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Entry level master’s programs in nursing

Demand for nurses has been increasing over the course of the last few years. According to the Bureau for Labor Statistics, employment for registered nurses will increase by 15% from 2016 to 2026. This is greater than the average increase for various occupations. Nursing is a popular field because it affords a rewarding career and financial security.

For those who opt to pursue a career in nursing, there are various educational routes. If you have already completed your undergraduate education in another field, it’s not too late to switch to nursing. Many students pursue their nursing education after finishing their bachelor’s degree in another discipline. Traditionally, these individuals return to school to get a second bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN).

While this is still a good option, an alternative that is becoming popular is an entry level master’s program in nursing. These programs are designed specifically for individuals without a nursing bachelor’s degree, allowing prospective nurses to begin their nursing education at the master’s level. We have seen students enter these programs from a variety of diverse backgrounds, ranging from engineering to the arts to biology.

After completing virtually any of the entry level master’s programs in nursing, an individual can sit for the NCLEX exam and subsequently obtain their licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN). Most of these programs also provide individuals with the credentials required to pursue further graduate training. After finishing the entry level master’s program, many continue their education in a master’s level nurse practitioner program or a doctoral program in nursing practice.

For those who are considering an entry level master’s program in nursing, it is always a good idea to research the schools of interest early. The requirements for different programs can vary substantially and may take some time to fulfill. For example, some schools require a standardized exam such as the GRE, the Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) exam, or the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). If you are planning on applying to one of these programs, make sure you carve out enough time to prepare for the exam. Also, look into every school’s prerequisite course requirements as well as how long they consider prerequisite courses valid, the minimum grades required, and their minimum GPA requirements to make sure you meet all the school’s criteria. If you are in doubt about whether you meet a school’s requirements, it is always a good idea to get in touch with the program and inquire.

To help you get started, below is a list of various entry level master’s programs in nursing with their listed requirements. Remember, the information provided here is meant to serve as a complementary resource to the institution’s website. All information is subject to change. For more details please visit the website of the program of interest.

Direct Entry MSN Programs: Alabama

University of Alabama at Birmingham – Accelerated Master’s in Nursing Pathway (AMNP) Program

Link: https://www.uab.edu/nursing/home/student-information/acad-prog/amnp

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required: 

• GRE, GMAT, or MAT required – students who have an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or better or an undergraduate may waive this requirement
• A minimum score of 410 on the MAT, or a minimum score of 480 on the GMAT, or a combined score of 297 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE
• GRE and TOEFL required for international students

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of C or better of the following:

• Human Anatomy (4 credit hours)
• Microbiology (4 credit hours)
• Chemistry (4 credit hours)
• Descriptive Statistics (3 credit hours)
• Human Physiology (4 credit hours)
• Chemistry (4 credit hours)
• Pre-calculus or Finite Math (3 credit hours)
• Developmental Psychology (3 credit hours)
• Nutrition (3 credit hours)

Direct Entry MSN Programs: Arizona

University of Arizona – Master of Science for Entry to the Profession of Nursing (MEPN)

Link: https://www.nursing.arizona.edu/mepn

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• HESI Admissions Assessment Exam (HESI A2) – Minimum score of 75 is required
• TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/CEFR/CESL for international students

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of C or better of the following:

• General Chemistry – lectures (2 semesters) and lab (1 lab minimum)
• Human Anatomy and Physiology – lectures (2 semesters) and labs (2 semesters)
• Microbiology – lecture (1 semester)
• Statistics (1 semester)
• Lifespan Development (1 semester)
• Nutrition (1 semester)
  

Direct Entry MSN Programs: California

UC Irvine Master’s Entry Program in Nursing

Link: https://nursing.uci.edu/admissions/mepn-admissions

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• TOEFL or IELTS for international students

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of C or better of the following:

• Statistics
• Psychology (preferably human development lifespan)
• Sociology/Cultural Anthropology
• Anatomy with lab
• Physiology with lab
• Microbiology with lab
• General chemistry OR chemistry course including a combination of inorganic, organic and biochemistry

California Baptist University Entry-Level Nursing, MSN (EL MSN)

