Doctorate Degree (DNP) in
Nursing Practice

The NursingCAS application system opens September 15 for Fall enrollment, and June 15 for Spring enrollment.

The application fee is $80.00, payable through NursingCAS. For information on application fee waivers, visit the NursingCAS website. There is no additional application fee to the University of Kentucky College of Nursing.  Applicants to the DNP program must select one specialty in their application. 

Please upload the following with your application in NursingCAS:

• Current CV/Resume - You should have your current/updated Curriculum Vitae or resume in hand prior to beginning the application. This will provide you with needed information regarding prior schools attended, dates, prior employment and dates, etc. needed for the application. Applicants are required to upload current CV/resume. See sample format.
• Recommendations - You will need current contact information on each of your three references (full name, employer name and email address) before beginning the application. These individuals will be required to upload a letter of recommendation to NursingCAS.  References attesting to the applicant's expertise in nursing or health care are preferred from the following:
  1. A recently faculty advisor or nursing faculty member (doctorally prepared)
  2. A current supervisor
  3. No more than one peer 
     • Identifying your selected references and initiating the recommendation request is part of the NursingCAS application.  Hard copy or electronic versions of recommendations sent directly to the school will not be accepted
• Writing Sample - An example of scholarly written work completed within two years of application, related to nursing that demonstrates excellent writing skills and the ability to communicate clearly and logically. Examples of scholarly work include a formal research paper written for your BSN or MSN Program; a published article on a nursing issue; or a paper written on a nursing issue of interest to you.
• Personal Statement/Goal Statement - The mission of the University of Kentucky College of Nursing is to promote health and well-being through excellence in nursing education, research, practice and service while fostering diversity and inclusion. To support our mission, we strive to build a community that includes students of diverse backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and cultures.
  • Please write a one to two double-spaced page essay describing what you as a person would bring to our educational community, the advanced practice nursing profession, and the community you seek to serve.
  • Include your short- and long-term professional goals. Identify a system or population you are interested in working with and discuss a problem in that system/population that you wish to expand your knowledge on during your DNP program.
• Licensure - Applicants must upload copy of the State Board of Nursing validation of their current, unencumbered RN license(s), and APRN license if applicable. 
• Personal interview(s) are required.