Master of Nursing (MN) Admissions
We 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.
We offer DROP-iN Chat for virtual Q+A Sessions along with PROGRAM INFORMATION SESSIONS for application help.
Application Deadline
Applications are being accepted for the MN 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.
Holistic Admissions and
Applying to the Direct Master's Entry Program Video:
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:
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A bachelor's degree from an accredited college in any major.
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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.
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Human Anatomy and Physiology 6-8 credits
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Microbiology (lab recommended) 3-4 credits
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Basic Statistics 3 credits
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Human Growth and Development or Developmental Psychology 3 credits
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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:
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Completed online application and $50 application fee. Duke University accepts payment by credit card.
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Official/Unofficial copies of all post-secondary educational transcripts are either mailed or sent electronically to the Office of Admissions and Student Services.
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Three letters of recommendation using the standardized reference form found in the online application. Students can submit recommendations from professional and/or academic persons.
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There is a total of 4 questions that must be answered in the provided text boxes within the Personal Statements section of the application.
To complete your application:
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Answer all required questions and submit the form.
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Pay the application fee.
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Upload final versions of all required documents. NOTE: Once uploaded, they cannot be changed.
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Send electronic recommendation forms using our secure portal.
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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.
AI-Based Tools
While there is a place for generative AI-based tools to assist applicants in polishing written statements, we believe application statements should be written in the applicant’s own words. While one may use generative AI-based tools to brainstorm, refine ideas, and edit or proofread writing, applicants should not directly copy content they did not create in their application. The holistic admissions process seeks to understand each applicant’s unique experiences and potential contributions, so maintaining authenticity and originality is important. Please note that you will be required to certify that all information submitted in the application is your own work, factually true, and honestly presented.
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 MEPN 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.
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FAQs
General FAQs
Office of Admissions and Student Services
Box 102400 307 Trent Drive
Durham, NC 27710
Yes, electronic transcripts can be emailed to SON-DOCUMENTS@dm.duke.edu.
Transcripts may be faxed for an unofficial transcript receipt.
The fax number is (919) 668-4693.
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.
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.
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
The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required for applicants.
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.
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.
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.