Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Duke University Duke University School of Nursing · Durham, NC

Field: Nursing (MSN, DNP, PhD)
Degrees: Master's, PhD, Professional doctorate
Application fee: $50
GRE: Not required
Letters: 3 (recommendations)

Deadlines

PhD in Nursing application and fee due: Nov. 19, 2026

Essays

Personal statement: three written essays (MSN) (2,000 characters per response)

Three required prompts answered in text boxes in the application

Resume/CV (MSN)

Personal statement (PhD) (1-2 pages, single-spaced, 12-point font)

Purposes for graduate study; research interests and career goals; strengths and weaknesses in the field; a prior research project and how it shaped your plans; reasons for choosing Duke; and PhD faculty whose research fits yours.

Editor's notes

Duke reviews MSN applications on a rolling basis for spring and fall 2027 until programs fill, so applying early improves your odds of a seat in your chosen major. The three required essays are capped at 2,000 characters each, roughly 300 words, so each answer needs to make one clear point; the committee says it looks for applicants who can clearly describe the role they are seeking and argue logically in writing. Nurse practitioner applicants need at least one letter from a provider (MD, DO, PA or NP) in their chosen major, and letters from current supervisors are singled out as especially helpful. PhD applicants face a firm November 19, 2026 deadline.