MSN - Masters of Science in Nursing

Admissions & Application

Deadlines for application: The MSN program admits once a year. Application to the Nurse Practitioner programs requires additional application which must be received by the College of Nursing by January 2. Interviews will be conducted the last Monday of January each year.

The deadline for receipt of all materials is February 1 for application to Fall semester.

MSN application requirements
Completed Graduate College application form and fee
Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

Graduate from a CCNE or NLNAC accredited nursing program

1. Complete transcripts for work done in all undergraduate and graduate schools
(The GRE is no longer required.)
2. Three professional recommendations (U Iowa recommendation forms required) in sealed business-size envelope with appraisers signature across the flap
3. Applicant course completion form and copy of RN license
4. Goal statement
5. CV or resume
6. Supplemental Information form

The above materials (1-6) must be completed and sent all together in one large 9 x 12-inch envelope with proper postage and must be received by the deadline. Mailing address is: The University of Iowa College of Nursing, Graduate Programs, 37 NB, Iowa City, IA 52242

MSN in Anesthesia Nursing application requirements

Find application requirements, forms and application procedures at The University of Iowa Anesthesia Nursing Program website.

Additional requirements for those programs requiring special application:

Nurse Practitioner Application must be completed (requires another resume, goal statement and must be complete to be considered). Staple all materials together and include in MSN application envelope.

Psych/Mental Health Application must be completed (requires another resume, goal statement and must be complete to be considered). Staple all materials together and include in MSN application envelope.

Requirements for International Students
Due to the level of Internet-based coursework in the MSN program, international students in this program of study are not eligible to receive an I-20 form for F-1 (student) visas/immigration status. Many international students, though, will be able to receive documentation to qualify for J-1 (exchange visitors) visas/status. Questions regarding visas and immigration documentation should be addressed to the Office of International Students and Scholars; e-mail oiss@uiowa.edu.

A minimum score of 550 paper-based, 213 computer-based or 81 iBT on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for students whose first language is not English.

During 2006-2007, The University of Iowa will accept the IELTS as certification of English language proficiency for admission of students whose first language is not English. IELTS will be accepted as an alternative to TOEFL.

The cut-off scores on the IELTS are 6.5 for undergraduate admission and 7.0 for graduate admission, with no subscore lower than 6.0.

If admitted:

All international students will be required to take the on-campus English Proficiency Evaluation. If a student is found to need more than 2 courses in English as a Second Language, he/she will be required to enroll in, and successfully complete, the Iowa Intensive English Program. Concurrently with the Iowa Intensive English Program, the student will be allowed to register for one course within their master's program of study.  More information related to the Iowa Intensive English Program is found at the following link http://www.uiowa.edu/~iiepesl/ .

International students are required to take the CGFNS examination.

The CGFNS examination is offered in 37 locations in 26 countries.
Write or call for information: Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools, 3600 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-2651 USA
(215) 349-8767

Students admitted to the MSN program must show proof of the following before enrolling in course work:
- Current license to practice nursing (RN) or special licensure
- An undergraduate research methods course before enrollment in Research for Evidence-Based Practice I (96:211)
- An upper-level statistics course taken within five years prior to enrollment in Research for Evidence-Based Practice I (96:211)
- Professional nurses liability insurance (annual verification required)
- Health insurance (annual verification required)
- Health screening
- Basic genetics course only if applying to the MSN Genetics program

Applicant Completion Checklist:
Materials to be sent to the University of Iowa College of Nursing, Graduate Program Office, 37 Nursing Building, Iowa City, IA 52242:

_____ Undergraduate Transcripts
_____ TOEFL or IELTS Test Score (for International applicants)
_____ Applicant course completion form
_____ Three professional recommendations (U Iowa recommendation forms required)
_____ Proof of valid RN Licensure
_____ Goal statement
_____ CV or resume
_____ Supplemental information form

Send the following materials to the Office of Admissions, The University of Iowa, 107 Calvin Hall, Iowa City, IA 52242-1396:
_____ Completed Graduate College application form and fee
_____ One set of official academic records/transcripts
_____ Official TOEFL scores (if applicable). The University's institution code is 6681
_____ Financial Statement for International Applicants (if applicable)

Additional requirements for RN's with non-nursing bachelor's degrees:

Health Assessment Content
Non-BSN applicants must show proof of a health assessment course on their ADN or diploma transcript or enroll in Health Assessment 96:191, in Summer session. NOTE: Sometimes various work experience and in-service classes may show evidence of a health assessment training program.

Community Clinical Content
Students without a Community Health Clinical course must enroll in 96:192 and 96:193, Community Health Nursing and Practicum, fall semester. Health Assessment is a prerequisite to 96:192.

There may be additional requirements for foreign students educated in another country.