Application Timeline

DNP applications are accepted at any time throughout the year on a rolling basis. However, to enhance your potential for admission and make yourself eligible for financial assistance, we recommend you submit the application by the following application priority dates:

  • Priority Date #1: December 1
  • Priority Date #2: February 1
  • Priority Date #3: March 15

Applications submitted after the application priority dates will be reviewed on a rolling basis until May 1.

Start Term:

  • BSN to DNP applicants – Starts in Summer (June)
  • Post-master’s to DNP applicants – May start in Summer or Fall based on the gap analysis of previous coursework
  • Post-master’s DNP/MBA Nurse Executive – Starts in Summer

Speak to a Graduate Admission Counselor

Contact a member of the Graduate Admission Team for questions about the application process.

Schedule Phone Appointment

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Application Process

Click on each item in the list below to view the instructions in an expanded section, and then follow the steps to submit your application. If you have questions, you can schedule a phone appointment with the Graduate Admission Counselor.

Create your application account

  • Create your PLU application account at choose.plu.edu/apply.
  • Select ‘Pacific Lutheran University Application 2025’, then ‘Graduate Application 2025’ & ‘Create Application’
  • You’ll select your program on Page 2 of the application.

Complete application & submit all required supporting items

  • Transcripts from ALL colleges/universities you’ve attended
    • You may upload official OR unofficial transcripts to the application, or send them to gradadmission@plu.edu.
      • If you are a PLU student or alum, you do not need to submit your PLU transcripts.
    • Note: While we will accept unofficial transcripts at the application stage for domestic students, you must submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities before you enroll in a PLU graduate program.
    • If you are an international applicant, you must submit official transcripts with the credential evaluation. See the International Applicants section for more information.
  • Personal Statement
    • DNP FNP and PMHNP applicants, address the following questions:
      • How will the Doctor of Nursing Practice help you meet your career goals, either as a Family Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner?
      • What knowledge do you have of the NP role you are applying for?
      • Have you had any experience with the role and what aspects of the role appeal to you professionally?
    • DNP/MBA Nurse Executive applicants, address the following questions:
      • What is your experience with the Nurse Executive role and what aspects of the role appeal to you professionally?
      • How will the DNP/MBA help you meet your career goals as a Nurse Executive?
  • Professional Resume/CV
  • Recommendation Forms/Letters
    • Your two recommendations may be either academic or professional.
    • The application system will send an email to your recommenders, after which they must submit the PLU Graduate Recommendation Form. They will have the option to also include a letter of recommendation.
  • Application Fee
    • Pay the non-refundable $80 application fee.
    • Note: The application fee is waived for all PLU students and alumni.

International Applicants

If you are an international student, you must submit official transcripts (with a credential evaluation), proof of your bachelor’s and/or master’s degree completion, and provide proof of university-level English language proficiency.

  • Official Transcripts & Credential Evaluation
    • You must submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. International transcripts must be translated to English, and must be submitted for international credential evaluation by any organization on the AICE list or NACES list before being sent to PLU.
    • SpanTran is listed as a NACES-approved international credential evaluator and has created a custom application for PLU that will make sure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate. You can access their application here: SpanTran Application – Pacific Lutheran University.
  • Degree Diploma
    • You must provide official proof of your bachelor’s and/or master’s degree completion. You can email a copy to gradadmission@plu.edu.
  • Proof of University-Level English Proficiency
    • Proficiency in English is required for graduate study at PLU. Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency.
    • This requirement is waived for registered nurses who hold current United States RN licensure.
    • For the DNP, proficiency can be demonstrated by the official score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS):
      • Minimum TOEFL-iBT combined score: 86
        • Minimum speaking score: 26
        • Minimum writing score: 20
        • Minimum reading score: 20
        • Minimum listening score: 20
      • Minimum IELTS band score: 6.5
        • Minimum individual speaking score: 8
        • Minimum individual writing score: 5.5
        • Minimum individual reading score: 6.5
        • Minimum individual listening score: 6.5
    • The English proficiency requirement can also be met if applicants have completed one of the following:
      • A bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a regionally-accredited institution in the United States.
      • A baccalaureate degree or higher from a recognized college or university in an English-speaking country or region, including Australia, Canada (other than Quebec), Great Britain, Ireland, or New Zealand.
      • Both primary and secondary education in an English-speaking country or region, including Australia, Canada (other than Quebec), Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, or the United States. Students are considered to be a native English speaker.
      • A recognized Intensive English Program (IEP) in the United States and received an English proficiency level equivalent to the required minimum TOEFL/Duolingo/IELTS scores of the applied program.
  • I-20 Processing
    • An I-20 form (Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant Student Status) will be issued only after the student has been admitted and paid the non-refundable $300.00 enrollment deposit and has returned all required acceptance forms. The I-20 form should be taken to the U.S. Consulate when requesting a visa to come to the United States for a graduate program.
    • The following items are not required for the application to be considered for admission, but are required prior to issuance of an I-20. To expedite admission processing, applicants should consider submitting the following with application documents:
      • Declaration of Finances form, including proof of financial support. Certification of finances from banks or embassies is permissible.
      • Copy of passport picture page
      • Address and associated phone number to which to send the I-20 via courier service

Background Check (if admission is offered)

This is not a part of the online application. You will be invited to complete the background check via CastleBranch if admission is offered. School of Nursing will provide you the instructions at that time.

COVID vaccination records for clinical rotations (if admitted)

In order to begin clinical rotations, students must meet all agency compliance requirements including COVID vaccinations.