BSN-DNP Admission Criteria

The School’s admission policy makes explicit the multiplicity of factors taken into consideration in a holistic admissions process. These admission factors are not assigned a specific weight or point value. Cizik School of Nursing considers the totality of each application and gives consideration to the following factors:

• Intellectual capacity, based on consideration of the overall collegiate GPA; academic awards and honors, scholarly accomplishments; degree of difficulty of undergraduate academic program; and any other relevant data submitted;
• Interpersonal and communication skills, based on evidence of being well-written and well-spoken;
• Breadth and depth of nursing educational experiences, based on consideration of factors in the record reflecting a combination of a strong scientific background and also an ability to understand the complex nonscientific problems facing healthcare workers and patients, e.g., ethical, cultural, or socioeconomic problems; consideration of community or charitable service, e.g., volunteering to help the less fortunate; extracurricular activities and organizations; leadership positions; employment history; recognition for humanitarian service; and awareness and direct knowledge of cultural elements as they may have an impact on healthcare;
• Potential for service to the state of Texas, with consideration given to Texas residency; applicant’s goals for the future; cultural/socioeconomic status; race/ethnicity; potential for future provision of health services to under-served areas or needed specialties; and linguistic skills appropriate to the health professions shortage area the applicant wishes to serve;
• Motivation, with consideration given to success in overcoming adverse economic or educational conditions; employment history occurring simultaneously with undergraduate education; participation in activities requiring time management skills; constantly improving undergraduate record; veteran status, and experience in health-related activities;
• Motivation, with consideration given to success in overcoming adverse economic or educational conditions; employment history occurring simultaneously with undergraduate education; participation in activities requiring time management skills; constantly improving undergraduate record; veteran-status, and experience in health related activities; 
• Integrity, with consideration given to any academic integrity violation and/or conduct or disciplinary problems in college or the workplace; 
• Technical abilities, related to observation, communication, psychomotor skills, intellectual and cognitive abilities, behavioral and social attributes; and 
• At least one year of full time employment (or part-time equivalent) as direct patient care RN.

Interview

During the interview BSN to DNP - Nurse Practitioner applicants are evaluated on the admission criteria elements and additional elements, which include public or community service, humanitarian service, extracurricular activities, communication skills, and clinical experiences. In the categories of public or community service and humanitarian service, consideration is given to an interest in service to underserved areas and populations.