Program Details

Nursing – Doctor of Nurse Practice (DNP) Population Health & Systems Leadership

Basic Information

Degree Information

Admission Requirements and Contact Information

• An in-process or earned bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing from a nursing program that is accredited by a national accrediting body recognized by the US Department of Education (e.g., CCNE, NLN, ACEN).  A nursing degree must be completed prior to beginning your program of study. 
• A minimum 3.0 GPA for the last 60 semester/90 quarter graded college/university credits 
• Completion of a graded, for-credit basic course in descriptive and inferential statistics (three credits/one quarter):
  •  Autumn 2027 start: completed between January 2022 and September 2027
• Meet Policy 4.1: Essential Qualificiations & Behaviors
• Have an active, unrestricted Washington state or Compact State RN license by the time you begin your program of study
  • If you hold an ARNP license, that must also be active and unrestricted in Washington state
  • International applicants must have an active, unrestricted U.S. RN license at the time of application; if you hold an ARNP license, that must also be an active, unrestricted U.S. license
• If your native language is not English, proof of proficiency in English (including spoken English)

Letters of Recommendation

Designate your recommenders online. They will receive an email requesting that they complete an online recommendation form. If your recommenders do not use email, contact the UW School of Nursing as soon as possible: 206.543.8736, asknursing@uw.edu.  

You must have three letters of recommendation:  

1. One academic, from a nursing instructor or professor, clinical instructor or preceptor. If you have been out of school for a long time, consider choosing someone who understands the rigors of a graduate nursing program and can speak to your potential to succeed in one.

2. One clinical, from a current clinical supervisor, clinical instructor, or clinical preceptor who oversaw your hands-on healthcare experience and can speak specifically to your ability to function in your chosen role. This person should ideally be an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). If not, a Physician Assistant, physician, or RN with exposure to the advanced practice role is also appropriate.

3. One academic, clinical, or community recommendation.

Guidelines  

1. Recommendations should reflect contact with you within the last five years. 

2. Additional letters of recommendation will not be considered.  

3. Family members or friends are NOT eligible to write letters of recommendation.  

What Recommenders Will Be Asked

Brief your recommenders ahead of time. They will be sent an email asking them to address the following:

1. How long have you known this applicant and in what capacity?  

2. What group are you using as a basis for comparison? For example, other nurses you know who have gone on to graduate school, all undergraduate students you have taught, or other nurses on your unit.

3. Admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Washington is (select one):

•  Strongly recommended  
• Recommended  
• Recommended with reservations  
• Not recommended  
• Unable to respond  

Recommenders will then rate the applicant on the following criteria, ranging from Below Average (lower 50%) to Truly Exceptional:

• Overall academic ability, including analytical skills and conceptual thinking ability  
• Practice inquiry ability or potential  
• Oral and written communication skills  
• Clinical nursing competence  
• Leadership ability or potential  
• Acceptance and use of constructive feedback, including self-reflection
• Integrity and trustworthiness
• Awareness of how social determinants and systemic factors affect patient outcomes

Finally, recommenders will respond to the following open-ended prompts:

• If desired, elaborate on any of your criteria ratings above.
  Describe the applicant's awareness of how social and systemic factors affect the patients and communities they have worked with, and how this has influenced their practice.
• Describe what you view as the applicant's attributes that demonstrate their potential for contributing to nursing and health care through the role they are seeking.
• Describe what you view as this applicant's major strengths for completing the DNP program.
• Describe any concerns or reservations you have about this applicant's ability to complete the program or to perform in the role they are seeking.

In addition to submitting official test scores per Graduate School Policy 3.2, applicants can meet the English proficiency requirements if they:  

• have received a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. or an institution in an approved country, OR  

• can provide official documentation from the institution verifying the applicant's undergraduate degree is from an institution where all instruction was in English  

We require minimum English test scores to ensure a student's success during clinical placements.  

For information about required minimum English test scores, visit the International Applicants page of the DNP track you are applying to.  

If you do not have a minimum test score in each category, you cannot apply to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program.  

Self-report your scores in your online application and request to send official English proficiency scores to the University of Washington (UW Institution Code: 4854).

If you attended a college or university outside of the U.S., upload a transcript translated into English to your application.  

You must also submit a detailed credential/transcript evaluation for each non-U.S. post-secondary institution attended, which shows both U.S. credential equivalency and equivalent credits and grades for each course. For instructions, visit the International Applicants page of the DNP track you are applying to.  

Program Deadlines

Application Materials