Link: https://calbaptist.edu/programs/entry-level-master-of-science-nursing/

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• Minimum score of 60 on the TEAS
• TOEFL or IELTS or PTE for international students

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of C or better the following:

• Abnormal Psychology
• Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab
• Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab
• Human Microbiology with Lab
• Intermediate Composition
• Interpersonal Communication OR Oral Communication
• Lifespan Development OR Development Psychology
• Organic and Biochemistry with Lab
• Sociology (General) OR Cultural Anthropology
• Statistics OR Intermediate Algebra

Azusa Pacific University Entry-level master’s in Nursing (ELM) Program

Link: https://www.apu.edu/nursing/programs/entry-level-masters-in-nursing/

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• TOEFL or IELTS for international students

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of C or better of the following:

• Human Anatomy and lab (4 units)
• Human Physiology and lab (4 units)
• Organic Chemistry and lab (3 units)
• Biochemistry (1 unit)
• Microbiology and lab (4 units)
• Verbal Communication Skills (3 units)
• Written Communication Skills (3 units)
• General Psychology (3 units)
• Human Growth and Development (3 units)
• Statistics (3 units)
• Research Methods (3 units)

Charles Drew University Master of Science in Nursing- Entry Level Master’s Program (ELM)

Link: https://www.cdrewu.edu/son/MSN-ELM

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• HESI A2 Exam with minimum of 75% overall cumulative & individual module score
• TOEFL for international students

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of C (Science prerequisite courses “B” or better) or better of the following:

• English (3 units)
• Sociology (3 units)
• Psychology (3 units)
• Nutrition (3 units)
• Human Anatomy with lab (4 units)
• Human Physiology with lab (4 units)
• Microbiology with lab (4 units)
• Statistics (3 units)
• Speech/Communication (3 units)

Samuel Merritt University Entry Level Master of Science in Nursing (ELMSN) Program

Link: http://www.samuelmerritt.edu/nursing/elms_nursing

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• HESI A2 with scores above 80 percent in each exam
• TOEFL for international students

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of C or better of the following:

• English Composition (3 units)
• English Literature/Critical Thinking (3 units)
• Interpersonal Communication (3 units)
• Introduction to Sociology OR Cultural Anthropology (3 units)
• Social Science Elective (3 units)
• Lifespan Developmental Psychology (3 units)
• Nutrition (3 units)
• Statistics (3 units)
• Human Anatomy with Lab (4 units)
• Human Physiology with Lab (4 units)
• Chemistry with Lab (4 units)
• Microbiology with Lab (4 units)

San Francisco State University Accelerated Entry Level MSN program (ELM-A)

Link: http://www.nursing.sfsu.edu/elm-a

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• GRE Analytical Writing Score of 4 or above by the time of application (must be taken within the past 5 years before admission)

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of C or better of the following:

• Human Anatomy with Lab (4 semester units)
• Human Physiology with Lab (4 semester units)
• Survey of Chemistry with Lab¹ (4 semester units)
• General Microbiology with Lab² (4 semester units)
• Written Communication
• Oral Communication
• Critical Thinking
• Statistics (3 semester units)

1. This is an integrated course in which topics in general, organic and biochemistry are covered. General, inorganic, or organic chemistry courses are also acceptable.
2. Science prerequisite courses must be taken within the last seven years.

UC Davis master’s Entry Program in Nursing

Link: https://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/nursing/academics/programs/msn.html

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0. (A minimum 2.7 GPA in all science prerequisite coursework)

Standardized exam required:

• TOEFL for international students

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of C or better of the following:

• Human Anatomy with lab (minimum 5 quarter/3 semester units)
• Human Physiology with lab (minimum 5 quarter/3 semester units)
• Or a human anatomy and physiology series: Part I and Part II with labs (minimum 5 quarter/3 semester units each).
• Microbiology or Bacteriology with lab (minimum 3 quarter/2 semester units)
• Chemistry with lab (minimum 5 quarter/3 semester units)
• Statistics or Epidemiology (minimum 4 quarter/3 semester units)
• Psychology (general or above) (minimum 3 quarter/2 semester units)
• Sociology or Cultural Anthropology (minimum 3 quarter/2 semester units)
• Human Development Across Lifespan (minimum 3 quarter/2 semester units)
• Communication (must include group, verbal and written principles) (minimum total of 9 quarter/6 semester units)

