Application & Admission

Application for admission to the Pre-Licensure Program is a separate competitive process that occurs after acceptance to Minnesota State University, Mankato. Because enrollment is limited, meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee program acceptance.

Application cycles occur twice a year. Application deadlines are always the third Friday of the fall and spring semesters.

Below you will find detailed information about the program’s application and admission process, including the Pre-Licensure Program Application.

Application Criteria

  1. A minimum total cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  2. Completion of Core Pre-requisites with a minimum C grade.
  3. International students from non-English speaking countries must meet the School of Nursing’s English Language Proficiency Requirement.

English Language Proficiency Requirement

Purpose

The School of Nursing’s minimum score requirements are intended to reflect the level of English language proficiency believed necessary for entry-level nurses to perform nursing responsibilities safely and effectively. The School of Nursing’s minimum English proficiency requirements were established using the recommendations set forth by the National Council of State Boards for Nursing.

Requirement

For application eligibility, international students from non-English speaking countries must demonstrate minimum English proficiency in one of the following ways:

  • TOEFL iBT minimum score of 84 with a minimum speaking score of 26
  • TOEFL ITP minimum score of 560
  • IELTS overall score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 on all modules

Students must submit an official score report (TOEFL or IELTS) by the program application deadline. Students unable to achieve the minimum scores will be ineligible to apply. Students are encouraged to test one year prior to program application.

On Campus Testing Option

The Center for English Language Programs offers the TOEFL Institutional Testing Program (ITP) on campus twice a year for a $50 non-refundable testing fee. A minimum score of 560 is required for application eligibility.

Registration Deadlines

  • March 15 for April testing
  • October 15 for November testing

Register for the TOEFL ITP:

Students must email Dr. Olga Nelson (Olga.Nelson@mnsu.edu) with their 8-digit Tech ID by the registration deadline.

Off Campus Testing Options

Students who choose to test off campus are responsible for making their own arrangements.

Core Prerequisite Courses

The core prerequisites must be completed with a minimum C grade before applying to the program.

  • BIOL 201 Anatomy & Physiology I (4cr)
  • BIOL 202 Anatomy & Physiology II (4cr)
  • CHEM 111 Chemistry of Life Processes Part II (5cr)
  • ENG 101 Foundations of Writing & Rhetoric (4cr)
  • KSP 235 Human Development (3cr)
  • STAT 154 Elementary Statistics (4cr)

Support Prerequisite Courses

The support prerequisites must be completed with a minimum C grade before staring the program.

  • BIOL 271 Principles of Microbiology (4cr)
  • FCS 242 Nutrition for Healthcare Professionals (3cr)
  • NURS 236 Family & Societal Inquiry (3cr)
  • NURS 282 Pathophysiology for Healthcare Professionals (3cr)
  • NURS 286 Relationship-based Care (3cr)
  • PSYC 101 Intro to Psychological Science (4cr)

Repeat Core Prerequisite Policy

Core prerequisites may only be repeated one time each (two overall attempts), regardless of letter grade and including transfer coursework. The School of Nursing will use the average grade from the two attempts to calculate the Core prerequisite GPA for admission ranking. A withdraw from a Core prerequisite will be considered one attempt, and a (-0.33) quality point deduction will be assigned to determine the average grade.

Exception

An exception to this policy applies to students who completed a Core prerequisite during high school. These students may choose to repeat the course. This is their final attempt. The two grades will not be averaged. The highest of the two letter grades will be used to calculate the Core prerequisite GPA.

Application Procedures

Students making application to the Pre-Licensure Program are required to submit the program application, complete the TEAS Exam, and participate in a group interview.

  Fall Application Cycle Spring Application Cycle
Program Start: Spring Semester in January. Fall Semester in August.
Application Available: May 1 November 15
Application Deadline: Third Friday of fall semester. Third Friday of spring semester.
On Campus TEAS Exam: Testing is available the week before fall semester starts in August. Testing is available the week before spring semester starts in January.
Group Interviews: Conducted in September Conducted in February
Admission Notifications: Emailed five weeks after the application deadline in October. Emailed five weeks after the application deadline in March.

TEAS Exam

Purpose

The ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS) measures basic essential skills deemed most appropriate and relevant to indicate readiness and success in a nursing program. It is a computerized exam and required for admission consideration.

Format

Multiple Choice, 170 questions

Time Limit

209 minutes (about 3 ½ hours). Each subject area has a time limit.

Subject Areas

  • Reading - 64 minutes
  • Mathematics - 54 minutes
  • Science - 63 minutes
  • English & Language Usage - 28 minutes

Scoring

The total score from the exam will be used toward the admission ranking. There is no minimum score requirement.

