College of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice Majors GRE Waiver Request
The College of Nursing request a waiver of the GRE/MAT as an admission criterion for
outstanding applicants to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. The DNP degree is designed
to prepare nurses for the highest level of clinical practice in the profession of nursing as a nurse
practitioner. The DNP degree has three majors, Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult/Geriatric Acute
Care Nurse Practitioner, and the post-master’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
major. The following criteria apply to the DNP program starting Fall 2020 admission cycle.
Criteria
The GRE requirement will be waived for outstanding applicants meeting ONE of the following
criteria:
-A completed master’s degree with a 3.0 or better GPA from an accredited institution
-A completed BSN with a of 3.5 GPA from an accredited institution 60 hours of nursing or RN
to BSN courses.
Applicants must provide evidence to satisfy the criteria being applied. Note: Applicant with a
competitive GRE or MAT score will still be able to apply to the program and will not be held to
these additional criteria. Note: For those accredited institutions that are competency-based (no
GPA assigned) the applicant must submit a GRE/MAT score.
Rationale
A growing body of research has demonstrated that the GRE, is not a predictor of student success.
It is also indicated the GRE places substantial limitations on students that are poor, female or
part of an underrepresented group
1
. The requirement may severely limit the number of highly
capable men and women that have chosen to be registered nurses. The DNP program is designed
to prepare nurses for the highest level of clinical practice in the profession of nursing as a nurse
practitioner. The program is designed in accordance with the American Association of Colleges
of Nursing (AACN) Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Practice Nursing, the
National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty (NONPF) Core competencies, and the
Population Focus Nurse Practitioner Competencies (2013).
Further, we have found no evidence that students with GRE sores below the current minimum
required score (and requiring an exception) perform any differently than other students, based on
their GPA in the program, graduation rate in 3 year, and their DNP evidence based projects are
on par with others with higher GRE scores.
The College of Nursing is also converting the DNP program with 3 majors to online starting fall
2020. Waiving the GRE requirements will allow more qualified applicants into the 3 majors
without reducing the quality of graduates.
1
Benderly, B. (2017). GREs don’t predict grad school success. What does? Science. doi:10.1126/science.caredit.a1700046
Criteria Rationale
- A completed master’s degree with a 3.0 or better GPA from an accredited institution
In waiving the GRE in lieu of an applicant’s attainment of another professional degree,
we will be able to admit applicants who have already demonstrated their success in
professional schools and are likely to continue their success in professional doctorate
program.
- A completed BSN with a of 3.5 GPA from an accredited institution 60 hours of
nursing or RN to BSN courses and Registered Nursing License.
Nursing schools demand students to be successful in the academic setting as well as pass
the National Council Licensure Examination at the completion of nursing school before
becoming a Registered Nurse. BSN prepared RN have already demonstrated a high
level of success in undergraduate school and are likely to continue their success in
graduate program.
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF NURSING
Graduate Program
Vivian M. Duxbury Hall, 98 Varsity Way, P.O. Box 3064310, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4310
Telephone 850.644.3299 Fax 850.644.7660 www.nursing.fsu.edu
August 27, 2019
Graduate Policy Committee
Florida State University
RE: Request for GRE/MAT waiver for the College of Nursing Graduate Program
To Whom It May Concern:
The College of Nursing is requesting a waiver of the GRE/MAT as an admission criterion for
outstanding applicants to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. Beginning Fall 2020, the DNP
program will be converting all three majors to an online format, Family Nurse Practitioner,
Adult/Geriatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Waiving the GRE/MAT requirement will allow more qualified applicants into these 3 majors
without reducing the quality of our graduates.
Attached, please find the criteria and rationale for waiving the GRE/MAT requirement. Please
contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs
College of Nursing
850-644-5621
