Masters Application Process & Instructions

Critical Information for International Applicants:

Admissions Requirements (Effective 07/01/2007):
This MSN Program is available to international students. It is essential that international students be fluent in English. Presently, the University (including the School of Nursing) does not offer ESL programs or an English language institute. For this reason, candidates interested in attending the University must be able to understand rapid, idiomatic English as spoken in lectures, group discussions, and clinical settings by individuals of widely varying accents. Students from non-English-speaking countries must be able to communicate quickly and clearly in spoken and written English.

TOEFL
International applicants must achieve a minimum total score of 575 (with a minimum of 50 in each section) on the written version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or minimum of 233 (with a minimum of 18 in each subsection) on the computer-based test, or a total score of 89 on the internet-based test with the following minimum section requirements: Reading, 21; Listening, 22; Speaking, 24; Writing, 22. This is not a requirement of applicants who are residents of a country where English is the language of instruction or if applicants hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited United States institution of higher education.

Meeting the minimum total score on TOEFL does not guarantee admission to the School of Nursing.  Admission decisions are made on the basis of multiple factors including: scholastic performance; English proficiency; essays; letters of recommendation; GRE scores; the appropriateness of the requested advanced practice area to the applicant’s goals and clinical experiences; and verification of financial support to insure proper visa status.

Letters of Recommendation
Three current letters of recommendation are required from persons qualified to speak to your knowledge, skills and abilities. Specifically, the letters should address the candidate’s potential for success in graduate education, leadership ability, and personal characteristics that will help or hinder development as an advanced practice nurse. All candidates for whom English is a second language (non-native language), must submit at least one additional letter of reference that addresses your ability to communicate fluently in the English language.

English Proficiency
All admitted international students are required to take an English Proficiency exam prior to enrolling for classes -- without exception. Individuals who fail to achieve a passing score on this exam are required to register for a non-credit English course (English 101X) their first semester of enrollment. Failure to take the test and/or register for the required course will prevent future registrations. International students will not be allowed to enter the clinical setting or may need to lengthen their program of study if they are not fluent in English.

Interview
An interview is required of all international applicants who are non-native English speakers. The interview (personal or telephone) will be conducted by faculty in the candidate’s clinical area of interest. The interview has two distinct foci: part one will focus on information provided in the application materials (for example, essay and future goals); the second part will evaluate the interviewee’s English proficiency.

Health Assessment
All nonnative speaking applicants must have successfully completed a  formal health assessment course conducted in English in the past 2 years prior to beginning the clinical courses. A course that provides face-to-face clinical and classroom components is highly recommended.