How to Apply

Applying to the Graduate School

All applicants for any MSN program must first be accepted by the Graduate School. Apply online here.

• Send official transcript of all undergraduate and graduate work (personal copies will not be accepted) to: ASU Graduate Admissions, PO Box 1570, State University, AR 72467
• Designated, non-refundable application fee
• Written documentation of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) immunization
• US citizens must be registered or exempt with Selective Service. Affirmation Action information can be found here.

For questions, contact the Graduate School at (870) 972-3029.

Applying to the MSN Program

After applying to the Graduate School, candidates must also apply to the MSN program:

1. Be accepted by the Graduate School for admission.
2. Complete the MSN application
3. Meet the Application Deadlines:
   - Nurse Administration - Fall Term Admission Only, Application Deadline is February 1st
4. 1. Pre-Clinical Requirements
   • One year experience as an RN
   • CPR Certification
   • TB Skin Test
   • Evidence of Hepatitis B Immunization
   • Professional Liability
   • Valid, Unencumbered RN License in the State of Practice

Admission Requirements

In order to be considered for admission into the MSN program, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program of nursing from a regionally accredited college or university. 
• Hold a current unencumbered licenses to practice nursing
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 overall or 3.0 on the last 60 hours of course work
• Be CPR certified (professional level)
• Have completed a course in health assessment or demonstrative proficiency in health assessment which includes physical examination and history taking (Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator Option)
• Provide verification documentation of 1,500 RN practice hours prior to admission to the FNP option.

English Proficiency Requirements

The School of Nursing requires a high level of proficiency in English so that all students will be able to fully meet academic and clinical objectives as well as meet criteria for professional licensure. All foreign born students and Registered Nurses must take one of the following tests: 

1. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 83 on the preferred internet-based test (iBT), 570 on the paper-based test, or 213 on the computer-based test. 
2. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a score of at least 6.5 and a spoken band score of 7. 
3. Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) with a score of 56. 

The TOEFL is available at the ASU Testing Center.  When taking the exam off campus, the report code for ASU is 6011.   

Who does this apply to?

The term foreign born refers to people residing in the United States who were not U.S. citizens at birth. The foreign-born population includes naturalized citizens, lawful permanent immigrants, refugees and asylees, legal non-immigrants (including those on student, work, or other temporary visas), and persons residing in the country without authorization. In contrast, the term native born refers to people residing in the United States who were U.S. citizens in one of three categories: 1) born in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia; 2) born in United States Insular areas such as Puerto Rico or Guam; 3) born abroad to at least one U. S. citizen parent. 

Exemption

You may be exempt for the English proficiency testing if you are foreign born but attended school in the United States since kindergarten.  For the exemption you must provide official school records showing continuous enrollment in U. S. schools since kindergarten.  

English as a Second Language

Students who do not meet the required English language proficiency may enroll in ASU’s English as a Second Language (ESL) program in the International Center for English. Potential nursing students enrolled in the ESL program must maintain an average of 85 or higher in levels 0 through 4. In the final or 5th level of the ESL program an average of 90 or higher must be maintained. On completion of the ESL program, the potential nursing student must take the internet based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Upon successfully meeting the proficiency requirement, potential students are eligible to apply to the School of Nursing. 

For questions or equivalencies with other tests of English language proficiency please contact the School of Nursing at 870-972-3074.