Review the admissions requirements below and check to see if you reside within an NC-SARA member state.

Complete the admissions application.

Building upon the bachelor’s and master’s degree programs that are already part of the Nylen School of Nursing, Morningside’s first doctoral program will allow you to reach the pinnacle of your nursing education with two distinct tracks. To apply, you must have:

• Master’s degree with a major in nursing from an accredited institution with a 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale. 
• Valid R.N. license in Iowa or state participating in the licensure compact. For applicants with non-compact R.N. license contact the Dean of Nursing for state approval status or see Morningside University “Professional Licensure Disclosures” page.  
• Valid APRN license and proof of certification for Direct Patient Care DNP Track.
• Completed application.
• Official academic transcripts from all programs where a degree was obtained. If only attended Morningside University for BSN and/or MSN, the university has transcripts on file.
• Two professional and/or academic letters of recommendation.
• Professional Goal Essay that includes your area of interest and how graduate education will help you achieve your professional goals. Describe how your professional history such as your practice and leadership experience has prepared you for graduate studies (500 words or less typed).
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae.
• Background checks are required for nursing students by the Iowa Board of Nursing [see the Iowa Administrative Code 655-2.13(152) Student criminal history checks].
• 1000 practicum hours are required for the DNP degree at time of program completion. Practicum hours completed in the nursing after the bachelor’s degree are included within this 1000 practicum hour requirement. A GAP analysis will be used to determine additional practicum hour requirements to meet the 1000 hour standard.

Direct Admissions

Morningside University Nursing alumni who graduated in good academic standing are eligible for Direct Admission status into any Graduate Nursing Program track (MSN/DNP). In the case of Direct Admissions, the applicant must submit the following.

• Completed Morningside University Graduate Nursing Application.
• Valid R.N. license in Iowa or state participating in the licensure compact. For applicants with non-compact R.N. license contact the Dean of Nursing for state approval status or see Morningside University “Professional Licensure Disclosures” page.  
• Valid APRN license and proof of certification for Direct Patient Care DNP Track only.
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae.
• Official academic transcripts from all programs where a degree was obtained. If only attended Morningside University for BSN and/or MSN, the university has transcripts on file.
• Background checks are required for nursing students by the Iowa Board of Nursing [see the Iowa Administrative Code 655-2.13(152) Student criminal history checks].
• 1000 practicum hours are required for the DNP degree at time of program completion. Practicum hours completed in the nursing after the bachelor’s degree are included within this 1000 practicum hour requirement. A GAP analysis will be used to determine additional practicum hour requirements to meet the 1000 hour standard.

Iowa Administrative Code 655-2.10(6) requires notification of students and prospective students that nursing courses with a clinical or practicum component may not be taken by a person:  1) who has been denied licensure by the board; 2) whose license is currently suspended, surrendered or revoked in any U.S. jurisdiction; or 3) whose license/registration is currently suspended, surrendered, or revoked in another country due to disciplinary action.  Individuals seeking enrollment or currently enrolled in nursing programs who are not eligible to take a course with a clinical or practicum component because of disciplinary action in any state should contact the Iowa Board of Nursing Enforcement Unit at (515) 281-6472 as soon as possible.  Individuals not eligible to take a clinical or practicum component will not be admitted to the nursing program or allowed to progress in the curriculum.

Admission Fees

• Required background check $45.00
• Immunization tracking services $35

Course Fees

• DNP Practicum course fee $50.00
• HIPAA training – annually $20.00
• OSHA training – annually $20.00

Additional Fees

• Graduate Nursing Technology fee $225 per term (fall and spring)
• Any clinical site-specific requirements (e.g. drug testing) at the student’s expense
• Graduation fee $150.00
• Transcript fee $10.00 (Express mail $50.00)

Textbook and/or technology learning resource cost estimates are not listed. Many textbooks are used throughout the nursing curriculum. Nursing textbooks/technology learning resources usually average $600-800 per semester.

Students enrolled in at least 5 credit hours per term are eligible for the following resources. All students must meet satisfactory academic progress standards in order to maintain their aid.

• Federal low-interest unsubsidized loans
• Federal Graduate/Professional PLUS Loans

Loan Forgiveness

Rural Iowa Primary Care Loan Repayment Program

Health Professional Recruitment Program

Health Care Loan Repayment Program

Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program

Federal Student Loan Forgiveness, Cancellation, or Discharge