School of Nursing

The annual priority deadline for fall is the first Monday in April. This means that in order to be considered for admission during the initial (and possibly only) review round of applications for the fall semester, the online application and all required materials must be received by then. Application files not completed by the priority deadline will be considered on a space available basis.

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 with completion of additional requirements (e.g., submission of a professional portfolio or submission of acceptable GRE scores).
• 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 completed recommendation forms from nursing professionals, e.g., recent employers or professors. 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, including a writing sample.

Requirements to be considered for 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.
• See bullets 6, 7 and 8 above.

The decision regarding admission is made by the 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 and if all admission criteria are met, the student is then admitted with full status. Otherwise, the student does not gain admission to the School of Nursing, but may be eligible for admission to other programs at Saint Xavier University.

Deferred Admission

Applicants who do not meet the published admission criteria may be asked to enroll as a student-at-large and given “deferred” status until they complete 6 credit hours of required core courses in the graduate nursing program at Saint Xavier University. At that time, the student’s progress will be reviewed and a formal admission decision will be made by GARP. The student must attain a grade-point average of 3.0 or better.

Qualified Deny

Students may be denied admission for a particular term because of lack of available space in their elected track. Students who are denied admission for this reason may be offered the option to elect another track or accelerate or slow a chosen plan of studies based on available space in clinical courses. They may also elect to be placed on the cumulative waiting list for the clinical placement that was their first choice. For such waiting lists, candidates will be ranked based on undergraduate GPA and priority will be given to the highest undergraduate GPA.

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 graduateacademic catalog for further details.

International Graduate Student Application Requirements

The annual priority deadline for fall for international applicants for fall is the first Monday in April. This means that in order to be considered for admission during the initial (and possibly only) review round of applications for the fall semester, the online application and all required materials must be received by then.  However, due to the extra processing/review time needed for international applicants' documents, as well as the possibility of the applicant needing to resubmit a document(s), we strongly encourage international applicants to submit the online application and all documents by early February. Application files not completed by the priority deadline will be considered on a space available basis.

In addition to the application requirements for graduate admission, international students must submit the following:

• Online application for graduate admission.
• Official transcripts from any colleges/universities attended in the U.S.
• Official transcript evaluation of undergraduate and graduate coursework from colleges/universities attended outside the U.S. Students should request a course-by-course evaluation from either ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators) or WES (World Education Services).
• Official results of the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). For consideration, applicants must score a minimum of 80 on the Internet-based exam, 550 on the paper-based exam, or 213 on the computer-based exam.
• A notarized Affidavit of Support (PDF) form and notarized bank letter showing the student has financial sponsorship in the amount of $29,000. The bank letter must be written in English by the sponsor's bank or must be translated into English.
• A photocopy or facsimile of the identification page and expiration page of the student's passport, and (if applicable) the student's current F-1 visa, the I-20 form from the student's current institution, and the I-94 form documenting the student's original entry into the country.

Note: Students interested in a graduate certificate (non-degree) program cannot be sponsored for an F-1 visa.

Apply online or request info and an application packet will be mailed to you.