Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing

The direct-entry Master of Science in Nursing program is an integrated sequence of coursework and lab work—80 credits in total—designed for college graduates with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees. As a cohort program, all nursing courses must be taken in sequence. The direct-entry M.S.N. degree prepares individuals for professional nursing practice at the graduate level and provides a foundation for future advanced practice roles and specialties.

Students must meet general admission criteria/regulations for Georgian Court University. They must also have appropriate psychomotor, cognitive, and sensory capabilities to function in the professional nursing role and be able to tolerate physically demanding and stressful situations. As a cohort program, students are only admitted to the direct-entry M.S.N. (DE-M.S.N.) program for the fall semester. Admission is competitive: Meeting the minimum requirements for admission does not guarantee admission to the DE-M.S.N. program.

The DE-M.S.N. is designed for students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in any major other than nursing from an accredited institution. Students who meet the following requirements are eligible to apply for admittance to the nursing program:

• Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution before beginning the direct-entry M.S.N. program.
• Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. The GPA is cumulative and is calculated based on all previously attempted coursework.
• Applicants are required to fulfill the below nursing prerequisite core courses prior to admission. However, applicants may submit their applications while in the process of completing the coursework. These courses can be taken at any accredited university or community college in the United States.
• Applicants must earn a minimum of a B- or higher in ANY science or math class taken during the first enrollment in the course.
• All courses with a lab component must have been taken within the last 10 years.

The completed self-managed application packet must include:

• A completed graduate online application form.
• Applicant’s current resumé.
• Sealed and signed envelopes containing official transcripts of each undergraduate and graduate institution the applicant has attended. If the official seal has been broken, the transcript is considered unofficial and cannot be accepted for use toward application. Official transcripts electronically transmitted directly from the Office of the Registrar of each institution will be accepted in lieu of a paper copy.
• A personal interview may be required.

Accepted students will receive a health form that must be completed and submitted to the Office of Health Services. Candidates are evaluated on an individual basis. Strong consideration will be given to an applicant’s professional experience. Upon matriculation, all coursework is to be completed at GCU.

If you’re interested in our direct-entry M.S.N. degree, here are other programs at GCU you might want to explore:

• Integrative Health Master’s Degree
• Nursing Bachelor’s Degree