Associate Degree to Bachelor of Science
AD-MS Pathway
This pathway is designed to provide an accelerated program for nurses with an Associate Degree to be directly admitted into the Master’s program. In addition to completion of baccalaureate bridge credits, students continue to meet baccalaureate nursing competencies while completing the graduate program. Upon completion of the requirements for the MS degree, both the BS and MS degrees will be awarded.
The AD-MS pathway is built upon the current RN-BS Statewide Nursing Articulation Plan for those with an Associate Degree earned in 1995 or later. Initial transcript evaluation is completed by ISU Admissions. All students should then consult with the nursing advisor for transcript evaluation of bridge courses and development of the bridge program of study.
Students in any of the following categories may be required to take additional undergraduate credits:
1. Graduated prior to 1995
2. Graduated with fewer than 70 credits in the associate program
3. Earned an Associate of Applied Science degree
Important Points
- A total of 128 undergraduate credits are needed to award the BS.
- These 128 credits must be completed prior to the first graduate course.
- Fifty-eight (58) of the 128 credits must be completed at a four-year institution.
- Thirty-six (36) of the 128 undergraduate credits must be 300 or 400 level.
- The BS is not awarded until all requirements for both the BS and MS degree have been completed.
The 128 undergraduate credits are earned as follows:
- Up to seventy (70) credits are transferred from the associate program at the time of admission to ISU.
- Thirty-nine (39) credits for ISU nursing courses are awarded during the final bridge semester. These credits for previous learning are awarded through NCLEX and there is a transfer fee. The approximate cost is $600.
- Nineteen (19) baccalaureate bridge credits must be completed at a four-year institution with a GPA of 3.0 or better.
Applications for the AD-MS pathway are accepted each fall and are due by October 1.
Students can continue working on bridge courses during the fall in which they apply and the following spring semester. Students are not eligible to apply unless all 128 credits will be completed during the spring semester following admission to the graduate program. Applicants must be ready to begin their graduate program of study in the summer semester.
Application to the AD-MS pathway includes application to ISU as an undergraduate student and application to the School of Nursing Graduate Program
DO NOT APPLY to the ISU GRADUATE SCHOOL
Required Baccalaureate Bridge Courses
| MATH 253 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 cr |
| ANTH 237 ANTH 238 ANTH 239 or SOC 101 |
Peoples and Cultures of the Old World Peoples and Cultures of the New World Latino Peoples and Cultures Introduction to Sociology |
3cr |
| BIOL 305 | Introduction to Pathobiology | 3 cr |
| NURS 330 | Nursing Research | 3 cr (online) |
| NURS 404 | Professional Role Expansion | 5 cr (must be taken at ISU; online) |
| Elective | 2 cr | |
| Total of 19 cr |
NOTE: Students may enroll in NURS 330 and NURS 404 once admitted to the Nursing Graduate Program.
If any of the above courses have been completed at a two-year institution, electives must be completed at a four-year institution to equal 19 credits.
Admission Criteria for the AD-MS Pathway
- Admission to Idaho State University as an undergraduate student. (If you have not been previously admitted, access online application at www.isu.edu). Official copies of transcripts should be sent to ISU Admissions. Contact information for ISU Undergraduate Admissions is (208)282-2475.
- A completed School of Nursing Graduate Program Application submitted to the School of Nursing ($50 non-refundable fee).
- Graduation from an accredited nursing program with an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science or Associate of Arts and Science degree.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better for the last 60 semester credits.
- Minimum of 40th percentile on at least one (1) of the three (3) sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
- No standardized test (GRE) is required if GPA is 3.5 to 4.000
- Current Registered Nurse license in good standing.
NOTE: Admission is competitive. Achievement of minimum GPA and GRE requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Consideration for admission includes all application data.
Application Process for AD-MS Pathway
- Application to ISU Admissions as an undergraduate student
- Application to the ISU School of Nursing Graduate Program
To apply to the School of Nursing Graduate Program, submit the following information by October 1 to:
School of Nursing
Attn: AD-MS
921 S. 8 th Avenue, Stop 8101
Pocatello, ID 83209-8101
- Completed application to the School of Nursing with fee available at www.isu.edu/nursing.
- GRE scores; Dept. code 0610 – when taking the GRE request that scores are sent directly to Dept. code.
- Unofficial transcripts of all undergraduate work.
- Three professional or educational references with specific information regarding the applicant’s capacity for graduate study. Forms are provided on the nursing website at www.isu.edu/nursing.
- Copy of current RN nursing license.
Application and Admission Timeline for AD-MS Pathway
- Summer
- Apply to Idaho State University as an undergraduate student if not already an admitted student. Initial transcript evaluation for transfer of credits is completed by ISU Admissions.
- Contact nursing advisor for transcript evaluation of required bridge coursework and program of study.
- Take GRE by September 1. It often takes four weeks for the department to receive scores.
- Apply to the School of Nursing graduate program by October 1 deadline.
- Mid-November
- Students will be notified by mail as to their admission status in the graduate program.
- Register for spring semester: NURS 404, NURS 330 and bridge courses as needed to meet required 128 credits for baccalaureate degree
- Mid-March
- Students will receive Memorandum for transfer of the NCLEX credits.
- Pay $600 fee for transfer of credits; contact cashier's office (282-2900) to arrange payment.
- Following transfer, a total of 39 ISU Nursing credits will be awarded to offcial transcript.
- Apply online to ISU Graduate School at www.isu.edu/graduate; Degree code is 1203. Send $55 fee to ISU Graduate School.
- April
- Register for Summer and Fall classes
- May
- Submit official transcripts to ISU Admissions office for any courses taken at an institution other than ISU.
- Summer semester
- Complete background check with ISU Public Safety Office.
- Complete BIOL 563 Human Pathophysiology if required for MS option
- Participate in Graduate program online summer orientation
- Fall semester
- Begin MS program of study for admitted option.