Graduate Nursing FAQ
General Questions
Are there scholarships or financial aid?
We have financial aid information available here.
Are all the classes online?
Yes, all didactic coursework is online with 24/7 access.
What are the admission requirements?
Find information about our admission requirements here.
When are the application deadlines?
Find information about our application deadlines here.
Is there a minimum GPA requirement?
A GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is preferred.
Is the GRE required?
No, the GRE is not required for our graduate nursing programs.
BSN to DNP
I have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Am I eligible for the DNP program?
Yes. When you apply, you identify your advanced practice program. Currently, we have four pathways: family nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, and clinical nurse specialist.
How many credit hours is the post-BSN DNP program?
Between 66 and 70 credits are required for students with a BSN depending on the advanced practice specialty selected.
How long will it take me to complete the DNP program?
For a BSN-prepared student, the programs can be completed in three years (nine semesters) full-time. A part-time option is available.
When can I start the program?
We have two admission cycles per year that begin with the spring and fall terms. Please see the DNP admission page for application dates and deadlines.
Will I be able to work while I am in school?
Most of our students work full- or part-time while they are in school. Depending on the graduate program and specialty, your ability to work full-time may be limited due to the clinical requirements.
Are there any on-campus requirements?
Yes, you are required to come to campus for a one-day orientation before the program begins. In addition, you are required to attend On-Campus Intensives scheduled throughout the program. OCIs provide the opportunity for skills training and assessment and take place in the state-of-the-art, 15,000-square-foot simulation center at TCU. The number of OCIs is dependent on your program specialty. You will also be required to be on campus to present your DNP Project on the designated DNP Project Presentation Day.
Am I required to find my own clinical site?
Each graduate program and specialization has its own clinical requirements. TCU Nursing will partner with you to secure clinical placement sites based on your specialty and location.
Executive Nurse & Leadership DNP
Do I have the proper preparation to enter the DNP program?
The DNP program is open to nurses who have earned a master’s degree in nursing with an advanced practice nursing specialty or focus on administration/leadership.
How do you define advanced nursing practice?
We use the definitions of advanced practice from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing: nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse anesthetist, certified nurse midwife, and nurse administrator.
How many credit hours is the Executive Nurse & Leadership DNP program?
The Executive Nurse & Leadership DNP program requires 34 credit hours.
How long will it take me to complete the DNP program?
The Executive Nurse & Leadership DNP is a six-semester program for a master’s-prepared student who progresses through the program following the recommended schedule. Two courses are offered each semester. The program is two years full-time or three years part-time.
Will I be able to work while I am in school?
Yes, the matriculation plan includes two courses per semester plus the DNP project which is spread over three semesters, affording students the opportunity to work while they are in the program.
How much time should I expect to devote to the DNP program?
On average, a DNP student should expect to spend 26-28 hours a week on class preparation, participation, and assignments.
Are there any on-campus requirements?
Yes, you are required to come to campus for a one-day orientation before the program begins. In addition, you will be required to be on campus to present your DNP Project on the designated DNP Project Presentation Day.
What is the DNP project?
The DNP project is a scholarly project, four semesters in length, designed to address topics such as – but not limited to – practice issues, guideline development, or policy analysis affecting groups of patients, health care organizations, and health care systems.