Admissions
M S N T O D N P
Admissions Information
Minimum Admission Requirements
Applicants must:
1. Have earned a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from a nationally accredited nursing program (CCNE or NLNAC) with a minimum 3.5 GPA preferred
2. Hold current national certification as a nurse practitioner
3. Demonstrate successful completion of a college or university level statistics course within 5 years prior to enrollment
4. Submit a completed application file (per the Application Steps below). Applications will be received until a class is filled. Candidates are encouraged to begin the application process as soon as possible, as it may take 6 or more weeks to complete the application and for all credentials to be received and verified through the centralized application service (NursingCAS).
Application Steps for Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Applicants
The School of Nursing receives applications for admission and most applicant credentials exclusively through the Nursing Central Application Service (NursingCAS), provided by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Applicants must submit a separate supplemental application and fee directly to Belmont.
The application steps are as follows:
1. Click the “Apply” link at www.nursingcas.org and then immediately click on the link on the right side of the page that says "CLICK HERE TO ACCESS YOUR 2012-2013 APPLICATION". This link will take you to a different login page to apply for Fall 2013.
2. Create an account and login to your secure NursingCAS online application. When creating your account, be sure to click “Yes” to the question, “Are you applying to a graduate level program in nursing?”
3. When logged in, complete all “Required” items on the Application Checklist as directed by NursingCAS. This includes data entering all coursework information and arranging for official transcripts to be sent to NursingCAS.
4. In addition, Belmont University School of Nursing requires the following items also be submitted through NursingCAS (these items are indicated as “Optional” in NursingCAS):
a. In the Professional Experience Section, submit information for all nursing
certifications including such as a nurse practitioner by selecting “Certifications”
from the drop-down menu and completing information requested.
b. In the References Section, submit three (3) letters of recommendation, including
one from a doctorally prepared nurse.
c. In the Personal Statement Section, complete an essay that addresses your
professional goals, identification of a topic for your scholarly project should you
be admitted to the DNP program, and potential location(s) for project
implementation.
5. Be sure to designate Belmont University in the Designations Section of the application and to link your Belmont essay. NursingCAS charges $65 for your application to be sent to the first program designation and $35 for each additional designation.
6. In addition to the NursingCAS application, Belmont University requires an online supplemental application and fee ($50).
7. Following a preliminary review of the completed application file, the Admissions Committee will invite selected applicants to interview prior to final admission decisions.
Enrollment Requirements
Once accepted, candidates must complete the following requirements before enrolling:
1. $500 non-refundable enrollment deposit by a specified deadline after acceptance,
applied to first semester tuition
2. Documentation of national certification as a nurse practitioner, as requested
3. Final official transcript of MSN degree sent directly to Belmont University
4. A background check, as directed by the School of Nursing, with favorable results
5. Required immunizations
6. Proof of health insurance coverage
7. Program orientation
If any of these requirements are not satisfied, admission to the program may be rescinded.
International Applicants
1. International applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by submitting official TOEFL scores (required minimum of 550 PBT or 80 iBT) or by successful completion of ELS Language Center Level 112.
2. International applicants with college level course work from foreign institutions must have their transcripts evaluated by a credential evaluation service such as World Education Services (www.wes.org) or Joseph Silny & Associates (www.jsilny.com).
3. In order to be issued an I-20 for the desired entry term, international applicants must be admitted no later than June 1 in order to begin enrollment in the fall.
Questions
Questions about your application and/or requirements should be directed to:
Belmont University
Graduate Nursing Programs
1900 Belmont Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37212-3757
615-460-6130 Phone
gradnursing@belmont.edu