Post-Master鈥檚 DNP Admissions

We welcome your application for the 亚色影库 Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): Post-Master's program.

St. Kate鈥檚 has a streamlined admission process 鈥 no application fee, no GRE test 鈥 to accelerate your post-master鈥檚 DNP onboarding process.

If you have questions along the way, don鈥檛 hesitate to contact your admission counselor. They鈥檙e here to help!

Note: The Post-Master's DNP does not include coursework for Nurse Practitioner specializations. Review our programs if you are interested in NP options for Adult-Gerontology, Family, Neonatal, Pediatric, or Psychiatric Mental Health.


Timelines and deadlines

The application priority deadline is June 1 for Fall enrollment. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and candidates are encouraged to complete the admission process prior to the deadline. Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed on a space-available basis.

We are currently accepting applications for Fall 2025 enrollment. 


To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Degree: A completed bachelor's degree from an institution that is accredited by one of the (e.g. Higher Learning Commission).
  • Nursing Major: The baccalaureate nursing program (i.e., initial major or upper division, post-baccalaureate second major) or comparable master's-level program in which the nursing degree is awarded must be accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
  • Master's Degree: A completed master's degree in nursing from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), or the Council on Accreditation for Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.
  • Grade Point Average: A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) or higher on a 4.0 scale, and a grade of not less than 'B-' in every nursing course.
  • Nursing License:  A current, unencumbered nursing license.
  • Work Experience:  Applicants must have two years of recent nursing experience in a staff or leadership role. Nursing experience may include a general staff nurse position or an advanced nursing position such as clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist, nurse practitioner, nurse executive, nurse informatician or nurse educator.

Application Instructions


If you're a nurse in an advanced nursing position who is seeking to expand your knowledge and skills to transform healthcare delivery and education, 亚色影库 welcomes your application for admission into the post-master's Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program. Full information on admission requirements and procedures is listed below. As you explore the post-master's DNP program and the admission process, we encourage you to attend an information session.

Application form

Please read the application instructions below before completing the online application at the bottom of this page.

Admission essay

Prepare an essay that demonstrates written communication skills and clarifies your purpose in pursuing a doctoral program in nursing. Do not exceed two typed, double spaced pages.

  • What are your professional and personal goals? How will St. Kate's DNP program help you achieve these goals? Be specific.

If you have already submitted the post-master's DNP application form, you may upload your admission essay via your Application Status page (instructions for accessing the status page were provided at the time you submitted the application). Please include your full name at the top of the essay.

If you wish to submit the admission essay prior to the application, or if you are unable to upload the document to your Application Status page, you may send the essay as an attachment via email to graduateadmission@stkate.edu with 鈥淧ost-Master's DNP Essay鈥 in the subject line.

搁茅蝉耻尘茅

Submit a current r茅sum茅 highlighting professional and volunteer experiences.

If you have already submitted the post-master's DNP application form, you may upload your r茅sum茅 via your Application Status page (instructions for accessing the status page were provided at the time you submitted the application).

If you wish to submit the r茅sum茅 prior to the application, or if you are unable to upload the document to your Application Status page, you may send the r茅sum茅 as an attachment via email to graduateadmission@stkate.edu with 鈥淧ost-Master's DNP 搁茅蝉耻尘茅鈥 in the subject line.

Admission Video

Using , record a 5-7 minute video addressing the topics below.  For best results, consider recording from a desktop computer or with your phone on a tripod or other stable surface, in a well-lit space with limited background noise.

You may wish to use notes for your talking points, but don鈥檛 be concerned about providing a scripted or polished presentation 鈥 this is meant to be informal and conversational. The goal is to help the admission committee get to know you, so feel free to be casual and comfortable.

  • What motivates you to become a DNP-prepared nurse?
  • Tell us briefly about any leadership roles you have held, and how they impacted you as a nurse.
  • What is quality improvement in healthcare? How might you use quality improvement in your role (or future role) as a nursing leader?

