ABSN Admissions

ABSN StudentsWe are available to help you whether you are just beginning to consider the right university or already have a focused plan and are ready to apply.

For general inquires, please send an email to SONAdmissions@dm.duke.edu or call our Office of Admissions toll free at 877-415-3853. Our physical address is 307 Trent Drive, Durham, NC 27710. Our mailing address is DUMC 3322, Durham, NC 27710. For technical assistance with your application, please send an email to SONApplication@dm.duke.edu.

Application Deadline

 Applications are being accepted for the ABSN program currently. Please see below for deadlines and corresponding start terms. Please contact your admissions officer if you have questions about which term will be appropriate for you.

  • Applications received between September and December 1st will receive priority consideration for the next available Fall term.
  • Applications received after December 1 will be reviewed on a space available basis..
  • Applications received between January – May 1st will receive priority consideration for the next available Spring term.
  • Applications received after May 1st will be reviewed on a space available basis.
Holistic Admissions

Duke School of Nursing is committed to holistic admissions. A holistic review is a university admissions strategy that assesses an applicant’s unique experiences alongside traditional measures of academic achievement such as grades and test scores. It is designed to help universities consider a broad range of factors reflecting the applicant’s academic readiness, contribution to the incoming class, and potential for success both in school and later as a professional. Holistic review, when used in combination with a variety of other mission-based practices, constitutes a holistic admission process. Many colleges and universities have employed a holistic admission process to assemble a diverse class of students with the background, qualities, and skills needed for success in the profession.

Admission Requirements

We participate in a comprehensive, holistic review including quantitative and qualitative criteria. All candidates must possess the physical health and emotional stability sufficient to meet the demands of nursing practice and provide safe patient care (see Duke University School of Nursing Technical Standards). In addition, fluency in speaking, reading and writing English is also required. The minimum admission requirements to be considered are as follows:

  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in any major.

  • A minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Enrollment Prerequisites

Our program requires all admitted students to complete the courses and required units listed below before starting classes. An earned minimum grade of C or higher in each nursing prerequisite course is required; the exceptions are Human Anatomy and Physiology, and Microbiology, in which a B- or higher grade is required. These courses may be taken at any accredited college, university, or community college. The prerequisite requirements do not have to be complete before submitting the application.

  • Human Anatomy and Physiology 6-8 credits

  • Microbiology (lab recommended) 3-4 credits

  • Basic Statistics 3 credits

  • Human Growth and Development or Developmental Psychology 3 credits

  • Undergraduate coursework in Nutrition is not required but strongly recommended.

Students with International Credits

Duke University's Annual Clery Security Report as Mandated by Federal Statute 20 USC § 1092. The Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report include institutional policies concerning campus safety and security, as well as statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Duke University property and on public property adjacent to campus and fires that have occurred in residence halls. A copy of this Report can be obtained by contacting the Duke Police Department at 684-4602 or writing to 502 Oregon Street, Durham, NC 27708, or by accessing: https://police.duke.edu/news-stats/clery

Technical Standards. All DUSON students should review the technical standards required of them.

Students with Disabilities: Duke University encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, don't hesitate to contact the Duke Student Disability Access Office before your participation or visit.

Application Materials

Applications can be submitted three months before the priority deadline. For an application to be considered complete, the following documents must be received:

  • Completed online application and $50 application fee. Duke University accepts payment by credit card.

  • Official/Unofficial copies of all post-secondary educational transcripts are either mailed or sent electronically to the Office of Admissions and Student Services.

  • Three letters of recommendation using the standardized reference form found in the online application. Students can submit recommendations from professional and/or academic persons.

  • Personal statements must be uploaded as a PDF document to the application form. A total of four questions must be answered within the application form in the provided text box.

To complete your application:

  1. Answer all required questions and submit the form.

  2. Pay the application fee.

  3. Upload final versions of all required documents. NOTE: Once uploaded, they cannot be changed.

  4. Send electronic recommendation forms using our secure portal.

  5. An unofficial copy of all post-secondary educational transcripts can be uploaded to your self-service portal only to be used for the review process. An official copy of all post-secondary educational transcripts will be required for enrollment and can be either mailed or sent electronically to SON-DOCUMENTS@dm.duke.edu or in a sealed envelope to:

Duke School of Nursing
Office of Admissions
DUMC 3322
307 Trent Dr.
Durham, NC 27710

When your application is complete, it will be submitted and held for review by the program’s admission committee. If any information is missing, your application will not be considered.

Application Review

Once the application is complete, the file will be forwarded to the Admissions Committee. The candidate will be notified of the admissions decision via Applicant Self-Service by the ABSN Admissions Officer. Admissions decisions are made in March (Fall term admission) and July (Spring term admission). A non-refundable enrollment fee of $500 will hold an admitted student's place in the cohort. This enrollment deposit will be credited toward the student's first-semester tuition. Candidates not offered admission will receive either a wait-list status invite or deny/decline decision. Should space become available, candidates will be notified individually via Email and the Applicant Self-Service portal. An offer of admission is not guaranteed for wait-listed candidates. Candidates offered admission from the waitlist will also be required to submit a non-refundable enrollment/tuition deposit. 

FAQs
General
Program
General FAQs

Where do I send my application materials?

Office of Admissions and Student Services
Box 102400
307 Trent Drive
Durham, NC 27710

Do you accept electronic transcripts? Yes, electronic transcripts can be emailed to SON-DOCUMENTS@dm.duke.edu.

Can I fax my transcripts? Transcripts may be faxed for an unofficial transcript receipt. The fax number is (919) 668-4693.

Can I take the prerequisite courses at a community college or online? Yes. The prerequisite courses can be completed at any regionally accredited college/university or community college. Online courses are acceptable if the institution is accredited.

Should I contact the admissions office to set up a personal interview? Interviews are not required for the program. If you would like to schedule a visit to campus, please contact our admissions office to schedule an appointment at SONAdmissions@dm.duke.edu.

If I am offered admission, can I defer my acceptance to another semester? As a general rule, we do not permit deferrals unless extenuating circumstances beyond your control prevent you from enrolling in the term you were admitted. If you have a concern about your ability to start for the semester admitted, please contact the Office of Admissions and Student Services.

Program FAQs

Is the GRE required? The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required for applicants.

Are there any part-time or online options available for the program? No. The program is a full-time program in which you are encouraged not to hold employment while in the program. There are no online options available.

Do all of the prerequisite courses need to be completed when I apply for the program? No, all prerequisite courses need to be completed prior to enrolling in the program. We also strongly recommend that if it has been over five years since you completed the prerequisite science courses (anatomy, physiology, microbiology), you consider retaking them as a refresher before the program begins.

Will you evaluate my completed coursework for prerequisite course verification?
We will verify any completed or potential coursework as the satisfactory equivalent of the required prerequisite courses. To receive official approval for prerequisite courses, you will need to provide the Admissions Officer with the following information:

  • course name

  • course number

  • institution

  • year of enrollment

  • link to the course catalog

Once a decision has been made regarding the course(s) in question, you will be notified via email.

Does Duke University School of Nursing's ABSN program curriculum meet the educational requirements for professional licensure as a registered nurse in all U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia?
Yes.

Scroll back to top automatically