BS to Doctor of Nursing Practice FAQs
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Application Questions
Expand allHow do I apply?
How much is the application fee?
The application fee is $65.
When can I apply?
Summer 2024 Admissions - March 15, 2024
All nurse practitioner specializations have a Summer start term. We operate on rolling admission basis.
Does SUNY Upstate accept non-matriculated students?
Yes, the process of registering as a non-matriculated student is handled by the Registrar’s Office. You can find the instructions and forms available on the Non-Matriculated Students page
What type of letters of recommendations should I submit?
Letters must come from a professor/faculty member, a manager/supervisor, or an advanced practice licensed professional. One letter must be from your current supervisor or someone able to evaluate your clinical experience. The committee does not accept letters of recommendation from a friend/colleague.
Applicants submit their reference's information when filling out the application for admission. Upon submission of the application, references will receive instructions on how to submit letters of reference through MyUpstate.
How can I check the status of my application?
After you apply, you will receive access to an online status checker.
Can I defer my acceptance?
We consider deferrals on a case-by-case basis.
Can I meet with an admissions advisor?
If you'd like to speak with an Admissions Officer, please call 315-464-4570 during normal business hours (weekdays from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM). No appointment is necessary. You can also schedule an appointment for Zoom Virtual Chat.
What does it mean if my application is placed on hold?
If your application was placed on hold, the Admissions Committee will conduct a second review of your file when more applications are collected. At that time, you will receive another decision: admitted, denied, or waitlisted.
How much is tuition?
Information about tuition can be found on the Costs & Tuition page of our website.
Is Financial aid available for the BS-DNP program?
Financial aid is available to all College of Nursing students, including DNP students. For more information please contact the Office of Financial Aid at 315 551-2057.
Does SUNY Upstate host information sessions?
Yes, register for an information session on the Virtual Events page of the Admissions website.
If I am not admitted, can I reapply?
Yes, you're welcome to reapply the following cycle. We encourage reapplicants to update their resume, personal statement, and/or letters of recommendation.
Can I apply to two different programs within the College of Nursing?
You may apply to only one degree at a time within the College of Nursing. If you are unsure about the degree best fits your needs, please discuss this with the program director of the specialization that interests you. Contact the College of Nursing to be put in touch with the program director of your chosen program.
Academic Building
1st Floor
790 Irving Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13210
Google Maps & Directions
Phone: 315 464-4276
Fax: 315 464-5168
About the Program
Expand allWhat is a DNP?
A doctorate is the highest level of preparation for nursing. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a clinically-focused doctorate degree for nurses.
How many credits are required to complete the post bachelor’s DNP program?
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) - 85
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) - 85
Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (FPMHNP) - 88
How long does it take to complete the BS-DNP program?
A baccalaureate-prepared RN can complete the program in 3 years of full-time study.
What does a typical schedule look like for the student?
The program is offered as a full-time option in Fall and part-time option in Spring. Depending on the program track you choose, the schedule may vary. Additional schedule variations may be based on the number of transfer credits you bring into the program.
Program Tracks
Project Questions
Expand allHow many project hours are required for the program?
200 project hours
What happens if my project is disrupted?
We will work with you to make sure you stay on track. If your project is disrupted we will work to find an alternative that will still fulfill the CCNE requirements.
Do we choose our own projects or they are chosen for us?
You select your own project based upon your interest, clinical foci, and practice experience.
Do I have an opportunity to disseminate my project results?
Yes
You will disseminate findings to the Upstate University community as well as at your project site.
Do I need a clinical preceptor? If so, do they have to have a doctorate?
You do not need a clinical preceptor. You will need a project mentor at your site. Ideally, that person will have a doctorate but if not, we can provide a doctoral-level support faculty member.
Can I do my project at my place of employment?
Yes
You are encouraged to do so.
While working on my project, do I have a faculty mentor who has the same area of interest as I do?
Yes, we have a great variety of faculty with diverse experience and backgrounds. We will match you with one who will mentor you through your project.
Clinical Questions
Expand allHow many clinical hours are required for the program?
900 clinical hours
Can I do my clinical hours at my place of employment?
Students are encouraged to complete their clinical hours at organizations that are outside of their employment, although it is not prohibited and is addressed on a case-by-case basis.
Will the College of Nursing help me find a preceptor?
At the Upstate College of Nursing, the responsibility for securing clinical placement is a collaboration between the College and the student. We work together to identify clinical placement opportunities that are appropriate based upon educational needs, aspirations, and preferences whenever possible. Students should never cold-call or visit sites without a preexisting relationship. The most important part of this collaboration is communication, and we strive to work together to ensure all students can start their clinical course placements in a timely fashion at the most appropriate site offering the best experience. Students who do not identify a placement within established guidelines may be assigned to a clinical site and preceptor at the discretion of faculty.
Do the clinical courses have an on-campus component?
All clinical programs are classified as hybrid and not fully online programs. As such, students in clinical programs should always plan to have a presence on campus. While some courses are online, the program itself is not, and as such, there are requirements for on-campus responsibilities.
Questions About DNP Classes
Expand allHow do I access the classes that have an online component?
Upstate Medical University uses Brightspace. To access this system and your courses, go to d2l.upstate.edu and log in using the username provided for your Outlook email account (the part before @upstate.edu).
If you have questions about your username or password, please call our Upstate Helpdesk at 315-464-4115, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Your computer will need to meet minimum requirements to access online course information.
When do courses begin?
Courses begin officially on the first day of the term, unless otherwise stated in the course information in MyUpstate. Online courses go live (open for students to come in and get familiar with the course) one week before the official start date. Check the Academic Calendar online for start dates of each term.
Do I have to be online at a specific time?
Online courses are mostly asynchronous. There will be deadlines for learning activities, but the days of the week, and time of day you log in to participate are the times that are convenient for you.
Where can I see the curriculum?
You can browse through the courses based on the specialization you are applying for on our BS-DNP Curriculum page