To submit your video: After submitting the application form, you will receive instructions for logging into your Application Status page. On that page, click on the link to the 鈥淰ideo Statement鈥 form in your Application Checklist. Add or verify your contact information, and add the YouTube link in the field provided. Please make sure that the share settings on your video are 鈥渆veryone鈥 or 鈥渁nyone with the link.鈥

If you have any questions, or need any special accommodations to complete the Video Statement requirement, please contact the Graduate Admission office (graduateadmission@stkate.edu).

Recommendations

One recommendation is required for post-master's DNP applicants. The recommendation should be from a professional in a clinical setting. Personal references are not acceptable.  Please complete the Recommendations section of the application form, including name/contact information for your recommender, before you submit the application form. Recommender information cannot be added to the application after it has been submitted.

A link to the recommendation form will be sent when the Recommendations section of the application form has been completed. Please alert your reference in advance to expect an email from 亚色影库. This is a confidential recommendation submitted directly from the reference to the Office of Graduate Admission; applicants who wish to view the recommendation are responsible for making the appropriate arrangements with their reference.

Transcripts

To review your admission file, we'll need transcripts from the college or university from which you earned your associate (if applicable), bachelor's and graduate degrees.  St. Kate's will review your admission file and make offers of acceptance using unofficial transcripts uploaded by you to your St. Kate's admission portal. However, official transcripts sent directly from your associate (if applicable), bachelor's and graduate degree-granting institution(s) are required, and must be received before registration for courses in your doctoral program is allowed.

Need assistance finding out how to order your official transcripts?  Contact your admission counselor for help!  See contact information at the bottom of this page.

All documents must be up-to-date and include your name, institution name, all courses taken with grades and degrees received (if applicable). Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded using your applicant status page (a link is sent once you鈥檝e started an application) or sent as an attachment to graduateadmission@stkate.edu.  

To be considered official, electronic transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing college or university to St. Kate's (at graduateadmission@stkate.edu). Paper transcripts must be mailed in a sealed envelope directly from the registrar of each institution to the Office of Graduate Admission at 亚色影库 (see address below).

TOEFL scores

Applicants whose native language is not English are required to complete the  (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 550 on the paper-based test or 80 on the iBT, or the (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.5. This requirement is waived for students who have completed a baccalaureate or graduate degree in the United States.

Credential evaluation

Applicants with a college or university degree completed outside of the United States must submit an official course-by-course evaluation from or . Original transcripts and official translations of all documents not in English must also be included. All costs related to document translation and evaluation are the applicant鈥檚 responsibility.

Interview

A virtual, synchronous interview may be requested by the Admission Committee to support your application and clarify your goals for the DNP program.

Submitting materials

Please review all application instructions. Once you鈥檝e submitted the online application, you will have access to your Application Status page to upload any supporting documents (instructions for accessing the status page were emailed at the time you submitted the application). If you are unable to upload electronic documents to your Application Status page, you may send items as an attachment via email to graduateadmission@stkate.edu. Paper documents may be mailed to:

亚色影库 
Graduate Admission #4027 
2004 Randolph Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that their application is completed by the deadline. The Admission Committee will not review your application until we have received all required documents. Fulfillment of the admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. No credentials will be returned to the applicant.

International Applicants

The following information pertains to applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents.


Please review the information below regarding other application materials that may be required for international applicants. 

Deadlines

Earlier deadlines may apply for international applicants to ensure that all immigration requirements can be met in time for you to enroll in the desired term. Contact your admission counselor with questions.

International Student Forms

International applicants for graduate study must complete the International Information section of the application form.

The U.S. government requires international applicants to provide proof of ability to pay tuition and living expenses before the University can issue forms necessary to obtain a visa. International applicants must submit a  form.

Additional Documentation

Some international applicants may be required to submit additional documentation, such as a credential evaluation, language test scores, etc. Please review the application instructions for your graduate program for more information.

Questions about the application process?

Email your admission counselor at any time, or call us during office hours (8:30 a.m.鈥5 p.m.).

Contact an admission counselor