Nursing

Nurse Anesthesia DNP Program Admissions

Application Deadline

The following timeline applies to the Spring 2025 start term.

Application Timeline
Application Step Date
Application Opens Aug. 15, 2023
Priority Consideration Deadline*
Nov. 1, 2023, for Part 1 and Dec. 1, 2023, for Part 2 and Graduate School Fee Submission
Part 1 Deadline (NursingCAS)
Dec. 1, 2023
Part 2 Deadline (Transcripts, GRE Scores & Recommendations)
Jan. 5, 2024
Graduate School Fee Due
Jan 12, 2024
Interviews April 5 and 6, 2024
Admission Decisions Released
End of April 2024

*Submitting your application by the priority consideration deadline ensures you will be considered for an interview. The application could close sooner than the final deadline, if enough qualified individuals apply.

As indicated above, letters of recommendation, official transcripts, GRE scores and English proficiency scores (for international applicants) do not need to be submitted at the same time as your initial NursingCAS application.

To receive updates on application deadlines and other information about the program, complete the Request Information form.

Eligibility Requirements

  • A current, active, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) licensure with no disciplinary action from any state in the U.S.
  • At least one year of full-time ICU experience as a registered nurse within the past two years by the time of the application deadline
    • Acceptable ICU settings include: adult (and pediatric intensive care units only. You are strongly advised to be currently working in the ICU at the time you apply. These units are not accepted as critical care experience: neonatal ICU, ICU step-down, operating room, post-anesthesia care unit, invasive radiology/cardiology or emergency room.
  • Current CCRN Certification
  • Current American Heart Association ACLS Provider Certification
  • Recommended: Experience serving on a committee for an intensive care unit, health care facility or professional nursing organization
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, or Doctor or Nursing Practice from an ACEN (formerly NLNAC) or CCNE accredited school of nursing
  • GPA calculated based on all higher education institutions (undergraduate and graduate combined). Students who do not meet the following recommended criteria are encouraged to retake courses before applying:
    • Overall GPA of at least 3.4 on a 4.0 scale. The average overall GPA for the most recent admitted class was 3.6 on a 4.0 scale.
    • Science GPA of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale. Science GPA is based on all courses in these subject areas from your undergraduate and graduate career. We do not use the comprehensive NursingCAS Course Subject Area calculation for science GPA.
      • All anatomy and physiology courses
      • All chemistry courses
      • All biology courses
      • All pathophysiology courses
      • All pharmacology courses
      • All physics courses
  • Prerequisites: Any undergraduate or graduate course with at least a B (3.0 on 4.0 scale) in the following subject areas:
    • Chemistry
    • Anatomy & Physiology
    • Pharmacology
    • Statistics
  • GRE scores from exam taken no more than 5 years prior to the application deadline, submitted to the University of Cincinnati, code 1833 (not to NursingCAS). Applicants who do not meet the recommended minimum scores are encouraged to retake the exam. The average GRE scores for the most recent incoming class was 154 Verbal, 153 quantitative, and 4.0 writing.
    • Recommended minimum GRE scores:
      • 150 Writing
      • 150 Quantitative
      • 4.0 Writing
      • Applicants with a master’s or doctorate in any field with an overall graduate GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale are eligible for a GRE waiver; however, you are encouraged to complete the exam, even if you are eligible for the waiver. Scoring well can make your application more competitive.
  • English proficiency scores. Waived for applicants who are from a country where English is the official language or who have completed a higher education degree in a country where English is the official language.
    • TOEFL score of 100 or higher
    • IELTS score of 7.0 or higher
    • Duolingo score of 120 or higher

Application Requirements

Part 1: NursingCAS Application — Due Dec. 1, 2023

All application materials, including transcripts, must be submitted to NursingCAS, not the University of Cincinnati.