UCLA MSN-master’s Entry Clinical Nurse (MECN) Program

Link: https://www.nursing.ucla.edu/admissions/degree-programs/msn-masters-entry-clinical-nurse-mecn

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: Not listed

Standardized exam required:

• TOEFL or IELTS for international students

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of C or better of the following:

• Chemistry Inorganic, Organic and Biochemistry – see approved course list
• Epidemiology
• Human Anatomy
• Human Physiology
• Microbiology
• Psychology
• Statistics
• English Composition or Writing (2 courses)
• Group and/or Verbal Communication

UCSF master’s Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN)

https://nursing.ucsf.edu/admissions/welcome-ucsf-nursing/accelerated-program

Degree Requirements:

• Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution
• Certain highly-specialized bachelor’s degrees (e.g., BArch, BEng, BFA, BMus) may not meet UCSF general education requirements

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• TOEFL or IELTS for international students

Prerequisite courses:

• Microbiology
• Microbiology lab
• Physiology
• Physiology lab
• Anatomy
• Anatomy lab
• Psychology or Lifespan Development
• Nutrition
• Statistics (taken within the past three years)

University of San Diego Master’s Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN)

Link: http://www.sandiego.edu/nursing/programs/mepn/

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required: None Listed

Prerequisite courses: A minimum grade of B is required in the science prerequisites:

• Human Anatomy with lab
• Human Physiology with lab
• Microbiology with lab
• Psychology (Introduction, General or Developmental)
• Cultural Anthropology or Introduction to Sociology
• English Composition
• Speech/Public Speaking
• Statistics
• Nutrition

University of San Francisco Master of Science in Nursing Direct Entry (ME-MSN)

Link: https://www.usfca.edu/nursing/programs/graduate/masters/msn/msn-direct-entry

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• TOEFL, IELTS or PTE for international students

Prerequisite courses: 16 Semester or 24 Quarter credits of natural, behavioral, and/or social sciences:

• Human Anatomy – 4 credits: Must be completed within seven (7) years of the semester to which you are applying. Lab must be in person; virtual labs will not be accepted
• Physiology – 4 credits: Must be completed within seven (7) years of the semester to which you are applying. Lab must be in person; virtual labs will not be accepted
• Microbiology – 4 credits: Must be completed within seven (7) years of the semester to which you are applying. Lab must be in person; virtual labs will not be accepted.
• One psychology course
• 6 semester or 9 quarter units of communication
  Must include an English compositions course. The remaining units can be made up of either another writing course or a communication course
• One statistics course

Western University of Health Sciences Entry Level master’s Program (MSN-E)

Link: https://www.westernu.edu/nursing/nursing-academics/nursing-msn-e/

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• TOEFL for international students

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of C or better of the following:

• Nutrition (3 semester units)
• Social Sciences (3 semester units)
• Statistics (3 semester units)
• Psychology (3 semester units)
• Microbiology with lab (4 semester units)
• Human Anatomy with lab (4 semester units)
• Human Physiology with lab (4 semester units) – If anatomy and physiology are combined we will accept a minimum of five (5) semester units
• Communications (6 semester units – two courses minimum of 3 semester units each)

Direct Entry MSN Programs: Connecticut

Yale University Graduate Entry Pre-specialty in Nursing (GEPN)

Link: https://nursing.yale.edu/academics/graduate-entry-prespecialty-nursing-gepn

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: Not listed

Standardized exam required:

• GRE
• TOEFL or IELTS for international students

Prerequisite courses: There are no mandatory prerequisites for the graduate entry pre-specialty in nursing (GEPN) program, however, the committee on admissions strongly recommend taking courses in:

• Human anatomy
• Human physiology
• Statistics
• Biophysical sciences

Direct Entry MSN Programs: District of Columbia

Georgetown University – master’s Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Program

Link: https://nhs.georgetown.edu/master-of-science-clinical-nurse-leader-cnl

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• TOEFL for international students

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of B or better of the following:

• Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab (minimum grade B – 4 credit hours)
• Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab (minimum grade B – 4 credit hours)
• Microbiology with Lab (minimum grade B – 4 credit hours)
• Chemistry (minimum grade B – 3 credit hours)
• Statistics (minimum grade C – 3 credit hours)
• Human Nutrition (minimum grade C – 3 credit hours)
• Human Growth and Development/Lifespan Developmental Psychology (minimum grade C – 3 credit hours)

Direct Entry MSN Programs: Florida

Miami Regional College (MRC) Master of Science in Nursing: Direct Entry Program

Link: https://mru.edu/academics/degree/master-science-nursing-direct-entry/

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution Minimum GPA required: 2.5

Standardized exam required:

• Must successfully pass the Nursing Core Qualifying Exam (NCQE)

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of C or better of the following:

• Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab (4 semester credits)
• Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Lab (4 semester credits)
• Microbiology and Lab (4 semester credits)
• English Composition I (3 semester credits)
• English Composition II (3 semester credits)
• Humanities Elective (3 credits)
• Report Writing and Research (3 semester credits)

Direct Entry MSN Programs: Georgia

Augusta University – Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)/Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)

Link: https://www.augusta.edu/nursing/programs/msn/cnlreqs.php

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• GRE or MAT (if overall undergraduate GPA is less than 3.25)
• TOEFL for international students

Prerequisite courses:

• Human Anatomy and Physiology (8 credits); completed within the last 10 yrs.
• Microbiology (3 credits); completed within the last 10 yrs.
• Chemistry with lab (4 credits)
• Statistics (3 credits)
• General Psychology (3 credits)
• Human Growth and Development – Lifespan (3 credits)

 

Direct Entry MSN Programs: Hawaii

University of Hawaii at Manoa – Graduate Entry Program in Nursing (GEPN)

Link: https://nursing.hawaii.edu/nursing-graduate/graduate-entry-program-in-nursing/

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• TOEFL for international students

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of C or better of the following:

• Two semesters of Anatomy & Physiology with Lab (grade B or higher)
• General Microbiology lecture (grade B or higher)
• Human Growth and Development course (grade C or higher)
• Applied Human Nutrition course (grade C or higher)
• Introduction to Research course (grade C or higher)

 

Direct Entry MSN Programs: Illinois

DePaul University – master’s Entry to Nursing Practice (MENP) Program

Link: https://csh.depaul.edu/academics/nursing/graduate/nursing-menp/Pages/default.aspx

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: Minimum 3.2 GPA recommended

Standardized exam required:

• GRE scores if undergraduate cumulative GPA is below 3.2 on a 4.0 scale
• TOEFL or IELTS for international students

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of C or better of the following (completed within the last 10 years):

• Two courses of human anatomy/physiology with labs
• One course of inorganic (i.e. general chemistry) with lab
• One course in organic chemistry with lab OR biochemistry with lab OR microbiology with lab

Elmhurst College – master’s Entry in Nursing Practice

Link: https://www.elmhurst.edu/academics/departments/nursing/programs/masters-entry-nursing-practice/

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.2

Standardized exam required:

• TOEFL or IELTS for international students

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of C or better of the following:

• Social Science – Example: Introduction to Psychology or Introduction to Sociology
• College-level oral and written communication skills
• Computer literacy – Example: Microsoft Word, email and internet skills
• General Chemistry with lab (completed within the last 5 years)
• Microbiology with lab (completed within the last 5 years)
• Human Anatomy and Human Physiology with labs – 2 semesters (completed within the last 5 years)

Millikin University – MSN: Master’s Entry into Nursing Practice

Link: https://millikin.edu/academics/graduate/msn/areas-study/masters-entry-nursing-practice

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0 minimum

Standardized exam required:

• GRE (waived if GPA is over 3.0 on a 4.0 scale)

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of C or better of the following:

• Organic Chemistry (may need general chemistry as a prerequisite)
• Anatomy & Physiology 1
• Anatomy & Physiology 2
• Microbiology
• Statistical methods or elementary probability and statistics
• Lifespan development (Human development)

Rush University – Master’s Entry in Nursing (MSN) for Non-Nurses: Clinical Nurse Leader

