Application Instructions

The DNP application process is mostly done online. Both the MSN-to-DNP and BSN-to-DNP tracks are available for Fall admission only. All applicants must submit the following materials:

  • Application fee ($41)
  • Graduate nursing application
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
  • Three letters of professional recommendation
  • Admission essay
  • Resume or CV
  • Current RN license or final BS(N) transcript

MSN-to-DNP applicants must additionally provide:

  • Master of Science (Nursing) degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater
  • A valid, unencumbered APRN (advanced practice registered nurse) license

The instructions below will walk you through the steps of the application process. All required documents may be submitted by clicking the button below.

Graduate Admissions Application

1. Complete the graduate student application and pay the application fee ($41).

Your Graduate Nursing application is also your FMU application.

Be sure to provide a current email address when filling out your application. We will use that email address to communicate with you through the rest of the application process.

2. Send your letter of recommendation requests.

We require three academic or professional references. One reference must be from a current or former supervisor.

You will receive an email notification when each of your references responds. Please ask your references to check their junk email folder, since the request emails are occasionally misidentified as spam.

3. Submit your admission essay.

The format for this essay will depend on your program of interest.

Instructions for MSN-to-DNP applicants

Your essay should be approximately 500 words, and must address the following:

  1. Identify an area of interest.
  2. Describe why you are interested in this area.
  3. Identify a potential clinical issue that warrants an interventional plan.
  4. Discuss how this issue is relevant to the current healthcare environment.
  5. Elaborate on why the issue is an evidence-based practice subject.
  6. Synthesize how the issue is relevant to the role of the DNP-prepared nurse and the implementation of evidence-based practice.

Instructions for BSN-to-DNP applicants

Your essay should be approximately 500 words, and must address the following:

  1. Identify an area of interest.
  2. Describe why you are interested in this area.
  3. Discuss a topic that is relevant to the current healthcare environment.
  4. Discuss how the topic can become an evidence-based practice leadership project.
  5. Synthesize how the issue is relevant to the role of the DNP-prepared nurse and the implementation of evidence-based practice.

4. Submit your resume or CV.

You must submit a current resume or curriculum vita (CV).

5. Request official transcripts.

Please have official electronic transcripts sent to graduate@fmarion.edu.

If your school does not provide electronic transcripts, please have hard copies sent to:

Francis Marion University
PO Box 100547
Florence, SC 29502-0547

We require official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended, including transfer credits. We do not require high school transcripts for graduate applicants. Transcripts from institutions outside of the U.S. must be certified by World Education Services (WES).

Application Complete Notification

We will notify you by email once all your application materials have been received. We review applications on a rolling basis as they are completed. Once your application has been reviewed, you will receive formal notification of your admission status by paper mail.

Application Deadlines

Applications to the Graduate School in Nursing are processed on a rolling basis. The application deadline is one week before classes start. However, you need to make sure your application is in with enough time for the school to receive your transcripts and for financial aid to be processed.