1. In NursingCAS, upload:

  • Resume or CV
  • State verification of a current, active, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) licensure with no disciplinary action
  • Personal Statement (500-750 words)
  • CCRN certification, both adult and pediatric accepted
  • ACLS certification
  • Completed Shadowing Documentation Form (PDF)

2. Enter names and contact information for 3-6 references.

  • One reference MUST be from your current nurse manager. If you are a travel nurse or your current nurse manager is not able to provide a reference because of your length of employment, contact nursingbearcats@uc.edu with this information.

3. Enter completed coursework from your previous institution.

  • Enter your courses using an official or unofficial transcript, or use the Professional Transcript Entry (PTE) service (recommended for individuals applying close to the deadline). More information about PTE is included below under "Coursework Entry."

4. Complete all questions and experiences sections.

5. Submit the $80 NursingCAS application fee. This fee does not include the PTE fee (if you choose to use this service).

Note: Transcripts do not need to be received at NursingCAS, references do not need to be completed and PTE does not need to be completed for you to submit your NursingCAS application fee.

More Details

  • We strongly recommended you order transcripts at least one month prior to the application deadline.
  • Transcripts must verify a Bachelor of Science in Nursing conferred from a regionally and ACEN (formerly NLNAC) or CCNE accredited institution.
  • The Transcript Matching Form in the NursingCAS application is not required. This form helps ensure transcripts are matched to the correct application. If your previous institution allows you to use the form, we encourage you to do so.
  • List any former names in the "Biographic Information" portion of your NursingCAS application to ensure your transcript uploads properly.
  • International transcripts must be evaluated by World Education Services (WES) (preferred), or another NACES member.
  • You may use an official or unofficial transcript to complete your coursework entry in the NursingCAS system. You must enter all courses from every higher education institution attended.
  • Professional Transcript Entry (PTE) is an optional, paid service whereby a NursingCAS specialist enters coursework on an applicant's behalf.
    • PTE will not begin until all transcripts are received.
    • After PTE is complete, applicants receive an email prompting them to log in and approve the entry. The application verification process will not begin without approval of transcript entry.
  • Upload English Proficiency Scores to your NursingCAS application. Do not send scores to the University of Cincinnati. (This requirement is waived, if you have a U.S. higher education degree or were born in a country where English is the first language.)
    • TOEFL
      • Internet-based TOEFL – 100 or higher
      • Computer-based TOEFL – 250 or higher
      • Paper-based TOEFL – 600-603
    • IELTS – 7.0 overall minimum
    • Duolingo - 120 or higher

International applicants are responsible for ensuring that their visa status meets program requirements and that online course requirements adhere to sponsored funding requirements. For additional information, visit the UC Graduate School International Student Admissions website.

Part 2: Transcripts, GRE & Recommendations — Due Jan. 5, 2024

The following items must be in to meet the Part 2 deadline:

  • Official transcripts from all schools previously attended attached to your NursingCAS application
  • A minimum of three completed references (letter uploaded & Likert scale evaluation completed) complete in NursingCAS
  • GRE scores submitted to the University of Cincinnati, code 1833 (not to NursingCAS)
  • English proficiency scores (required for some international applicants) either at the UC Graduate School or in NursingCAS

Part 3: UC Graduate School Fee — Due Jan. 16, 2024

Once your NursingCAS application reaches verified status, you will receive an email with a link to apply to the UC Graduate School. This application includes a separate $65 submission fee.

Part 4: Interview — April 5 and 6, 2024

Qualified applicants will be invited to participate in a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) process and faculty panel interview. Details and a timeline for these components will be provided at the time of invitation. Interviews will take place April 5 and 6, following the completion of the previous application steps. Admission decisions are typically released by the end of April.

Requirements upon Acceptance

  • Accepted students must pay a $1,000 non-refundable, non-transferable matriculation fee, which will be credited to the first semester's tuition bill.
  • Current American Heart Association ACLS and PALS certification
  • Current TB test and immunizations, as required by the university and clinical sites
  • A laptop with Internet access
  • A Verizon cell phone with text messaging capabilities for use in University of Cincinnati Medical Center (Verizon is the only carrier that provides reliable service in UCMC.)
  • iPad or iPad Mini with 128 GB of memory for DNP core courses