Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Admission Requirements

 We are currently accepting applications for the Fall 2012 cohort!  Please note: the application deadline for the Fall 2012 cohort will be April 17, 2012

  • Online Application without fee: apply.chatham.edu/ccps/
  • Official Academic Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
  • Applicant must have completed Master of Science in Nursing degree - G.P.A. of 3.0 or greater on a 4.0 scale
  • Copy of Resume or Curriculum Vitae
  • Copy of current RN license
  • Two letters of professional recommendation addressing the candidate’s strengths, and ability to succeed in the program – Optional Recommendation form available for download here
  • Admissions essay:
    Can be mailed or emailed as a Word document to dvey@chatham.edu. Requirements for the essay:  “Describe your area of interest (e.g. advanced clinical practice, administration, education, etc.) and a potential clinical problem that you plan to focus on as your identified topic in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program of study.  Include why you are interested in this problem, why it is relevant for the current society, why it potentially warrants practice change, and how it is relevant to the role of the DNP graduate.  The essay should be around 500 words.”
  • Documentation of Clinical Experience:
    • As the DNP degree is a clinical doctorate, the 1000 post-baccalaureate clinical hour requirement as stated in The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (AACN, 2006) must be strictly adhered to and the hours must be completed in a healthcare setting prior to degree conferral.  Since Chatham’s program is a post-masters DNP program, Chatham requires that each applicant provides sufficient and accurate evidence of the completion of 500 supervised hours achieved post-baccalaureate, and already completed upon entering into Chatham’s DNP program.  While enrolled in the DNP program, the remaining 500 supervised hours will be completed.  Applicants that have earned an advanced practice certification (e.g. NP, CRNA, CNS, and CNM) must provide a copy of their current national certification as evidence of having completed 500 supervised clinical hours since completing a baccalaureate nursing education program.  Applicants who have not yet earned an advanced practice certification must provide a thorough description of the supervised clinical/practicum hours completed while enrolled in an NP, CRNA, CNS, or CNM program as validated by an official transcript.  Acceptable descriptions include 1) Course syllabi that demonstrate the number of clinical hours required in each course, 2) Official clinical logs which record the clinical hours in each course, 3) An official letter from the Master’s program director, and 4) An official letter from the mentor who supervised the required clinical hours.
    • Although we welcome all other strong applicants, those applicants that do not have a certification or did not have 500 clinical practicum hours in their Masters Program, must provide evidence of 500 hours in the form of a professional portfolio describing relevant, supervised clinical projects outside of the normal scope of work hours/responsibilities as validated in writing by a supervisor (usually in the form of a letter with original signature).
    • Copies of time cards, job description, activities completed as part of their position, or proof of employment does not serve as sufficient evidence.  Hours associated with the provision of clinical education, such as in the supervision of nursing students on a clinical unit, cannot be accepted as sufficient evidence.  Examples of project documents are welcome as well as any other supporting documentation that helps the admission committee understand why the applicant’s portfolio should be considered as appropriate evidence for the required 500 supervised hours.
  • Personal interview may be requested

Admissions Materials may be submitted to:

Chatham University

College for Continuing and Professional Studies

Woodland Road

Pittsburgh, PA 15232

Fax: (412) 365-1720

Email: dvey@chatham.edu

Explanation of Evidence-Based Practice

When preparing your admissions materials, all applicants should keep in mind the role of Evidence-Based Practice within the scope of the DNP. For a better explanation, view this video presentation by Dr. Elizabeth Gazza, director of Chatham's nursing programs.

Any questions please contact:

David Vey
Admission Support Specialist
412-365-1498
dvey@chatham.edu