BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Earn your DNP through a direct pathway designed for bachelor’s-prepared nurses seeking advanced clinical expertise and leadership skills.
Program overview
The BSN to DNP program offers a direct path for bachelor’s-prepared nurses to earn a DNP and become leaders in advanced clinical care. Our program prepares you to reach the highest level of practice through advanced clinical skills and leadership development. We offer 10 specialities, allowing you to tailor your education to align with your career goals.
At Ohio State, you’ll train with expert faculty and gain hands-on clinical experience across diverse care settings, including community-based practices and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. You’ll build the skills to deliver patient-centered care and lead in evolving healthcare environments.
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79-92 credit hours
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3-4 years
Eligibility requirements
- Bachelor of Science (BSN) or a Master of Science in Nursing from a program accredited through the CCNE, ACEN or CNEA
- Your degree must be conferred by Aug. 1, prior to beginning enrollment in the BSN-to-DNP program
- International applicants must hold the equivalent BSN degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution. All transcripts must undergo a course-by-course credential evaluation by an approved evaluation agency to verify program equivalency and calculate a GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Active, unencumbered RN license in the state where you practice
- You may apply before receiving your RN license, but must be in possession of a current, unencumbered RN license by Aug. 1
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in the most recent relevant degree
- Applicants with lower GPAs may still be considered
- Completed statistics prerequisite course with a B- or higher
- Minimum of one year of full-time critical care experience (or part-time equivalent) as a registered nurse, completed within the past two years.
- Experience must be in a critical care setting in the United States, its territories, or a U.S. military hospital abroad.
- Applicants must demonstrate independent decision-making skills and the ability to manage unstable patients using advanced monitoring techniques, based on physiological and pharmacological knowledge.
- Qualifying experience includes management of invasive hemodynamic monitoring (e.g., pulmonary artery, central venous pressure, arterial catheters), mechanical ventilation, cardiac assist devices, and vasoactive infusions.
- Critical care areas include settings where these skills are routinely applied. Applicants with other experience may be considered if they can demonstrate equivalent competencies.
Requirements align with accreditation standards for nurse anesthesia programs.
Prerequisite requirements
- Complete an undergraduate or graduate statistics course before the application deadline for admission consideration
- Earn a grade of B- or higher is required
- Courses that are in progress at the time of the deadline do not meet this requirement
- Credit by examination (such as AP test scores) cannot be used to fulfill this requirement
- Pass/fail courses are not accepted
- Completed the course within five years of the application deadline
- This includes the full calendar year in which the course was taken
The prerequisite statistics course should include:
- A review of basic statistical concepts
- A review of univariate statistical analysis
- A review of bivariate statistical analysis
- An overview of commonly used statistical tests
Prerequisite coursework may be completed at Ohio State during a bachelor’s program or as a non-degree student. To take undergraduate courses outside of a degree program, you must first apply as an extended education student.
The following Ohio State courses fulfill the prerequisite course requirement:
- PSYCH 2220 Data Analysis in Psychology
- PSYCH 3321 Quantitative and Statistical Methods
- PUBHIBO 6210 Applied Biostatistics I
- STATISTICS 1350 Elementary Statistics
- STATISTICS 1450 Introduction to the Practice of
- Statistics STATISTICS 2450 Introduction to Statistical Analysis
Use Transferology and Ohio State equivalency tools to determine if your coursework meets requirements.
If you cannot find an equivalent course, you must request a course evaluation through Graduate and Professional Admissions.
Course evaluation
- Email ESUE-gpevaluation@osu.edu
- State that you are submitting courses for the DNP program
- Provide the following
- Course number and title
- Institution
- Term completed
- Credit hours
- Course description (from the institution's course catalog)
Course evaluations may take several weeks and may require additional documentation.
Learn more about resolving transfer credit.
We offer 10 specialty tracks in the BSN-to-DNP program. You must select one specialty when you apply.
Online only
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Anesthesia (clinical placements in Ohio)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
On campus only
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse-Midwifery
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Online or on campus
- Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Delivery format and clinical requirements vary by specialty. See the curriculum tab for details.
Online program availability varies by state. View state authorization requirements and disclosures related to online programs and state licensing board contact information.
