Steps to Apply
Review Admissions Criteria
Collect the Required Items below
Complete the New Student Application Form
Required Items
Click the arrows below to view each section.
Essay
Submit to fnuadmissions@frontier.edu AFTER submitting your online application.
Your essay is an opportunity to showcase your motivation, experiences, and readiness for doctoral-level study. In a well-structured narrative of approximately 350–500 words (about 1 page single-spaced or 2 pages double-spaced), please address the following areas:
Motivation for Pursuing a DNP
Explain why you have chosen to pursue the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree and how earning a DNP aligns with your long-term career goals as an advanced practice nurse and health care leader. Describe how Frontier Nursing University’s commitment to increasing access to high-quality health care for rural and underserved populations connects with your professional values.
Professional and Academic Journey
Reflect on the personal experiences, academic preparation, and professional milestones that have shaped your decision to pursue a DNP. Include examples of leadership roles, quality improvement initiatives, or other experiences that demonstrate your commitment to advancing nursing practice.
Plan for Rigorous Study
Describe your plan for managing the academic rigor and time commitment of a doctoral program while balancing work, family, and personal responsibilities.
Resume
Submit to fnuadmissions@frontier.edu AFTER submitting your online application.
Please prepare a resume that follows the example found here: Example Resume
Two (2) Health Professional References
(Submit the name and email address of your selected references to fnuadmissions@frontier.edu AFTER submitting your online application. Your references will be sent a professional reference form).
Arrange for two health professional references who can speak on your ability/potential to serve as an advanced practice nurse (NP or CNM). You will submit an electronic request to your references as part of the application. Please send a copy of this PDF form to your two references and have them return the form to FNUadmissions@frontier.edu. The required Reference Form cannot be substituted with a letter of recommendation. For the two references, one must be a supervisory reference. Some examples of supervisory are nursing supervisors, faculty from the applicant’s nursing school, an MD, CNM, NP, or PA who work with the applicant. One can be a professional peer.
Transcripts (FNU requests them for you)
(FNU requests them for you. A transcript request form will be emailed to you upon completion of your online application – remember to check your spam and junk email folders.)
We know our applicants are busy and that’s why an Admissions Counselor will, *when permitted, request all applicable transcripts on your behalf. This saves you money, time, and stress. The only thing you need to do is provide us with the institutional names and sign a transcript release form. *Please note, there are circumstances that prevent FNU from ordering transcripts on your behalf (e.g., an institution may not accept third-party requests).
Frontier Nursing University requires final and official transcripts (letters of program completion are not acceptable in lieu of final and official transcripts) from all previous attempted/completed nursing courses and nursing degrees. Transcripts for non-nursing degrees or courses are not required with the exception of applicants applying via the portfolio option. An applicant applying via the portfolio option must also provide an official baccalaureate transcript.
- Portfolio Instructions for Non-BSNs If your baccalaureate degree is in a discipline other than nursing you must submit a portfolio detailing your employment and academic experiences. Click here to download the portfolio instructions. MSN Completion If you’re a graduate of FNU’s Community-based Nurse-midwifery Education Program (CNEP) and completed your studies prior to 2004 before FNU became a master’s-granting institution, click here for the Online MSN Completion Application.
Please pay close attention to the following:
- You must be a registered nurse with a current, active license in the United States with no encumbrances.
- Use the name as it appears on your Social Security Card on ALL correspondence. This requirement aligns with federal regulations.
License
Submit to fnuadmissions@frontier.edu AFTER submitting your online application.
Copies of a current, active, unencumbered (on any active RN license) state-issued RN License.
NOTE: Some states, like Utah, consider the APRN to supersede the RN license. If you no longer hold an RN license you must reinstate your RN license to be an eligible applicant.
Helpful Hint: Always use your legal name as it appears on your Social Security Card to align with federal guidelines and verify that your legal name appears on each document submitted (resume, references, etc.).