General Admission Requirements

General Requirements

The M.S. Program in the School of Nursing is a major in the University of Minnesota Graduate School. Therefore, you must meet the general requirements of the University of Minnesota Graduate School and those of the School of Nursing. These include:

• Evidence of high scholastic achievement. The School of Nursing uses the degree-granting institution GPA as one measure of an applicant's academic potential. A successful applicant will typically have a GPA of 3.00 or above (on a 4.00 scale).
  
  Note: If your GPA is lower than 3.00, you may still apply and be considered for admission, but you might wish to submit a Graduate Record Exam (GRE ) score if you feel that the GPA does not accurately reflect your abilities.
  
  If you are submitting transcripts containing narrative, "pass-no credit" (P-N), "credit," or other ungraded notations for a majority of credits counted toward the baccalaureate degree and in the major field of study, you must submit a GRE score.
  
  If you wish to submit GRE scores as additional data for your application, you may do so, but GRE scores are not required.

• Current Registered Nursing license in good standing. If you are an international nurse, submit a nursing license from your home country. A Minnesota registered nurse license may be required if you are pursuing a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist area of study that requires a clinical practicum.

• Two references (from supervisors and former professors). Use forms provided in the School of Nursing application packet.

• Profile Essays that describe your past experience and professional goals in your proposed area of study (see Profile Essays in the School of Nursing application packet).

• A baccalaureate degree. If you do not have a baccalaureate degree in nursing, you are required to show evidence of ability (e.g., graded course work or special projects) in each of the following areas:

• Health Promotion
• Community Health Nursing
• Leadership/Management
• Teaching/Counseling

For a description of the types of documentation you might submit to fulfill this requirement and the procedures to follow, visit this page.

Application Materials

Application materials to the M.S. program for the School of Nursing and the Graduate School, including application checklists, are available here.