Deadline June 1, 2026

Fall 2026: Applications Now Open!

Are you a master's-prepared nurse with an active Florida ARNP license seeking a clinically focused terminal degree? Elevate your career with the University of Florida's MSN to DNP program. Designed for working professionals, our online curriculum ensures minimal campus attendance, providing flexibility for your busy schedule.

DNP Students during a skills lab

About the MSN to DNP Program

Advance your nursing practice with the UF College of Nursing’s clinically focused DNP program for master’s-prepared nurses holding an active Florida ARNP license. Designed for working professionals, the program features an online curriculum with minimal campus attendance, providing the flexibility to balance your career and education. The manageable course load emphasizes essential skills and knowledge, guiding you step by step toward completion of your DNP project.

Care. Lead. Inspire. Boldly.

Our college motto underpins these three overarching concepts: Care. Lead. and Inspire. Boldly.

Care.

Care is the understanding and capability to provide what is necessary for the health, welfare, maintenance, and protection of patients and patient/family/population systems and is the basis for personalized nursing care and nurses’ clinical judgment.

employment

Lead.

Lead embodies the actions, skills, and competencies the professional nurse employs to deliver care in the increasingly complex healthcare system.

lead

Inspire.

Inspire encompasses the nurses’ creative energy toward innovations that transform practice by using self and others.

care for people

MSN to DNP Track Description

MSN to DNP Curriculum and Coursework

Tailor your journey with our sample curriculum plans for full-time and part-time study starting in Fall 2024 or Spring 2025.

Advancement in the MSN to DNP program requires students to complete a DNP project at their practice site.  This means that you will need to be practicing as a nurse practitioner during the program to successfully meet the requirements for the DNP project. 

Note: Students admitted before Fall 2024 will follow their initial curriculum plan based on the catalog year.

MSN to DNP

Sample Curriculum Plans

View both full and part time example MSN to DNP curriculum plans here.

DNP students in the skills lab

MSN to DNP Tuition and Costs

We understand the importance of financial planning. Explore our tuition costs, estimated expenses, and available scholarships and fellowships to support your DNP journey.

Estimated Student Expenses

Tuition Information

Financial Aid

Scholarship Opportunities

MSN To DNP Admission Criteria

To be eligible for our program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Requirements

– No GRE required
– A master’s degree in nursing as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse from a school accredited by the ACEN, CNEA, or CCNE.
– A master’s degree program GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).
– Current unencumbered Florida or multi-state RN license and an active APRN license throughout the program.
– Current national certification as a nurse practitioner.

Students must be U.S. citizens, legal U.S. residents, or hold valid visas.

Additional Requirements for International Students

International students or students whose native language is not English are required to pass one of the following tests with a satisfactory score:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):
– Computer-based: 213
– Paper-based: 550
– Web-based: 80
– iBT Speaking Component: 26

International English Language Testing System (IELTS):
– Overall score: 6.5
– Speaking Component: 7

Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB):
– Overall score: 79

Successful completion of the University of Florida English Language Institute Program. International students or students whose native language is not English with unsatisfactory scores on the TOEFL and TOEFL iBT Speaking Component, IELTS, or MELAB; unsuccessful completion of the UF English Language Institute Program; or an unacceptable score on the verbal part of the GRE must achieve an acceptable score on an essay administered by the Academic Written English Program at UF.

Student Sponsorship: The MSN to DNP program does not qualify for F-1 or J-1 student sponsorship. Legal Permanent Residents and non-immigrants who are otherwise physically present in the U.S. and in a status that allows for online, full, or part-time attendance may pursue this program.

Ready to Apply?

The application deadline for the Fall 2026 application cycle is June 1, 2026.

The Spring 2027 MSN to DNP application cycle will open on March 1, 2026, with a deadline of November 1, 2026.

Complete the Following

To be eligible for admission consideration, all applicants must complete the following:

Submit the University of Florida Professional Program Application

Submit the NursingCAS application for the University of Florida MSN to DNP Program

  • Link to Form: NursingCAS application
    • Submit your response to the questions specified on the NursingCAS site, three letters of reference, a CV, or a resume.
    • Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended must be submitted with the NursingCAS application. Transcripts sent to UF Admissions will not be reviewed.
      • Applicants who have completed college coursework outside the United States must submit a credential evaluation. This evaluation must include a detailed course-by-course analysis, including credits, grades, and grade point average calculation, from a NACES member.
    • Please refer to the NursingCAS website for further instructions.

Important Notifications

All applicants must disclose any arrests or criminal charges in their UF Program application. Upon disclosure, further information may be requested. All students must undergo a new background check, fingerprinting, and a drug test. Disclosure of arrest or conviction information may impact your admission to the Nursing Program.

All admitted nursing students, regardless of campus status, must complete a background check, mandatory immunization verification (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Varicella, Influenza, Tetanus, Tuberculosis), fingerprinting, and drug screening. The College of Nursing follows CDC guidelines and adheres to the safety regulations of our clinical partners. Additionally, all students must provide proof of current health insurance. Upon admission into the program, students will be given the steps to complete this process.

DNP Student Testimonials

Why a UF Nursing DNP?

Rachael Joyner

“I chose to enroll at the University of Florida because of its reputation as having a top-ranked DNP program. I knew I would be getting a great education from a university that is known for excellence nationally. Also, I appreciated the online format, which allowed me to continue working as a nurse practitioner while I finished the program.”

r joyner

WHY A UF NURSING DNP?

Natalie Merino

“I enjoyed the faculty and new friends I have met and gotten to know over my time in the program. Sometimes when you’re in an online program, it can feel lonesome, but the people I have met really helped make the difference.”

natalie merino

WHY A UF NURSING DNP?

Denay Davidson

“I always wanted to get this final degree. I recently became in charge of the medical assistant training program at my company, and I’m 100% sure what I’ve learned from this program is the reason I’m where I am today.”

denay