The Post Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the Post Master’s DNP program must meet the entrance requirements of the University of Massachusetts Graduate Program and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. There are four options for students to consider when applying to the Post Master’s DNP program at UMass Boston CNHS:

I. Traditional MS prepared, certified APRN Applicants for the DNP with a Master of Science degree in nursing with national certification and at least one year of experience.
  1. Graduate of a nationally accredited NLNAC or CCNE program.
  2. Sealed transcripts.
  3. Documentation of both:
    • Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Nursing or another field, and,
    • Master of Science (MS) degree in Nursing.
    Students without a baccalaureate must provide a letter from the MS program stating that the RN-MS program has provided the equivalent content for a BS in Nursing.
  4. Provide official sealed transcripts from ALL higher education institutions attended, demonstrating:
    • Overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher in the BS program of study and,
    • Overall GPA of 3.2 in MS program of study,
    • For each required nursing course in the MS program of study provide evidence of a letter grade of B (3.0 on 4.0 scale) or better; and a GPA of B or for all science courses (both BS and MS programs).
    • Evidence of completion of a graduate health assessment course grade with a grade B (3.0 on 4.0 scale) or better.
  5. Submit a complete application package with documentation of the following:
    • Official sealed transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate programs attended
    • letter supporting one’s clinical expertise for at least one year’s experience in the Advanced Practice Role as a nurse practitioner (NP), certified nurse midwife (CNM), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), or nurse anesthetist (CRNA).
    • Three letters of recommendation from health professionals describing professional nursing experience in the role as an advanced practice nurse including leadership activities and/or scholarly achievements
    • A scholarly abstract of a completed project or academic paper (no more than 300 words).
    • A professional goal statement and that describes five career objectives in no more than 500 words.
    • Professional resume to include all institutions attended; professional work experience, certifications, supervised clinical practicum placements, CPR, scholarship, and professional activities or organizations as well as the selected population focus during the MS program of study. Include description of supervised clinical practice experiences, and the number of supervised hours in each clinical setting along with agency names and locations.
    • Registered nurse license in the state of residence.
    • Advanced practice licensure in the state of residence. TOEFL scores (if required for non-citizens of the United States of America per University Admission Policies)
    • Evidence of professional certification in the advanced practice role or eligibility to sit for the exam at the time of application to the program.
    • Evidence of prescriptive authority.
    • Optional: Post Master’s DNP applicants may elect to submit GRE scores as an additional source of supporting data to strengthen their application portfolio.
II. Dual Program - APRNs applying to BOTH the Post Master’s Certificate and the DNP Programs
The Dual Program is an option for students wishing to apply for both the Post Master’s Certificate program for NP Certification and the Post Master’s DNP program at the same time. This option allows for direct entry into the Post Master’s DNP program upon completion of the Post Master’s Certificate Programs as either an Adult (ANP), Gerontologic (AGNP) or a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP).
The applicant must submit the following information:
  • Evidence of Master of Science Degree in Nursing for certified practicing nurse practitioners in any of the following population focused APRN roles:
    • Women’s Health
    • Acute Care
    • Adult NP
    • Pediatric NP
    • Neonatal NP
    • Gerontology NP
    • Family Practice NP or
    • Psychiatric Mental Health NP
  • APRNs who are certified and practicing as:
    • Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
    • Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Students eligible for the Post Master’s DNP programs who wish to first obtain Postgraduate Certification as an NP in adult, gerontology or family practice must meet the criteria as listed in Section I, at the time of admission to the either the Post Master’s 12 or 21 credit option.
Upon completion of the Post Master’s certificate program, the graduate will need to provide evidence of successful completion the national certification exam as a Family or Adult and /or Gerontological Nurse Practitioner. Upon submission of successful exam results, the student may then continue on for the minimum 39 credit DNP degree without additional application fees. The following abbreviated application form must be submitted by the student along with written request to the graduate program director for admission to the DNP: http://media.umb.edu/admissionsform/.
The Program Director will provide the dual program applicant with a joint program of study following receipt of the admission deposit.
Post master’s DNP and Post Master’s NP applicants should indicate in their statement of interests and intent whether they are applying to the Family or Gerontology/Adult Nurse program of study 12 or 21-credit options.
The DNP program committee will determine if a personal interview by phone is required; the Chair of the Graduate Admissions Committee will inform applicants of their admission to the program.
The applicant must demonstrate all of the below:
  • A Master’s Degree in nursing from an NLNAC or CCNE approved graduate program in nursing.
  • A minimum cumulative GPA in undergraduate work of 2.75.
  • A minimum cumulative GPA in graduate work of 3.0and/or a B or better in all required nursing courses.
  • Evidence of grades of B or better in graduate level courses in Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pharmacology and Advanced Health Assessment completed within the last seven (7) years a prior course in Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse and evidence of course content in health promotion as required pre requisite courses.
  • A current unrestricted Massachusetts license in nursing or a current license in another state in which the student lives or is doing their clinical practicum.
  • Evidence of at least two years of professional nursing experience.
  • Evidence of clinical placement preceptor commitments (necessary to fulfill the clinical objectives for the post master’ certificate).
  • Evidence of national certifications or current eligibility to sit for the exam for advanced practice nursing specialty certification.
  • Evidence of clinical placements to be included in a 500 word essay describing clinical placements for the program and professional goals and time frame for the completing the program of study.
  • Professional resume to include professional work experience, all institutions attended;, certifications, supervised clinical practicum placements, CPR, scholarship, and professional activities or organizations.
III. APRNs completing the Post Master’s Certificate Program and continuing on to the DNP Program
APRNs completing the Post Master’s Certificate Program who wish to continue into the Post Master’s DNP Program may request admission during their last term of study but no later than the posted application date for the DNP program.
If the request of admission to the Post Master’s DNP Program occurs within two years of completing the Post Master’s Certificate Program at UMass Boston, no additional application fees or application is required. Send the request to the DNP Program Director. The following abbreviated application form must be completed by the student along with request to the graduate program director for admission to the DNP: http://media.umb.edu/admissionsform/.
Applicants should submit the following:
  • A letter of request to the DNP program committee.
  • A scholarly abstract of a completed project or academic paper (no more than 300 words).
  • A professional goal statement describing five (5) career objectives (no more than 500 words).
  • An updated resume indicating at least one year of clinical practice experience in the role of advanced practice nurse, a complete listing of all supervised clinical practice experiences during the MS or Post Master’s Certificate Programs, agencies, and supervised hours completed as well as the names of preceptors.
  • Submit letters of recommendation by a Post Master’s NP faculty and the Post Master’s Program Director that describes reliability, scholarship, and ability to pursue advanced doctoral education.
  • Submit the Post Master’s program transcript showing evidence of a 3.2 or better in academic standing at UMass Boston with no evidence of incomplete course work.
  • Evidence of national certification in the population focused Adult and or Gerontology or Family NP role.
IV. Non APRNs accepted into the Post Master’s Certificate who wish to continue on to the DNP Program
This option is for students applying to the 21-credit Post Master’s program of study who have a MS in Nursing but are not NPs, CNS, CNMWs or Nurse Anesthetists.
Applicants must submit the following:
  • Provide evidence of completion of the Post Master’s 21-credit NP program of study and all prerequisite courses not successfully completed with a grade of B or better as noted in above.
  • Obtain national certification as a NP in a the population focused Adult Gerontology or Family NP role and
  • Provide evidence of successful NP practice for a minimum of one year.
  • After successfully completed each of the above, the individual may then apply for admission to the 39-credit degree DNP program as outlined above in Section III.
Courses as a non-matriculated student in the DNP program may be completed during the first year of practice as an APRN.