DNP Admissions
All students who wish to pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville must first be admitted through the Graduate School. We encourage you to review the admission requirements below prior to applying.
Eligibility Requirements
All applicants, regardless of concentration, must meet the eligibility requirements listed. Additional eligibility requirements for the Post-master’s DNP and the Nurse Anesthesia Concentration can be found below.
Minimum Requirements for All Applicants
- Meet the minimum requirements for The Graduate School
- Hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or the Collegiate Commission on Nursing Education (or country of residence equivalent for international post-master’s students).
- Hold an unencumbered Registered Nurse license in the state of residency (or country of residence equivalent for international post-master’s students).
- Have a total score of 80 on the internet-based TOEFL or a 6.5 overall band score on the IELTS if native language is not English
- Must not live in California
Nurse Anesthesia
In addition to the minimum DNP eligibility requirements, an eligible Nurse Anesthesia applicant will
- Hold an unencumbered license as a registered professional nurse and/or an APRN in the United States or its territories or protectorates.
- Complete at least one year of current, full-time adult ICU work experience as a Registered Nurse in the United States, its territories, or a US military hospital outside of the United States prior to program matriculation.
- Hold current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certifications prior to program matriculation.
Post-master’s DNP
In addition to the minimum DNP Eligibility requirements, an eligible Post-master’s DNP applicant will
- Hold a master’s degree (MSN or MS) in Nursing from a National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or the Collegiate Commission on Nursing Education accredited school of nursing with an APRN concentration/role (NP, CRNA, CNM, or CNS).
- Requirements of the master’s degree must have included:
- Supervised clinical practice in a specified population focus area.
- Successful completion of graduate courses in advanced physical assessment, advanced pharmacology, and advanced pathophysiology.
- Applicants may apply pending completion of a master’s degree. Degree conferral is required before the selected application term.
- Hold current national certification in a specified APRN population focus. Applicants may apply pending board certification. Board certification must be awarded before the selected application term.
Deadlines
FNP, PNP, PMHNP, Post-master’s DNP
Start Term: Fall Only
August 1: Applications Open for the next Academic Year
January 7: Priority Application Deadline
Following the January 7 deadline, applications will be reviewed based on program availability but no later than February 15.
Nurse Anesthesia
Start Term: Summer Only
September 1: Nurse Anesthesia Final Application Deadline
Application Requirements
All applicants, regardless of concentration, must have the application materials listed below. Additional application requirements for the Post-master’s DNP and the Nurse Anesthesia Concentration can be found following this section. A completed application will consist of
- Official transcripts from all Graduate programs and courses attended. Transcripts must be submitted directly to Graduate Admissions at prior to the application deadline
- Essay addressing College of Nursing essay prompts.
- Resume/CV
- Recommendations from three college level instructors and/or nurses and administrators who have supervised the applicant’s professional work. If the applicant has completed an academic program in the last two years, one rating form must be completed by a faculty member from that program.
- Nursing License
- Interview with the College of Nursing DNP admissions committee, as specified by the program.
- TOEFL scores, if required
Nurse Anesthesia
In addition to the minimum DNP application requirements, a complete Nurse Anesthesia application will consist of
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Test Scores – Only applicants with a cumulative GPA from all nursing degrees of less than 3.3 must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). A combined score of 300 on the verbal and quantitative sections and an analytical writing score of 3. 5 or above is recommended.
- Recommendations from a former nursing professor that is familiar with the applicant’s academic work, the applicant’s immediate nursing supervisor in ICU that is responsible for completing the applicant’s employee evaluation, and an attending physician who works directly with the applicant in the ICU.
Transcripts from all higher education institutions attended must be submitted, regardless of degree conferral or whether the courses appear on other transcripts.
Post-master’s DNP
In addition to the minimum DNP application requirements, a complete Post-master’s DNP application will consist of Recommendations from three graduate-level faculty, administrators, or nurse/provider colleagues who have supervised the applicant’s professional work. If the applicant has completed a graduate degree in the last 2 years, one rating form must be completed by a faculty member from the program.
Application Process
All prospective College of Nursing applicants must apply online through UT Graduate Admissions and pay the application fee. Application materials must be submitted directly to Graduate Admissions prior to the application deadline.
- Submit application through the Graduate School When you apply through the Graduate School, you are also applying to the College of Nursing.
- Pay the application fee.
- Upload all required materials.
- While you can submit an application without your required materials, your application will not be considered until all materials have been received.
- It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure their application is complete. Applicants are strongly encouraged to check first with Graduate Admissions to see if all transcripts and materials have been submitted properly. Applicants can check the status of their application via the UT Graduate School Status Checker.
- Schedule an Interview.
- If deemed minimally admissible by The Graduate School and College of Nursing, you may be invited for an interview. To qualify for an interview, you must at least have your transcript copies and essay uploaded to your application.
- Nurse Anesthesia Only- If invited for an interview, you will receive an invitation to schedule in September.
Admission Timeline
All applications, excluding Nurse Anesthesia, are typically notified of their admission decision within two weeks following their interview and completed application. Notifications are sent by email
FNP, PNP, PMHNP, and Post-master’s DNP
- August 1 – Applications Open
- January 7 – Application Deadline to qualify for College of Nursing scholarships
- February 15 – Final date applications will be reviewed (based on availability)
- March 1 – College of Nursing Scholarships applications due
- April – Deadline to Accept Offer
- August – Classes Start
Nurse Anesthesia
- June 1 – Applications Open
- September 1 – Final Application Deadline
- October – Interview Invitations sent
- December – Admission Decisions sent
- May – Classes Start
After Admission
Incoming graduate students are required to attend the on-campus Doctoral Intensives and New Student Orientation the last week of August. More details about orientation and other onboarding procedures will be provided to students in the summer (spring for Nurse Anesthesia) via their UT email.
Contact Us!
Should you have any questions about the application process or how our blended curriculum works, we’re here to support you every step of the way. We offer information sessions and cover frequently asked questions to ensure you learn everything you need to know about advancing your nursing career!