Nursing, Post-Master’s Track, D.N.P.

Admission Requirements

• Comply with the regular Admission Requirements  of the College of Graduate Studies and Research, which includes an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0, 
• have a MSN from an accredited nursing program with a minimum 3.0 GPA,
• a current RN license within the United States, 
• evidence of current national certification as a nurse practitioner in one of the four APRN roles (CNP, CNM, CNS, and CRNA), and
• access to a high-speed internet connection.

Other desirable qualities:

• Completion of an undergraduate or graduate level statistics course (preferred but not required).
• Completion of a health assessment course in undergraduate program with a B or better.
• Completion of courses in anatomy and physiology in an undergraduate or graduate program with a B or better.
• Should be proficient in using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, e-mail and accessing the internet.

Students must provide the School of Nursing with current evidence of the following prior to their clinical rotations:

1. An unrestricted RN license
2. Two-step TB skin test, MMR, hepatitis B, varicella, and Tdap
3. CPR certification
4. Nurse practitioner student malpractice insurance
5. Criminal background check
6. Urine drug screen

Northern Michigan University is an accredited public institution that participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA). This authorizes NMU to enroll online students from all states and territories in the United States. However, individual state licensing agencies (i.e. State Boards of Nursing) at times dictate additional requirements for students completing clinics in their territories. The School of Nursing Graduate Coordinator determines compliance for meeting criteria for the state students are located in on admission to the program. Students need to be aware that regulations in any state may change without notification. In addition, applicants and students need to contact the Graduate Coordinator prior to relocating to a different state in order to ensure that progression in the program will not be affected.

All Applicants must submit:

1. Graduate admission application and fee.  
2. Official transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary institutions.
3. A current resume.
4. One-page written description of your goals for graduate study. The document should be typed using a computer with Times New Roman,12 pt. font, and double-spaced.
5. One letter of recommendation - one academic or a letter from a clinical colleague or manager. 

Application Due Dates

Applications open October 15, 2025, and close October 15, 2026, for the next cohort which begins Winter 2027.  Contact graduate program director Dr. Melissa Romero (mromero@nmu.edu) with additional questions.