Master of Nursing

If you have a BSN

• A bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited program. Applicants who do not have a bachelor’s degree in nursing but have RN licensure and a bachelor’s degree in another field may qualify for our RN-MN program
• A minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher in bachelor’s program
• Completion of a general undergraduate-level statistics course
• Written goal statement congruent with program’s philosophy and focus
• Official transcripts from all previous college work
• Curriculum vitae or résumé
• Students must hold a current, unencumbered RN license in each state or United States territory where practice or clinical experiences occur.
• International students are eligible to apply if they are eligible to obtain a current, unencumbered RN license in each state or United States territory where practice or clinical experiences occur. International applicants must meet general Graduate School international applicant requirements.
• 3 letters of reference
• Successful completion of a written admission interview

If you are an RN with a bachelor’s degree in another field

Below is a list of admission requirements for the RN-MN program. Some of the listed requirements need to be completed prior to others. Please refer to our Steps to Apply page or consult with an RN-MN advisor before applying to the program.

• Current RN license in Oregon or Washington. Must have Washington licensure by start of program
• Bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited institution
• Minimum grade of 2.0 in each prerequisite course as well as an overall prerequisite GPA of 3.0 or above for the following: Intro to Psychology, Intro to Sociology, Statistics, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Nutrition
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (calculated from all college courses)
• Current nursing experience (preferably 2 years)
• NURS 360 Professional Nursing Concepts & Issues (2 credits)
• NURS 440 Community Health Nursing Concepts (3 credits)

Before you apply, update/gather all necessary application materials and documents

• You’ll need an updated professional curriculum vitae or resume.
• Determine three references willing to provide a letter of recommendation for you that discusses your leadership, academic standards, and skills as they pertain to your primary interest area. You will need to provide names, addresses, emails, and positions of your references on your application. We recommend (but do not require) your references include a current or past faculty member in a nursing program you attended and two professionals from a work setting (head nurse, provider, NP/PA etc.). They will be contacted directly by WSU via email after you have submitted your application. Each reference will receive instructions for submitting their recommendation through an evaluation form. Ask them to fill out the form and submit it within one week of receiving it.
• Prepare a 500-word statement of purpose to submit with your application. It must be well written, organized, and include your long- and short-term professional goals and how they fit with the health care needs of  your community.

Apply to the WSU Graduate School online

After you prepare/gather your required application materials and list of references, you are ready to apply. The application fee is $75 and non-refundable.

• Create your online CollegeNET applicant profile.
• When you get to the “Enrollment Plans” page, type “nursing” into the search box.
• Select your PROGRAM based on the CAMPUS NAME (select one) you are applying to.
  • This will be the campus where you will attend on-campus meeting dates as well as the area in which you will have clinical experiences if admitted.
• Select the Term you are applying for.
• Submit your updated professional curriculum vitae or résumé.
• Submit your statement of purpose. (instructions above)
• Provide information about your three references who will submit letters of recommendation for you.  Make sure you read the “before you apply” section above so you are clear on what your references need to do.
• Submit your application.
• You will receive an email from the College of Nursing Graduate Programs Office acknowledging application submission and what other application materials are outstanding.

Submit Your Transcripts

Transcripts are required for the application review process. A copy of unofficial transcripts from every college and university that you attended is acceptable for the application review process; official transcripts are required if admitted. Please refer to the Graduate School application requirements.

Complete the Online Interview Questions

Please respond in depth to the following interview questions. Faculty review your answers and evaluate your writing skills, as well as your answers.

Application Review Process

• You will be notified via email by the College of Nursing Graduate Programs Office that your application was received and if there are any additional documents needed.
• We begin reviewing completed applications upon submission.
• You will be notified via email if you are accepted, wait-listed, or denied.
• Admission questions? Email nursing.admissions@wsu.edu or phone 509-324-7334.

What does it cost to attend the program?

Visit the WSU Student Financial Services website for information on tuition and expenses.

Scholarships & Loan programs

When is the application deadline?

• Fall start: March 15
• Spring start: November 1

Is the program offered online?

MN courses are completed using a hybrid model where students participate both in class and online. Most classes meet no more than five times per semester; the remaining course work is offered online.

Is the GRE required?

No, the GRE is not required.

Is an RN license required?

Yes. For U.S. residents, current Washington State RN licensure is required. International students are eligible to apply if they are eligible to obtain a Washington state registered nurse (RN) license, which must be obtained prior to enrollment in any clinical or practicum course. International applicants must meet general Graduate School international applicant requirements.

What should I include in my goal statement/statement of purpose?

Prepare a 500-word statement of purpose essay that you will submit on the CollegeNet application, that is well written, organized, and includes both your long- and short-term professional goals and how your goals fit with the health care needs of your community.

Are references required?

Yes. When you apply online, you will be required to provide contact information for three references. Your references will be contacted automatically through the online application system and asked to submit a recommendation form electronically; there is no need for a separate hard copy. We recommend your references include two faculty members in a nursing program you attended and a person from a work setting. Please contact references to ensure they are willing to respond to your recommendation request, and ask them to discuss your leadership, academic standards, and skills as they pertain to your primary interest area.

Where do I have my transcripts sent?

Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for the application review process, but official transcripts will be required for all admitted students. Visit the requirements page on the Graduate School website for more information.

How can I reach the Graduate School if I have questions?

WSU Graduate School Admissions can be reached at gradschool@wsu.edu or 509-335-1446.

Required Courses

1. Integrate scientific findings from nursing, biopsychosocial fields, genetics, public health, education, quality improvement, and organizational sciences for the continual improvement of population health and health care  across diverse settings and communities
2. Implement organizational and system leadership skills to promote high quality, safe patient care that emphasizes ethical and critical decision making and effective working relationships within a systems perspective
3. Articulate multiple elements of quality, including methods, tools, performance measures, and quality standards, and apply these within an organization
4. Apply research outcomes within the practice setting to resolve practice problems, and work as a change agent to disseminate these results
5. Use patient-care technologies to deliver and enhance care, including communications technologies to integrate and coordinate care
6. Intervene at the systems level through policy development, and employ advocacy strategies to influence health and healthcare
7. Communicate, collaborate, and consult with other healthcare professionals as a member or leader of inter-professional teams to manage and coordinate care
8. Apply and integrate broad organizational, client-centered culturally appropriate concepts when planning, delivering, managing, and evaluating evidence in clinical prevention and population care, including services to individuals, families, and aggregates/identified populations
9. Articulate a broadly defined understanding of nursing practice as any form of nursing intervention that influences healthcare at the direct and indirect care levels for individuals, populations, and systems, coupled with an advanced level of understanding of nursing and relevant sciences that is integrated into direct and indirect nursing practice