You Have Questions. We Have Answers.
Please explore the questions and answers below to learn what many of our prospective students are concerned about. If you still have questions, please contact us.
Question: Do I need to be a Registered Nurse (RN) to apply?
Yes. You will be asked to submit proof of your licensure at the time of application.
Question: If I live out of state can I attend?
Yes. The program is ideal for people living in distant or remote areas. However, you must live in one of the approved authorized states. There is one mandatory weekend campus session one-time per year in July. Air travel is convenient to the Ontario International Airport, which is 15 minutes from campus. Many area hotels offer shuttle services to campus. After orientation, many students make acquaintances and share hotel expenses.
Question: Do you give preference to California residents?
No. We are a private institution and do not have to meet certain resident enrollment standards that state institutions must meet.
Question: Is tuition the same for in-state and out-of-state residents?
Yes. Tuition costs are the same for all students within the same program.
Question: What if I haven’t been in school for a long time?
Many of our students have not been in school for a long time. We find that adults do very well with our learning model as it is designed for the working professional who has typically been out of school for a while.
Question: Can I replace a reference form with a recommendation letter?
No. Your application file requires two completed reference forms. Recommendation letters are optional.
Question: May I submit more than the required number of reference forms?
Only two reference forms are required.
Question: What constitutes a good reference form?
Reference forms should be completed by a faculty or supervisor/manager who has knowledge of your academic or work performance. We will not accept reference forms from a family members or friends.
Question: Do I need to plan for an an interview as part of the admissions process?
You do not need to plan for a formal interview; however, the admissions committee may contact you via email or phone to ask additional questions about your application. You will be required to submit a personal statement and CV as part of your application that should include your professional experience as a registered nurse highlighting your service to the profession, volunteerism, and any presentations or publications.
Question: When will I be notified of my admissions decision?
Application are reviewed by the admissions committee as they are completed and flagged for review. When the final admission outcomes are decided, applicants will be notified by the Admissions Office.
Question: Do I need to be a Registered Nurse (RN) to apply?
Yes. You will be asked to submit proof of your licensure at the time of application. You must also have a minimum of one year full time work experience as a registered nurse.
Question: Do you require any standardized tests prior to application?
No. We do not require any standardized tests (i.e GRE or MCAT) prior to application. Please visit the requirements page for complete list of requirements.
Question: Do you consider applicants whose GPA is below the required minimum GPA of 3.0?
Yes. This is conducted on a case-by-case basis. Students with a GPA below 3.0 may be considered for entry into the program and placed on probationary status for the first semester. Visit the View Requirements page for a complete list of requirements.
Question: Can I talk to a counselor about my prerequisite coursework?
Absolutely ! Please contact us to ask any questions you might have.
Question: What if I have already satisfied coursework in by BSN program? How many credits may I transfer in or waive and what is your transfer credit policy?
The College of Graduate Nursing does accept transfer credit for previous coursework completed and is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Transfer credit or waiver requests will be reviewed after the seat offer has been accepted and deposit paid. CGN will notify accepted students via email regarding any requested transfer credit or course waiver following an evaluation. The transfer credit policy and waiver of courses is listed within the student catalog.
Question: How do I check my application status online?
You can check your application status by visiting the application status page.
Question: What if I want to change information on my application after I have completed it?
You may not change answers or documents submitted with your application, but you may upload additional, supplemental materials. To do so, visit the application status page and use the “Upload Materials” section of the page to submit your supplemental materials.
Question: What if I want to apply to more than one program? Do I need to create a new account?
You can apply to multiple programs using a single account. Visit our online application, log in, and click “Start New Application” at the bottom of the page.
Question: What address should I use if I need to mail any additional application materials?
For official transcripts please mail to:
Western University of Health Sciences
Attn: Admissions Operations/program you are applying for MSN/PMHNP
309 E Second Street
Pomona, CA 91766
For unofficial documents, please upload to the online application as indicated in the application instructions.
Question: How do I pay my application fee?
All application fees require payments made by credit card. Only cards with Visa and Master Card logos will be accepted. No checks, money orders, or cash will be accepted for payment of application fees.
Question: What if I do not have a Visa or Master Card?
