Eligibility, Admissions, and Progression

Eligibility

Due to the strenuous nature of nursing and practice orientation of Oklahoma City University's Kramer School of Nursing program, the School reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any student to enroll or continue in the nursing program. This decision is based on considerations including, but not limited to, characteristics required of a professional nurse.

Eligibility is determined by the faculty's evaluation of a student's ability to perform the skills necessary to complete the course objectives, and includes attitudinal and behavioral components. These elements are re-evaluated each semester.

Admission

Admission to the university: Please click here for the online application form.

The following items are required components of the application:

• Official transcripts showing bachelor’s degree and any post-baccalaureate coursework received directly from the university where the credits were earned. A course in statistics at the undergraduate level is required.
• Three letters from professional references, such as the employer, a coworker, or a nursing school faculty member who had the applicant as a student
• Personally written essay of at least 750 words that demonstrates effective writing skills describing how the DNP will help the applicant achieve life and career goals
• Comprehensive listing of professional accomplishments (CV or full resume)
• Graduate of an accredited baccalaureate nursing program with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0
• Current active licensure as a Registered Nurse  (international students will be considered on a case by case basis relevant to their country’s equivalent)
• Applicants for the full-time option must have a minimum of one year of professional nursing experience or the equivalent
• 550 TOEFL score or the equivalent, if confirmation of English proficiency is required

No GRE is required.  Due to course prerequisites, an undergraduate-level course in statistics and a BSN-level course in health assessment are required. 

Although not required for admission, the following requirements must be met as specified if the student is admitted to the program:

• Health requirements specified by each agency where clinical and practical experiences will occur, including immunizations and health tests
• Background checks and drug screenings required by any clinical facility where a practicum may be conducted

Application Deadline and Selection Process

• For 2012, applications must be received by June 1 to be considered.
• For 2013, applications must be recieved by April 1. 

Submit all materials to:

Office of Graduate Admissions
Oklahoma City University
2501 N. Blackwelder
Oklahoma City, OK 73106

A maximum of 24 applicants will be admitted. To apply, please click here. 

Top applicants may be invited to an interview with the committee. Interviews of students living at a distance can be conducted by telephone. The interviews will validate and verify application materials and evaluate verbal communication skills.

Transfer of Credit

Each student accepted into the BSN-to-DNP program is to meet with the assigned advisor prior to the first semester. Transcripts will be reviewed and a Degree Completion Plan will be developed. Previous course work will be evaluated to determine readiness for the DNP completion process.

Requests for transfer credit must be submitted on the university’s “Student Petition” form. This process is to precede the finalization of the formal Degree Completion Plan.

Once the Degree Completion Plan is developed, approved by the advisor, and accepted by the student, no transfer of credit from previous study will be accepted.

Progression

Students in the BSN-to-DNP program must maintain continuous enrollment in the program as specified in the individualized Degree Completion Plan.

To progress, the student must have passed all prerequisite courses.

To graduate, the student must have:

• passed all required courses,
• earned the necessary number of graduate hours, and
• met all other graduation requirements. 

Grades below B- are considered failing in graduate-level nursing courses. The student may retake one course. A second failure in that course or in another course will result in dismissal from the program.

Graduation Requirements

Procedure as established by the Registrar’s Office will be followed for authorizing completion of all requirements and eligibility for graduation.

It is the student’s responsibility to obtain the required signatures and releases for graduation. Failure to complete the process will delay posting of the degree and the release of the diploma and official transcript verifying degree completion.

Graduation requirements include:

• successful completion of all required coursework and credit hours,
• successful capstone project and oral defense, compliance with residency requirements, and
• a graduation GPA of at least 3.0.

Only after successful completion of all requirements will the student be eligible to participate in university graduation ceremonies.