Your Journey to a Rewarding Nursing Career Starts Here
The Master of Nursing program at Duke University School of Nursing is a direct-entry pathway for individuals with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees who want to enter the nursing profession. The full graduate admissions process for our MN program is outlined below, along with important details on deadlines, holistic admissions criteria, and the prerequisite coursework required for enrollment.
Virtual Info Sessions and Drop-In Chats
We offer DROP-iN Chat for virtual Q+A Sessions along with PROGRAM INFORMATION SESSIONS for application help.
Connect With Our Admissions Team
Whether you’re just beginning to explore your options or you’re ready to apply, our admissions team is here to guide you through the graduate admissions process for the Master of Nursing program.
For general inquiries or technical questions, email us or call our Office of Admissions toll-free at 877-415-3853.
Mailing Address
Duke University School of Nursing
DUMC 3322
Durham, NC 27710
Physical Address
307 Trent Drive
Durham, NC 27710
Want to stay in the loop? Fill out this form to opt in to text messages and email newsletters with Master of Nursing program updates, application tips, and upcoming deadlines.
School of Nursing Application Deadlines
Applications for the Master of Nursing program are accepted on a rolling basis, with priority given to those submitted by the dates listed below. If you’re unsure which start term is right for you, we encourage you to contact our admissions team for guidance.
Fall Term
- Applications submitted between September and December 1 receive priority consideration for fall admission.
- Applications submitted after December 1 will be reviewed on a space-available basis.
Spring Term
- Applications submitted between January and May 1 receive priority consideration for spring admission.
- Applications submitted after May 1 will be reviewed on a space-available basis.
Holistic Admissions
Duke University School of Nursing is committed to a holistic admissions review strategy that evaluates applicants’ unique experiences alongside traditional academic measures such as grades and test scores. This approach considers a broad range of factors that reflect each applicant’s academic readiness, potential contributions to the incoming class, and likelihood of success both in the program and in the nursing profession.
When combined with mission-based practices, holistic review supports a comprehensive admissions process. Like many institutions, the School of Nursing uses this approach to build a diverse cohort of students with the qualities, skills, and perspectives needed to excel as future nurses and healthcare leaders.
Learn More About Holistic Admissions and How to Apply
MN Program Admission Requirements
The School of Nursing conducts a comprehensive, holistic review of each applicant using both quantitative and qualitative criteria. To be considered for admission to the Master of Nursing program, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in any major
- A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Fluency in spoken and written English
- Physical health and emotional stability sufficient to meet the demands of nursing practice and provide safe patient care (see Duke School of Nursing Technical Standards)
Enrollment Prerequisites
Before enrolling in the Master of Nursing program, admitted students must complete the following prerequisite coursework. These nursing prerequisites may be taken at any accredited college, university, or community college and do not need to be completed before applying.
All courses require a minimum grade of C or higher, with the exception of Human Anatomy and Physiology and Microbiology, which require a B- or higher.
- 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
- Nutrition: Undergraduate coursework is not required but strongly recommended
Completing Your Master of Nursing Program Application
Ready to apply? This section walks you through the required materials you’ll need, how to complete your MN program application, and what happens once it’s submitted. Make sure to review deadlines and submit all required materials to ensure timely consideration.
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. These can be 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.
*Note: There are four questions that must be answered in the text boxes provided within the Personal Statements section of the application.
How to Apply to the MN Program
Follow the steps below to complete your application to the Master of Nursing program.
- Access the online application through the Duke University School of Nursing admissions portal.
- Answer all required questions in the application form and submit it.
- Pay the application fee (credit card accepted).
- Upload final versions of all required documents. (Note: Once uploaded, documents cannot be edited or replaced.)
- Submit your recommendation forms through our secure online portal.
- Upload unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions to your self-service portal for initial review. Official copies of all post-secondary educational transcripts will be required for enrollment and can be sent electronically or mailed in a sealed envelope to:
Duke School of Nursing
Office of Admissions
DUMC 3322 307
Trent Drive
Durham, NC 27710
Application Review Process
Once your application is complete, it will be forwarded to the Admissions Committee for review. If any required materials are missing, your application will not be considered.
You will be notified of your admissions decision through the Applicant Self-Service portal by the MN Admissions Officer. Decisions are typically released in:
- March for fall term admission
- July for spring term admission
If you are offered admission, you’ll need to submit a non-refundable $500 enrollment deposit to reserve your spot in the cohort. This deposit will be applied to your first-semester tuition.
If you are not offered admission, you may receive a waitlist invitation or a denial. Waitlisted applicants will be notified individually by email and through the Applicant Self-Service portal if space becomes available. Admission from the waitlist is not guaranteed and requires a non-refundable deposit if offered a seat.
More Information for MN Program Applicants
Explore additional information for Master of Nursing applicants, including Duke’s technical standards, campus safety policies, and international application requirements.
If you earned your degree outside the United States, you may be required to submit additional documentation as part of your application to the Master of Nursing program. This includes proof of English proficiency, a course-by-course credential evaluation from a recognized agency, and other materials specific to international education. See our requirements for international applicants for more information.
In accordance with federal statute 20 USC § 1092, Duke University publishes an Annual Clery Security Report and an Annual Fire Safety Report. These reports include institutional policies on campus safety and security, as well as crime and fire statistics for the past three years on Duke property and adjacent public areas.
Access the report online or request a printed copy by contacting the Duke University Police Department at (919) 684-4602 or writing to: 502 Oregon Street, Durham, NC 27708
All Duke University School of Nursing students must meet established technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodations, to successfully progress through and graduate from their programs. These standards outline the essential skills and abilities needed to complete the curriculum and provide safe, effective patient care. Key areas include communication, critical thinking, clinical judgment, professional behavior, and the ability to carry out nursing interventions.
Duke University is committed to providing equal access to its programs and activities for students with disabilities. If you anticipate needing accommodations or have questions about physical or academic access, please contact Duke Access and Accommodation Services as early as possible in your admissions or enrollment process.
Generative AI tools can be helpful for brainstorming, refining ideas, or proofreading your written responses — but all application materials must reflect your own words and original thinking. School of Nursing applicants should not submit any content generated entirely by AI or copied from sources they did not create in their application.
Our 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.