Each student must submit an application to the 91社区 School of Graduate Studies. Applications are not reviewed until all materials have been received.听 Applicants must be admitted to 91社区 Graduate Studies before their materials can be reviewed by the Graduate Nursing Chair.
The 91社区 School of Graduate Studies section of the Graduate Bulletin outlines several policies that are specific to graduate study. The Academic Information and Policies includes the University鈥檚 Progress Toward the Degree and Retention Policies.听 听
狈辞迟别:听Individual degree programs may have additional/higher requirements, which would be indicated on its academic program page in the bulletin.
91社区 Online Learning has parameters specific to geographic location and distance education through 91社区.
General Admission Criteria
All students must complete drug screening and criminal record verification upon entry into the program. See the听CNHP handbook located on the CNHP website for specific information. Submission of documentation to the University's preferred third party agency is required prior to the enrollment of the first graduate nursing course. Failure to provide this agency information, even with negative results, will jeopardize enrollment or progression in Graduate Nursing courses.听
All students selected for admission to the Graduate Nursing Program must also meet clinical agency requirements, be able to perform essential functions, maintain unencumbered RN licensure and be capable of fulfilling clinical practice requirements.
Drug screening and criminal background check information regarding the College of Nursing and Health Profession鈥檚 Drug Screening and Criminal Background policies are found in the College of Nursing and Health Professions Handbook.
Submission and verification of all required documents is through the University's preferred third party agency. Students are responsible for updating all required documents through the program.
Holding an unencumbered RN license is a prerequisite for being admitted to and remaining in this nursing program. An RN license will not be considered by this program to be unencumbered if action has been taken or is being proposed against the license by any agency of government, or if the RN has entered into or is currently discussing an agreement with any agency of government concerning the license or if any restrictions have been imposed by an agency of government on an RN鈥檚 ability to practice the nursing profession or if any restrictions are being proposed by an agency of government. An applicant or student is required to immediately advise the Program Chair in writing if their RN license has been encumbered or if any agency of government is proposing to encumber an RN鈥檚 license.
After review by the Program Chair of any action involving the encumbrance (or proposed encumbrance) of a license, the student may not be allowed to participate in clinical experiences of the program. Failure to report an encumbered RN license to the Program Chair, as required above, may result in dismissal from the program, particularly where the encumbrance prevents the student from performing any part of the clinical experience.
Students are required to maintain an unencumbered RN license while enrolled and completing the graduate nursing courses. An unencumbered nursing license is defined by this program as a license with no suspension or probation or any pending action against the RN license in any state or U.S. territory of practice. In the event action is taken on a student鈥檚 nursing license, it is the student鈥檚 responsibility to report this to the Program Chair immediately for further direction.
Students must hold an unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse in all states where they will be involved in a clinical setting.
Students who do not meet admission requirements or expected academic skill proficiencies may be conditionally admitted to the Graduate Nursing program. Refer to the 91社区 Graduate Bulletin for specific academic requirements related to conditional admission status. Expectations for full admittance to the Graduate Nursing program will be individually specified. Students with a conditional admittance will work closely with faculty and the graduate advisor to maximize success.
Please click the Graduate Bulletin link on the School of Graduate Studies webpage.
For Students with an International BSN:
The School of Nursing welcomes applications from those who have received a BSN outside of the United States. Students residing outside of the United States, in a state in which 91社区 does not meet licensure/certification requirements, or those in a state not authorized to offer enrollment are ineligible for admission to the Graduate Nursing program. The specific admission criteria and documentation requirements to each of our degree programs are provided below:
For Applicants to the following programs:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
- BSN to DNP
- Post Master鈥檚 Certificate
- Post MSN to DNP
In addition to completing and submitting the appropriate application for Graduate Studies, student applicants must provide the following documentation. Applications will be reviewed after all required documentation is received.
Academic Transcript Requirements:
Official transcripts for the highest degree earned are required. Applicants who have completed the equivalent of a baccalaureate degree or higher at an institution outside of the United States are required to provide official third-party course-by-course evaluations of those academic credentials, verifying Grade Point Average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale. These transcripts must be sent from a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member to Graduate Studies by email (Graduate.Studies@usi.edu). Transcripts evaluated by the official third-party servicer must report a U.S. equivalency of a BSN.
Licensure and Location Requirements:
Students enrolling in any Graduate Nursing program at the 91社区 are required to hold an unencumbered RN licensure as a prerequisite for being admitted to and remaining in the nursing program. An RN license will not be considered by this program to be unencumbered if action has been taken or is being proposed against the license by any agency of government, or if the RN has entered into or is currently discussing an agreement with any agency of government concerning the license or if any restrictions have been imposed by an agency of government on an RN鈥檚 ability to practice the nursing profession or if any restrictions are being proposed by an agency of government. An applicant or student is required to immediately advise the Program Chair in writing if their RN license has been encumbered or if any agency of government is proposing to encumber an RN鈥檚 license.
