Admission to Graduate Programs

The School of Nursing Graduate Programs Application packet is available from Elisabeth Teigen, administrative assistant, for the Graduate Programs in the School of Nursing.

Master's Programs

Completed applications for all Nursing Master's programs are due in the School of Nursing by January 15th each year. Applications may also be accepted at other times with admission decisions made on an individual basis. Applicants submit materials simultaneously to 1) the Graduate Programs, School of Nursing and 2) the College of Graduate Studies and Research (CGS&R). The CGS&R reviews the University Graduate Application and forwards the student transcript to the School of Nursing for review. The School of Nursing reviews the information from the CGS&R along with the School of Nursing Graduate Programs Admission information to make admission decisions.

Graduate Programs
School of Nursing
360 Wissink Hall
Mankato, MN 56001
Phone: 507-389-6826 (V) or 800-625-3529 (MRS/TYY)
Fax: 507-389-6516

Doctoral Program

Completed applications for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) are due in the Office of the College of Graduate Studies and Research (CGS&R) by March 15, 2008. Applications for admission will remain open after March 15, until positions are filled. Applicants submit all materials to the College of Graduate Studies and Research. The CGS&R reviews the University Graduate Application and forwards the student transcript to the School of Nursing for review by the Consortium Program Management Council (PMC). The PMC reviews the information from the CGS&R along with the Program Application to make admission decisions.

Graduate Programs
School of Nursing
360 Wissink Hall
Mankato, MN 56001
Phone: 507-389-6826 (V) or 800-625-3529 (MRS/TYY)
Fax: 507-389-6516

College of Graduate Studies & Research
Minnesota State University
115 Alumni Foundation Center
Mankato, MN 56001

http://grad.mnsu.edu

Admission Requirements for Master's Programs in Nursing

1. Admission to the Minnesota State University, Mankato (MSM) College of Graduate Studies and Research (CGS&R). See requirements for the CGS&R at http://grad.mnsu.edu/
2. BS/BA degree** from an CCNE/NLNAC accredited school of nursing as verified by transcript sent to the CGS&R
3. Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale. If GPA <3.0, the student's Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores must be submitted along with the application; alternatively, an on-campus written essay scheduled by the School of Nursing Graduate Programs may be required
4. Current RN licensure with eligibility for licensure in Minnesota
5. One year of experience as a registered nurse (required for CNS and FNP programs only)
6. Three professional and/or academic references including current or recent employer (reference forms are included in the Graduate Programs Application Packet or are available online)***
7. Professional goal statement essay
8. Professional resume addressing all categories as requested on the application form
9. Computer and online classroom competence and (or plan to accomplish prior to enrollment). Please click on the Computer Competency document for information.
10. Satisfactory scores on the TOEFL -test for international or non-English speaking students

In cases where applicants have similar qualifications, special consideration may be given to applicants planning to serve currently underserved populations populations, including rural and inner-city communities.

**Associate degree or diploma nursing graduates who have a baccalaureate degree in another field and can demonstrate equivalency in leadership/management, research, and public health nursing theory and clinical are also eligible for admission. These competencies can be met by completing the appropriate undergraduate nursing courses at MSM (of which the majority are available primarily online) or their course equivalents or by portfolio.

***An interview may be required as part of the application process.

Material that needs to be submited to the CGS&R:

1. Completed application form to Minnesota State University, Mankato
2. Application fee (fee applies to MSM students, graduates, faculty and staff)
3. Verification of baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university (official transcript)
4. Verification of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores may be required, Information required of international students, if appropriate

Material that needs to be submited to the SON:

• Completed Graduate Programs, SON application form
• Copy of current registration of RN licensure
• Verification of references requested

Advising

Students are assigned an academic advisor upon admission to the program. Guidance is provided for course scheduling and registration, as well as completion of the finalized plan of study. When the student selects a nursing faculty member as a chairperson for their culminating experience and thesis committee, the faculty chairperson becomes the student's advisor for the duration of the student's Masters program. If the committee advisor is different from the initial advisor, the student must file a "change of advisor" form with the College of Graduate Studies & Research (CGS&R).

Admission Process for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Consortium Program

Policies for Admission and Progression

The student applying for the DNP Consortium Program will choose which institution(s) to apply to as their home University. The graduate studies office of that institution will screen the applications for items such as the academic transcript(s) and Grade Point Average to ensure that the minimum standards for doctoral admission are evident and that applications are complete. The applications will then be sent from the DNP Consortium home University to the Consortium Program Management Committee (PMC) for review.

Each candidate for admission to the DNP Consortium program will indicate the campus or campuses that he/she is applying to and willing to attend. The PMC will review applications according to Consortium admission criteria. Applicants will be considered for each of the Universities that they have indicated. Students will be accepted based on the admission criteria and the student preference(s) for home University. Recommendations for admission or denial will be forwarded from the PMC to the graduate studies office at the student's home University. The graduate studies office at the student's home University will officially accept or deny the application and will notify the applicant.

Admission Requirements for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Consortium Program (considering Minnesota State University, Mankato as the home University):

University Graduate Application

1. Admission to the Minnesota State University, Mankato (MSM) College of Graduate Studies and Research (CGS&R); See requirements for the CGS&R and Graduate Application at http://grad.mnsu.edu
2. Official copies of transcript(s) from each institution attended for graduate study as evidence of graduation with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, from a CCNE or NLNAC accredited graduate program in nursing
3. Official copy of TOEFL score if international student
4. A $40 non-refundable application fee

Program Application

5. Completed Program Application for admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program; (Click Program Application or http://ahn.mnsu.edu/nursing/graduate/dnp_application.doc)
6. Evidence of current unencumbered licensure as a Registered Nurse from the state(s) where clinical will be conducted
7. Certification: Nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetist, and nurse midwife applicants must have the respective national certification needed for practice.
8. Professional references from two persons who can comment competently on the applicant's background and suitability for doctoral study. One reference should be from a supervisor and one from a peer in an advanced nursing role (e.g., nurse practitioner, nurse administrator, clinical nurse specialist, or nursing educator). (Click reference form or http://ahn.mnsu.edu/nursing/graduate/dnp_ref_form.doc)
9. Resume (Click resume guidelines or http://ahn.mnsu.edu/nursing/graduate/dnp_resumeguidelines.doc).
10. An interview with Doctor of Nursing Practice faculty may be requested following review of the application.

Advising

Students are assigned an academic advisor upon admission to the program. Guidance is provided for course scheduling and registration, plan of study and Capstone Project. Each student will have a Capstone Project Committee that will review and approve the Capstone Project as it is being developed. The faculty members on the Capstone Project Committee will evaluate the student's final performance on the Capstone Project.