Doctor of Nursing Practice Program (DrNP): BSN-DrNP Program

Drexel has started a BSN-to-DrNP Program effective Fall 2006. The BSN-to-DrNP program requires a minimum of 90 quarter credit hours. Admitted students must first complete 30 quarter hours in the MSN Program with a minimum GPA of 3.25 and then they can matriculate into the DrNP program. I have detailed the admission requirements below. All the admissions requirements on our website apply with the following changes:

NOTE: If you are a current Drexel undergraduate nursing student you may qualify for the BSN-to-DrNP Program under our new Early Assurance Program – see details at the bottom of this web page.

PLEASE NOTIFY ANNA POHULY, BA Program Coordinator (ap469@drexel.edu) as soon as you have begun the formal online application process. This is essential for our tracking your application to ensure that you get the highest quality of customer service and the appropriate tracking of your application.

Admission Requirements:

1. Complete the Drexel Online Application
2. Copies of any nursing license(s)
3. Official copies of transcripts from all institutions attended and degrees awarded
4. GRE scores of 1200 combined (verbal and quantitative) and a minimal score of 4.0 on the GRE-Analytical Writing (GRE-AW) score. Highly qualified students with combined verbal and quantitative GRE scores of 1000-1199 may be admitted if the GRE-Analytical Writing score is 4.5 or higher
5. A writing sample - preferably a previously graded writing sample.
6. A current curriculum vitae
7. Three recommendations: two from previous nursing faculty and one employer attesting to your potential to become a nursing professor
8. A 2-3 page written statement on: A) why you want to pursue the Drexel Doctor of Nursing Practice Program; B) what clinical nursing phenomena are you most interested in; and C) why you have selected the specific track (Educator, Practitioner, Clinical Executive or Clinical Scientist). You do not have to do the other essay on the online application.
9. An undergraduate course in statistics is required. You will take a master's course in biostatistics as part of your program.
10. Forms required for BSN-to-DrNP students include: http://www.drexel.edu/cnhp/drnp_program/forms.asp Form A, C, E and Checklist Form only.

New Guidelines:

• An MSN is not required.
• At least two years of full-time clinical experience is preferred at the time of application, although each applicant's clinical experience will be evaluated individually.
• You must take 30 quarter credits at the MSN level (including the core) with an overall 3.25 GPA before you can then begin taking doctoral courses.
• Once 30 quarters are completed with a 3.25 GPA the student may be eligible to serve as a Teaching Assistant
• You must complete a total of 90 quarter credits (including a minimum of 48 quarter credit hours at the doctoral level) to graduate.
• Once you have begun your first doctoral course you must attend the annual summer residency until graduation.
• You may choose to complete the MSN along the way to your DrNP, but it is not required.
• Once you have been admitted into the BSN-to-DrNP program you have 7 years to complete your DrNP degree. Once you matriculate in your first DrNP course, you must follow the DrNP curriculum plan of study of that Cohort or Alternate Cohort. All BSN-to-DrNP students must adhere to all prerequisites in the program. Most DrNP students will complete the 30 MSN credits in 1-2 years and then complete the DrNP coursework in 3 or 4 years. The total time for the DrNP degree will typically range from 4-6 years.
• We also recommend you complete clinical certification in your specialty area by the time you complete your doctorate.

The Drexel BSN-to-DrNP Program will receive applications to this new program 4 times a year since all students have to first complete 30 quarter hours of MSN coursework. Doctoral study can only begin each Fall. Applications must be completed and received in full by each deadline for the application to be reviewed for admission the following quarter. Those annual deadlines are as follows:

• For Spring Term 2008 - postmark deadline Saturday November 17, 2007
• For Summer Term 2008 - postmark deadline Friday, February 22, 2008
• For Fall Term 2008 - postmark deadline Wednesday, May 7, 2008
• For Winter Term 2009 - postmark deadline Thursday August 7, 2008

Please go to our website to review all the program materials and read articles about our unique and innovative DrNP Program. http://www.drexel.edu/cnhp/drnp_program/about.asp

There is a severe nursing faculty shortage in the United States and the nursing professoriate desperately needs a critical supply of ‘the next generation of nursing professors.’ Last year over 35,000 qualified nursing students were denied admission to nursing school because they weren’t available nursing faculty to teach them. So I ask you, might you be the next Dr………? We think our clinical research Doctor of Nursing Practice (DrNP) program will give you more options than a DNP degree, so we ask you to consider our innovative program.

BSN-to-DrNP Early Assurance Program
for Drexel Nursing Students:

This exciting program allows qualified nursing students enrolled in Drexel’s BSN Co-op, BSN ACE and RN/BSN programs to receive early admission into the doctor of nursing practice program (DrNP). It is likely that students who enroll directly post-BSN will skip the Master’s degree (this is a new trend in nursing - to skip the MSN) and go directly for the doctorate – although it is definitely possible to complete the Master’s degree along the way to the doctorate if the student desires this.

This program starts Fall 2007. For information please contact the Director of Doctoral Nursing Programs – Dr. H. Michael Dreher hd26@drexel.edu.

The Program Coordinator for the DrNP Program
is Anna Pohuly: 215-762-2651 or ap469@drexel.edu.


Please go to the Drexel DrNP website for more program details: http://www.drexel.edu/cnhp/drnp_program/about.asp

Download Printable Copy

Please send all applications materials to the following address:

Drexel University
Health Sciences Admissions
BSN to DrNP Program
3141 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA, 19104.

If you have any questions please contact Anna Pohuly, BS, Program Coordinator (ap469@drexel.edu) or 215-762-2651) or myself at hd26@drexel.edu

We look forward to seeing you in a future DrNP class!

Sincerely,

H. Michael Dreher D.N.Sc., RN
Director of Doctoral Nursing Programs
Drexel University