Application Process
When to Apply
Below are the application periods for the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) sequence and Nursing Leadership & Management sequence of our BSN to DNP program.
| Starting Term | FNP Sequence | Leadership Sequence |
| Fall | Apply Sept. 1, – Feb. 1, | Apply Sept. 1, – July 15, |
Supporting documents, including official transcripts, essay, resume, references, RN license and any additional documents, are submitted with the application.
It is very important that a complete application is in place by the noted deadline. The application review and admission process generally takes 3 to 4 weeks. Admitted applicants must have cleared a criminal background check and drug screen along with specified health and safety forms through MCN before enrolling in first semester courses.
When are decisions made?
- For the Nursing Leadership & Management sequence, applicants are admitted on a rolling basis up until the deadline of July 15th.
- For the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) sequence, we pool the applications following the February 1st deadline date and begin our review process. All application materials must be received by the February 1st deadline in order to be considered for admission. Eligible applicants are contacted for an interview. Decisions regarding application status are communicated by mid-April.
How to Apply
Step 1: Complete an online application
Applicants can fill out an online application through Illinois State University's online portal.
Before you begin completing the online application, make sure you have these materials ready to upload for a complete application.
- Current resumé
- Essay outlining educational and professional goals: 2-3 pages, double-spaced
- Three professional or academic references selected
- A copy of your RN license
If you are an international applicant, you must also submit a Credentials Evaluation Service Academic Report from CGFNS (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools) or WES (World Education Services). International applicants must comply with the International Applicant Requirements as directed by the Illinois State University Office of Admissions. Please apply early in the application process to ensure adequate time to review transcripts and Credential Evaluation Reports.
Step 2: Send us your official transcripts
Official transcripts for non-ISU college coursework should be emailed directly from the prior academic institutions to GraduateAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or sent by mail to:
Illinois State UniversityGraduate School 209 Hovey Hall
Campus Box 4040
Normal, Illinois 61790-4040
Make sure to provide with your online application all former names under which your transcripts might arrive to the Office of Admissions. Failure to do so may make your application ineligible for admission review.
Step 3: Submit references
Note three professional or academic references in the online application. The form linked below will be available to your references to submit electronically through the online application.
References should be from persons qualified to assess the applicant’s potential to succeed as a graduate student. At least one reference from a nursing faculty member in the student’s baccalaureate program or a master’s prepared nurse is required.