Post-Baccalaureate DNP (BSN to DNP)

The TCU nursing post-baccalaureate DNP is a practice doctorate designed to prepare advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).

The following programs are offered:

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

A baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited school or university and evidence of current licensure is required for admission. All students are required to maintain current unencumbered licensure throughout the program.

The post-baccalaureate DNP degree may be completed in three years (36 months) or up to four years. The first year of the program is composed of didactic courses providing core knowledge and skills required for the doctorally prepared APRN. The second and third year of study focus on the didactic/clinical population focus courses, and fulfillment of practice and final project requirements.

All didactic coursework is offered online. Clinical practicum courses are supervised by TCU nursing faculty in concert with qualified preceptors. Generally, students complete their practicum courses in clinical settings located in their geographic area. If adequate practicum or preceptor resources are not available in the student's geographic area, practicum experiences are available in the Fort Worth area.

On campus requirements include a two-day orientation at the beginning of the program and participation in clinical training and skills assessments during On Campus Intensives (OCIs) scheduled throughout the program.

Admission Requirements

Only accepting students licensed and residing in Texas and New Mexico at this time.

Completed online application that includes:

One official transcript from all colleges and universities attended with a preferred cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) from the baccalaureate nursing program. (International transcripts should be sent with an evaluation from a transcript credentialing service.)

Resume or curriculum vita.

Personal statement-should demonstrate written communication skills, not be more than 2 pages double spaced and should address 1) specific personal, academic and/or professional strengths and/or accomplishments and how these qualify you as a strong candidate for the DNP program, and 2) why you are interested in a clinical doctorate from TCU, and 3) an overview of your proposed area of interest for your final scholarly project.

Three professional references (should be from a supervisor, previous faculty, or other professional reference)

BSN from an accredited school or university
Current unencumbered licensure in the state of Texas or the state in which practicum coursework will occur. *At this time, we are only accepting Texas and New Mexico residents for the CNS and NP programs.
Current CPR certification of American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Provider and immunization history that meets DFW Hospital Council requirements.
Applicants for whom English is a second language: a score of at least a 600 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and a score of 6 on the institutional version of the Tes of Spoken English (TSE) within the past two years.
Satisfactory completion of an interview
Work History

FNP, PMHNP and CNS: A preferred work history that includes one year of full-time experience or its equivalent as a registered nurse.

AGACNP: Required two years of full-time experience or the equivalent as a registered nurse in an emergency department or critical care setting.

Acceptable results from a drug screening test and a criminal background check within the 30 days prior to beginning practicum coursework. Screening tests and background checks must be completed by TCU Nursing approved vendors.

All submitted materials become the property of TCU.

If accepted, a $250 non-refundable deposit is due with a completed the Intent to Enroll form to hold your position. The $250 deposit will be applied to your student account after successful completion of your second semester.

Information about distance learning and state authorization reciprocity agreements (SARA) for your graduate nursing program can be found at cte.tcu.edu/distance-learning/resources-for-distance-learning-students.
State Boards of Nursing set standards for licensure. Some State Boards also require approval of programs leading to an advanced practice certification. It is highly recommended that students admitted to Post-Baccalaureate BSN to DNP, Masters, Post Master’s Certificate, and DNP programs at TCU contact their home state’s Board of Nursing to verify that the desired program and its graduates will meet the eligibility criteria for approval for those credentials. Be aware that state licensure requirements may change from time-to-time and that states may have conditions for licensure in addition to educational requirements. The following site contains links to state licensing boards in nursing https://www.ncsbn.org/contact-bon.htm.

Upon admissions, students must present satisfactory evidence of the following:

Immunizations:
- Tetanus/diphtheria (TD): Must have DTaP if the immunization is more than two years old.
- Measles: Those born since Jan. 1, 1957, must have two doses since 12 months of age. The doses must be at least 30 days apart.
- Mumps: Those born since Jan. 1, 1957, must have two doses since 12 months of age. The doses must be at least 30 days apart.
- Rubella: Those born since Jan. 1, 1957, must have two doses since 12 months of age. The doses must be at least 30 days apart.
- Hepatitis B: The completed three-dose series must be received before contact with clients in practica.
- Varicella (chickenpox): All practicum students must document evidence of immunity to varicella. This requirement may be met by either: 1) documentation of varicella immunization (immunization for adolescents and adults is a series of two doses 4-8 weeks apart); or 2) positive varicella titer.
- Annual seasonal and other recommended influenza vaccination or declination forms on file.
Current health insurance coverage.
Current certification of American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Provider.
Negative TB skin test (two-step method), Quanti-FERON-TB Gold Plus, or negative chest x-ray within the last 12 months (provided annually).

CPR and TB cannot expire at any point during the semester.

Transfer Credit

For BSN to DNP up to six approved transfer credit hours can be used to satisfy degree requirements but are not used in the calculation of the cumulative GPA.

Pass/No-Credit

Pass/no-credit courses are disregarded in the calculation of the student's GPA.