ADMISSION
In alignment with the University's academic calendar, the current application cycle is June 1, 2026, through September 1, 2026, for admission into the Summer 2027 cohort.
We will review applications immediately and invite candidates for interviews before the end of October.
Previous applicants are welcome to reapply!
APPLICATION DETAILS
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.
- CCRN certification or its equivalent (Pediatric CCRN or CFRN) required at the time of application.
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
- GRE completion with results included in the application if GPA is less than 3.4
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 in each (not combined) undergraduate science course (i.e., Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology, etc.)
- 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, its territories 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. Examples of Adult or Pediatric Critical Care units may include but are not limited to: Surgical Intensive Care, Cardiothoracic Intensive Care, Coronary Intensive Care, and Medical Intensive Care. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or exclusive Emergency Room experience is not accepted.
- Satisfactory academic record
- BLS and ACLS Certification
- Licensure as a Registered Nurse (USA)
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.
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 that contributes to the BSN. Multiple, noncontributing 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, CCRN, GRE (if applicable), BLS and ACLS certifications.
- 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 start of clinical rotations. (Exceptions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.)
1. Applicants to the Nurse Anesthesia DNP track must complete the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing Graduate Program Online Application for DNP Nurse Anesthesia Track. The deposit is nonrefundable. It is used to support the educational and administrative costs of the track.
2. Completed applications should be submitted after completion of one year of full-time employment in an ICU.
3. The Admissions Committee will notify the applicant via email (using the email address in the application), if selected to interview. We interview approximately 50 to 60 qualified applicants for 36 seats in the Cohort.
- To ensure a fair and equitable admissions process, we do not provide individualized advice on how to strengthen your application. All applicants are evaluated based on the published criteria. If you have general questions about the application process, contact Nursing Recruitment.
4. The personal interview includes a detailed overview of the nurse anesthesia track and curriculum.
5. 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).
6. When a cohort reaches capacity, up to 15 qualified applicants—who would otherwise have been offered admission—will be placed on a waitlist. Applicants will be informed of their numerical position on the waitlist and may be offered admission if a seat becomes available. Applicants who are not admitted from the waitlist may reapply for a future cohort through a streamlined application process. Placement on the waitlist does not guarantee admission to a subsequent cohort.
TRANSFER OF CREDITS
Transfer credits are not accepted.
Students looking to bolster their application or to demonstrate command of graduate-level work may take a graduate-level Statistics course from any accredited institution. Please note that the credits will not transfer to Villanova, but the final grade earned in the course will be reviewed by the admission committee.
PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE
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.
DISTANCE EDUCATION DISCLOSURE
Find 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
To learn about opportunities to finance your graduate education, visit the Graduate Student Financial Aid Process and Veterans' Benefits.
Other cost payable include, but are not limited to:
$3,000 non-refundable seat deposit upon acceptance into the Nurse Anesthesia track.
PARKING: Students will be required to purchase a Villanova parking permit.