School of Nursing

Admission to the MSN online tracks in clinical leadership and executive leadership is made on a rolling basis for enrollment in fall, spring or summer terms.

Admission to the MSN track in family nurse practitioner or to the post-master's FNP certificate option is offered only for fall semester enrollment.

The deadline for fall admission into the FNP specialty is the first Monday in February of that same calendar year. What is needed in order to meet the deadline is not only the online application but also all required supplemental materials (see next paragraph). Submitting your online application and supplemental materials weeks, or even months, prior to the deadline is not only acceptable, but also encouraged, as doing so provides you with peace of mind that all your materials have arrived and are accounted for; and it allows us time to file your materials in a presentable manner for the School of Nursing review board.  Applicants who submit all required materials by said deadline may be contacted by the School of Nursing for a telephone or personal interview before an admission decision is rendered. 

Requirements to be considered for admission to the master of science in nursing (MSN) program (scroll down further for international student requirements):

• A completed application form, including personal statement.
• Graduation from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited baccalaureate-nursing program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with a cumulative GPA less than 3.0 may be considered on an individual basis.
• Evidence of a current registered nursing license in a state or territory of the United States.
• At least one year of full-time work experience as a registered nurse is required for applicants for the family nurse practitioner track.
• Official transcript(s) sent directly from the Registrar of all colleges, universities and  professional schools attended including accredited baccalaureate degree-granting college/university and all graduate level coursework.
• Three professional recommendations from nursing professionals, e.g., recent employers or professors. At least one must be provided by a master's-prepared nurse who has observed the applicant's clinical performance.
• Current resume or curriculum vitae.
• Applicants may be asked to complete an interview with faculty, and/or provide a writing sample.

Requirements to be considered for the post-master's certificate for family nurse practitioner:

• A completed application form, including personal statement.
• Graduation from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited master's in nursing program.
• Current licensure in a state or territory of the United States.
• Official transcript(s) sent directly from the registrar of the accredited baccalaureate and master's-degree granting institutions and all additional graduate level coursework.
• Three professional recommendations from nursing professionals, e.g., recent employers or professors. At least one must be provided by a master's-prepared nurse who has observed the applicant's clinical performance.
• Current resume or curriculum vitae.
• Applicants may be asked to complete an interview with faculty, and/or provide a writing sample.

Request an information packet by mail.

Admissions Decision

The decision regarding admission is made by the School of Nursing Graduate Admission Recognition and Progression Committee on the basis of the criteria outlined above as well as the quality of previous course work and demonstrated potential for a productive career in advanced nursing practice.

Probationary Admission Policy

Students may be admitted on probation when a component of the admission criteria is not satisfactorily met. A student admitted on probation is required to attain a 3.0 nursing grade-point average (GPA) at the completion of the first 6 credit hours of nursing course work. If a 3.0 GPA is achieved, the student's academic status is changed to good standing. If a 3.0 GPA is not achieved in the first 6 credit hours, the student is dismissed from the School of Nursing but may be eligible for admission to other programs at Saint Xavier University.

Transfer of Credit/Credit Earned as Student-at-Large

Nursing students may request transfer of credit for courses completed at other accredited institutions prior to enrollment at Saint Xavier University. Subject to faculty approval, a maximum of 6 credit hours of non-clinical courses earned elsewhere may be accepted toward completion of graduate degree requirements in nursing. This request must be made formally in writing after the student is admitted into the graduate program. See the Saint Xavier University graduate academic catalog for further details.