DNP
Doctor of Nursing Practice
About The Program
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program offers two pathways, BSN-DNP and MSN-DNP, to the terminal practice degree in nursing. The DNP program prepares clinician-scholars to become leaders in advancing evidence-based practice solutions and innovations into clinical practice, improving healthcare outcomes, and strengthening nursing management and education. Graduates of this program have the ability to translate scientific evidence into clinical practice to benefit patients, communities, and health care systems.
The DNP Program is primarily online, but is considered a hybrid program, as students are required to be on campus at specific times for intensives. Auburn utilizes a variety of state-of-the-art online and distance learning technologies and techniques to facilitate the program and enrich the student learning experience.
The DNP Program prepares nursing graduate students to assume leadership roles in system-based approaches designed to promote quality, safety, and excellence in nursing practice.
Your evidence-based practice doctoral education will prepare you to address health disparities and improve population healthcare outcomes, and prepares you to incorporate scientific, theoretical, and ethical principles into quality healthcare for individuals, families, and populations.
You will lead efforts in health promotion and disease prevention to improve the health populations in rural and urban settings, providing leadership in healthcare delivery and organizational systems.
Effective Fall 2025, students admitted in Fall 2025 and beyond will be required to be on campus for intensives each semester which will include various requirements and may extend up to one week per intensive.
Effective Fall 2025, the DNP Program will offer two pathways, MSN-DNP and BSN-DNP, and full-time students will be admitted in fall semester only.
Full-time students in the MSN-DNP pathway can complete their plan of study in six semesters. Full-time students in the BSN-DNP pathway can complete their plan of study in nine semesters.
Applicants applying for Fall 2025 and beyond should contact Mrs. Jennifer Edwards, Academic Programs Administrator for more information.
No GRE is required for the DNP Program.
Last updated: 6/24/25
Have earned a minimum of a Masters of Science degree in Nursing (MSN-DNP) or minimum of a BSN degree (BSN-DNP) from an accredited Nursing Program or approved waiver request if applying in last semester of BSN Program (for BSN-DNP pathway) or if applying in last semester of MSN Program (for MSN-DNP Pathway). **Refer to "Specific Admission and Progression Information" below regarding waiver.
Provide proof of current, unencumbered RN license in the United States in the state in which you plan to participate in any clinical experiences (must show name, license number, expiration date; may upload screenshot from BON website).
Possess national certification and recognition or licensure as a Nurse Practitioner in the state in which you practice (MSN-DNP Pathway).
Have earned a minimum Nursing GPA of 3.0 in Masters in Nursing Program (MSN Nursing courses will be used to calculate Nursing GPA).
Must have good academic standing from the last university you attended.
Must have successfully completed (C or better) an undergraduate statistics course.
Provide three professional references for the online recommendation form. Individuals must be able to speak directly to your academic abilities, work ethic, nursing practice, and potential for success in the program. Ideal references include nursing supervisors or other healthcare professionals who have observed your performance in a clinical setting. Please avoid selecting personal acquaintances, family members, or friends, as these individuals are not able to provide the objective, professional insight required for admissions evaluation. Selecting such individuals could negatively affect your application.
Submit a Professional Goal Statement of approximately 750 words. This statement describe past/current experiences that have prepared you for an online educational program that includes coursework, professional writing, group presentations, etc. It should also include motivation for pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, personal characteristics that will contribute to your success, and long-term career goals and the future impact you hope to achieve in the profession. The statement will be uploaded with your application in the Slate application system.
Submit all official transcripts to the Graduate School, 106 Hargis Hall, Auburn, AL 36849. Transcripts sent to College of Nursing will not be forwarded.
Provide a current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume.
Complete an interview via telephone, on campus, or videoconference, if required.
Applicants must meet all criteria listed in the current Auburn University Graduate School bulletin and must meet all College of Nursing admission criteria. Applicants may be admitted under fully approved status, or under provisional or exception status. Approved admissions meet all the criteria listed for the Graduate School and any additional criteria for the department, school, or college. Provisional or exception status admission could possibly be granted for applicants who do not meet certain requirements for admission. Applicants admitted as provisional or as an exception will be fully admitted to the nursing graduate program only when all requirements for admission have been satisfied. Applicants admitted as provisional or as an exception who fail to satisfy all requirements for admission within the specified time period will be dismissed from the nursing graduate program.
*International Applicants must follow Graduate School criteria found in the following link: International Prospective Student Instructions
*For more information regarding international applicants/students, please contact Penny Christopher, Graduate School International Admissions Processing, at pzc0003@auburn.edu or 334-844-7105.
Last updated: 6/24/25
Applicants that meet all criteria (completed application and meet all requirements) will be considered for approved admission.
If applicant is currently a student in last semester of a MSN NP Program (for MSN-DNP pathway) at time of application, the applicant must submit a request for waiver of the MSN and NP Certification admission requirements to Mrs. Jennifer Edwards, Academic Programs Administrator, at jlr0012@auburn.edu for approval by the Graduate Admissions, Progression and Graduation (APG) Committee. If waiver request is approved and applicant is admitted, the student must obtain the MSN NP degree in good standing prior to enrollment and must obtain the NP Certification during the first semester of study. These applicants will be admitted under the exception status until the NP Certification is obtained. An official transcript indicating completion of the MSN degree must be submitted directly to the Graduate School and documentation of NP Certification must be submitted to AU College of Nursing before the student will be a fully approved admission. If a waiver is obtained, these applicants will be considered based on the Nursing GPA on their current MSN transcript.