Payment may be made with a Visa or Master Card prepaid gift card which can be purchased at many major chain stores or online. Please be aware that the gift card must contain a balance sufficient to cover the application fee in one full payment.
Question: Are fee waivers accepted?
Payment is required at time of application. If a fee waiver is approved a reimbursement will be issued.
Question: How do I withdraw my application?
You may withdraw your application by visiting the application status page. Scroll to the bottom of your application and select withdraw my application.
Question: How do I delete an application I accidentally started?
Applicants cannot delete their own application once started. Please submit a request to Admissions Operations at AO@westernu.eduto have it deleted.
Question: I have applied to more than one program. How do I check my application status for multiple applications?
You can check your application status by visiting the application status page. Select the application you wish to view from the drop down menu located on the right hand side.
Question: Is WesternU’s MSN/PMHNP program nationally accredited?
Yes. WesternU’s College of Graduate Nursing’s programs are accredited by ACS WASC (Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges) – 533 Airport Blvd., Suite 200. Burlingame, CA 94010-2009. Email: mail.@ascwasc.org; Phone: 650-696-1060, and professionally accredited by CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) for the MAXIMUM years of accreditation. Our nurse practitioner programs are BRN (Board of Registered Nursing) approved in California.
Question: What is a nurse practitioner?
Nurse Practitioners (NP) are healthcare partners of choice for millions of Americans. As advanced practice clinicians they blend clinical expertise in diagnosing and treating health conditions with added emphasis on disease prevention and health management. Nurse Practitioners bring a comprehensive perspective and personal touch to healthcare providing primary, acute, and specialty healthcare to patients of all ages and walks of life. They assess patients, order and interpret diagnostic tests, diagnose, and initiate and manage treatment plans including prescribing medications (AANP,2022). There are several population foci in which nurse practitioners practice that inclusive families-individuals across the lifespan, women’s health/gender related, adult gerontology, neonatal, and psychiatric mental health. This is inclusive of variety of other specialty practice environments such as the emergency nurse practitioner.
Question: What is the pass rate on the National Certification Exam?
To view our national certification pass rates, please visit the Institutional Research and Effectiveness Academic Outcomes page.
Question: Is this an online program?
The MSN/PMHNP and the Post-Master’s Certificate PMHNP are hybrid/online learning programs with campus-based and synchronous-virtual seminar weekend intensives sessions delivered throughout the program of study. Dates of mandatory attendance can be located within the academic calendar.
Question: What are the benefits of learning in a hybrid/online learning program?
WesternU’s program is designed with the non-traditional learner in mind. There are many advantages to a hybrid/online learning program. First, it allows the master’s-prepared nurse to complete an advanced degree while living and working in his/her own community. Second, this offers the student flexibility in completing coursework around job, personal and family commitments. Finally, the online didactic courses allow synchronous and asynchronous activities to enhance online classroom discussions and socialization to the learning process.
Question: Are WesternU’ hybrid/online learning nursing programs as rigorous as traditional programs?
Yes. We maintain professional accreditation standards that are no different from traditional based programs of study. The curriculum is developed specifically for the online learners via the Web-Learning Management System (LMS) and follows national guidelines and standards from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. WesternU is ACS WASC accredited. The College of Graduate Nursing received a full professional accreditation from the Committee on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and has maintained accreditation to date. The college is California Board of Registered Nursing approved.
Question: What computer skills will I need?
Students need word processing skills for typing papers, discussions and written clinical cases. Students must also be familiar with using e-mail. Some student presentations will be done using Microsoft Power Point. While new students do not need this skill on admission, applicants will benefit from familiarizing themselves with this computer program.
Since the computer skills required to navigate and complete our curriculum are not difficult, beginners do very well with some focused skill training. We recommend that applicants find a personal computer mentor, or complete the basic software tutorials prior to beginning the program. All students will need an Internet Service Provider (ISP) prior to registration and will be given a WesternU e-mail account during registration.
Question: Is CGN on a quarter or semester system?
CGN offers semester-based programs of study that are year-round with 1-2 week intersessions between semesters. Courses are taken for 14 weeks per semester. Please refer to the CGN website for exact courses that are taken each semester (Fall, Spring, and Summer).
Question: Is there an orientation before I begin?
