Admission Requirements

Applicants must complete both the university’s Graduate College application and the School of Nursing application forms. Applications must be complete before the personal interview is scheduled. Individuals are admitted for study beginning only in the fall semester. Admissions decisions are announced on a continuous basis beginning March 15, though applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Not every applicant who meets the minimum admission requirements can be admitted; the department reserves discretion in admission of the most highly qualified applicants.

Specific admission requirements are outlined below:

1. Evidence of an earned B.S.N. or B.S. degree with a major in nursing from an accredited baccalaureate program in nursing. Nurses with a baccalaureate degree in another discipline will be considered on an individual basis.
2. A grade point average of at least 3.0 out of 4.0 in the last 60 credit hours of the undergraduate nursing program;
3. Completion of the following prerequisites:
   • A recent undergraduate course in descriptive and beginning inferential statistics
   • A recent undergraduate course in research design
   • An undergraduate course in informatics
4. Current license to practice nursing in one of the 50 states, territories, or country of origin;
5. Submission of scores on TOEFL for international students with minimum score of 600;
6. Evidence of personal and professional qualifications for graduate study, as reflected in
   • Three (3) letters of reference from individuals able to comment on the applicant’s most recent nursing employment, academic record, and potential for success in advanced professional nursing
   • Responses on written essay related to advanced professional nursing
   • Current resume or curriculum vitae
   • Evidence of proficient nursing practice (e.g., certification)
   • Responses during personal interview, including professional and behavioral characteristics required for nursing practice
7. Other assessment procedures as indicated.

Program Requirements

Specific program requirements are as follows:

1. At the time of admission, the individual must declare the selected area of study desired (teaching or leadership/management).
2. Completion of a minimum of 12 graduate courses, including eight core graduate courses and four specialty courses.
3. As an option, a master’s thesis (NUR 7000) may be completed for an additional 6 graduate credits by students who demonstrate research aptitude and interest.
4. The student must manifest behavioral and professional characteristics which, in the judgment of the school faculty, will support the development of her/his professional competence.