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How to Apply

DNAP student at Mayo Clinic providing anesthesia care in the operating room

Admission requirements

Positions

Up to 30 students are accepted on a competitive basis each year for the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) Program at Mayo Clinic's campus in Rochester, Minnesota.

Prerequisites

For admission to the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) Program (a 39-month, continuous program), you must have:

  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 AND minimum Science GPA of 3.25.
  • A current unencumbered Minnesota registered nurse (R.N.) license upon enrollment.
  • Received a bachelor's degree in nursing or an appropriate biological science from an accredited institution.
  • A minimum of two years of acceptable clinical experience as an R.N. in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting by the time of program start.
    • If an applicant has previous critical care experience but is currently working in a non-critical care unit, ICU experience is required within two years of program start date.
  • Demonstrated ability in no fewer than 30 prerequisite basic- or advanced-science semester credits.
  • Required undergraduate or graduate courses in:
    • Anatomy
    • Chemistry 
    • Physiology

Acceptance factors and criteria

During the application review process, you will be screened on the following criteria:

  • Cognitive factors:
    • Overall academic performance
    • Demonstrated ability in science courses
  • Non-cognitive factors:
    • Clinical experience
    • Professional involvement
  • References: Two specific references required (current nurse manager, and ICU physician or advanced practice provider with whom you have worked)
  • Knowledge of the profession (nurse anesthesia shadowing experience recommended)

Successful applicants are not selected on grades alone. Applicants who do not meet the cumulative and/or science GPA requirement have the option, at the discretion of the DNAP Program Director, to submit the last 60 cumulative credits and/or the last 30 science credits of higher education coursework that meet this requirement. Contact the DNAP Program Director directly and request this consideration with an explanation of your circumstances.

Admission policies

Non-U.S. citizen applicants

Admission to Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences is open to U.S. workers in the four categories below. Therefore, visa sponsorship is not available.

  1. U.S. citizens
  2. U.S. nationals
  3. Lawful permanent residents
  4. Asylees and refugees

Applicants whose primary language is not English must submit results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based test (TOEFL iBT). Scores from the speaking portion of the exam are given particular consideration in admission decisions. Learn more about the exam and register online at the Educational Testing Service.

The Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences code for the TOEFL iBT is 5784.

Educational transcripts from schools outside the U.S. must be translated (if they are not already in English) and evaluated for U.S. equivalence by an accredited credential evaluation service company prior to submission. Please refer to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services for a list of qualified companies. The applicant pays for the examination and credential-evaluation services.

Applicants must also have a minimum of one year of ICU experience in the U.S. and at least one science course completed in the U.S.

Transfer policy

Please note, transfer credits are not accepted.

More information

See further Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences admissions policy information.

Application process

Application timeline

Application window Apply
April 14-June 16 Online application 

The online application opens on April 14 the year prior to enrollment. Your application and all supporting documentation must be submitted no later than June 16.

Application instructions

Complete the following steps to apply through the Nursing CAS* System:

  1. Create an account to begin the online Application for Admission
    • Select - Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences
    • Select - Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice Program
  2. Follow the instructions in the Nursing CAS system
  3. Utilize this template for your CV - DNAP Program CV Template
  4. Complete each section of the application and submit

*Please note: Nursing CAS collects data from you; like any electronic system, a data breach is inherently possible. By sharing your data, you acknowledge that you are aware of this possibility and accept the risk.

Interview process

If you are considered for acceptance, you may be asked to visit Mayo Clinic's campus in Rochester (at your own expense) for a personal behavioral interview with the admissions committee.

Interviews are held in the fall. Final candidates for the program are selected after all interviews are completed.

Acceptance

Acceptance letters are mailed by November. Payment of a $250 (subject to change) nonrefundable slot-retention fee is required upon acceptance into the program.

Classes begin in mid-September. The traditional program is completed 39 months later in mid-December.

Academics ▸ Health Sciences Education ▸ Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice Program (Minnesota) ▸ How to Apply
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