After review by the Program Chair of any action involving the encumbrance (or proposed encumbrance) of a license, the student may not be allowed to participate in clinical experiences of the program. Failure to report an encumbered RN license to the Program Chair, as required above, may result in dismissal from the program, particularly where the encumbrance prevents the student from performing any part of the clinical experience.
Students are required to maintain an unencumbered RN license while enrolled and completing the graduate nursing courses. An unencumbered nursing license is defined by this program as a license with no suspension or probation or any pending action against the RN license in any state or U.S. territory of practice. In the event action is taken on a student鈥檚 nursing license, it is the student鈥檚 responsibility to report this to the Program Chair immediately for further direction.
Students must hold an unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse in all states where they will be involved in a clinical setting.
Language Verification Requirements:
International students must possess proficiency in English at a level to enable them to succeed in graduate-level studies. Students are required to submit an official (photocopy not acceptable) TOEFL or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score report verifying a minimum total score of 79 for the TOEFL or 6.5 from the IELTS. International students whose native language is English or who have graduated from an American university in which the language of instruction is English are not required to demonstrate language proficiency. Information about the TOEFL administration dates and registration procedure may be obtained from TOEFL Services, Educational Testing Service, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6151, USA; telephone 609-771-7100. The web address is .
Program Specific Admission Criteria
- A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a nationally and regionally accredited college/university.
- Students with a Bachelor鈥檚 degree obtained outside of the United States must submit an evaluated transcript of their international degree that is comparable to a U.S. BSN. Please review our admission policy for internationally educated applicants with BSNs.
- Minimum grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
- Satisfactory completion of a course in undergraduate statistics (grade C or better).
- Unencumbered RN license**
- Demonstration of a TOEFL score in accordance with University standards. Learn more.
- Successful completion of the application process to the School of Graduate Studies.
*One year full time or 2,000 hours of clinical practice as a registered nurse within the last five years is strongly recommended.
**The program is limited to working with certain states in the U.S. only. Moving to state not recognized by the Graduate Nursing program will lead to inability to continue in coursework. The exception to this is active military status.听
- A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from a nationally and regionally accredited college/university.
- Minimum grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
- Unencumbered RN license**
- Demonstration of a TOEFL score in accordance with University standards. Learn more.
- Successful completion of the application process to the School of Graduate Studies.
*One year full time or 2,000 hours of clinical practice as a registered nurse within the last five years is strongly recommended.
**The program is limited to working with certain states in the U.S. only. Moving to state not recognized by the Graduate Nursing program will lead to inability to continue in coursework. The exception to this is active military status.听
Post MSN APRN Certificate Gap Analysis听
A Gap Analysis will be completed for every student applying to the Post MSN APRN certificate. No clinical hours will be credited for the Post MSN APRN Certificate program.听听
Transfer credits from graduate-level pharmacy, pathophysiology and advanced health assessment courses taken at an accredited institution will be considered for acceptance provided the course were completed within the last five years or the applicant can validate current advanced clinical practice. For transfer of graduate-level pharmacology credits, applicants must exhibit current active prescriptive authority in their respective state of practice.听听
The Graduate Admission/Progression Committee will assess all inquiries and determine acceptance of transfer credits for individuals actively engaged in advanced clinical practice.听听
Evaluation of transfer credits will be conducted on a case-by-case basis; involving a thorough review that includes verification of current practice hours and the applicant鈥檚 professional role.听听
Prospective students who do not meet the aforementioned criteria may appeal to the Graduate Admission/Progression Committee for alternate considerations, ensuring equitable consideration of circumstances and qualifications. Transfer credit opportunities are applicable only to three separate three-credit hours courses in pharmacology, pathophysiology and advanced health assessment.听听
- A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a nationally and regionally accredited college/university.
-
Students with a Bachelor鈥檚 degree obtained outside of the United States must submit an evaluated transcript of their international degree that is comparable to a U.S. BSN. Please review our admission policy for internationally educated applicants with BSNs.
- Minimum grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
- Satisfactory completion of a course in undergraduate statistics (grade C or better).
- Unencumbered RN license**
- Demonstration of a TOEFL score in accordance with University standards. Learn more.
- Successful completion of the application process to the School of Graduate Studies.
*One year full time or 2,000 hours of clinical practice as a registered nurse within the last five years is strongly recommended.
**The program is limited to working with certain states in the U.S. only. Moving to state not recognized by the Graduate Nursing program will lead to inability to continue in coursework. The exception to this is active military status.听
- A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from a nationally and regionally accredited college/university.
- Minimum grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
- Unencumbered RN license**
- Satisfactory completion of a graduate course in research with a grade of B or better.
- Demonstration of a TOEFL score in accordance with University standards. Learn more.
- Successful completion of the application process to the School of Graduate Studies.
*One year full time or 2,000 hours of clinical practice as a registered nurse within the last five years is strongly recommended.
**The program is limited to working with certain states in the U.S. only. Moving to state not recognized by the Graduate Nursing program will lead to inability to continue in coursework. The exception to this is active military status.听