TEAS Exam Policies

  • The TEAS must be completed by the application deadline.
  • The TEAS should be taken the semester a student applies to the Pre-Licensure Program.
  • TEAS exams must be taken in-person. ONLINE proctored exam scores will not be accepted.
  • TEAS scores are valid for one year.
  • The TEAS may only be completed once a semester.
  • If the TEAS is taken more than once a semester, the School of Nursing will only use the score from the first attempt.
  • The highest valid TEAS score will be used toward admission ranking when attempts occurred in different semesters.
  • Students may test in-person at another site. Official TEAS transcripts must be sent to the School of Nursing and received by the application deadline.

Registration & Payment

Registration & payment will be completed online through the ATI Website.

Register for the TEAS:

  1. Go to the ATI Website.
  2. Select I’m a Nursing Student.
  3. Select TEAS and then Register for TEAS.
  4. Register for In-Person Proctored by an Institution.
  5. Search by School Name and enter MN for state.
  6. Select MN State U Mankato TEAS.
  7. Create an ATI Account and complete the registration process.

Registration for the TEAS will close at 12:00am, 24 hours prior to the exam date.

Minnesota State University, Mankato offers the TEAS exam to eligible applicants every semester. The TEAS exam is administered on campus the week before the start of a new term in the months of August and January.

Accommodations

Every attempt will be made to accommodate qualified students with disabilities. Students on file with Accessibility Resources are advised to contact atiTEAS@mnsu.edu at least two weeks prior to the scheduled test dates for arrangements. Reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance to the plan established with Accessibility Resources.

Published test dates on ATI's website does not guarantee accommodations are available for that session.

Preparation

ATI recommends approximately 6 weeks of preparation prior to taking the exam. ATI TEAS prep offers a variety of products and packages for purchase.

Group Interview

Applicants must participate in an on-campus group interview for admission consideration. Each group interview may hold up to 5 students and will be conducted by two nursing faculty members.

After the application deadline, applicants will be contacted via email with interview information including available dates, times and sign up. Interviews will take place in September and February during the respective application cycles. Sample interview questions will be provided after selected interview date and time is confirmed.

The purpose of the interview is to evaluate the students’:

  • Ability to communicate independently and within a group.
  • Ability to critically think and articulate their ideas.
  • Professional behavior in demeanor, dress, and interactions.

Admission

Admission Ranking

Each applicant pool is rank ordered using the Core Prerequisite GPA (GPA calculated from the 6 Core Prerequisites), the total TEAS score and the group interview score.

  • Core Prerequisite GPA is 50%
  • Total TEAS score is 25%
  • Group interview score is 25%

The School of Nursing offers admission to the top 72 students from each applicant pool.

Admission Data

The information below is provided to support students in academic planning and monitoring progress toward admission. Historically, successful applicants demonstrate strong academic performance, with admitted students typically earning a Core GPA above 3.4.

While each applicant pool is unique, the data reflects the averages among students who have recently been admitted, and may assist prospective applicants in understanding competitive trends.

  Fall 2026 Admission Spring 2026 Admission
Average Core GPA: 3.809 3.734
Average TEAS Score: 78.67 75.39
Average Interview Score: 19.4 out of 23 20.6 out of 23

Admission Notification

Admission notifications will be emailed five weeks after the application deadline to the applicant’s university email address. Admitted students are required to attend a mandatory Admission Advising session held the following week.

Admission Requirements

Full admission to the Pre-Licensure Program requires students to fulfill the following requirements prior to program start date:

  • Certified as a nursing assistant and listed as active on a Nursing Assistant Registry in the United States.
  • Completion of required Support Prerequisites with a minimum C grade.
  • Approval to work with patients without supervision from the Minnesota Department of Health Background check.

Nursing Assistant Requirement

Students admitted to the Pre-Licensure Program must be certified as nursing assistants and listed as active on a Nursing Assistant Registry in the United States prior to program start date. It is not required to be Certified to apply.

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA): Roles and Responsibilities

An individual becomes Certified by passing a nursing assistant state competency exam. Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) work under nurse supervision and provide direct, daily care to patients. Their duties include bathing, dressing, feeding, toileting, taking vitals and repositioning patients. These positions are critical for monitoring health changes and ensuring resident safety. CNA’s primarily work in long-term care facilities, hospitals, assisted living communities and home health services.

Pathways to Completing the State Competency Exam

Minnesota State University, Mankato does not provide nursing assistant training courses or study materials for the state competency exam. Students are responsible for making the necessary arrangements to successfully pass the exam.

Individuals may choose any of the following options to prepare for the competency exam:

  • Complete a state‑approved nursing assistant training course.
  • Obtain employment as a Nursing Assistant in Training.
  • Test Out/Challenge the state competency exam.

Training and Testing Sites

Test Out/Challenge Candidates

Costs

The cost of a training course will vary by facility and are not eligible for financial aid. Students can anticipate spending around $1,000 for a course. The Minnesota state competency exam includes a Knowledge Test and Skills Test. In total, students can anticipate spending around $275 for the competency exam.

Reimbursable Expenses

Nurse aides who pay for the cost of their training and testing prior to employment are eligible for reimbursement. The Nurse Aide has one (1) year from passing the test and placement on the Registry to turn in receipts requesting reimbursement. The facility has 90 days to reimburse the Nurse Aide. If the Nurse Aide does not remain employed as a Nurse Aide for 90 days, the nursing home is under no obligation to reimburse the Nurse Aide. The first nursing home the Nurse Aide stays at for a least 90 days would then be responsible to reimburse the Nurse Aide if it has been 1 year or less since completion of the test. Only certified nursing homes or boarding care homes are required to reimburse a Nurse Aide.

Before You Apply

Applicants are responsible for understanding all policies and requirements published in the Academic Catalog and Pre-Nursing Student Handbook.

Carefully review all instructions prior to submitting the application.

Important Dates
Spring 2027 Pre-Licensure Program Admission

May 1

Application Opens

August 20–21

TEAS Exam Dates

September 11  (12:00 pm)

Application Deadline

September 14  (Starting at 12:00 pm)

Group Interview Signup Email

September 16  (12:00 pm)

Group Interview Signup Deadline

September 21-October 2

Group Interviews

October 14  (3:30-5:00 pm)

Admission Notifications

October 23  (10:00 am-12:30 pm)

Admission Advising Session-MANDATORY

January 8, 2027  (All day)

New Student Orientation-MANDATORY

How to Apply

Eligible applicants must complete all three steps by the stated deadlines. Late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Step 1: Submit the Program Application

  • Complete the online application.
  • Upload all required materials.
  • Submit by application deadline.
Application Deadline

Friday, September 11, 2026 at 12:00 pm

Prepare Your Materials
  • Compile your academic records and relevant documents.
  • All grades must be finalized and posted.
  • Only courses taken during the application term may be marked as in-progress.
Required Uploads
Unofficial Transcripts

Upload an unofficial transcript from every U.S. college or university where you earned or are currently taking credit, including Minnesota State Mankato.

  • Minnesota State institutions (MSU and all Minnesota State universities and community/technical colleges):
  • Other U.S. institutions (University of Minnesota, private, or out-of-state schools):
    • Request transcripts directly from the institution if you do not have a personal copy.
  • Non-U.S. transcripts are not required.
Degree Audit

Upload your degree audit titled Nursing Program, BS.

English Proficiency Scores (If Applicable)

International applicants from non‑English speaking countries must upload TOEFL or IELTS scores. Disregard if not applicable.

Pre-Nursing Appeal Letter (If Applicable)

Upload your approval letter from the Pre-Licensure Program Director. Disregard if not applicable.

Step 2: Take the TEAS Exam

  • The TEAS exam must be completed by the application deadline.
  • Refer to TEAS Exam for all policies, registration details, accommodations and preparation information.
TEAS Exam Dates
  • Thursday, August 20, 2026 – 8:00 am
  • Thursday, August 20, 2026 – 1:00 pm
  • Friday, August 21, 2026 – 8:00 am
Submitting TEAS Scores
  • If taken at MSU – scores are submitted automatically.
  • If taken elsewhere – submit your ATI TEAS Transcript by the application deadline.

Step 3: Complete the Group Interview

  • Qualified applicants will receive a sign-up email starting September 14 at 12:00 pm.
  • Sign-up deadline: September 16 at 12:00 pm.
  • Interviews held: September 21 - October 2.

Spring 2027 Pre-Licensure Program Application

Apply Now

Sign in with YourStarID@go.minnstate.edu and Your StarID Password.

If you cannot access the program application, contact NursingAdvising@mnsu.edu.

After You Apply

Admission Notifications

Admission decisions will be sent to your MSU email address on the date and time listed under Important Dates.

Possible Admission Outcomes

  • Accepted – Admitted to the Pre-Licensure Program.
  • Alternate – Placed on alternate list, may be selected if an opening occurs.
  • Not Accepted – Encouraged to follow alternate plan.
  • Incomplete – Application was not complete and not reviewed.

For Admitted Students

Admission Advising Session

Attendance is mandatory. Refer to Important Dates for the session date and time.

Topics covered include:

  • Program expectations and student responsibilities.
  • Health and immunization requirements.
  • Clinical documentation requirements.
  • Program fees and expenses.
  • Course registration.

Admission Requirements

Before starting the program, the following requirements must be met:

  • Nursing Assistant Certification.
  • Completion of all Support Prerequisites with a minimum C grade.
  • Minnesota Department of Health background check approval.

Details will be provided at the Admission Advising Session.

New Student Orientation

Attendance is mandatory. Refer to Important Dates for the date and time.

Compliance Deadlines

Admitted students must meet all compliance deadlines listed in their acceptance letter.

Failure to meet deadlines will result in loss of admission and the seat will be offered to the next eligible applicant.

Additional Resources

Refer to the Pre-Licensure Nursing Program Student Handbook for all program information, policies, and procedures.

Minnesota State University, Mankato Logo

Mankato, MN 56001
1-507-389-1000
1-800-722-0544

Visits and Tours

Request Information

Apply Today