Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN - DNP): Family Nurse Practitioner
Partially Online
Overview
Illinois State University’s BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner sequence prepares you for an advanced practice role, with an emphasis on integrating preventative and self-care measures, as well as the diagnosis and management of commonly occurring acute and chronic health conditions. Throughout the program, you will participate in and use research, and learn about the implementation of health policy and about health education of individuals and groups. This sequence is renowned for providing an outstanding experience for students. Designed by doctoral-prepared faculty who still actively practice, the program mixes online and on-campus education to offer the flexibility you need and quality learning experiences that will take you to the top of your field. Our BSN-DNP program is special in many ways, but an added benefit is our students are eligible to sit for FNP certification and apply for licensure upon completion of FNP coursework mid-program, allowing you to practice as an APRN while finishing the remainder of your DNP coursework.
This application is now closed for the fall 2025 admission term, as the priority deadline has passed and target enrollment numbers have been met. Should additional space in the program become available, we welcome applications to the Fall 2025 FNP Waitlist. If you are interested in applying to the Fall 2025 FNP Waitlist, please contact Melissa Moody at mkmoody@ilstu.edu. The waitlist is for the fall 2025 term only. Applicants who are not admitted from the waitlist by July 15, 2025, should reapply for fall 2026 consideration; a new application and fee would be required.
Point of Pride
Mennonite College of Nursing's Family Nurse Practitioner program has had a 99% cumulative pass rate on the national certification exam since its founding.
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How to Apply
University Admission Requirements
A student applying to this program must:
- Have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so by the time of program matriculation.
- Submit unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. The unofficial transcript should be easily readable and clearly indicate degree(s) awarded, courses and course grades for each term.
- If admitted, official domestic transcripts can be emailed from the university to GraduateAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, Graduate School, 208 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 4040, Normal, IL 61790-4040.
- If admitted, official international transcripts can be emailed directly from the international institution to InternationalAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, International Admissions, Campus Box 6180, Normal, IL 61790-6180.
International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Graduate School Admission Requirements.
Additional Program Admission Requirements
Prior to enrolling in nursing coursework students must meet health and safety compliance requirements, to include drug testing, a criminal background check, a physical examination, and several immunizations. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in dismissal from the major.
International applicants must comply with the International Applicant Requirements as directed by the Illinois State University Office of Admissions. Please apply early in the application time frame to ensure adequate time to review transcripts.
To be considered for this program, you must meet the following requirements.
Bachelor's Degree
You must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
GPA
You must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 for the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework.
The Grade Point Average (GPA) of all undergraduate credentials earned in the United States that are used for graduate degree admission evaluation is calculated by the last 60 hours of undergraduate work. International credentials are evaluated by using cumulative GPA (CGPA) in lieu of the GPA from the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.
Coursework
Show evidence of satisfactory completion of statistics, nursing research, and physical assessment courses with a grade of a C or better at the baccalaureate level.
Resume
Submit your current resume.
Essay
Write a two to three-page, double-spaced essay that describes your educational and career goals.
Licensure
Submit a copy of your current, unencumbered RN license in from the state of Illinois.
Academic References
Include on the application the names and email addresses of at least two professional or academic references from persons qualified to assess your potential to succeed in the DNP program. At least one reference must be from a nursing faculty member from applicant's baccalaureate program or a master's prepared nurse. Your recommenders will receive instructions to complete and upload this reference form to the recommender site.
Credentials Evaluation Service Academic Report (International Students Only)
International applicants must submit to Mennonite College of Nursing a Credentials Evaluation Service Academic Report from CGFNS (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools) or WES (World Education Services). International applicants must comply with the International Applicant Requirements as directed by the Illinois State University Office of Admissions.
English Proficiency Scores (International Students Only)
International students applying to this program must have a TOEFL score of at least 79 iBT or IELTS score of 6.5 band. Due to limited on-campus courses, immigration documentation cannot be issued for students seeking F-1 or J-1 status.
Application Deadlines
- Fall Term — No longer accepting applications
Graduate Assistantships
The University provides graduate assistantships as a means of financial support. They are intended as a way to facilitate a student's progress to degree while providing important professional development.
Eligibility
To be eligible for an assistantship a student must, generally,
- be admitted unconditionally as a degree-seeking student into a graduate academic program, or have a minimum of 120 undergraduate hours if in an integrated degree program
- be in good-standing
- be enrolled full-time (typically at least 9 credit hours during the fall or spring semesters, or at least 6 hours during the summer session).
Benefits
Graduate assistants receive
- monthly wages paid in the form of either a stipend or an hourly wage
- a waiver for 100% of tuition during a semester of appointment
- a waiver for up to 12 credit hours of tuition for the summer term immediately following a fall or spring appointment
Costs & Funding
See Student Accounts for information on tuition and fees. Funding for graduate students is available from several different sources. Students who have been admitted from contiguous states including Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin will receive in-state tuition.
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