Each student must submit an application to the USI School of Graduate Studies. Applications are not reviewed until all materials have been received. Applicants must be admitted to USI Graduate Studies before their materials can be reviewed by the Graduate Nursing Chair.
The USI School of Graduate Studies section of the Graduate Bulletin outlines several policies that are specific to graduate study. The Academic Information and Policies includes the University’s Progress Toward the Degree and Retention Policies.
Note: Individual degree programs may have additional/higher requirements, which would be indicated on its academic program page in the bulletin.
USI Online Learning has parameters specific to geographic location and distance education through USI.
General Admission Criteria
All students must complete drug screening and criminal record verification upon entry into the program. See the CNHP handbook located on the CNHP website for specific information. Submission of documentation to the University's preferred third party agency is required prior to the enrollment of the first graduate nursing course. Failure to provide this agency information, even with negative results, will jeopardize enrollment or progression in Graduate Nursing courses.
All students selected for admission to the Graduate Nursing Program must also meet clinical agency requirements, be able to perform essential functions, maintain unencumbered RN licensure and be capable of fulfilling clinical practice requirements.
Drug screening and criminal background check information regarding the College of Nursing and Health Profession’s Drug Screening and Criminal Background policies are found in the College of Nursing and Health Professions Handbook.
Submission and verification of all required documents is through the University's preferred third party agency. Students are responsible for updating all required documents through the program.
Holding an unencumbered RN license is a prerequisite for being admitted to and remaining in this nursing program. An RN license will not be considered by this program to be unencumbered if action has been taken or is being proposed against the license by any agency of government, or if the RN has entered into or is currently discussing an agreement with any agency of government concerning the license or if any restrictions have been imposed by an agency of government on an RN’s ability to practice the nursing profession or if any restrictions are being proposed by an agency of government. An applicant or student is required to immediately advise the Program Chair in writing if their RN license has been encumbered or if any agency of government is proposing to encumber an RN’s license.
After review by the Program Chair of any action involving the encumbrance (or proposed encumbrance) of a license, the student may not be allowed to participate in clinical experiences of the program. Failure to report an encumbered RN license to the Program Chair, as required above, may result in dismissal from the program, particularly where the encumbrance prevents the student from performing any part of the clinical experience.
Students are required to maintain an unencumbered RN license while enrolled and completing the graduate nursing courses. An unencumbered nursing license is defined by this program as a license with no suspension or probation or any pending action against the RN license in any state or U.S. territory of practice. In the event action is taken on a student’s nursing license, it is the student’s responsibility to report this to the Program Chair immediately for further direction.
Students must hold an unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse in all states where they will be involved in a clinical setting.
Students who do not meet admission requirements or expected academic skill proficiencies may be conditionally admitted to the Graduate Nursing program. Refer to the USI Graduate Bulletin for specific academic requirements related to conditional admission status. Expectations for full admittance to the Graduate Nursing program will be individually specified. Students with a conditional admittance will work closely with faculty and the graduate advisor to maximize success.
Please click the Graduate Bulletin link on the School of Graduate Studies webpage.
Program Specific Admission Criteria
- A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a nationally and regionally accredited college/university.
- Minimum grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
- Satisfactory completion of a course in undergraduate statistics (grade C or better).
- Unencumbered RN license**
- Demonstration of a TOEFL score in accordance with University standards. Learn more.
- Successful completion of the application process to the School of Graduate Studies.
*One year full time or 2,000 hours of clinical practice as a registered nurse within the last five years is strongly recommended.
**The program is limited to working with certain states in the U.S. only. Moving to state not recognized by the Graduate Nursing program will lead to inability to continue in coursework. The exception to this is active military status.
- A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from a nationally and regionally accredited college/university.
- Minimum grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
- Unencumbered RN license**
- Demonstration of a TOEFL score in accordance with University standards. Learn more.
- Successful completion of the application process to the School of Graduate Studies.
*One year full time or 2,000 hours of clinical practice as a registered nurse within the last five years is strongly recommended.
**The program is limited to working with certain states in the U.S. only. Moving to state not recognized by the Graduate Nursing program will lead to inability to continue in coursework. The exception to this is active military status.
Post MSN APRN Certificate Gap Analysis
A Gap Analysis will be completed for every student applying to the Post MSN APRN certificate. No clinical hours will be credited for the Post MSN APRN Certificate program.
Transfer credits from graduate-level pharmacy, pathophysiology and advanced health assessment courses taken at an accredited institution will be considered for acceptance provided the course were completed within the last five years or the applicant can validate current advanced clinical practice. For transfer of graduate-level pharmacology credits, applicants must exhibit current active prescriptive authority in their respective state of practice.
The Graduate Admission/Progression Committee will assess all inquiries and determine acceptance of transfer credits for individuals actively engaged in advanced clinical practice.
Evaluation of transfer credits will be conducted on a case-by-case basis; involving a thorough review that includes verification of current practice hours and the applicant’s professional role.
Prospective students who do not meet the aforementioned criteria may appeal to the Graduate Admission/Progression Committee for alternate considerations, ensuring equitable consideration of circumstances and qualifications. Transfer credit opportunities are applicable only to three separate three-credit hours courses in pharmacology, pathophysiology and advanced health assessment.
- A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a nationally and regionally accredited college/university.
- Minimum grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
- Satisfactory completion of a course in undergraduate statistics (grade C or better).
- Unencumbered RN license**
- Demonstration of a TOEFL score in accordance with University standards. Learn more.
- Successful completion of the application process to the School of Graduate Studies.
*One year full time or 2,000 hours of clinical practice as a registered nurse within the last five years is strongly recommended.
**The program is limited to working with certain states in the U.S. only. Moving to state not recognized by the Graduate Nursing program will lead to inability to continue in coursework. The exception to this is active military status.
- A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from a nationally and regionally accredited college/university.
- Minimum grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
- Unencumbered RN license**
- Satisfactory completion of a graduate course in research with a grade of B or better.
- Demonstration of a TOEFL score in accordance with University standards. Learn more.
- Successful completion of the application process to the School of Graduate Studies.
*One year full time or 2,000 hours of clinical practice as a registered nurse within the last five years is strongly recommended.
**The program is limited to working with certain states in the U.S. only. Moving to state not recognized by the Graduate Nursing program will lead to inability to continue in coursework. The exception to this is active military status.