Link: https://www.rushu.rush.edu/college-nursing/programs-admissions/masters-entry-nursing-msn-non-nurses

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0 minimum

Standardized exam required:

• GRE (waived if GPA is over 3.0 on a 4.0 scale)
• TOEFL for international students

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of C or better of the following:

• General Chemistry I
• Human Anatomy¹
• Human Physiology¹
• Microbiology
  1. Anatomy and Physiology may be taken as two separate courses or as Anatomy and Physiology I and Anatomy and Physiology II. Strongly discourage taking Anatomy and Physiology online, unless offered through a traditional community college or university Recommend that the course be completed within the last three years

University of Illinois at Chicago – Master of Science (Graduate-Entry)

Link: https://nursing.uic.edu/programs/graduate-entry-master-science/

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• GRE (if cumulative GPA in the baccalaureate or higher degree is less than 3.25/4.00)

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of C or better of the following – completed within 7 years of enrollment with a minimum 2.50 GPA on a 4.00 scale in the four science prerequisites:

• Anatomy (or Anatomy & Physiology I) with lab (4 hours)
• Physiology (or Anatomy & Physiology II) with lab (4 hours)
• Chemistry with lab (4 hours) (General, Inorganic, Organic or Biochemistry accepted)
• Microbiology (3 hours)
• Introduction to Research Methods (3 hours)

Direct Entry MSN Programs: Kentucky

University of Louisville – Master’s Entry into Professional Nursing (MEPN)

Link: http://louisville.edu/nursing/academics/mepn-program/mepn

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: Not listed

Standardized exam required:

• TOEFL or IELTS for international students

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of B- or better of the following:

• Chemistry
• Two semesters of Anatomy and Physiology with lab
• Microbiology with lab
• Nutrition
• Lifespan Developmental Psychology
• Pathophysiology
• Pharmacology

Direct Entry MSN Programs: Massachusetts

Boston College – Connell School’s accelerated Direct master’s Entry (MSE) Program

Link: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/cson/academics/masters-program/direct-masters-entry.html

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: Not listed

Standardized exam required: Not listed

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of B- (80) or better of the following:

• Social Science
• Human Development, Lifespan Development, or Developmental Psychology
• Statistics
• Anatomy and Physiology I and II with Lab
• General Chemistry I with Lab
• Microbiology with Lab
• Pathophysiology

The MGH Institute Direct-Entry Master of Science in Nursing (DEN-Masters) Program

Link: https://www.mghihp.edu/overview/direct-entry-master-science-nursing-program

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: Not listed

Standardized exam required:

• GRE
• TOEFL or IELTS for international students

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of C or better of the following:

• Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II (no lab) or Human Anatomy (no lab) and Human Physiology (no lab)
• Human Growth & Development (aka: Developmental Psychology)
• Microbiology
• Human Nutrition
• Statistics

Northeastern University Direct Entry Nursing (MS) Program

Link: https://www.northeastern.edu/graduate/program/master-of-science-in-nursing-direct-entry-657/

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• TOEFL or IELTS for international students

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of C or better of the following:

• Anatomy (with lab)
• Microbiology (with lab)
• Physiology (with lab)
• Chemistry (with lab)
• Statistics (including hypothesis testing and inferential stats)
• Developmental Psychology (across the lifespan)
• Nutrition
• Behavioral science course (Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology)

Nursing (MS): Simmons University Direct Entry Program For BA/BS Holders

Link: http://www.simmons.edu/academics/graduate-programs/nursing-msn-direct-entry-for-babs-holders

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• TOEFL for international students

Prerequisite courses:

• Statistics (One semester)
• Developmental Psychology (One semester)
• Microbiology (One semester)
• Human Anatomy and Physiology (Two semesters of human anatomy and physiology with lab)
• Inorganic Chemistry (One semester with lab)
• Organic Chemistry (One semester with lab)

UMass Graduate School of Nursing – Graduate Entry Pathway to Advanced Generalist RN (AGRN)

Link: https://www.umassmed.edu/gsn/academics/graduate-entry-pathway/

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate (BA or BS) from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• GRE

Prerequisite courses:

• Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab (taken within five years grade C or higher)
• Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab (taken within five years grade C or higher)
• Microbiology with Lab (taken within five years grade C or higher)
• College Level Statistics Course (no time limit)
• Nutrition Course (taken within 5 years grade C or higher)
• Human Growth & Development Across the Lifespan Course (taken within five years grade C or higher)
• CPR Certification for Health Providers (BLS) by the American Heart Association (After acceptance to program and prior to June orientation)

Salem State University Direct Entry/MSN program

Link: https://catalog.salemstate.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=22&poid=2474&returnto=3135

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required: Not listed

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of B or better (not more than 7 years old) of the following:

• Anatomy and Physiology I and II (4 credit course with lab)
• College Level Chemistry (4 credit course with lab)
• Microbiology (4 credit course with lab)
• Microbiology at Salem State has prerequisites (Biology and Chemistry).
• Other accredited colleges may offer Microbiology without prerequisites.
• Statistics (3 credits)
  

 

Direct Entry MSN Programs: Maryland

University of Maryland – Master of Science Entry-Into-Nursing Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)

Link: http://www.nursing.umaryland.edu/academics/grad/clinical-nurse-leader/

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• TOEFL and IELTS for international students

Prerequisite courses:

• General Chemistry with Lab
• Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II with Lab
• Microbiology with Lab
• Human Growth and Development
• Statistics
• Nutrition
• Chemistry (completed within the last 10 years)
• Anatomy & Physiology I (completed within the last 10 years)
• Anatomy & Physiology II (completed within the last 10 years)
• Microbiology (completed within the last 10 years)

Johns Hopkins University – MSN (Entry into Nursing) Program

Link: https://nursing.jhu.edu/academics/programs/pre-licensure/masters-entry/index.html

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• GRE (recommended)
• TOEFL or IELTS if English is not your first language

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of B- or better of the following:

• Anatomy with lab (3-4 credits)
• Human Growth and Development Through the Lifespan (3 credits)
• Microbiology with lab (3-4 credits)
• Nutrition (2-3 credits)
• Physiology with lab (3-4 credits)
• Statistics (3 credits)

Direct Entry MSN Programs: Maine

University of Southern Maine – MS in Nursing – Option for Non-Nurses with Baccalaureate or Higher Degrees

Link: https://usm.maine.edu/nursing/ms-nursing-option-non-nurses-baccalaureate-degrees

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.3

Standardized exam required:

• MAT or GRE taken within five years of application submission
• TOEFL or IELTS for international students.

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of B- or better of the following:

• Introductory Statistics course completed within the past five years
• Anatomy and Physiology I and II or equivalent
• Microbiology

Strongly recommended that students complete one or more of the following with grade of B- or better:

• Pathophysiology
• Health-Related Research
• Concepts in Community Health
• Pharmacology

Direct Entry MSN Programs: Minnesota

Metropolitan State University – Nursing Entry Level MSN (ELMSN)

Link: https://www.metrostate.edu/academics/programs/nursing-entry-level-msn

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required: Not listed

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of C or better of the following:

• Chemistry with laboratory component
• Human Anatomy with laboratory component
• Human Physiology with laboratory component
• Microbiology with laboratory component
• Nutrition
• Life span psychology
• Medical Ethics
• Statistics course, which must be: Upper division undergraduate or graduate-level and completed no more than 4 years prior to the date of program application

Direct Entry MSN Programs: Missouri

St. Louis University (SLU) – Direct entry accelerated Master of Science in Nursing (AMSN)

Link: https://www.registerednursing.org/degree/accelerated-nursing-programs/#list-accelerated-msn-programs

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.2

Standardized exam required:

• TOEFL or IELTS for international students

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of C or better of the following, preferably within the last five years:

• Microbiology (3 credit hours)
• Human Anatomy and Physiology (6-8 credit hours)
• Inferential Statistics (3 credit hours)

Direct Entry MSN Programs: New Hampshire

University of New Hampshire (UNH) – Direct Entry Master’s in Nursing Program

Link: https://chhs.unh.edu/nursing/program/ms/nursing-direct-entry

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• TOEFL for international students

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of B or better of the following:

• Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II
• Microbiology at the cellular level and with lab
• Statistics

