Admissions

University Admission Requirements

A student applying to this program must:

• Have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so by the time of program matriculation.
• Submit unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. The unofficial transcript should be easily readable and clearly indicate degree(s) awarded, courses and course grades for each term.
• If admitted, official domestic transcripts can be emailed from the university to GraduateAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, Graduate School, 208 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 4040, Normal, IL 61790-4040.
• If admitted, official international transcripts can be emailed directly from the international institution to InternationalAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, International Admissions, Campus Box 6180, Normal, IL 61790-6180.

International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Graduate School Admission Requirements.

Additional Program Admission Requirements

Prior to enrolling in nursing coursework students must meet health and safety compliance requirements, to include drug testing, a criminal background check, a physical examination, and several immunizations. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in dismissal from the major.

International applicants must comply with the International Applicant Requirements as directed by the Illinois State University Office of Admissions. Please apply early in the application time frame to ensure adequate time to review transcripts.

To be considered for this program you must meet the following requirements.

Materials received after the application deadline will be considered on a space-available basis. Applicants will be notified of their admission status by early April. 

Background

You must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing from a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Applicants who do not hold a BSN degree will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Courses

You must have completed advanced physical assessment, advanced pathophysiology, and advanced pharmacology at the graduate level with a grade of B or better.

GPA

You must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework or a 3.0 on earned graduate degree plus any in progress graduate coursework.

The Grade Point Average (GPA) of all undergraduate credentials earned in the United States that are used for graduate degree admission evaluation is calculated by the last 60 hours of undergraduate work. International credentials are evaluated by using cumulative GPA (CGPA) in lieu of the GPA from the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.

Resume or Curriculum Vitae

Submit your current resume or CV.

Essay

Submit a two to three-page, double-spaced essay that describes your educational and career goals.

Licensure

Submit copies of:

• Unencumbered RN license, as evidence of RN licensure in Illinois State University
• Unencumbered Advanced Practice RN licensure
• FNP Certification:  National certification should be from American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)

Professional References

Include on the application the names and email addresses of two persons qualified to assess your potential to succeed in the post-MSN certificate program. These references must be nursing faculty from the applicant’s MSN program or a master’s prepared nurse. Your recommenders will receive instructions to complete and upload this reference form to the recommender site.

Credentials Evaluation Service Academic Report (International Students Only)

International applicants must submit to Mennonite College of Nursing a Credentials Evaluation Service Academic Report from CGFNS (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools) or WES (World Education Services). International applicants must comply with the International Applicant Requirements as directed by the Illinois State University Office of Admissions.

English Proficiency Scores (International Students Only)

International students applying to this program must submit a TOEFL score of at least 79 iBT or IELTS score of 6.5 band.

Admission Dates and Deadlines