MSN APRN Admissions Requirements

Admission requirements for the advanced practice tracks of the MSN degree program

Admission to the School of Nursing is competitive and based on evaluation of all portions of the application. To be considered for the Master of Science in Nursing, applicants must submit a completed application and:

  • Have a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited school.
  • Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate study.
  • Be licensed as a registered nurse in the US and be eligible for a RN license in Virginia. All matriculating students who are not active-duty military nurses must have a Virginia RN license before the first day of classes.
  • Submit a total of three satisfactory recommendations (academic, professional, and clinical), one of which should be from an APRN.
  • Submit a resume or CV.
  • Pay an $85 application fee.
  • Be available for an interview, if requested.
  • International applicants have additional admissions requirements.

RN experience:

  • Applicants to the advanced practice programs (CNS and NP) must have at least one year of full-time RN experience before entering the program. A minimum of one year of full-time, relevant clinical nursing experience is necessary before enrolling in GNUR 6020 (Advanced Pharmacology), GNUR 6025 (Advanced Health Assessment), and the clinical practica.
  • Applicants to the NNP track must have at least two years of full-time clinical practice experience (within the last five years) as an RN in the care of critically ill neonates or infants in critical care inpatient settings, typically in a NICU. This experience is mandatory.

GRE:
We no longer require GRE scores as a component of the application.

FAQs

Competitive applicants:
A competitive candidate for admission has:

  • a BSN GPA of 3.25 or higher;
  • More than one year of relevant, full-time RN experience;
  • Active member of a national nursing organization (preferably in applicant’s practice area);
  • Exhibiting leadership behaviors in a nursing practice setting (mentoring other nurses, participating in unit or hospital-based leadership teams, engaged in practice change and evidence-based practice projects);
  • Possess a clinical certification, or on pathway to obtaining one or more certifications;
  • Excellent writing skills.

The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements.