ADMISSION
Due to the University’s holiday break, we will accept applications until January 15, 2025.
Completed applications that are received by the close date of January 15, 2025 will be reviewed by the admission committee for the January 2027 Cohort.
If you are applying to the DNP Nurse Anesthesia program, please note that Villanova University will be closed from December 23 through January 3 for holiday break. If you have questions during this time, please visit our FAQ and Admission webpages for detailed information.
For other questions concerning your application, we will be available starting January 6.
APPLICATION PROCESS
- Applicants to the Nurse Anesthesia DNP track must complete the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing Graduate Program Online Application for DNP Nurse Anesthesia Track.
- Completed applications should be submitted after completion of one year of full-time employment in an ICU.
- The Admissions Committee will notify the applicant via email (using the email address in the application), if selected to interview.
- The personal interview includes a detailed overview of the nurse anesthesia track and curriculum.
- If an applicant is selected for admission to the Nurse Anesthesia DNP track, they will be notified via email (using the email address in the application).
- When a Cohort has been filled, applications that have been completed by the deadline will be reviewed for admissions to the next Cohort. Note: there are instances when a seat becomes available in an earlier cohort.
APPLICATION DETAILS
Eligibility
To be eligible for admission to the Nurse Anesthesia DNP track, candidates must submit evidence of:
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an ACEN, CNEA or CCNE accredited program or its equivalent.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 (will be required to take the GRE exam if less than 3.4).
- At least one year of full-time experience (two years preferred) after orientation, with recent experience within the past five years as a registered professional nurse in critical care nursing (ICU) based within the US or its military bases, in which the applicant has had the opportunity to develop independent decision-making, demonstrate psychomotor skills and the ability to use and interpret advanced monitoring based on knowledge of physiologic and pharmacologic principles. This requirement must be met prior to candidate interview with program officials and does not include ICU orientation time.
- All non-native English-speaking applicants are required to submit either official TOEFL or IELTS results. TOEFL: Applicants must score a minimum of 83 (with 25 in the speaking section) on the iBT (internet-based test) in order to be considered for admission. IELTS: Applicants must score at least 6.5 overall (7 in the speaking section) in order to be considered for admission. When you register for the TOEFL or IELTS, please request that your results be sent directly to Villanova - our institutional code is 2959.
- Satisfactory academic record.
- ACLS Certification.
- CCRN Preferred.
- Licensure as a Registered Nurse (USA).
The following items comprise the complete NA-DNP application:
- Completed Online Application for Admission.
- A personal statement identifying career goals that are congruent with the objectives of the program and demonstrate professional communication and writing skills.
- Application fee.
- Satisfactory performance (50th percentile preferred) on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required for the Nurse Anesthesia Program for applicants who earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of less than 3.4 on a 4.0 scale in the BSN and any other undergraduate degree-granting program. Multiple undergraduate GPAs will not be computed cumulatively to meet the 3.4 requirement.
- TOEFL or IELTS* (non-native English speaking applicants).
- Transcripts from all schools attended.
- Three (3) letters of recommendation from clinical and academic professionals who are in a position to judge your performance/professional skills. MUST include one from an academic recommender and one from a direct clinical supervisor.
- Copy of current RN license.
- Upon acceptance, a comprehensive criminal background check through Complio (Villanova's online compliance tracking service) is required.
- All nurse anesthesia students are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID before the Fall semester of their first year of the program, prior to the start of clinical rotations.
A maximum of six graduate credits may be transferred, including credits earned in other colleges or schools of Villanova University. If transfer credit is requested in lieu of required courses in the track, a course syllabus and transcript must accompany the request.
All requests for transfer must be submitted in writing to the Associate Dean of the Graduate Program, Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, after admission to the track. Only courses taken prior to acceptance into the Graduate Nursing Program may be transferred.
Application should be submitted approximately one year prior to the desired date of enrollment. All admission requirements for the graduate program must be met for the program selected in addition to the following:
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended including international universities are required. English translations of transcripts are also required. All transcripts from institutions outside the U. S. must be evaluated by CGFNS Credentials Evaluation Services, full education course by course report http://www.cgfns.org/ or WES ICAP: International Credential Advantage Package http://www.wes.org/students/icap.asp Applications will not be reviewed until Villanova College of Nursing receives the official copy of the CGFNS or WES report. All application materials become the property of the University. Failure to submit transcripts from all educational institutions may be grounds for cancellation of admission.
- Each applicant must document the ability to speak, read and write English as evidenced by satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Test information can be obtained at: www.toefl.org and www.ielts.org Students whose native language is English are exempt. For those whose native language is not English, the minimum acceptable scores are:
- Internet-based TOEFL - 83 overall and 25 in the Speaking section
- IELTS – 6.5 overall and 7.0 in the Speaking section
- International students applying to a clinical program must have RN licensure in the state of Pennsylvania at the time of application. For information on how to become licensed in Pennsylvania contact the PA State Board of Nursing at: www.dos.state.pa.us/nurse
- International students must present evidence of adequate financial resources to meet the expenses of full-time study, living and travel expenses to and from the Villanova campus.
Students who enroll in this degree program may decide to pursue licensure and/or certification, the requirements for which vary by location. For more information on educational requirements, please review the professional licensure/certification disclosures.
Find important information important information regarding the University’s authorization status, students’ responsibilities related to relocation and programs leading to professional licensures, and the complaint process for online students.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
For information about the costs of the program, please see the FAQ section To learn about opportunities to finance your graduate education, please review the financial aid process on Villanova's Office of Financial Assistance site.