Policy No. 200
Academic Policies and Procedures for the Graduate Program
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Admission: Master’s Program

Date Effective
September 1, 1994
Date Reviewed / Revised
April 2026
Program Level
Graduate

POLICY:

Applicants to the master's program in nursing meet the following criteria (see Procedure for details):

  1. A GPA of > 0 from previous nursing degree.
  2. A current RN license to practice nursing.
  3. A pre-requisite statistics courses with a grade of B- or better
  4. Additional criteria specified by the specialty, including acceptable application essay and interview scores.

Qualified applicants are admitted without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender and gender identity, sex, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or a veteran of the Vietnam era.

PROCEDURE:

If basic admission criteria are met, admission faculty will review the applicant’s resume/CV, Transcript, Applicant Survey, Essay (using the scoring rubric to assign a score) and conduct an interview by Zoom (using the MSN Admission Interview Questions). Faculty uses the MSN Decision Rubric to obtain a final score and decision for admission. Admissions are based on a holistic admission process where the resume, essay, applicant survey, letters of reference, interview, and GPA are considered when assessing the student for appropriateness for graduate studies at Pitt School of Nursing.

Applications to the master's program in nursing are reviewed by the faculty in the applicant's specialty.

Applicants must be considered qualified for advanced study based upon supporting evidence as identified in this policy. The application is online on the School of Nursing website. The online application must include:

  1. Completed online application
  2. Non-refundable application fee
  3. Submit official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate work through online application
    1. BSN to MSN applicants must have a GPA of > 0 in a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an ACEN (NLN), ACICS, or CCNE-accredited program.
    2. International applicants must provide evidence of a degree comparable to an American baccalaureate degree.
  4. A copy of current RN license to practice nursing in the country, state or territory where clinical or practicum requirements will be completed.
  5. Three letters of reference attesting to the applicant's capacity and potential for master's study from each of the areas noted (these can be uploaded into the online application):
    1. either the director or a faculty member from the most recent academic program attended (if applicant has been a nursing student in the last 5 years),
    2. a recent employer, and
    3. a person who can speak to the applicant's professional work.
  6. A personal essay (limit to 2-3 pages) must address the elements evaluated by the MSN holistic admissions essay writing rubric.
  7. Completed Applicant Survey
  8. Current CV or resume

Completed applications in the online system are assigned by the Center for Student Success to the Area of Concentration Coordinator or Program Director for review and appropriate action.

The specialty coordinator completes the decision assignment in the online system and submits it to the Admissions Office with recommendations for the following:

  1. full admit, provisional admit (for applicants who do not meet minimal criteria) with justification, or reject
  2. term of admission
  3. graduate status
  4. full or part time study status

Applicants are notified by the Admissions Office of their admission status. Admission must be granted before registration is permitted.