Eligibility & Admission

Application Deadlines

Fall 2025

  • Deadline: April 1, 2025
  • Classes Start: August 26, 2025
Apply Now
 

Eligibility

You must have a master's degree in nursing that meets the following criteria: 

  • Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or 
  • A graduate nurse anesthesia degree from a program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists or
  • A graduate nurse-midwifery degree from a program accredited by the American College of Nurse Midwives Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education.
  • A cumulative grade point average (GPA) from master’s-level nursing courses of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Documentation of an Evidence Based Practice (EBP) course on an official transcript. If you have not had an EBP course, you can still be fully admitted, but will be required to complete an EBP course prior to starting DNP course work. Gonzaga offers this course and it is available online.
  • Must have taken a 3 credit graduate-level inferential statistics or biostatistics course within the last 5 years with an earned grade of B or better. If you have not had a statistics course, or it does not fall within the time constraints, you can still be fully admitted, but you will be required to complete a statistics course prior to starting DNP course work. Gonzaga offers this course online.

A master’s degree in Nursing Education does not meet the eligibility requirements for this program. You would be eligible to apply to the Post-Baccalaureate Doctor of Nursing Practice program.

Application Requirements

If documents have been generated using artificial intelligence (AI), your application may be denied.

Official Transcripts

  • Submit one official transcript from each college or university attended.
  • Graduate nurse anesthesia degrees or graduate nurse-midwifery degrees will be accepted for CRNA or CNM applicants respectively.
  • If your cumulative GPA falls below a 3.3 please provide a GPA explanation
  • If you previously attended Gonzaga or are a current student, please note that GU transcripts are ordered by your admissions counselor on your behalf.
Official transcripts can be mailed or emailed to:
 Graduate Admissions Operations AD Box 102
502 E. Boone Avenue
Spokane, WA 99258-0068
gradtranscripts@gonzaga.edu

Three Recommendations

Your three references will be contacted directly by us via email with directions for submitting their letters of recommendation and an evaluation checklist on your behalf.

  • One recommendation must be from your immediate supervisor, who is the individual who completes your yearly performance evaluations and is able to evaluate professional practice, leadership, interpersonal skills, communication, critical thinking, and judgment.
  • The other two recommendations should be from professional colleagues who can evaluate your professional practice, leadership, interpersonal skills, communication, critical thinking, and judgment.
  • Recommendations from family members or friends are not accepted.

Scholarly Essay

Submit a 750 word essay that is well written, organized, and includes the following:

  • Describe your reasons for pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree and explain why Gonzaga University is the right fit for your goals.
  • Describe how you perceive a doctoral degree advancing your professional practice and aligning with your long-term career aspirations. How does having a doctoral degree help your commitment to advancing the nursing profession?
  • Identify a potential DNP project or topic that you are passionate about and explain why the issue is meaningful to you and how it impacts nursing practice.

Current Resume or Professional Curriculum Vitae

  • Provide an updated professional resume or curriculum vitae.

Current RN License

  • Provide proof of registered nurse license from a program accredited by CCNE, NLNAC, ACEN, CNEA and/or copy of current Advanced Practice license (if applicable).  Screenshot acceptable.

Current Advance Practice Certification

  • Provide a certificate in the area of advanced practice specialization from AANP or ANCC, or other certifying bodies related to advanced practice role ie. CNS, CNM, CRNA (if applicable).

Verification of practicum hours completed in MSN program

Verification Form

Download form and mail or email to:

Graduate Admissions Operations
AD Box 102
502 E. Boone Avenue
Spokane, WA 99258-0068
gradtranscripts@gonzaga.edu

Transferring Credits

You are able to petition to transfer up to 6 credits from an accredited doctoral program. 

Transferring of credits is subject to approval from faculty and the Registrar's Office.

Military-Connected Students and Veterans

  • Currently, all active-duty military members must have permission/approval from an Education Services Officer (ESO), Military Counselor, or the Military Service prior to applying.
  • For more information on how to apply for the GI Bill and related benefits, please visit the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs How to Apply page.
  • Visit Gonzaga’s Military & Veteran Students for more information regarding benefits and student support

Questions?
Contact: 

Meg Martens
Application Specialist
Call or Text: (509) 313-6243
Email: martens@gonzaga.edu 

Information is subject to change.