other Indiana State departments, or undergraduate School of Nursing programs do not make you eligible to utilize the recheck option.

1. Go to CastleBranch.
2. Click on the Place Order button
3. Enter Package Code IY95re
4. Review the order request information
5. Check the Terms and Conditions of Use box
6. Click Continue
7. Enter Personal Information
8. Enter Personal Identifiers
9. Do NOT need to enter Student Information
10. Click Next
11. Add Previous Addresses if applicable
12. Click Next
13. Enter your County of Residence
14. Click Next
15. Select whether to order a badge or not (not required for ISU)
16. Click Next
17. Recheck background check fee: $32.75
18. Select a method of payment: Visa, Master Card and money orders are accepted.
19. Complete information and submit request.

Updated 09/26/23

• Proof of Current Healthcare Provider-Level CPR Certification

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification

Students are required to have current CPR certification at the Healthcare Provider-level to be eligible for clinical experiences in the graduate nursing programs. The approved CPR courses include:

• American Red Cross (ARC)- BLS/CPR for Healthcare (2 year)

• American Heart Association (AHA)- BLS for Healthcare Professionals (CPR & AED) (2 year) 

Certifications by other providers will be considered on a case-by-case basis only if they are at the Healthcare Provider level.

Online CPR certification courses that do not include a hands-on skill component and skill testing will not meet the requirement. It is possible that agencies may require more frequent CPR skills checks within your certification time period.

It is the student’s responsibility to locate an appropriate source for certification. When applying to a graduate nursing program, the student must submit a copy of a current CPR card or certificate verifying current certification at the required level.

Verification of recertification while progressing through the program must be uploaded by the student to Medatrax.

Certification must be current for the entire semester in which enrolled in a clinical course. Certification that expires during the course of a semester will not be accepted.

Revised SAC 12-16-08

Revised by Undergraduate Department Chairs, June 2009

Revised by Baccalaureate Nursing Department, March 15, 2010

Revised, Advanced Practice Nursing Department, February 18, 2020

• School of Nursing Immunization Form – All sections of this form must be filled out and signed on page two by a healthcare provider. Submitting other documentation in lieu of this form is not sufficient.
• School of Nursing Honor Code – All nursing students admitted to Indiana State University must sign, complete, and abide by the School of Nursing Honor Code. 
• Post-Baccalaureate Clinical Hour Verification form – Submit one form for each institution with post-baccalaureate hours earned. 
• National Certification (if applicable)

Indiana State University offers several programs that lead to professional licensure or certification in Indiana and may lead to professional licensure in other states. These programs may satisfy the relevant educational requirements of various state licensing bodies that oversee certain professions. While Indiana State University’s programs may satisfy the basic educational requirements for licensure, applicants for licensure may need to pass additional exams and complete required applications before becoming fully licensed. Additionally, some professions may require continuing education requirements to maintain a professional license. In some cases, reciprocity arrangements may allow licensed professionals to practice in different states for which reciprocity is recognized.

In compliance with U.S. Department of Education regulations found in 34 C.F.R. 668.43(a)(5)(v), Indiana State University is required to disclose whether specific programs meet educational requirements for professional licensure and certification if the programs are designed or advertised as meeting such requirements. Indiana State University has identified this program as designed for and advertised as meeting educational requirements for professional licensure. Depending on your state of legal residency, you may be required to complete the Attestation Form in the Documents tab and verify that you will seek work in a state where Indiana State University meets educational requirements.

After the published deadline, complete applications will be shared with the Admissions Committee.

Applicants are evaluated on a competitive basis. Please allow 4-6 weeks after the deadline of your admission decision. A video or in-person interview may be required.

All applicants will be notified of their admission decision via the email address provided on their application.

Students offered admission into the program are required to accept their seat by submitting a non-refundable $100 seat fee by the deadline set by the committee.

Applicants are evaluated on a competitive basis. Optimal candidate scoring is based on:

• Complete application
• Earned master’s degree in nursing
• GPA
• Excellent, compelling, and clear goals that intersect closely with the DNP Program Outcomes and are well-written with originality and creativity
• High ratings on recommendation forms
• APRN, RN, LPN, CNA, healthcare administration, medical scribe, or other related experience
• Leadership roles in healthcare or related fields
• Community service involvement

Note: Admission decisions are made by a committee of the School of Nursing faculty utilizing a scoring rubric that incorporates the aforementioned elements.