2022-2023 Graduate Catalog


Application and Admission

Master of Science in Nursing Admission Criteria


Students applying for admission will meet the following criteria and submit documentation of:

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited college or university, with a nursing program that is accredited by a nationally recognized nursing accrediting agency [(National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)]
  • Proof of unencumbered RN license
  • 2 years of full-time professional acute care nursing experience
    • Acute care required, critital care experience preferred for AG-ACNP track
  • Official transcripts listing all undergraduate and graduate coursework taken
  • Resume or curriculum vitae
  • Professional and/or academic competence in nursing attested through two letters of recommendation submitted electronically by the recommender as part of the online application process.
  • A personal statement regarding both professional and education goals.  In 500 words or less describe your practice topic of interest, why it is significant to nursing and your education goals.
  • Complete online application to Augustana Nursing
  • International students must have sufficient English language proficiency to successfully complete a graduate nursing program.
    • For those students whose native language is not English, they must complete Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and submit scores with the online application
    • Requirements for English proficiency:
      • minimum score of 22 (TOEFL) or 6.5 (IELTS) in the Reading, Listening and Writing sections
      • minimum score of 26 (TOEFL) or 8 (IELTS) in the Speaking section
    • A student who applies with a question of proficiency in English must meet the above standards
  • Upon review of the application and all documents, the most highly qualified applicants from the overall pool may be invited for an interview electronically or in person.

Certain sensory, psychomoter, cognitive, communication and behavioral/social abilities are essential for generalists to competently and safely practice nursing.  For admission to and progression in the nursing program, a student must meet and maintain satisfactory demonstration of standards in these functional areas. (Appendix C)

Post-Graduate Certificate Admission Criteria


Post-master’s students applying for admission will meet the following criteria and submit documentation of:

  • Masters of Science in Nursing from an accredited college or university, with a nursing program that is accredited by a nationally recognized nursing accrediting agency [(National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)] with a minimum GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale
  • Proof of unencumbered RN license
  • Completion of graduate level pathophysiology, health assessment and pharmacology within the last 5 years or recent clinical experience as an APRN.  For the Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist track, completion of a graduate level evidence-based practice course or equivalent.
  • Official transcripts from all post-secondary education
  • Resume or curriculum vitae
  • Professional and/or academic competence in nursing attested through two letters of recommendation submitted electronically by the recommender.
  • Personal statement regarding both professional and educational goals.
  • Complete online application to Augustana University
  • International students must have sufficient English language proficiency to successfully complete a graduate nursing program.
    • For those students whose native language is not English, they must complete Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and submit scores with application
    • Requirements for English proficiency:
      • minimum score of 22 (TOEFL) or 6.5 (IELTS) in the Reading, Listening and Writing sections
      • minimum score of 26 (TOEFL) or 8 (IELTS) in the Speaking section
    • A student who applies with a question of proficiency in English must meet the above standards.
  • Upon review of the application and all documents, applicants from the overall pool may be invited for an interview conducted electronically or in person. 

Certain sensory, psychomotor, cognitive, communication and behavioral/social abilities are essential for generalists to competently and safely practice nursing. For admission to and progression in the nursing program, a student must meet and maintain satisfactory demonstration of standards in these functional areas. (Appendix C)