Doctor of Nursing Practice - Post BSN to DNP

Entrance requirements

All students applying for admission to the BSN to DNP program must have:

• All students applying for admission to the program must have:
  • Successful completion of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a regionally accredited nursing school
• Successful completion of a three credit undergraduate statistics course within five years of admission to the program. Please note- this is a prerequisite for NURS 540 - Evidence-Based Nursing Practice, which is taken the first term of the program. If you have not completed a three credit undergraduate statistics course within the last five years, you will need to complete this prior to the start term of the program.
• A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (science and undergraduate nursing GPA are appraised as part of the admissions process, 3.0 GPA in those areas are strongly encouraged for review)
• Current unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse in the USA, current CPR certification, and actively working in practice
• Certified Background Check with Castle Branch required upon acceptance
• GRE exams are not required
• The application deadline for fall admission is July 1
• Brief video introduction recorded and submitted through your Future Falcon application
• Provide a copy of your government-issued identification

Application / admission process

Submit an online application:

• Fall 2025 Entry: Students must apply online through NursingCAS
• Fall 2026 Entry: Student must apply online through Concordia

All students applying must submit:

• All official college transcripts leading to the bachelor's degree
• An essay that addresses the following topics:
  • Rationale for choosing a career in primary care
  • Career goals
  • Personal compatibility with the CUW mission
  • Plans for academic success, including time management, stress management, and professional communication
  • Any previous academic issues
• Professional resume
• Three letters of reference; two must be professional and/or academic and one must be from an individual who has worked with the applicant in a professional capacity and has a minimum of a master's degree.
• Applicants who have completed graduate level classes and wish to have them evaluated for transfer must submit these transcripts and the transfer credit form. GRE exams are not required. 

In addition to the Graduate Admission Requirements, there will be a pre-admission telephone interview.

The admission committee will review applications and forward recommendations to the Dean of the School of Nursing. After the recommendation for admission is approved, a formal letter of acceptance or denial is sent to the student.

Please note: in clinical experiences, students are required to work in healthcare systems or clinics, and must comply with any vaccination requirements of the clinical sites.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Concordia University Wisconsin is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (https://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Concordia's flexible, online BSN to DNP program consists of 70 credit hours, 1,008 practicum hours, and can be completed in three to four years. These are guides and estimates, your final progression plan will depend on course availablity.

Three year plan (fall start)
Four year plan (fall start)