Admissions for Nursing Doctoral Degrees

All doctoral students will need to fulfill general UCF graduate admissions requirements. Visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog for details.

Additionally, applicants will need to meet the minimum requirements for each respective doctoral program at UCF.

BSN to DNP Programs: AGACNP, AGPCNP and FNP

• BSN degree from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent. Students with a Non-Nursing Bachelor’s may apply to a DNP program, but must take prerequisites.
• Undergraduate statistics course.
• RN license in the State of Florida. Out-of-state applicants must be eligible for an RN license in Florida and obtain an RN license to begin clinical courses.

Post-Master’s DNP Programs: APN and Nurse Executive

• BSN and MSN degrees from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent, with the following focus or specialty:

• • Advanced Practice DNP – an MSN with an APN specialty role OR a post-MSN certificate (NP, CNS, CRNA, CNM). Applicants not holding the appropriate MSN degree may enter the DNP program through one of the three BSN to DNP tracks: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner or Family Nurse Practitioner.

• • Nurse Executive DNP – MSN or MS in a related field.

• RN license in the state in which you practice.

Additional criteria for the Advanced Practice DNP program:

• APRN license in the state in which clinical courses will be conducted.
• APN certification or the ability to obtain certification in the first semester of enrollment is required.

PhD in Nursing Programs: BSN to PhD and Post-Master’s PhD

• Degree(s) from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent:
  • BSN for the BSN to PhD program.
  • BSN and either MSN or a master’s degree in a related field for the Post-Master’s PhD program.
• 3 Letters of Recommendation evaluating potential for doctoral study preferably by nursing instructors, nurse employers or nurses with advanced degrees.
• Research interests that match faculty expertise.

Please note: Online programs do not meet immigration requirements for students holding an F1 or J1 Visa to maintain status. If you have questions, please contact UCF Global at global.ucf.edu or call 407-823-2337.

Post-Bachelor’s DNP program is taught primarily in Florida. If there are online components allowed during this degree program, you may enroll in these online components as long as you will be physically located in a Nurse Licensure Compact state for the duration of your education. 

UCF College of Nursing faculty are authorized to teach in Nurse Licence Compact (NLC) states. Due to nursing education restrictions imposed by non-NLC states, UCF is unable to offer courses, clinicals, or other educational services regardless of modality within non-NLC states. Should you be physically located within a non-NLC state for more than a vacation or brief visit, regardless of your legal state of residence or the type of license you have, you will be unable to apply or continue your nursing degree program at the UCF College of Nursing. This includes, but is not limited to, students accepting traveling nurse positions in a non-NLC state. Although Colorado is a NLC state, the UCF College of Nursing cannot enroll students who will complete clinical practice hours there due to Colorado statute requirements for worker’s compensation insurance coverage.

Post-Bachelor’s DNP applicants may contact the College of Nursing’s Assistant Dean of Students with any questions regarding non-NLC states.

Please note: The Nurse Licensure Compact does not apply to PhD programs.

Post-Master’s DNP program applicants must be physically located in a Nurse Licensure Compact state for the duration of their education.

UCF College of Nursing faculty are authorized to teach in Nurse Licence Compact (NLC) states. Due to nursing education restrictions imposed by non-NLC states, UCF is unable to offer courses, clinicals, or other educational services regardless of modality within non-NLC states. Should you be physically located within a non-NLC state for more than a vacation or brief visit, regardless of your legal state of residence or the type of license you have, you will be unable to apply or continue your nursing degree program at the UCF College of Nursing. This includes, but is not limited to, students accepting traveling nurse positions in a non-NLC state. Although Colorado is a NLC state, the UCF College of Nursing cannot enroll students who will complete clinical practice hours there due to Colorado statute requirements for worker’s compensation insurance coverage.

Post-master’s DNP applicants may contact the College of Nursing’s Assistant Dean of Students with any questions regarding non-NLC states.

Please note: The Nurse Licensure Compact does not apply to PhD programs.

Please note: Online programs do not meet immigration requirements for students holding an F1 or J1 Visa to maintain status. If you have questions, please contact UCF Global at global.ucf.edu or call 407-823-2337.

In addition to learning more about the programs and application process, you’ll gain tips on writing your essay, how often you need to come to campus (if at all) and more. Register now.

Before submitting your application and writing your essay, it is recommended that you schedule an appointment with an advisor to discuss the essay and your goals for doctoral study. To schedule your appointment, contact the College of Nursing’s Graduate Student Services Office.

• Official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) reflecting prior education, recent clinical accomplishments, any recent scholarly work (publications and presentations), awards, national certifications, and activities with professional organizations.
• Three (3) professional recommendations.
• Written essay (see below).

All doctoral program applicants will need to write an essay.

DNP Programs: AGACNP, AGPCNP, FNP, APN and Nurse Executive

Your essay will need to address the following and meet the formatting requirements below.

1. Describe how earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice in the track to which you applied will help you achieve your personal and professional goals.
2. Explain those personal and professional experiences that have helped prepare you for doctoral study and your readiness for doctoral study at this time.
3. The final DNP project focuses on implementation of an evidence-based change that impacts healthcare outcomes through direct or indirect care from a systems or population/aggregate focus. Describe an area of interest you believe could be improved through such a project.

An interview with faculty may also be required.

PhD in Nursing Programs: BSN to PhD and Post-Master’s PhD

Your essay will need to address the following and meet the formatting requirements below.

• Conceptualize or develop a research idea or construct
• Engage in creative thought
• Explain your driving motivation to earn a PhD
• Discuss the fit of career goals with focus of PhD education
• Identify the fit of research interest with a College of Nursing faculty member’s program of research
• Present an understanding of time commitment for doctoral education
• Provide examples of ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Discuss prior research and quality improvement experience
• Display excellent written skills, including grammatical and paragraph structure, spelling and proofreading of the document prior to submitting

An interview with faculty is also required and will be evaluated based on the criteria above.

Written essay formatting requirements for Doctoral Programs:

• Length:
  • 500 words or less
• Double spaced
• 12-point Times New Roman font
• 1-inch margins

* If interested in university Fellowships, apply by December 1. 

Admissions are decided by a committee of faculty and staff within the College of Nursing, based on an applicant’s overall GPA, GPA of the last 60 hours of undergraduate program, CV, and written essay.

The College of Nursing accepts the most qualified students based on evaluations of the applicant’s abilities, past performance, recommendations, match of UCF programs with applicant’s career goals, and for PhD applicants, match of faculty research areas.

Apply online at the UCF College of Graduate Studies.