Ways to Study
- Online
MSN to DNP
Application deadlines for fall 2023 have been extended.
- August 11, 2022: NursingCAS and Supplemental Applications Open
- March 7, 2023: NursingCAS Application Deadline
- March 14, 2023: Supplemental Application* Deadline
- Program begins: August 2023
*A link to the UNC Supplemental Application will be sent to you by email within a few business days of submitting your completed NursingCAS application.
The MSN to DNP is for nurses who are already master’s prepared Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) (Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives) or Health Care Systems Leaders (that is, Nurse Administrators, Informaticists, Outcome Managers).
BSN-prepared nurses with an earned master’s in a health-related MBA, MHA, or MPH from a regionally accredited university also may apply to the MSN-DNP program. Transcripts will be reviewed individually for admissibility and to develop a plan of study that meets program competencies for graduation.
Nurses with a MSN in Education or Clinical Nurse Leader must apply to the BSN-DNP Program in a specific population or specialty area; an individualized plan of study will be developed that meets program competencies for graduation.
BSN-prepared nurses with an earned master’s in a health-related MBA, MHA, or MPH from a regionally accredited university who are interested in preparation in advanced nursing practice (health care leadership/administration or as an APRN-NP) should apply to the BSN-DNP program instead.
- Online with on-campus immersions
- Full-time and part-time options
Courses incorporate both asynchronous and synchronous learning components. Students are required to come to campus for required immersions each semester or as scheduled.
Credit Hour & Practice Requirements –
MSN to DNP students who matriculate in fall 2020 are required to complete 36 credit hours, approximately 500 residency hours, and an evidence-based practice DNP project. All students are expected to have 1,000 post-baccalaureate practice hours and MSN to DNP applicants must submit written verification of supervised clinical hours completed during their prior degree program using this DNP Verification of Precepted Clinical Hours Form. Most MSN to DNP APRN students enter the program with 500 or more practice hours from their prior master’s program. Some MSN to DNP students prepared in health care systems may not have completed 500 clinical practice hours in their prior master’s program and will need to complete additional hours to meet graduation requirements. In addition, MSN-prepared Clinical Nurse Leaders (CNLs) may be required to take bridge courses in finance and managing human resources (total of 6 additional credits).