Direct Entry MSN Programs: New Jersey

Seton Hall University – Master’s Level Entry Program: Clinical Nurse Leader

Link: https://www.shu.edu/academics/msn-masters-entry-practice-clinical-nurse-leader.cfm

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.2

Standardized exam required:

• TOEFL for international students

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of C+ or better of the following:

• Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
• Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits)
• Microbiology (4 credits)
• Chemistry (Organic or Biochemistry) (4 credits)
• Developmental Psychology (covering the lifespan, birth to death) (3 credits)
• Economics (3 credits)
• Ethics (3 credits)
• Statistics (3 credits)

Direct Entry MSN Programs: New York

Columbia University Masters Direct Entry (MDE) Program

Link: http://nursing.columbia.edu/academics/academic-programs/masters-direct-entry-mde

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: No minimum score requirement

Standardized exam required:

• GRE – no minimum score requirement
• TOEFL for international students

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of B or better of the following (Labs are not required):

• English Composition or a course listed as Writing Intensive
• Psychology (Intro, Developmental, or Life Span)
• Statistics completed within the past 5 years
• Human Anatomy or Human Anatomy & Physiology I
• Human Physiology or Human Anatomy & Physiology II
• Microbiology
• Nutrition

University of Rochester Accelerated master’s Program for Non-Nurses (AMPNN)

Link: https://www.son.rochester.edu/academics/masters/ampnn/index.html

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• TOEFL with a minimum score of 560 (paper-based), 230 (computer-based) or 88 (iBT) for international students

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of C or better of the following (labs are not required):

• Anatomy and Physiology I and II
• Microbiology
• Nutrition
• Human Growth & Development
• Statistics
• CPR certification required (professional course must be taken with the American Heart Association or American Red Cross)

Direct Entry MSN Programs: Ohio

 

Case Western Reserve University – Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing’s Graduate Entry Nursing Program

Link: https://case.edu/nursing/programs/graduate-entry-mn

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: Not listed

Standardized exam required:

• While the GRE/MAT test scores are not required to apply, the scores may be requested for an admission decision
• TOEFL for international students.

Prerequisite courses: Not listed

Mount St. Joseph University – MSN-MAGELIN: Master’s Graduate Entry-Level into Nursing

Link: https://www.msj.edu/academics/graduate-programs/magelin-masters-graduate-entry-level-into-nursing/

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• TOEFL for international students

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of C or better of the following:

• Chemistry (inorganic/organic/or biochemistry) with lab
• One year of Human Anatomy and Physiology with lab (within 5 years of program entry)
• Microbiology with lab
• Pathophysiology (within 5 years of program entry)
• Introduction to Psychology
• Introduction to Sociology
• Introduction to Statistics
• Lifespan Development (infant/child, adolescent, adult)
• Nutrition

Ohio State University – Graduate Entry Master of Science

Link: https://nursing.osu.edu/academics/masters/graduate-entry-master-science

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• TOEFL, MELAB or IELTS for international students

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of B- or better of the following:

• Human Anatomy – All body systems, with a lab (3 semester credits or 5 quarter credits, lab completed in person)
• Human Physiology – All body systems (3 semester credits or 5 quarter credits)
• Pharmacology – Drug classifications and their therapeutic uses (2 semester credits or 3 quarter credits)
• Microbiology – Microorganisms and their interaction with human experience, with lab (3 semester credits or 5 quarter credits, lab completed in person)
• Human Nutrition – Nutrition throughout the lifecycle, including socio-psychological factors (3 semester credits or 5 quarter credits)

University of Cincinnati – Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN Program

Link: https://nursing.uc.edu/academic_programs/accelerated-direct-entry-msn.html

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• GRE
• TOEFL and IELTS for international students.

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of B- or better, completed within the last 10 years of the following:

• Anatomy & Physiology I, II (semesters) or I, II, and III (quarters)
• Human Growth and Development or Child Development
• Microbiology (Elementary Bacteriology)
• Pathophysiology
• Pharmacology with Nursing Component (completed within the past year)
• Genetics
• Nutrition for Health and Nutrition Disease
• Statistics (Psychology-based statistics not accepted)

University of Toledo – Graduate-Entry Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Program

Link: http://www.utoledo.edu/nursing/msnprograms.html

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• GRE and TOEFL for international students.

