Bachelor of Science to Master of Science
B.S.-M.S. Pathway
Nursing Education & Leadership Options
Admission Deadlines and Application Process
Thank you for your interest in the Master of Science in Nursing degree program in the School of Nursing, Division of Health Sciences. Application for the Master of Science program opens in October. Completed applications are due by the first Monday in February. Selection of candidates will be notified by email by the 2nd Monday in March. Preference will be given to applications submitted by the first Monday in February of any year. Applications however are accepted on a rolling basis until the class is filled.
Admission Requirements
The student must meet all criteria for admission to the Graduate School. In addition, the following must be complied with:
1. Earned Bachelor of Science (B.S. or BSN) degree in Nursing from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
2. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (calculated based on previous 60 credits of undergraduate coursework).
3. Competitive GRE score (see below).
4. Satisfactory TOEFL or IELTS scores (if applicable).
5. Completed application to the SON by established deadline which includes an essay describing applicant's interest in pursuing the Master of Science degree and vision of how this preparation will facilitate career goals.
6. Minimum of three (3) credits of descriptive and inferential statistics with a grade of C or better.
7. Verification of valid and current unencumbered Registered Nursing license.
NOTE: Achievement of minimum GPA and GRE requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Consideration for admission includes admission requirements and application information based on established scoring criteria.
Individuals who do not meet these admission requirements may be considered for admission as a classified student with program restrictions until all requirements are met, or candidate is evaluated for progress based on established SON guidelines, policies and/or procedures. The SON M.S. Admissions committee will make the final recommendation regarding admission. This decision will be based on evaluation of established application and admission requirements.
Application Requirements
The student must meet all criteria for admission to the Graduate School. In addition, the following must be complied with:
1. Application to the Graduate School AND to the School of Nursing with payment of appropriate fees (separate application process; Graduate School $55 and School of Nursing $50).
2. Submission of official transcripts of all degrees including completion of accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN or B.S. in Nursing) degree from an accredited nursing program. Official transcripts must be sent directly to the Graduate School from the Registrar's office of the applicant's previous institution(s) of study.
3. Submission of official report of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores taken within the previous five years. Applicants should achieve at least a 40th percentile on one of the three aptitude sections (Verbal, Quantitative, or Analytical). No standardized test (GRE) is required if GPA is 3.5 to 4.0 for the last 60 semester credits of undergraduate work.
4. English Proficiency Exams: Students whose native language is not English must provide evidence of satisfactory scores on the English Foreign Language (TOEFL) or on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). (See Graduate Catalog for details).
a. Satisfactory TOEFL requirements for admission include: 1) Internet-based total test score of 80 with a score of at least 20 on each Section and 23 or above on the Speaking Section; or 2) Computer-based total test score of 213 with a score of at least 21 on Section 1 (Listening Comprehension); or 3) Paper-based total test score of 550 with a score of at least 55 on section 1 (Listening Comprehension).
b. Satisfactory IELTS requirement for admission include scoring 6.5 or higher on the total band and 6.5 on the speaking test component.
5. Evidence of completing prerequisite descriptive or inferential statistics course with a grade of C or better. A descriptive or inferential statistics course may be taken during the admission process; course must be completed prior to starting the program.
6. Submission of a professional essay (2-3 pages) describing applicant's interest in pursuing the Master of Science degree and vision of how this preparation will facilitate career goals.
7. Three professional reference forms attesting to the applicant's capacity and potential for master's study. (It is recommended two references should be from academic sources and one from a recent employer.)
8. Submission of professional vitae or resume.
9. Copy of valid and current unencumbered Registered Nursing license.
Submit to the ISU Graduate School
1. Completed application with applicable fee.
Application available at http://www.isu.edu/graduate
2. Payment of applicable fee.
3. Submission of official report of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Scores (School code is 4355 and Department Code is 0610).
4. Submission of official transcripts of completion of accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN or B.S. in Nursing). Official transcripts must be sent directly to the Graduate School from the Registrar's office of the applicant's previous institution of study.
Submit to the ISU School of Nursing
1. Completed online application to the School of Nursing with applicable fee.
Link to the online application available here.