Application/Admission

All applicants (MSN and DNP) must provide proof that they have earned:

1. A baccalaureate nursing degree from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited program. Applicants completing a baccalaureate degree during the application process must successfully complete the baccalaureate degree prior to the start of the graduate program.
2. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
3. A current, unencumbered RN license with registration in the state of Minnesota.
4. It is recommended applicants have successfully completed an inferential statistics course prior to application.
5. Drug/alcohol screening and other compliance items are also required prior to admission.

In addition, the following program tracks have additional admission requirements.

Specific Requirements for DNP-FNP Applicants

1. Must hold an unencumbered RN licensure and be registered in the state where clinical experiences will occur.
2. Must have at least 1 year of work experience as an RN prior to beginning clinical practicum coursework. It is preferred to have 2 or more years upon application.

Specific Requirements for DNP-Leadership (BSN to DNP or MSN to DNP) Applicants

1. It is preferred to have 1 year of leadership experience prior to application.

Applicants with educational preparation outside of the United States must contact the Graduate Program Chair for additional requirements.

Application Process

Applicants are to use the Nursing CAS system and reach out to CSB/SJU Admissions Office for a link to the application site and specific instructions on submitting materials. Official transcripts are required from all post-secondary institutions attended.

Review of priority applications begins with those applications received by January 1, after which acceptances occur on a rolling basis, until the available space is filled. Applicants who meet the January 1^th priority review date have a greater probability of being admitted. To be considered in the January 1 priority review group, all parts of the application must be fully completed and submitted prior to 11:59 PM CST on January 1. 

Applicants are responsible for assuring that all application materials have been fully submitted by the deadline, including transcripts, letters of recommendation, and essay submissions. Any materials not received by the deadline cannot be considered during the priority application review.

Applicants must meet the required minimum criteria above to be considered. Students who have not earned a baccalaureate nursing degree from an accreditation program (or will not complete this prior to the fall start in the graduate program), do not have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, or do not hold an unencumbered RN license, or are not registered in the state of Minnesota will NOT be considered.

Applicants providing false or inaccurate information may be subject to disciplinary actions, including revocation of acceptance, expulsion from the program, and/or revocation of course credit or degree.

For eligible applicants, a holistic review process is used. This review includes:

• Essays focusing on goals, purpose, and potential candidate success indicators.
• Experience and education documented in a current resume or curriculum vita.
• Letters of reference from academic or professional associates. The letters must speak to the applicant’s potential for success in graduate education. One of the letters must be written by an academic or professional associate who holds a master’s degree or higher.

Transcript Evaluation for Transfer Credits

Transcripts that are submitted for consideration of transfer credits will be evaluated by the Graduate Program Chair. The Graduate Program Chair holds the authority and full discretion to approve up to six credits (or the equivalent) to be applied toward the graduate program. Eligible courses must meet the following criteria:

1. Graduate level course designation (400 or higher).
2. Completed at an accredited post-secondary institution.
3. Posted final grade of B or higher. Courses posted as pass/fail or audited are NOT eligible. 
4. Content of the course does NOT fulfill the program requirement for pathophysiology, pharmacology, advanced pharmacology, health assessment, or any clinical hours. Courses under these topics are NOT eligible for transfer credit approval.

Transcript Evaluation Gap Analysis for Post-Master’s Students

This policy is related to students who hold a master’s degree in nursing and request transfer of master’s-level coursework toward the doctoral degree (DNP). The purpose of the transcript evaluation gap analysis is to ensure the appropriate foundation for the doctoral degree and to identify any gaps that must be completed to achieve the competencies for the DNP and to assure the student is able to meet all criteria for graduation and certification/licensure as appropriate. The Graduate Nursing Chair will be responsible for completing the gap analysis.

1. Student requests a gap analysis.
2. Student provides official transcripts of undergraduate and graduate coursework. Courses are only considered to be applied with/if:
   1. Graduate level course designation (400 or higher).
   2. Completed at an accredited post-secondary institution.
   3. Posted final grade of B or higher. Courses posted as pass/fail or audited are NOT eligible. 
3. Student provides course descriptions and syllabi for courses to be considered.
4. The Graduate Program Chair reviews gap analysis findings with the student. Discussion ensues between the Graduate Program Chair and student about which courses meet the criteria and will be applied for transfer of credit.
5. An academic plan is developed and finalized by the Graduate Program Chair.
6. Transfer credits then appear in the action column of the transcript. Transfer credits will not be calculated into the student’s GPA.

Acceptance

Students will be notified by email upon acceptance to the program. Upon acceptance, students are required to successfully complete a background study, provide documentation of required immunizations, and provide documentation of current CPR certification. Updates to RN licensure or other documents will also be needed prior to starting clinical experiences.

Conditional Acceptance

For new baccalaureate graduates, acceptance will be conditional pending licensure by the end of the summer semester. For all students, acceptance will be conditional upon successful completion of background study, completed health form and immunization documentation, drug and alcohol screen, providing current CPR certification, and RN licensure documentation. For FNP students, this must be a Minnesota RN licensure.

Deferral of Acceptance Because of the competitive nature of admission, students who are accepted to the graduate program but wish to defer will be required to reapply to the graduate program the following year and be considered a new applicant or approval received from the graduate nursing chair