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Types of Admission
There are two types of student classifications in the Master of Science degree in nursing program for the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and Nurse Educator (NE) tracks: degree candidate and conditional candidate. The Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) track accepts only degree candidates, though prospective applicants may wish to take courses as conditional students (see below). Admission as a conditional student has no effect on admission into the CRNA track.
Degree Candidate (matriculated)
Students who have satisfactorily met all entrance requirements and desire to pursue a Master of Science degree in nursing will be admitted as matriculated degree candidates.
Conditional Student (non-matriculated)
Conditional status is conferred for: (1) students who have not met the admission requirements but are admitted on a conditional basis; (2) students who are taking a course for the purpose of transfer to another university; and (3) students who want to take graduate courses unrelated to the pursuit of a degree. Conditional students may take no more than four courses (12 credits). A student who was admitted on a conditional basis may convert to degree candidate status by submitting a written request to the graduate coordinator. In order to do so, students must meet all admission requirements, must have completed 6 credits at the graduate level, and have at least a 3.0 cumulative graduate GPA at the time they apply for regular admission. Students admitted on a conditional basis must meet all the terms and conditions of their acceptance agreement in order to be considered for matriculation. Conditional students who wish to enter the CRNA track will use the same admissions procedure as all other applicants for that track.
Students who are taking a course for the purpose of transfer to another university and students who want to take graduate courses unrelated to the pursuit of a degree must complete the application process; however, they do not have to submit two letters of recommendation.
Application Procedures
Application for admission to the Master of Science degree in nursing program may be made for the fall, spring, or summer sessions for the CNS and NE tracks. For the CRNA track, applications are reviewed once per year and a complete application must be submitted by December 1 of the year preceding the desired entry date (e.g., December 1, 2006 for a class starting in fall semester 2007). To be considered for admission for the CNS and NE tracks, applicants must have forwarded the following documents to the Master of Science degree in nursing program by July 15 for fall semester admission; November 15 for spring semester admission; or April 15 for summer semester admission:
1. A completed Graduate Studies Application accompanied by the required nonrefundable application fee.
2. Official transcripts of all completed undergraduate and, if applicable, graduate studies. These transcripts must verify that the applicant has been awarded a baccalaureate degree in the nursing major; or for the RN-MS student, the transcripts must verify that the applicant has been awarded an associate degree in the nursing major or a diploma in nursing.
3. Copy of Pennsylvania RN licensure.
4. Two letters of recommendation.
5. Current resume.
6. Current personal professional liability insurance of $1,000,000/$3,000,000 (Total for advanced practice needs to be $2,000,000/$6,000,000; College supplies $1,000,000/$3,000,000 for a nominal fee.)
The CRNA track application requires the following additional documents:
7. One additional letter of recommendation (three total).
8. Official reports from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
9. A curriculum vitae of the candidate's professional history and accomplishments.
10. Personal professional liability insurance will be purchased after admission prior to clinical anesthesia education. Policies are available through the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) for approximately $250 per year.
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