Direct Entry to Doctor of Nursing Practice for Non-Nursing Majors (DEPN)

Priority Deadline: November 1 (no applications will be reviewed before this date)

Final Deadline: March 30 (applications received after November 1 will be reviewed on a rolling basis through the final deadline)

106 - 112.5

• Bachelor's degree with a minimum college GPA of 3.0
• Three recommendation letters
• Personal statement and resume
• Prerequisite courses with a GPA of 3.0 or higher: Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Microbiology, Nutrition, Statistics (coursework older than 7 years will not be accepted; applications with more than two incomplete prerequisite courses will not be reviewed)
• GRE scores are optional but may be submitted to strengthen your application.

International students are eligible to receive an I-20 immigration document to participate in this program. However, whether a student has Vermont RN licensure or not to begin the program, UVM is unable to authorize students for nursing employment experiences while in the Program as off-campus authorization (CPT) would not be possible because of the curricular structure of our program. While limited on-campus work would be possible, the UVM Medical Center is not an on-campus employment location, so students should expect not to have any paid nursing opportunities if they come to the program as an F-1 student. Post-Graduate OPT would be an option for students completing the program. This program is not on the STEM Designated list and thus not eligible for OPT beyond one year. Further questions can be directed to internationalstudents@uvm.edu.

New York applicants: Due to requirements of the New York Office of the Professions, UVM is restricted from offering clinical placements for licensure programs in the state of New York. Therefore, students from the state of New York or any other state may enroll in the MSN/FNP or FNP/DNP but MAY NOT complete any clinical preceptorships in the state of New York. If students from the state of New York or any other state enroll in these programs, it is with the understanding that all clinical hours MUST be accrued in a state other than New York.

Questions before you apply?

If you have any questions before starting your application, reach out to us at cnhsgrad@med.uvm.edu. Once you begin the application, you will find guidance in the University of Vermont Graduate College application portal. You do not need to apply all in one session; you'll have the option to save and return to it later. We're here to help make the process as seamless as possible. 

• Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

You can fast-track your nursing career through UVM’s Direct Entry Doctor of Nursing Practice (DEPN) program, designed for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. Rather than first earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), students progress directly into doctoral-level nursing education, providing an accelerated pathway to advanced practice nursing.

The DEPN program is designed to be completed in 11 semesters and combines on-site and hybrid learning experiences. The first year consists of a full-time, on-campus pre-licensure nursing curriculum that prepares students for registered nurse licensure. Upon successful completion of the pre-licensure year and passing the NCLEX-RN examination, students are eligible to apply for RN licensure in Vermont and continue directly into the Doctor of Nursing Practice curriculum.

Completion of the pre-licensure year does not result in the award of a degree. The pre-licensure curriculum is not a stand-alone program, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is not awarded as part of the DEPN pathway. Because educational and licensure requirements vary by state, students should be aware that the absence of a baccalaureate nursing degree may affect licensure eligibility, employment opportunities, or advancement in some states.

Following the pre-licensure year, students complete the DNP curriculum over approximately three additional years through a hybrid format that combines online coursework with required clinical and experiential learning activities. Students may pursue preparation for national certification as either a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP), gaining the advanced clinical knowledge and skills necessary to provide high-quality primary care across the lifespan.

To earn the DNP degree, students must successfully complete all required coursework, clinical practice experiences, the DNP Project, and any program-specific comprehensive requirements while maintaining a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0. Graduates are prepared to sit for national nurse practitioner certification examinations and enter practice as advanced practice registered nurses in primary care settings.

Curriculum requirements, course offerings, and program requirements are subject to change.

View a sample plan of study and current curriculum requirements (PDF)

Learn more about DEPN tuition costs and financial aid opportunities.

Join us for a virtual information session! To register, please email cnhsgrad@uvm.edu. 

How long will the program take to complete?

A full-time student may anticipate finishing the program in at least four years. For graduate students, maintaining full-time status requires enrolling in 9 credits each semester. 

Students in UVM's direct-entry DEPN program do not earn a degree upon completion of the pre-RN licensure year. The program is designed to allow students to progress directly to the D.N.P. - APRN program of study. Completion of the pre-RN licensure DEPN program allows the student to take the NCLEX in the State of Vermont. This is not necessarily transferable to other states. The pre-RN licensure year is not a stand-alone program and does not provide a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Students who complete their D.N.P. degree and successfully complete the NCLEX are eligible to practice in any state.

How can I find out if UVM has received my transcripts (or any other materials)?

UVM will inform you upon the receipt of your application materials.

When will I learn whether I have been admitted to the program?

All applications will undergo review in December, and decisions will be communicated by the end of January.

Can international students work while in the program?

International students are eligible to obtain an I-20 immigration form to participate in this program. Regardless of whether a student holds Vermont RN licensure at the start of the program, UVM cannot grant authorization for nursing employment experiences within the program, as the curricular structure does not permit off-campus authorization (CPT). Although limited on-campus employment is feasible, the UVM Medical Center does not qualify as an on-campus job site. Consequently, students should anticipate that there will be no paid nursing positions available to them if they enroll in the program with an F-1 visa status. Post-Graduate OPT would be an option for students completing the program. This program is not included in the STEM Designated Degree Program list, therefore it does not qualify for the OPT extension beyond one year. For further inquiries, direct your questions to internationalstudents@uvm.edu.

Information Sessions

To learn more, attend an information session. Register by emailing cnhsgrad@med.uvm.edu.