If applicant is currently a student in last semester of a BSN program (for BSN-DNP pathway) at time of application, the applicant must submit a request for waiver of the BSN and unencumbered RN license admission requirements to Mrs. Jennifer Edwards, Academic Programs Administrator, at jlr0012@auburn.edu for approval by the Graduate Admissions, Progression and Graduation (APG) Committee. If waiver request is approved and applicant is admitted, the student must complete the BSN in good standing prior to enrollment and must obtain the RN license during the first semester of study. These applicants will be admitted under the exception status until the RN license is obtained. An official transcript indicating completion of the BSN must be submitted directly to the Graduate School and documentation of RN license must be submitted to AU College of Nursing before the student will be a fully approved admission. If a waiver is obtained, these applicants will be considered based on the nursing GPA on their current transcripts.
Applicants may possibly be admitted under provisional status, if otherwise qualified, if the MSN nursing GPA is less than 3.0 on 4.0 scale. Once the student has completed 9 hours of graduate credit with a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, the provisional status will be removed. Failure to meet the requirement as stated will prevent progression in the College of Nursing Graduate Program.
The Professional Goal Statement will be evaluated using a rubric developed by the Graduate Admission, Progression, and Graduation (APG) Committee. Each statement will be evaluated by 2 graduate faculty members. Applicants to the DNP Program will have at least one DNP faculty member evaluate the goal statement.
Students must complete the letter of intent form sent by the AU College of Nursing, officially accept enrollment from the Graduate School within their application, and meet all compliance requirements by the deadline indicated on the offer at admission, to remain in the program.
Students are required to provide compliance documentation and must complete a background check and drug screen. All compliance documentation, background check, drug screen, and any requirements by Auburn University and/or College of Nursing must be completed by the deadline indicated, prior to course registration.
To progress through the program, all AU College of Nursing graduate students must receive a grade no less than "B" in all courses. Students earning any two course grades of less than a "B" will be dismissed from the Graduate Program.
Last updated: 6/24/25
Applications must be submitted and complete no later than the following deadlines:
1. Fall Semester Admission Only (effective Fall 2025): June 1
2. International applicants: March 1
International Applicants must follow Graduate School criteria found at the following link: International Prospective Student Instructions
For more information regarding international applicants/students, please contact Penny Christopher, Graduate School International Admissions Processing, at pzc0003@auburn.edu or 334-844-7105.
Last updated: 6/24/25
Apply through the Graduate School Application
Graduate School Information for Applicants and Prospective Students
All items listed below need to be uploaded with your application:
Request all transcripts from every college attended to be sent directly to the Graduate School, 106 Hargis Hall Auburn University, AL 36849. Do not send transcripts to the College of Nursing.
Three professional references for recommendation form – Choose the online option within your application. Letters will not be reviewed.
Professional Resume (uploaded with your application)
Unencumbered registered nursing license (must be located within the United States and proof of licensure uploaded with application)
Professional Goal Statement - This 750-1000 words statement will include reasons for pursuing this degree and program option, past experiences, career goals and past achievements.
The College of Nursing Admission, Progression and Graduation Committee reviews all completed applications. You will receive an email from the College of Nursing notifying you of the admission decision which will include a letter of intent. The letter of intent should be returned by the deadline specified in the email.
The College of Nursing will notify the Graduate School regarding admissions decisions. The Graduate School will then notify you of that admission decision. You must log into your application and accept or decline enrollment. If you decline, the Graduate School will withdraw your application. The acceptance information from the Graduate School will include your banner ID number as well as information needed to set up your AU email address. Auburn email is the official method of communication once you accept enrollment and we will not use any other email address.
Once you have returned the College of Nursing letter of intent and accepted enrollment into the Graduate School, the College of Nursing will email you instructions for your next steps and compliance requirements. All requirements must be completed prior to course registration.
Last updated: 6/24/25
Effective Fall 2025, the DNP curriculum has been revised and new curriculum models will be implemented, including the addition of a new BSN-DNP pathway.
Beginning Fall 2025 the DNP Program will offer the MSN-DNP pathway (which is the traditional post-masters option) and the new BSN-DNP pathway.
Students admitted Summer 2025 and prior should refer only to the "Effective Summer 2025" model.
Students applying for Fall 2025 and beyond should refer to the "Effective Fall 2025" models.
Last updated: 6/24/25
Tuition is the same for Alabama residents and out of state residents. The AU College of Nursing Graduate Program Tuition is currently $612 per credit hour.
**Effective Fall 2025, graduate tuition will be be $630 per credit hour.
The BSN-DNP Pathway will become effective Fall 2025, in which clinical course fees will be involved. The fees per clinical course will be as follows:
NURS 7110: $600 one time clinical course fee
NURS 7330: $600 one-time clinical course fee
NURS 7440: $600 one-time clinical course fee
NURS 7920: $600 one-time clinical course fee
Other fees may be incurred prior to enrollment and/or as you progress through the program such as, but not limited to, background check, drug screen, liability insurance, and course specific requirements.
Tuition and Fees are subject to change by the Board of Trustees at the beginning of any term.
Last updated 6/24/25
Applicants will apply through the Graduate School Application Instructions.
*International Applicants must follow Graduate School criteria found in the following link: International Prospective Student Instructions
For more information regarding international applicants/students, please contact Penny Christopher, Graduate School International Admissions Processing, at pzc0003@auburn.edu or 334-844-7105.
Last updated: 6/24/25
For additional information or to discuss any specific aspect of the program or admission requirements contact:
Dr. Ellee Howell, PhD, RN
DNP Coordinator
Professor of Practice
or
Jennifer Edwards
Administrator, Graduate Academic Programs
Last updated: 6/24/25