Nurse Anesthesia DNP Admissions
The Nurse Anesthesia Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at É«½äÖ±²¥ prepares registered nurses to become CRNA leaders capable of providing safe, high-quality anesthesia care across diverse settings. Admission to the program is highly competitive and based on a holistic review of each applicant’s academic, clinical, and personal qualifications.
The curriculum is designed for 36 months of full-time study, culminating in program completion in July or August. Successful completion of the 83-credit program requires a substantial time commitment, averaging 54-64 hours per week across class time, clinical experiences, and study. Historically, given the rigorous nature of the program, students find it challenging to subsidize their educational expenses through part-time employment.
Learn more below about applying to our Nurse Anesthesia program, including key deadlines, holistic admissions criteria, academic and clinical requirements, and tips for preparing your personal statement.
Connect With Our Admissions Team
Whether you’re still exploring your options or ready to get started on your application for the Nurse Anesthesia DNP program, our School of Nursing’s admissions team is here to help.
For general inquiries or technical questions, email us or call our Office of Admissions toll-free at 877-415-3853.
Mailing Address
É«½äÖ±²¥
DUMC 3322
Durham, NC 27710
Physical Address
307 Trent Drive
Durham, NC 27710
We offer DROP-IN Chat for virtual Q+A Sessions along with PROGRAM INFORMATION SESSIONS for application help.
Stay updated on important dates and events. Opt-In to receive text messages and emails about the Nurse Anesthesia DNP program.
Nurse Anesthesia DNP Application Deadlines
Applications to the Nurse Anesthesia Doctor of Nursing Practice program at É«½äÖ±²¥ are accepted during a fixed annual window. Due to strong demand and limited class size, early application is encouraged.
Fall Term (August Start)
- Application Opens: June 1
- Application Closes: August 1
- Supporting Documents Due: August 1
The Office of Admissions and Student Services must receive the completed application with all supporting documents—evaluation forms, transcripts, licenses, proof of certifications, current CV, etc.—before August 1 of the year you intend to enroll (August matriculation). Incomplete applications will not be considered after August 1.
If you have questions about the admissions timeline or need help navigating the application process, please contact our admissions team for support.
Holistic Admissions
É«½äÖ±²¥ is committed to a holistic admissions review strategy that evaluates applicants’ unique experiences alongside traditional academic measures such as grades and test scores. This approach allows us to consider a broad range of factors that reflect an applicant’s readiness for doctoral-level study, potential contributions to the Nurse Anesthesia DNP cohort, and the likelihood of success both in the program and in practice.
When combined with mission-driven admissions practices, holistic review helps us build a diverse community of nurse leaders equipped with the insight, compassion, and expertise needed to advance healthcare and improve patient outcomes.
Nurse Anesthesia Program Admission Requirements
As part of our holistic admissions process and review, the É«½äÖ±²¥ University Nurse Anesthesia Program no longer requires the GRE.
The following requirements must be met before consideration for admission into the Nurse Anesthesia DNP program:
- A bachelor’s degree with an upper-division nursing major from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
- Completion of an application for admission, including copies of all post-secondary educational transcripts.
- Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.
- Cumulative undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale or evidence of outstanding graduate academic achievement.
- A minimum science GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.
- Bachelor’s or post-bachelor’s coursework, including satisfactory completion of a course in descriptive and inferential statistics.
- Personal interview (by invitation) with members of the Nurse Anesthesia Admissions Committee. Qualified applicants selected for interviews are usually notified on a rolling basis.
Experience Requirements
Applicants must hold an unencumbered license as a registered professional nurse (RN) and/or an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) in the United States or its territories or protectorates.
At the time of application submission, candidates must have a minimum of one year (two years preferred) of current, continuous full-time acute care experience as an RN in a critical care setting. This experience allows applicants to develop as independent decision-makers capable of interpreting and using advanced monitoring techniques based on a strong understanding of physiological and pharmacological principles.
