Nursing Practice – Post-BSN Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist [DNP]
The Post-BSN to DNP Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist is a 3-year full-time program. Graduates will matriculate as DNP-prepared Clinical Nurse Specialists ready to care for patients from adolescence through geriatrics and will practice in acute care or community settings.
The curriculum includes advanced foundational coursework and clinical practicum experiences culminating in the DNP Practicum Scholarly Project. At the end of this program, the graduate nurse will be eligible to sit for the national certification examinations required to practice as an Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist and will subsequently be eligible for state licensure as a clinical nurse specialist. Students admitted to the Post-BSN to DNP CNS program must travel to campus for a maximum of 6 days per semester. These on-campus immersion sessions will support student success through instruction and testing of clinical skills utilizing skills labs, simulations, and expert seminars.
The program typically requires 2-4 courses per semester year-round to complete the program in 3 years. The program may be completed part-time over four years, requiring students to take 2-3 courses per semester year-round to complete the program.
Students must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited School of Nursing (or complete Bridge requirements if the applicant is an RN with a bachelor’s degree in another field) and be eligible for a Michigan Nursing License.
Intakes
- Feb
- July
- Nov
Application Processing Time in Days: 30
Minimum English Language Requirements
| English Level Description | IELTS (1.0 -9.0) | TOEFL IBT (0-120) | TOEFL CBT (0-300) | PTE (10-90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert | 9 | 120 | 297-300 | 86-90 | |
| Very Good | 8.5 | 115-119 | 280-293 | 83-86 | |
| Very Good | 8 | 110-114 | 270-280 | 79-83 | |
| Good | 7.5 | 102-109 | 253-267 | 73-79 | |
| Good | 7 | 94-101 | 240-253 | 65-73 | |
| Competent | 6.5 | 79-93 | 213-233 | 58-65 | |
| Competent | 6 | 60-78 | 170-210 | 50-58 | |
| Modest | 5.5 | 46-59 | 133-210 | 43-50 | |
| Modest | 5 | 35-45 | 107-133 | 36-43 | |
| Limited | 4 | 32-34 | 97-103 | 30-36 | |
| Extremely Limited | < 4 | < 31 | < 93 | < 30 |
Job Opportunity Potential
Eastern is a great place to work. Our professional, inclusive environment fosters respectful and friendly comradery. Our beautiful 800-acre campus filled with nearly 22,000 lively, intelligent and innovative students, makes Eastern an exciting and energizing place to build your career.
There are so many advantages to working at EMU. From competitive wages, excellent benefits packages, tuition waiver program and just the feeling of making a difference in the lives of students, Eastern might just be the place for you to make your mark.
Find postings for faculty and lecturers on our Academic Human Resources site.
Are you a current EMU student looking for a campus job? Search on Handshake.
Eastern Michigan University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, ancestry, disability, military status, veteran status or other non-merit reasons, in employment, and complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action.
PSW Opportunity
Post-Study Work visa or permit, allowing international students on F-1 visas to work in the US after completing their studies, typically through Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Eligibility:
To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled full-time in a US educational institution for at least one academic year and be seeking work related to their major.
Duration:
Students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT, either before they finish their studies (pre-completion) or after graduation (post-completion).
STEM OPT:
Students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields can apply for an extended OPT period of up to 24 months.
Contact our PSA counselor for more information
Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria
TOEFL: 79 iBT (TOEFL Home Edition also accepted)
- Effective Winter 2026: 85 (straight admission) or 71-84 (ESL Placement & potentially 500-level/advanced speaking and writing courses)
TOEFL Essentials: 9
- Effective Winter 2026: 9.5
IELTS: 6.5 (IELTS Indicator also accepted)
Pearson English Language Test (PTE): 53
- Effective Winter 2026: 70 (59-75 academic), 50 (straight admission) or 44-49 (ESL Placement Test & potentially 500-level advanced speaking and writing courses)
Michigan English Test (MET): 57
- Effective Winter 2026: 60
Duolingo: 105
- Effective Winter 2026: 115 (straight admission) or 105-110 (ESL Placement Test & potentially 500-level advanced speaking and writing courses)
- Course Type: Full Time
- Course Level: Doctoral Degree/PhD
- Duration: 03 Year
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Total Tuition Fee:
158400 USD
Average Cost of Living: 14000 USD /year
Application Fee: 45 USD