• New Jersey Registered Nurse License or eligible for NJ licensure.  RN Licensure from another state will be evaluated on an individual basis.
• Baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program.  Applicants who have a non-nursing baccalaureate degree may be conditionally accepted into an MSN track but must complete the Transition course before full matriculation into the specialty.
• Transcripts documenting graduation from a National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited baccalaureate degree nursing program, or transcripts documenting graduation from an NLN accredited diploma or associate degree nursing program with a non-nursing baccalaureate degree.
• All transcripts of all colleges/universities previously attended.
• Students who are not graduates of a College or University in the United States must provide an evaluation by WES.
• Transcripts documenting a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average on all undergraduate coursework.
• Completion of a Basic Statistics course including inferential and descriptive statistics with a minimum grade of "C".
• Evidence of completion of a basic health assessment course.
• Evidence of current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for Adult, Child, Infant and AED.
• Two professional letters of recommendation supporting the applicant’s potential success in the M.S.N. program. Letters from friends or family members are not acceptable.
• For all applicants who are not graduates of a US college\university,a minimum score of 95 out of a possible 120 (internet-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
• Evidence of one year recent experience as a Registered Nurse prior to entry into the clinical practicum courses.
• Evidence of two years current clinical experience is required for the following programs:
  • Acute Critical Nurse Practitioner: Evidence of two years of current critical care experience with direct patient care and active CCRN certification is required. Evidence of active CCRN certification along with the score report must be presented with the application.
  • Nurse Anesthesia:(Critical Care experience is required) The Nurse Anesthesia program has additional requirements »
  • FNP Emergency Care: Must have current emergency nursing experience consisting of a minimum of 1000 hours within the past three years.  - Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) is recommended.
• Applicants may be asked to attend an advisement meeting with the Track Coordinator/Advisor or Academic Dean prior to acceptance into any program.

Review of applications
The criteria for admission are minimal requirements.  The admissions process is selective and the committee utilizes a holistic approach in the review of each applicant. No preference is given to any one of the requirements to enter into our program, and the satisfaction of requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.   Each application is reviewed and assessed on the individual applicant's information, talents, achievements and potential to add their unique talents to our school. An interview may be requested.

MSN Transfer Credit

A matriculated student in an MSN program may request transfer of academic credits for graduate work completed at another accredited institution. Grades must be at least a B (3.0) or better. Courses must have been taken no more than seven (7) years prior to request for transfer and are limited to a total of seven (7) credits. Transfer credits must be approved by the Academic Dean before they will be applied. Credits for clinical work are not accepted for transfer. Students must complete a Transfer Credit Form (pdf). Students requesting credits earned outside of SN must submit official transcripts, course descriptions and any additional documentation (i.e. syllabus, research papers, etc).

Non-Matriculated Students

Non-Matriculated Admissions Suspended

The UMDNJ - School of Nursing is experiencing an unprecedented period of growth, and interest in the graduate programs is particularly strong. It is our goal to provide excellence in education with enrollment size that supports interaction among faculty and students. To that end, we are suspending non-matriculated admissions.

Students who are currently in the non-matriculated status are invited to apply as matriculated student to one of our programs. Non-matriculated students are not assured admission into a UMDNJ SN graduate specialty program.

We wish you continued success as you move forward with your career goals and thank you for considering UMDNJ for your nursing education.