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Fall 2026 (Enrollment Term)

  • Applications Available: September 1, 2025
  • Applications Due: May 1, 2026 (11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time)

Holistic Admissions Process for DNP Applicants

At the University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene, we take a holistic approach to admissions for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. We assess each applicant based on more than just academic performance, recognizing the value of clinical experience, leadership, and community service.

We do not conduct interviews as part of our admissions process. Instead, we rely on your comprehensive CV to showcase your qualifications. Your CV should reflect:

  • Clinical expertise and nursing practice: Highlight your experience in advanced practice roles.
  • Leadership and certifications: Detail any leadership positions and relevant certifications.
  • Service and community involvement: Share how you’ve contributed to underserved populations and healthcare initiatives.
  • Academic and research achievements: Include research projects, publications, and other scholarly work.

Your CV provides a clear picture of your potential to contribute to the field of nursing and succeed in the DNP program. By focusing on these aspects, you help us understand how your experiences align with our mission to develop nurse leaders who can transform healthcare.

See sample CV’s here:

How to Apply

The DNP Program uses a rolling admissions process. Early application is highly recommended due to cohort size limitations.

We encourage applicants to apply beginning September 1 both in the Nursing Centralized Admission Service (NCAS) system and the UHM Graduate Division. Incoming students are admitted on a first-come first-served basis until the incoming cohort numbers are met.  Please check NCAS and the UHM Graduate Division for a full listing of application requirements.

Two-Step Application Process

Application Requirements are found on the websites listed below.

Step 1 – Apply to UH Manoa Graduate Division

Step 2 – Apply to Nursing’s Centralized Application Service

Application deadlines for NCAS are set to Eastern Standard Time (EST) and will close at midnight EST the date of the deadline.

  • http://www.nursingcas.org
  • Fee: $80
  • Select the appropriate track “Doctor of Nursing Practice” for the planned course of study

Please note: Applicants must submit fully completed applications meeting all requirements for both the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM) Graduate Division and the Department of Nursing (DON) to be reviewed for admission to the program. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed and cannot be re-submitted. Applicants can apply only once per annual admission cycle. Each applicant is evaluated on the merit of their individual application. Notifications about decisions occur following review of the completed application by the admissions team.

Admission Requirements

Education & Licensure Requirements

Track Education Requirement Licensure Requirement
FNP, AGPCNP, PMHNP Baccalaureate degree or higher in Nursing from an accredited college or university earned by July 15 of the program start year Current unrestricted RN license in the United States or evidence of passing the NCLEX-RN exam and in process to obtain a current RN license in the state by the end of the first semester of the program.
Post Master’s PMHNP Master’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university earned by July 15 of the program start year Current unrestricted APRN and RN license in the United States.
Post Master’s Organizational Leadership Master’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university earned by July 15 of the program start year Current unrestricted RN license in the United States or evidence of passing the NCLEX-RN exam and a current RN license in the state or jurisdiction of practice.
EMBA to DNP Master’s in Business Administration from Shidler College of Business Current unrestricted RN license in the United States or evidence of passing the NCLEX-RN exam and a current RN license in the state or jurisdiction of practice.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

Minimum graduate GPA 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale

English Language Proficiency

If an applicant’s native language is not English or has not obtained a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an English speaking college, then the applicant must submit official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores with a minimum score of 600/100 (paper/internet) and subtest scores of 25 for listening and 25 for speaking or Grad International English Language Testing System (IELTS) minimum score of 7.00.

International Students

Please visit the UH Manoa Office of International Student Services page, email them at issmanoa@hawaii.edu, or call them at (808) 956-8613.

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