Admission Requirements
Admission to the Post-Graduate NP Certificate programs is based on a holistic review of your academic preparation, work, and volunteer experiences.
To be eligible for admission for the Post-Graduate Certificate Programs, you must meet the following requirements:
- Current, unencumbered WA State RN License
- Completion of a master’s degree or above from a nationally-accredited school of nursing.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (B) on a 4.00 scale for all college work.
- Transcripts from each college and university attended.
- Professional résumé.
- Statement of professional goals.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Civil, administrative and criminal history clearance in all states as well as any other applicable territory or country.
- Fluency in speaking, reading, writing and comprehending graduate-level English
December
1
Early Action Date #1
FEBRUARY
1
Early Action Date #2
MAY
1
Application Deadline
After the deadline, applications are accepted on a rolling basis depending on space availability.
As long as you submit your application by the deadline, your recommendations and official transcripts can be received after those dates.
Application Process
Click on each item in the list below to view the instructions in an expanded section, and then follow the steps to submit your application.
Create your application account
- Create your PLU application account at choose.plu.edu/apply.
- Select ‘Pacific Lutheran University Application 2027’, then ‘Graduate Application 2027’ & ‘Create Application’
- Select your program, and specialty area on Page 2 of the application
Complete application & submit all required supporting items
- Transcripts from ALL colleges/universities you’ve attended
- You may upload official OR unofficial transcripts to the application, or send them to gradadmission@plu.edu.
- If you are a PLU student or alum, you do not need to submit your PLU transcripts.
- Note: While we will accept unofficial transcripts at the application stage for domestic students, you must request official transcripts from all colleges/universities to be sent to PLU before you enroll in a PLU graduate program.
- You may upload official OR unofficial transcripts to the application, or send them to gradadmission@plu.edu.
- Personal Statement
- Please respond to each prompt using:
- 500–750 words (approximately 1–2 double-spaced pages per prompt).
- 12-point accessible font (such as Aptos, Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman).
- Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx) or PDF format.
- Include specific examples from your academic, clinical, professional, volunteer, leadership, and/or lived experiences to support your responses.
- Demonstrate thoughtful reflection, self-awareness, and understanding of the rigors of graduate study.
- Organized and written using grammar, punctuation, and professional writing that demonstrates readiness for graduate-level education.
- Address all prompts for your selected program. You may organize your responses with headings or write a cohesive essay that clearly addresses each question.
- Why are you seeking post-graduate certification in your chosen nurse practitioner specialty? How will this certification expand you professional practice and future career opportunities?
- Describe how your previous nursing and advanced practice experiences have prepared you for success in this certificate program.
- What strategies will you use to successfully balance graduate coursework and clinical requirements with your current professional responsibilities?
- Please respond to each prompt using:
- Professional Resume/CV
- Recommendation Forms/Letters
- Your two recommendations may be either academic or professional.
- The application system will send an email to your recommenders, after which they must submit the PLU Graduate Recommendation Form. They will have the option to also include a letter of recommendation.
- Application Fee
- The application fee is $65 (non-refundable), but it is waived for PLU alumni and current students.
Background Check (if admission is offered)
This is not a part of the online application. You will be invited to complete the background check via CastleBranch if admission is offered. School of Nursing will provide you the instructions at that time.
COVID vaccination records for clinical rotations (if admitted)
In order to begin clinical rotations, students must meet all agency compliance requirements including COVID vaccinations.
Graduate Level Course Transferability
If you have completed graduate-level nursing courses, to see if they can be accepted to meet the DNP degree competencies, you may submit a Gap Analysis Request with copies of your transcripts and syllabi prior to applying.
This is not a required step for applying to the program. We cannot guarantee to complete the gap analysis before the application deadline. However, if you are admitted to the program, a gap analysis will be processed.