How to Apply - Psychiatric Mental Health, DNP

Learn about the application process for the Psychiatric Mental Health Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Seattle University.

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Application Deadlines

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

EXTENDED APPLICATION DEADLINE: JANUARY 5

RN-DNP and APNI-DNP Applicants: The priority application deadline is December 1. Courses begin during the summer quarter.

Post-Master’s DNP Applicants: The priority application deadline is January 15; applications are accepted on a space-available basis until filled. 

Note: When deadlines fall on a weekend or holiday, applicants have until offices reopen to submit application materials.

  • APNI-DNP and RN-DNP Priority Application Deadline: December 1
  • Post-Master's DNP Priority Application Deadline: January 15
  • File Reviews: December-February
  • Interviews: February
  • Admission Decision Release: March
  • Waitlist: March-June
  • Program Start: June

Seattle University will communicate via email and application status page, and admission decisions will be available on your application status page. Your application status page is also a great way to ensure your application is not missing any required materials, and it’s where we will upload any additional forms you may need to complete. It's recommended that you check your application status page at least once per week.

The College of Nursing cannot release any information regarding where you rank on the waitlist or how many individuals are on the waitlist. If a spot becomes available, we will contact you and update your application status. This can occur at any time between March and June.

Admission Criteria

  • Complete graduate application
  • Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in course work from all post-secondary educational institutions attended in the last 90-quarter/60-semester credits of the bachelor’s degree, including any transfer credits earned during this time and any post-baccalaureate course work. Individuals who have less than a 3.0 GPA may be considered, given evidence of other accomplishments.
  • Professional résumé specifying education and work experience. Two years of work experience preferred. Two years of acute care experience preferred for Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner specialization.
  • Two letters of recommendation (at least one from an academic source) that speak to the applicant's potential for success in a doctoral-level advanced practice nursing program.
  • Letter of intent describing the applicant’s motivation for applying to this program, reason for choosing nursing, reason for choosing the specific advanced practice role for which they are applying, reason for choosing a DNP program and the reason for applying to Seattle University.
  • Select applicants to be invited for an interview.

International applicants and applicants for whom English is a non-native language, please visit the International Students admissions page for additional requirements.

  • Evidence of minimum of earned four-year baccalaureate degree from regionally accredited institution or U.S. equivalent. Submit official, degree-posted transcript from last 90-quarter/60-semester credits of your bachelor’s degree, including any transfer credit earned during this time period. Unofficial transcripts for all post-baccalaureate coursework or satisfying prerequisite coursework also required. If admitted, students have until the end of their first quarter of enrollment to provide official copies.
  • Prerequisite Form indicating plan for required course work noted below (form supplied with application online). Applicants must have completed 5 out of the 8 prerequisite courses including the following two: Anatomy and Physiology I and Microbiology by December 31. You may be enrolled in Anatomy and Physiology II during the winter quarter. Please note time-frame requirements for prerequisites. Unofficial transcript copies can be submitted at the time of application. If admitted, students have until the end of their first quarter of enrollment to provide official copies. Official transcripts are required for all prerequisite coursework to continue in the program. 

A minimum grade of “C” (2.0) is required in each prerequisite, except where noted otherwise.

  • Algebra
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2 with lab (within 5 years, 2.7 GPA required)
  • Microbiology with lab (within 5 years)
  • Psychology Growth and Development
  • Statistics
  • Chemistry, 1-year High School or 1 quarter college (no time limit)

All prerequisite courses must be taken at regionally accredited institutions. The College of Nursing will also accept online coursework taken through a regionally accredited institution. All prerequisites coursework should be completed within 10 years, except where noted. All prerequisites must be completed before classes begin.

Learn More about APNI Prerequisite Coursework.

  • Copy of current RN licensure without practice restrictions or ability to obtain an RN license in WA state if from another state.
  • Evidence of minimum of earned four-year baccalaureate degree from regionally accredited institution or U.S. equivalent. Submit official, degree-posted transcript from last 90-quarter/60-semester graded credits of your bachelor’s degree, including any transfer institution credit earned during this time period.
  • 5 quarter credit undergraduate Statistics course or its equivalent completed within 5 years with a grade of “C” (2.0) or better.
  • Official transcripts from all accredited institutions where graduate-level courses were taken must reflect a GPA of at least 3.0 from a regionally accredited college or university. The earned master’s degree may be in nursing or other health related field. If the master’s is in nursing it must be from a CCNE or NLNAC accredited nursing program.
  • Current unencumbered RN license. If applicant is a nurse practitioner, he/she must also have current, unencumbered ARNP license.
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice Supplemental Application Form: Credit granted for up to 500 post-baccalaureate supervised academic clinical hours contributing to the 1,000 total supervised clinical hours required for graduation from the DNP program. Graduates from post-baccalaureate programs that provide less than 500 clinical hours must complete the Clinical Hours Portfolio Template and submit to the College of Nursing for review.

Ready to Apply?

We hope you'll join our next cohort of transformative health care leaders. Take the first step—submit your application today.

Common Questions

We will consider an applicant with an undergraduate cumulative GPA less than 3.0 who provides evidence of other achievements or abilities that might predict success in the program. A strong goals statement, high grades in the nursing prerequisites or other evidence of academic ability may be considered.

No. Your application will be screened by the admissions committee. If you are selected, we will contact you to set up an interview to further assess your ability to be successful in the program. Interviews typically begin in late January.

The application asks you to address your personal and professional goals. You should be clear about how your career goals fit with your selected area of study and why you chose Seattle University’s nursing program. Read over the materials you have received from SU, the College of Nursing and information available on our website. Relate your personal and professional goals to the University and College of Nursing mission. Use good language arts skills to demonstrate your writing ability.

Recommended Formatting:

  • 2-3 pages in length
  • 12-point Times New Roman font
  • Double spaced

Individuals providing your recommendations are asked to rate you on several personal and professional qualities. Choose references who have first-hand knowledge of these qualities—a current or former professor who knows you well and your employer provide a good balance, but more important than who they are is their ability to speak to the qualities that will make you successful in the program. Do not submit references from family members or friends and limit the number of references to two. When you fill out your online application, you will be asked to include email addresses for your references. They will be emailed a link to complete a secure online recommendation form.

There are no tacit or unwritten criteria for admission. The best approach is to provide the strongest evidence you can of your potential for success in the program within the stated admission criteria. Learn as much as you can about the nursing profession, advanced practice nursing and Seattle University so that you present yourself as a motivated, knowledgeable and interested applicant.

You may apply with an RN license that is outside of Washington state. If accepted into the program, you must obtain a WA state license prior to the program start in June. 

You may still apply to the program if you will not complete your BSN until after the December 1 priority deadline, however, your application will be considered a late application. The deadline for completing your BSN after the December 1 priority deadline and providing documentation of degree completion to graduate admissions is December 31.

If you will not take your NCLEX till after the December 1 priority deadline, you may still be eligible to apply for the program. The deadline for taking the NCLEX and submitting your RN license to apply for the program is January 15.

Get in Touch

We’re here to help. For information about DNP degrees at Seattle University, contact:

Oz Sener, MEd

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