Nursing, Master of Science

Baccalaureate prepared nurses can advance their practice without specializing. The program graduates will be prepared to pursue a post-master’s certificate of their own interest.

Admission Requirements

Specific admission requirements for Nursing, Master of Science

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a NLN or CCNE  accredited nursing program
• Experienced and licensed Registered Nurses who have a (U.S.) bachelor’s degree in another discipline are also eligible to apply
• Active Massachusetts RN license
• Cumulative undergraduate GPA of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Applicants do not need to submit a GRE score. GRE scores will only be required for applicants who have a total combined undergraduate GPA below a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• The GRE may be required for further evaluation of any applicant to the MSN program
• Interview with program faculty may be required
• Basic undergraduate or graduate statistics course with a grade of C or better
• TOEFL or IELTS scores for all international candidates who have English as a second language. Please review our TOEFL/IELTS policy
• Students with equivalent international credentials will be considered for admission. Please review information on degree equivalency procedures
• One year of relevant clinical professional nursing experience is required prior to entering into any of the clinical courses in the three program tracks

Application Materials

Online graduate admissions application.

Transcripts from all colleges and university in which a degree was conferred

Professional goal statement: Please address the following in a narrative format in a two to three page statement.

1. A discussion of professional experience
2. Future professional nursing career goals
3. Future scholarship
4. Discuss interest in program track that you are applying to (Education, Leadership, or Adult-Geriatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner)

Please submit three professional letters of recommendation that address your professional and/or academic experience. Please do not submit references from co-workers or friends.

Resume

GRE score not more than 5 years old (if required)

TOEFL or IELTS scores (if required)

Evidence of completion of a basic statistics course with a grade of C or better.

Any Salem State University undergraduate senior in the BSN, LPN-BSN, RN-BSN or the ABSN program with a grade point average of 3.0 or better may apply and be automatically accepted into the master’s degree in nursing program;

If the following conditions are met:

1. The student must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above at the time the baccalaureate degree is conferred in order to maintain eligibility for this option.

2. The student must apply for and receive his/her baccalaureate degree before matriculating into the graduate program.

3. The student must obtain the Massachusetts Registered Nurse (RN) license prior to matriculating into the graduate program.

4. Once accepted, a student is expected to begin his/her graduate studies in the semester immediately following conferral of the baccalaureate degree unless the student submits a written request for deferral.

5. A student can defer for a maximum of one year from the date of acceptance. For example, if accepted for the spring 2021 semester, an individual can defer to either the fall 2021 or spring 2022 semesters. A student defers acceptance by submitting a written request to the office of graduate admissions. All deferral requests must specify which semester the student wishes to enroll. Students who are confirmed to transition to the MSN program who opts not to enroll in at least one course in the semester immediately following conferral of the bachelor’s degree and who does not submit a deferral request forfeits his/her rights to benefits under this policy option. Should the student decide to begin his/her studies at a future date he/she will be required to apply to the MSN graduate program and submit all required admission materials.

6. Students accepted into the MSN program can opt to transfer into the MSN-AGNP (adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner) track after a minimum of one-year RN clinical experience. An interview with AGNP faculty is also required.

Program Requirements

Upon acceptance into the program, you will complete a tentative Plan of Study in consultation with the program coordinator. You must request that any transfer credits be considered at this time. PLEASE NOTE THAT NO MORE THAN THREE COURSES TAKEN AT SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY BEFORE ADMISSION CAN BE COUNTED TOWARDS THIS PROGRAM. You should meet regularly with the program coordinator to discuss your progress and revise your plan of study as needed.

The completion of thirty (30) credit hours of study, distributed as follows.