Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN - DNP): Leadership and Management
Fully Online
Overview
Illinois State University’s BSN to DNP – Leadership & Management sequence prepares nurses for leadership opportunities in the changing healthcare environment. You will build the skills necessary to assume leadership and management roles and to develop and implement health policy. Graduates work in a variety of roles in clinical, education, and administrative settings.
Our BSN to DNP is designed by doctorally-prepared faculty who still actively practice. Many of these practitioners started as ADNs and worked their way up the educational ladder to the top of their fields. They understand what it means to juggle multiple responsibilities, and they have built a program that allows you to balance work, school, family, and life.
And, in the case “life happens” our program has a built-in stop-out point allowing students to earn their MSN after completion of master’s level coursework.
Point of Pride
Nurses with DNP degrees report faster salary growth, more opportunities for promotion, and higher job satisfaction.
Advising
Emily McMahon
(309) 438-7400
Edwards 321
Schedule a Visit
Discover what life as a Illinois State graduate student is like with an Online Graduate Student Information Session.
How to Apply
University Admission Requirements
A student applying to this program must present 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 accepted, official transcripts can be emailed from the university to GraduateAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, Graduate School, 209 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 4040, Normal, IL 61790-4040.
International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting International Admissions.
Additional Program Admission Requirements
To be considered for this program, you must meet the following requirements.
GPA
You must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 for the last 30 hours of graduate or 60 hours of undergraduate coursework.
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 copies of your RN license in your state of residence.
Academic References
Include three professional or academic references from persons qualified to assess your potential to succeed in the DNP program.
Use the reference form as directed.
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 — July 1
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.