All students enrolled in the College of Graduate Nursing will be required to attend the University campus orientation in August prior to beginning classes their first year. College orientation will be conducted asynchronously and synchronously/live via Zoom for all post-licensure programs. During orientation week, students will participate in both college and university sessions held virtually. Students will be provided with information regarding the orientation program following seat acceptance.
Question: How often do I have to come to WesternU in Pomona, CA?
There is only one required campus-based weekend session in July each year.
Question: How many hours of preceptorship are required?
Students must complete 675 preceptored NP clinical hours over the course of the program.
Question: Can the PMHNP clinical preceptorships be completed close to my hone/work location?
Yes. Students are encouraged to complete PMHNP clinical preceptorship in the community where they live and work. CHN also has a vast pool of clinical partners who can assist in your learning. CGN’s clinical coordinators will assist students with clinical placement. Additionally, there are some precepted experiences that are telehealth in nature.
Question: What type of NP clinical hours are needed and who can serve as a preceptor and mentor?
WesternU has a deep pool of clinical preceptorship and practice affiliation sites to accommodate our students throughout California and across many other states. A student’s preceptor may be a board-certified physician trained psychiatric clinical nurse specialist/Psych NP, or another health professional including a physician assistant prepared in psychiatric are for addiction/behavioral medicine area. The college encourages multiple rotations for specific experiences if needed to optimize student learning. A student’s preceptor and/or clinical instructor may suggest or assist with identifying and scheduling these rotations. If the preceptor is a physician, the student is encourages to also work with a nurse practitioner to promote role development as applicable.
Question: Do students have to find their own clinical placements or preceptors?
No. It is the responsibility of the NP program to secure clinical placement sites for NP students. The College of Graduate Nursing has a deep pool of clinical partners and preceptors who work with our students to draw upon. Having said that, students often seek out clinical preceptorship rotations nearby where they live or from colleague connections from their employment. Sometimes certain work or personal time constraints match better with those sites that students secure themselves. We have a full time Clinical Coordinator who secures preceptor sites and works with the students to support their needs.
Question: What is expected of me during a preceptorship?
You will learn the role of the Nurse Practitioner by taking histories, performing physical exams, determining a diagnosis and a management plan for your patients. Your preceptor will mentor your growth as you apply the knowledge you gained in your didactic coursework to your clinical setting. Your faculty will oversee your growth via site visits, evaluations and competency assessments.
Question: How will you assess my preceptorship when it is located out of the state of California?
A “Site Visit” is performed on each student each semester in various ways. Some students receive live ‘on site’ visits by faculty, while others receive what we have developed as a ‘virtual site visit’ via web-cam to the preceptor, and other evaluations. Additionally, your preceptor evaluates your performance with an assessment tool we have designed to get at outcome competencies. Lastly, we have live “on campus” simulated patient scenarios that each student participates in as faculty assess your skills and competencies in July each year. Overall, you are assessed and evaluated throughout the programming review of your skills and outcomes competencies, in preparation of your role as advanced practitioners.
Question: Will past work experience or current certifications held count for a part of the clinical preceptorship hours?
No, all clinical hours are mandated by the Board of Registered Nursing and the accrediting bodies to be actual patient experiences where the student actually assesses the patient and develops the management plan. Therefore, while previous work experience is valued and existing certification helpful to the student’s nursing practice strength, any past or present work experiences do not count for any of the 675 hours required when seeking a new role concentration of study.
Question: Do I have to take a national certification exam when I finish the program?
Yes, we highly encourage this. Most states require a National Certification Exam to be certified in that state. Some states are in the process of requiring this, while others are not there as yet. However, the national standard being adopted by states across the country, “Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification and Education” that does require national certification for state certification. Many insurers are deciding not to reimburse without a national certification being held by the NP. We encourage all students to sit for a national certification exam to assure practice in their state of choice.
Question: Can I work and attend graduate school at the same time?
Yes. You are encouraged to maintain your role as a Registered Nurse. When starting a graduate degree program, it is important to address the amount of time you must dedicate towards completing your required clinical/practice hours in addition to study time for didactic coursework while balancing family, work, and personal time. Students that have been successful in our program have developed good time management and organizational skills.