Students seeking admission into the Master of Science in Nursing program must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School and the specific MSN program requirements. Graduate School and College of Nursing completed application forms with all required transcripts and other documentation must be received in the Graduate School by April 15 for applicants seeking admission for full or part time study in the following Fall semester, and October 15 for admission the following Spring semester. In addition to the general requirements for graduate degrees conferred by the Graduate School, http://graduateschool.astate.edu

Applicants to the MSN program must:

• Hold a Baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) degree from an accredited institution.

• Cumulative minimum Grade Point Average of 2.75 (4.0 scale) overall or 3.0 on the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.

• Current, unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse. Individuals admitted pending NCLEX-RN examination results are required to withdraw from the program at the end of the first semester if the examination is not passed. The individual may reapply for admission upon successful completion of the licensing examination. A  license to practice nursing is required prior to the first clinical nursing course. The unencumbered RN license must be active in the state where clinical practice is scheduled.

• Have completed a course in health assessment or demonstrate proficiency in health assessment which includes physical examination and history taking.

• Have successfully completed a graduate-level basic statistics course with a grade of C or above.

• At least one year experience as an RN prior to enrolling in the clinical courses. Clinical practice must be direct and current (within the last 3 years). Students may enroll in non-clinical courses while completing the practice requirement.

• Complete a personal interview and orientation to the MSN program and its requirements.

• Submit the following completed items at time of application:

  1) MSN application (form attached on web page).

  2) Provide 2 References, 1 from a work supervisor (form attached) and another from either academic or 1 personal reference of your choosing.

  3) typed professional vita or resume that includes: demographic data, education, professional work experience, publications/presentations, honors/achievements, professional organizations/activities, community service and other categories as needed.

  4) Typed description of your future professional goals (form attached).

  5) Verification of clinical practice (form attached).

  6) Copy of valid, unencumbered RN license.

In addition, please note the following:

• For Nurse Anesthesia: Review additional admission requirements for Nurse Anesthesia program under the NA specialty link.

• Students must be admitted to the graduate school before registration in graduate nursing courses. Applications are available at the ASU Graduate School website, http://graduateschool.astate.edu. Both printable and online versions of the application are available. Applicants provide prior transcripts through the Graduate School. ASU students who have completed all but the senior year of the BSN program with a GPA of 2.75 or better may take a graduate level course in each of the final two semesters. The total number of credits per semester may not exceed 15. Students enrolled under this option must complete the undergraduate courses within the first two semesters of enrollment in graduate work. If the graduate work is not completed at the end of the second semester, the student will be dropped from the Graduate School.

• Students are offered admission to their selected specialty; should one desire to change specialty focus, the student should notify his/her advisor and complete a change of specialty form in the graduate school. A revised goal statement and Interview Survey are required to reflect the new specialty. Students will be reviewed for admission to the new specialty and must be accepted by the new specialty.

• Approval of the faculty of the Department of Nursing required for admission.

Pre-Clinical Requirements

Evidence of the following is required before you register for each clinical course or practicum.

1. CPR certification valid through the academic year.

2. TB skin test valid through the academic year.

3. Evidence of Hepatitis B immunization or signed declination statement.

4. Copy of valid health insurance.

5. Copy of professional liability insurance.

6. Copy of valid, unencumbered RN license valid in state of practice.