Degree Programs: MS Admissions Information

Degree Programs: MS Admissions Information

Application Deadline

Deadline is JANUARY 15 for both Master of Nursing and Master of Science, with the exception of applicants seeking funding from the military, who must apply by October 1, and international applicants, who must apply no later than November 1, as it takes longer to process their applications. Applications are accepted after the deadline on a space available basis. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all materials are on file by the deadline. Most Master of Nursing and Master of Science applicants apply to begin their programs in the Fall Quarter.

*If January 15 falls on a weekend or a holiday the deadline is generally extended by one, two or a few days. Notice of such a change will appear on the Prospective Students page.

Admission Criteria

For additional Admission information visit the University of Washington Graduate School's Homepage.

Please note: Effective Spring 2007 GRE scores are no longer being required to apply for School of Nursing Graduate programs, including the Master's of Nursing/Master's of Science programs.

Admission is based on acceptance by the UW Graduate School (refer to General Catalog) and School of Nursing:

a baccalaureate degree in any discipline from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the last 90 graded quarter credits by date of enrollment. PLEASE NOTE: The School of Nursing is no longer requiring that applicants to the Master of Science have a previous degree in Nursing.
Completion of a 3 quarter credit basic course in descriptive and inferential statistics with a grade of at least 2.0. Click here for a list of Approved Statistics Courses.
Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test Score--no longer being required. See note above.
All International Applicants, as well as Immigrants to the U.S. and U.S. Permanent Residents applying to the MS program, whose native language is not English, and who have not received a Bachelor’s degree or higher in the U.S., Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand or the United Kingdom, are required to show English language listening, writing and reading proficiency (proof of speaking proficiency not required). One of the following exams with the recommended score is required:
TOEFLiBT--minimum combined score for the listening, writing and reading sections of 70 (does not include speaking score)
TOEFL score of 580 or higher,
TOEFLC score of 237 or higher
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 7.0 or higher
or
MLT (Michigan Language Test) score of 90 (the MLT must be taken at the University of Washington)

A Master of Science applicant with a TOEFLiBT score (not including the speaking section in the total score) of 45-69, a TOEFL score of 500-580, a TOEFLC score of 173-237, an IELTS score or 6.0-6.9 or a MLT score of 80-90 might be admitted but would be required to take a placement test and appropriate English classes during the first quarter of study. More information for international applicants about applying to the Master of Science program is under International Applicants.

Test scores must be less than 2 years old from the test date. English proficiency scores should be sent to the UW Graduate School and photocopies of score reports you receive included with the School of Nursing MS application.
Three letters of recommendation, two (2) from persons qualified to comment on your academic abilities and one (1) from a person who can provide work-related (practice) information.
Admissions essay relevant to the program objectives. (If applying to another focal area as a second choice, a second goal statement must be submitted. The application will be reviewed for the second choice after a decision has been made on the appl ication to the first choice and after the application deadline.)
MN and MS applicants respond to specific questions listed on the application.
Criminal History/Background Check clearances. The forms required to perform a background check in Washington State and a check against the Federal register of persons excluded from participation in Federally funded health programs, are included in the application packet and must be completed and submitted with the School of Nursing application.

In addition, if you have resided outside of Washington State over the past three years, you are asked to submit an official criminal history background check form EACH STATE in which you resided. See Criminal Background Checks--What Applicants are Required to Submit.
Resume describing relevant work, professional, and volunteer experiences, and
If you plan to take clinical nursing courses as part of your program of study, you must have an active, unrestricted Washington RN license. Otherwise applicants to the Master of Science program are not required to have an active RN license or to have a previous degree in nursing.
Applications to both the School of Nursing and to the University of Washington Graduate Admissions Office. The School of Nursing application must be accompanied by one official transcript from each collegiate institution you have attended.
In addition, all applicants to the UW School of Nursing Master Programs should review the University of Washington School of Nursing Academic Programs Memorandum No. 31, Essential Behaviors for Admissions, Continuation, and Graduation for UW Seattle, Bothell and UW Tacoma Masters Students, including Seattle Post-Licensed MEPN Students, and UW Tacoma BSN Students, which outlines the behaviors and abilities for admission to, continuation in, and graduation from our Master programs.

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