Adult acute care experience offering on interpretation and use of advanced monitoring, care of ventilated patients, pharmacologic hemodynamic management, and independent decision-making is preferred. CCRN certification is strongly encouraged.
Preferred experience areas include:
- Cardiac Intensive Care
- Medical Intensive Care
- Neuro Intensive Care
- Pediatric or Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
- Surgical Intensive Care
- Trauma Intensive Care
Additional Requirements
The following may apply based on individual background and eligibility:
- Applicants must possess the physical and mental skills necessary to complete the School of Nursing curriculum. A personal statement describing career goals and interest in graduate study is required as part of the application.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores from applicants whose native language is not English or who have not completed their high school and college education in the U.S. For more information, see our requirements for international applicants.
Completing Your Nurse Anesthesia DNP Application
Ready to apply? Here’s what you’ll need to complete your Nurse Anesthesia DNP application:
Application Materials and Supporting Documents
To be considered for fall enrollment, all application materials must be submitted by August 1. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Supporting documents required by the Office of Admissions and Student Services include:
- Official transcripts from all previous colleges, universities, and graduate schools attended. Transcripts must be submitted regardless of when you attended, how many hours you earned, or whether you earned a degree.
- Transcripts must be received in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution to be considered official. You may also collect sealed transcripts and send them together in one large envelope.
- É«½äÖ±²¥ will accept electronic transcripts sent directly from the issuing institution(s). These documents can be emailed.
- Photocopy of current, unencumbered nursing (RN) license.
- Proof of current certifications as stated on the application (Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Life Support, CCRN, etc.)
- Three professional references attesting to academic ability, professional competency, and professional qualifications. One reference must be from an immediate supervisor and include a contact phone number.
- $50 application fee.
How to Apply to the Nurse Anesthesia Program
Follow the steps below to complete your DNP application:
- Access the online application through the É«½äÖ±²¥ admissions portal.
- Complete all sections of the application, including the required personal statement.
- Pay the application fee (credit card accepted).
- Upload final versions of all required documents.
(Note: Once uploaded, documents cannot be edited or replaced.) - Submit your three professional references through the secure online portal.
- Ensure all official transcripts are either mailed in sealed envelopes or sent electronically from the issuing institution to:
É«½äÖ±²¥ School of Nursing
Office of Admissions
DUMC 3322
307 Trent Drive
Durham, NC 27710
Application Review Process
Once your application is complete, admissions officers will review it to ensure all criteria are met. The file will then be forwarded to the Nurse Anesthesia faculty for evaluation. Candidates will be notified of the interview decision via email through the Office of Admissions and Student Services.
Applicants selected for interviews will receive an email invitation to participate in an on-campus interview day. After interviews, applicants will be notified whether they are admitted, waitlisted, or declined.
Official decision notifications are typically released within 1-2 weeks of the interview. If admitted, you must complete an online enrollment form and submit a nonrefundable $1,000 deposit to confirm your place in the program.
More Information for DNP Applicants
Learn more about important policies and requirements for School of Nursing applicants.
In accordance with federal statute 20 USC § 1092, É«½äÖ±²¥ University publishes an Annual Clery Security Report and an Annual Fire Safety Report. These reports include institutional policies on campus safety and security, as well as crime and fire statistics for the past three years on É«½äÖ±²¥ property and adjacent public areas.
or request a printed copy by contacting the É«½äÖ±²¥ University Police Department at (919) 684-4602 or writing to:
502 Oregon Street, Durham, NC 27708
Generative AI tools can be helpful for brainstorming, refining ideas, or proofreading your written responses — but all application materials must reflect your own words and original thinking. School of Nursing applicants should not submit any content generated entirely by AI or copied from sources they did not create in their application.
Our holistic admissions process seeks to understand each applicant’s unique experiences and potential contributions, so maintaining authenticity and originality is essential. Please note that you will be required to certify that all information submitted in the application is your own work, factually true, and honestly presented.