Doctor of Nursing Practice

Graduate School of Nursing

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USU's Graduate School of Nursing was established in 1993 with the Family Nurse Practitioner Program. Since then, it has grown in size and scope. Now, the GSN has four Master of Science in Nursing programs, three Doctor of Nursing Practice programs and a Doctor of Philosophy program.

GSN Nurse Anesthesia

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Application Form and Supporting Documents

Download the Doctor of Nursing Program Application, complete each section and email/mail it to the Registrar's Office in USU's Graduate School of Nursing by August 15.

Complete the Application Checklist to ensure all necessary documentation is submitted with your application.

GSN Registrar Contact: Terry Malavakis.

Admission into the USU Graduate School of Nursing is competitive. The admissions process takes into consideration all application materials when evaluating an applicant. It also reserves the right to require additional materials. Students who do not meet the minimum recommended requirements in all areas may be considered on an individual basis.

Admission Criteria (RNA Program Option)

  • Must be a commissioned officer or service sponsored civilian in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy or Public Health Service with an earned Bachelor's or Master's Degree with a concentration in Nursing
  • Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
  • Undergraduate Science GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
  • If applicable, Graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
  • Prerequisites (grade of B or higher):
  • Undergraduate or graduate level biochemistry course within 5 years of application
  • Undergraduate or graduate level statistics course
  • At least one year of experience as a RN in a critical care setting in a military or civilian hospital. Critical care experience must be obtained in a critical care area within the United States, its territories, or a US military hospital outside of the United States. During this experience, the registered professional nurse is to have developed critical decision-making and psychomotor skills, competency in patient assessment, and the ability to use and interpret advanced monitoring techniques. A critical care area is defined as one where, on a routine basis, the registered professional nurse manages one or more of the following: invasive hemodynamic monitors (such as pulmonary artery catheter, CVP, arterial); cardiac assist devices; mechanical ventilation; and vasoactive infusions.  Examples of critical care areas may include but are not limited to: Surgical Intensive Care, Pediatric Intensive Care, and Neonatal Intensive Care.  Those who have experiences in other areas may be considered provided they can demonstrate competence with managing unstable patients, invasive monitoring, ventilators, and critical care pharmacology. For example a military nurse who worked in ICU at military hospital for 6 months and then deployed to Kandahar and worked critical care or trauma for 7 months may possess the necessary 1 year experience requirement  to apply. 
  • Competitive GRE scores
  • Three letters of recommendation with an unconditional endorsement of the applicant for admission
  • Evidence-based writing requirement using APA format
  • Current unrestricted nursing license
  • Original transcripts
  • Current curriculum vitae
  • Current Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certifications
  • All applicants will be required to complete an interview with program faculty
  • The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) approved the DNP for USU's Nurse Anesthesia program. Nurse anesthesia students matriculating in May of 2013 and after will enter the DNP program. The Nurse Anesthesia program is accredited to offer a MSN and DNP by the COA. The address for the COA is 222 Prospect Avenue, Park Ridge, IL, 60068. The COA phone number is (847) 655-1160, and their e-mail address is accreditation@coa.us.com. COA website. The nurse anesthesia program received a 10 year accreditation in October 2013.
  • Final acceptance is contingent upon approval of the sponsoring agency or service

Admission Criteria (FNP & WHNP Program Option)

  • Must be a commissioned officer or service sponsored civilian in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy or Public Health Service with an earned Bachelor's or Master's Degree with a concentration in Nursing
  • Undergraduate GPA of 2.7 or higher on a 4.0 scale
  • Undergraduate Science GPA of 2.7 or higher on a 4.0 scale
  • If applicable, Graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
  • Grade of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better in an undergraduate or graduate level science course (Pathophysiology, Physiology, or Biochemistry) within the past 5 years from an accredited university
  • Competitive GRE scores
  • Three letters of recommendation with unconditional endorsements of the applicant for admission
    1. one from the chief nurse
    2. one from an immediate supervisor
    3. one from a Nurse Practitioner who can assess the applicants potential for success
  • Evidence-based writing requirement using APA format
  • Current unrestricted nursing license
  • Original transcripts
  • Current curriculum vitae
  • Current Basic Life Support Certification (BLS)
  • Final acceptance is contingent upon approval of the sponsoring agency or service

Admission Criteria (PMHNP Program Option)

  • Must be a commissioned officer or service sponsored civilian in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy or Public Health Service with an earned Bachelor's or Master's Degree with a concentration in Nursing
  • Undergraduate GPA of 2.7 or higher on a 4.0 scale
  • Undergraduate Science GPA of 2.7 or higher on a 4.0 scale
  • If applicable, Graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
  • Grade of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better in an undergraduate or graduate level science course (Pathophysiology, Physiology, or Biochemistry) within the past 5 years from an accredited university
  • Competitive GRE scores
  • Three letters of recommendation with an unconditional endorsement of the applicant for admission
  • Evidence-based writing requirement using APA format
  • Current unrestricted nursing license
  • Original transcripts
  • Current curriculum vitae
  • Current Basic Life Support Certification (BLS)
  • Two years of experience in a behavioral health setting preferred but not required
  • All applicants will be required to complete an interview with program faculty
  • Final acceptance is contingent upon approval of the sponsoring agency or service

Admission Criteria (AGCNS Program Option)

  • Must be a commissioned officer or service sponsored civilian in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy or Public Health Service with an earned Bachelor's or Master's Degree with a concentration in Nursing
  • Undergraduate GPA of 2.7 or higher on a 4.0 scale
  • Undergraduate Science GPA of 2.7 or higher on a 4.0 scale
  • If applicable, Graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
  • Grade of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better in an undergraduate or graduate level science course (Pathophysiology, Physiology, or Biochemistry) within the past 5 years from an accredited university
  • Competitive GRE scores
  • Three letters of recommendation with unconditional endorsements of the applicant for admission
    1. one from the chief nurse
    2. one from an immediate supervisor
    3. one from an advanced practice nurse working in the specialty area that you are applying for who can speak to your clinical experience and future potential
  • Evidence-based writing requirement using APA format
  • Current unrestricted nursing license
  • Original transcripts
  • Current curriculum vitae
  • Current Basic Life Support Certification (BLS)
  • Final acceptance is contingent upon approval of the sponsoring agency or service