The program requirements are the same for the MSN and MSN with the Clinical Nurse Specialist option and for full or part-time study.

• Admission to the University Graduate Program. Graduate Application pdf
• Two MSN Personal Recommendation Forms
• School of Nursing Graduate Program Application - pdf
• Two MSN Professional Recommendation Form - pdf
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a National League for Nursing (NLN) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited program with a  3.0 grade-point average (candidates with a grade-point average of 2.7 to 2.99 may be considered for provisional admission). 
• Completion of baccalaureate courses in :
• Health Assessment
• Pathophysiology
• Nursing Research
• Statistics
• Nursing Leadership
• Community Health Nursing.
• A written essay that demonstrates graduate level writing skills as well as the importance of graduate study at this point in your life.
• Personal interview with members of the Graduate Nursing Selection Committee 
• Completion of the Miller Analogy Test (MAT).  Use test code 4605.  GRE will be accepted if taken in the past 5 years. Click here for MAT Test Sites
• Basic computer literacy which includes Outlook, Explorer, Word, PowerPoint and the ability to search internet databases.

OTHER PROVISIONS

To satisfy the requirements of clinical facilities, students will need to provide proof of the following items:

• Current California licensure as a registered nurse
• Current Healthcare Provider CPR certificate from the American Heart Association
• Proof of immunizations as well as a current TB screening and health assessment within the last six months. Please use the MSN Health Form Packet-pdf
• Current HIPPA certificate 
• Background Check (Failure to pass the background check will result in an inability to complete the program requirements)

Exceptions Policy:

Applicants who do not meet the above standards, but can demonstrate that they have an exceptionally rich experiential background and/or have demonstrated dramatic change in academic performance, may petition the department to review their status. The School of Nursing will follow the exceptions policy as published in the current catalog.