Application Requirements
As a Registered Nurse who is embarking on your graduate education at WesternU, we are here to provide you with guidance and direction as a prospective student and applicant for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program. We are here to serve you from day one, step one.
State and federal laws require that colleges and universities obtain authorization to offer online degree programs in any state where their students reside. If you are an applicant from outside California, please confirm we have authorization in your state.
International Students: We do not require a separate application or fee, and you should be prepared to meet all of the prerequisite and application requirements as outlined. If you need assistance with immigration (I-20 form, F-1 visa, SEVIS, etc.), our International Student Services (ISS) staff are available to help you. Visit the ISS website to learn more.
The next step in the admission process is to ensure you are on track to complete the requirements below in time to apply for your preferred year of entry.
- A Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from a nationally accredited program. (Bachelor’s degrees in related fields will be considered on a case-by-case basis).
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 for Overall and last 60 semester or 90 quarter units
- An active and unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state where you will obtain your practice hours
- One-year (1800 hours) of experience as a Registered Nurse (RN)
- Completion of a statistics course (2semester units or 3 quarter units) with a grade of “C” or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution
- 2 Reference Forms
- To be completed by an employer or faculty member (non-relative)
- Forms will be sent electronically to your recommender based on the information you provided in your application
Requirements for International Students
- All coursework taken from non-US institutions (including Canada) must be submitted to an approved service for evaluation
Proof of Legal U.S. Residency – If Required
- International applicants, or any other applicants who are not U.S. citizens and who are living in the U.S., must provide proof of legal U.S. residency prior to matriculation.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – If Required
- The TOEFL is required for all applicants submitting coursework from foreign schools
- TOEFL scores are valid for two years
- Internet-Based test (IBT) minimum score: 80
- Computer Based test minimum score: 213
- Exceptions:
- The TOEFL exam will be waived for permanent and temporary residents of the United States who have completed six semester units of the communication requirement from a regionally accredited U.S. institution
- You have a confirmed bachelor’s degree at the time of application from a regionally accredited U.S. institution
The apply now page will provide you with step-by-step instructions as well as an application checklist. There are a number of supporting materials that make up your completed application and it is essential that you print and carefully follow the checklist to ensure that you properly submit these pieces by the deadline