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of B or better of the following:

• Human Anatomy and Physiology (6 semester hours)
• Psychology (3 semester hours)
• Social Science elective (3 semester hours)

Xavier University – Master of Science in Nursing: Direct Entry as Second Degree (MIDAS) program

Link: https://www.xavier.edu/nursing-graduate-programs/midas/index

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• GRE
• TOEFL for international students

Prerequisite courses: Science courses must be no older than 5 years:

• Human anatomy and physiology lectures and labs (2 semesters or 3 quarters) – no more than five years old
• Microbiology lecture only (1 semester or quarter) – no more than five years old
• Statistics – 1 semester or quarter

Direct Entry MSN Programs: Texas

University of Texas – Austin Alternate Entry Master of Science in Nursing (AE-MSN)

Link: https://nursing.utexas.edu/academics/gr_degree.html

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• GRE within the past five years
• TOEFL taken within the past two years (for International students)

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of C or better of the following:

• Anatomy or A&P I (completed within last 6 years)
• Physiology or A&P II (completed within last 6 years)
• Microbiology
• Pharmacology (completed within last 6 years)
• Human Growth & Development
• Human Nutrition
• Statistics

Direct Entry MSN Programs: Virginia

University of Virginia (UVA) – CNL (Direct Entry)

Link: https://www.nursing.virginia.edu/academics/msn/cnl/

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• TOEFL or IELTS for international students

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of B or better of the following:

• Human anatomy and physiology within five years of the program start
• Microbiology (with or without lab) within five years of the program start
• Life span development (conception to death)
• Statistics at the graduate or undergraduate level within five years of the program start

Sentara College of Health Sciences – master’s Entry to Nursing Practice (MSN)

Link: https://sentara.edu/academics/masters-entry-nursing-practice-msn

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• TOEFL for international students

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of B- or better of the following:

• Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab (4 credits)
• Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab (4 credits)
• Chemistry with Lab (4 credits)
• Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
• English Composition I (3 credits)
• English Composition II (3 credits)
• Microbiology with Lab (4 credits)
• Nutrition (3 credits)
• Statistics (3 credits)

Direct Entry MSN Programs: Washington

Pacific Lutheran University – Entry-Level MSN (ELMSN) Program

Link: https://www.plu.edu/msn/pathways-to-the-msn/entry-level-msn/

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• GRE scores from within five years (waived for previous graduate degree from an accredited U.S. school)
• TOEFL and IELTS for international students

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of B or better of the following:

• College-level Statistics (both descriptive and inferential)
• Human Anatomy and Physiology I (with on-site lab within last six years)
• Human Anatomy and Physiology II (with on-site lab within last six years)
• Developmental Psychology – Lifespan
• Intro to Microbiology (with on-site lab within last six years)

Direct Entry MSN Programs: Wisconsin

Marquette University – Direct Entry MSN Program

Link: https://www.marquette.edu/nursing/graduate/direct-entry-master-science-msn.php

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• GRE (waived for those with a 3.2 GPA or higher)

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of C or better of the following preferably within the last 5 years:

• Human Anatomy and Physiology (5-6 credit hours)
• Chemistry OR Biochemistry OR Biology OR Microbiology (5-6 credit hours)
• Nutrition for Health Sciences (3 credit hours)
• Behavioral Sciences: Psychology or Sociology (3 credit hours)
• Statistics, including inferential analysis (3 credit hours)

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Direct-Entry Master of Nursing (MN) Program

Link: https://uwm.edu/nursing/academics/masters/mn-direct-entry/

Degree Requirements: Non-nursing baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution

Minimum GPA required: 3.0

Standardized exam required:

• GRE (waived for applicants with a master’s degree or those with a bachelor’s degree who obtained a 3.20 or higher GPA)
• TOEFL or IELTS for international students

Prerequisite courses: Complete with a grade of B or better of the following (completed within the last 5 years):

• Statistics
• Anatomy & Physiology I
• Anatomy & Physiology II
• Human Growth and Development
• Microbiology
• Biochemistry
• Nutrition