Time to degree
- 3 years full-time
- 4 years part-time, including summers
Credit hours
- 79-92, depending on your specialty
Delivery format
- Complete core coursework online
- Complete specialty coursework based on your track
- On-campus specialties:
- Attend in-person classes in Columbus, often weekly
- Online specialties:
- Participate in synchronous online classes if enrolled in an online specialty
- Attend prescheduled on-campus sessions for skills training and simulation, if required
Clinical education
- Complete two to six semesters of clinical coursework, depending on your specialty
- Complete clinical experiences near your home when possible
- Train with preceptors across Ohio and in authorized states
- Nurse Anesthesia: Complete all clinical placements in Ohio
Program structure
- Complete core and specialty courses in the first phase of the program required for advanced practice certification
- Earn a Master of Science in Nursing after the first phase (except Nurse Anesthesia students)
- Complete DNP immersion experiences in the final phase
- Complete a scholarly project in the final phase
Sample schedules
Year 1
Autumn
- Pathophysiology (5 credits)
- Evidence-based Practice (2 credits)
- Quality Improvement (2 credits)
- Methods and Measurements (2 credits)
- Professional Seminar (1 credit)
- Health Promotion, Theory and Population Health (2 credits)
- MINDSTRONG (1 credit)
Spring
- Health Assessment (4 credits)
- Pharmacology (4 credits)
- Implementation of Evidence-based Practice (2 credits)
- Health Informatics (2 credits)
- Leadership (3 credits)
Summer
- Clinical (5-9 credits)
- Clinical Reasoning and Diagnostic Methods (2 credits)
- Policy (2 credits)
Year 2
Autumn
- Clinical (9-11 credits)
- Healthcare Economics and Finance (2 credits)
Spring
- Clinical (9-10.5 credits)
- System Application I (2 credits)
- Final Seminar (1 credit)
Summer
- Scholarly Writing (1 credit)
- Systems Application II (3 credits)
Year 3
Autumn
- Systems Application III (4 credits)
- Final Project (1 credit)
Spring
- Systems Application IV (4 credits)
- Final Project (1 credit)
Year 1
Autumn
- Evidence-based Practice (2 credits)
- Quality Improvement (2 credits)
- Methods and Measurements (2 credits)
- Professional Seminar (1 credit)
Spring
- MINDSTRONG (1 credit)
- Implementation of Evidence-based Practice (2 credits)
- Policy (2 credits)
- Health Promotion, Theory and Population Health (2 credits)
Summer
- Health Informatics (2 credits)
- Leadership (3 credits)
Year 2
Autumn
- Pathophysiology (5 credits)
- Healthcare Economics and Finance (2 credits)
Spring
- Health Assessment (4 credits)
- Pharmacology (4 credits)
Summer
- Clinical (5-9 credits)
- Clinical Reasoning and Diagnostic Methods (2 credits)
Year 3
Autumn
- Clinical (9-11 credits)
- Specialty coursework
Spring
- Clinical (9-10.5 credits)
- Systems Application I (2 credits)
- Seminar (1 credit)
Summer
- Scholarly Writing (1 credit)
- Systems Application II (3 credits)
Year 4
Autumn
- Systems Application III (4 credits)
- Final project (1 credit)
Spring
- Systems Application IV (4 credits)
- Final project (1 credit)
This program has two rounds of applications. Nurse Anesthesia applications are only accepted during round one.
Track your application status via the Applicant Center. Allow up to five business days for material statuses to update. Graduate transfer applicants can check their status by emailing nursing@osu.edu.
- Deadline
- Submit your application and all required materials by the posted deadline.
- A limited number of DNP applicants to the Nurse Anesthesia specialty track will be offered a second-round interview and move forward with the admission process.
- Decision
- Round 1: Early December
- Round 2: Late April
- You will be notified through your Applicant Center and/or by email from the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions.
- Accept offer
- Round 1: Four weeks post decision
- Round 2: Two weeks post decision
- Students who do not respond to their offer of admission by the deadline will have their offer cancelled.
How to apply
- Submit an online application
- Pay the $60 application fee at the time of submission
- Indicate your specialty
- Specify your attendance
- full-time or part-time
- on campus or online
Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities you’ve attended at the undergraduate and graduate levels. This includes coursework taken in high school that appears as transfer credit. Ohio State transcripts are not required.
- Official transcripts must be sent directly by the institution via mail or electronic transfer:
- Email: gpadocs@osu.edu
- Mail:
The Ohio State University
Graduate Admissions Office
P.O. Box 182004
Columbus, OH 43218-2004
- You may upload a copy of an official transcript with your application; these are considered unofficial but sufficient for application review.
- Web-based grade reports or other online documents are not acceptable. If admitted, official transcripts must be sent directly from your institution(s).
- For questions or details, contact the Graduate and Professional Admissions Office at 614-292-9444 or gpadmissions@osu.edu.
- Format your resume or CV as you would for a job application.
- Include education, professional experience, community service, volunteer work, publications, presentations, research, and leadership activities.
- Submit your document with your application via the admissions uploader.
- Upload a statement describing your professional experience, career goals and alignment with the goals of the DNP program.
- Keep your statement no longer than three double-spaced pages.
- The statement should demonstrate your writing skills and show alignment between your goals and those of the program.
- Address the following:
- What advanced practice specialty are you selecting and why? Include rationale for selecting the specialty and how becoming advanced practice certified in the chosen specialty will assist you in achieving your professional and educational goals.
- What specifically are your academic and career goals for which the DNP program will prepare you best?
- How have your life experiences prepared you for being a doctoral-prepared nurse?
- Why are you seeking education in the DNP program at this time in your career?
- Complete a recorded online interview through HireVue after submitting your application.
- The interview includes questions about your interests and goals in nursing and the DNP program.
- You may complete the interview at any time during the application window, but it must be completed before the application deadline.
- Provide the names and email addresses of three individuals who can speak to your clinical and leadership abilities.
- After you submit your application, recommenders will receive an email with a link and instructions to upload their letters.
- Submit your application early so recommenders have enough time to respond.
- Letters should come from people familiar with your academic ability, professional experience, and potential for graduate study.
- Give your recommenders your intended degree, specialty, and purpose and goals statement.
- Letters should address your potential for success in a rigorous graduate program and why they believe you would excel as an advanced practice nurse in your chosen specialty.
If you completed the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree or higher at an institution outside of the United States, you must submit a course-by-course credential evaluation that verifies U.S. degree equivalency and includes a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale.
The evaluation must be completed by an approved credential evaluation agency and sent directly to the university by the agency. Our preferred agency is TruMerit (formerly CGFNS International) as TruMerit credential evaluations are also required by the Ohio Board of Nursing for RN licensure.
You can find additional information on Ohio State's Graduate and Professional Admissions page.
We will also accept evaluations from the following approved agencies:
- World Education Services (WES) SpanTran (The Evaluation Company)
- Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
- International Education Evaluations (IEE)
- Josef Silny & Associates (JS&A)
- International Education Research Foundation (IERF)
- International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
The course-by-course credential evaluation must include:
- Verification of U.S. degree equivalency
- A list of completed coursework with credit hours and grades
- Calculation of a cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
If you are currently or previously enrolled in a graduate program at Ohio State, you are considered a Graduate Intra-University Transfer Student. Select the application for current or former Ohio State students when you apply.
In addition to the online application, you must submit a supplemental application directly to the College of Nursing at CON-gradrecords@osu.edu.
Choose your preferred format:
- MS Word Document: Supplemental DNP Application
- PDF: Supplemental DNP Application
Applicants must submit all application materials by 11:59 p.m. ET on the deadline to be considered for admission.
FAQ
We review applications using a holistic approach, taking into account your academic preparedness and formative experiences in your professional background, education and life. The list below entails some of what we looks for — it is not all encompassing, but is meant to help guide you for your written application materials and video interview:
- Clear understanding of the role of a DNP, your goals for the future and an alignment between the two
- Clear understanding of the specialty track to which you are applying
- Experience with evidence-based practice (EBP), quality improvement, research, innovation and scholarship (including publications, presentations or posters)
- Any experience with the relevant populations of your chosen specialty
- Demonstration of leadership, interprofessional collaboration and teamwork
- Evidence of resiliency, the ability to overcome obstacles, to think critically and evidence of growth
- Community engagement, local to global, and a diversity of thought, perspective and experience
- Written and oral communication skills, organization of ideas, emotional intelligence
- Personal attributes such as humility, professionalism, compassion, etc.
- Overall commitment to nursing
Current evidence clearly connects improved patient outcomes to higher levels of nursing education. It is the terminal degree option for those who wish to excel in practice. If you desire to deepen your practice expertise, translate research evidence into quality care to improve patient outcomes and provide leadership to address key healthcare systems, then the DNP may be a good program for you to consider. In addition, the DNP will prepare you to serve as a teacher and mentor, while improving the quality of your practice.
The DNP is a practice focused doctorate degree. Those who earn a DNP are experts in translating science in research into practice. The PhD in nursing focuses on research and generating new knowledge to advance nursing science. PhD and DNP prepared nurses should work together to advance patient care.
Some students enrolled in our BSN to DNP program do work while taking classes part-time. However, due to the rigorous nature of the program and the time commitment required, we encourage you to consider a part-time plan of study if you are planning on maintaining employment and have other life responsibilities. The clinical portion of the curriculum, typically completed in the final year, is full-time and generally requires a three- to four-day-per-week commitment. Please note: Nurse anesthesia students may not work while completing the program.
Students who enroll in two graduate degree-granting programs concurrently are called Dual Degree students.
Due to the rigorous nature of some of our graduate clinical programs, prospective students interested in a Dual Degree option with the College of Nursing are advised to closely examine the curriculum requirements of our programs before applying. For degree programs with clinical components, it is important to recognize that adjustments to the standard curriculum plan may not be possible.
After you have reviewed the Dual Degree information, please contact the director of the program in which you are interested for further discussion. This discussion should occur before you begin applying in order to gain a better understanding of program requirements. Applicants interested in applying to a College of Nursing graduate program as a Dual Degree student must follow the application process in the "How to apply" section above.
Yes. BSN-DNP students (except those in Nurse Anesthesia) earn a Master of Science in nursing partway through the program. You become eligible to sit for your APRN certification exam upon completion of the master’s degree requirements, typically in the second-to-last year of the program.
The College of Nursing’s placement office will assist you in locating clinical sites and preceptors.
All applicants must complete an online recorded interview by the application deadline. Invitations are not sent to applicants for this initial interview. If you do not complete the interview by the application deadline you will not move forward in the admission process, and your application will be cancelled.
An item referred to as the verification of hours form will appear on your checklist when reviewing your application status. As a BSN to DNP applicant, you are not required to submit this form. The requirement for this item will, therefore, be waived. No action is needed.