Master of Science in Nursing Admission & Application Requirements
MS in Nursing Application Dates & Deadlines
- Spring 2026: July 1, 2024 - December 1, 2025
- Summer 2026: July 15, 2025 - May 12, 2026
- Fall 2026: July 17, 2025 - August 1, 2026
- Spring 2027: December 15, 2025 - December 1, 2026
Steps to Apply
You may begin your application before all documents are ready. GradCAS saves your progress, and you may return any time to continue updating your application.
- Create your account in GradCAS
- Select your preferred term for the MSN application.
- Complete the three general application sections.
- Complete the fourth, MSUM section (See Application Requirements below).
- Make sure to request all documents before submitting your application. Once you submit, you can no longer amend or upload additional documents.
- Pay the $50 application fee.
NOTE: Students interested in applying to the combined MS in Nursing & MHA program should apply using the MHA application in GradCAS.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Admission Requirements
- A bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited nursing program.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 from the degree-granting institution.
- Provisional admission may be considered for applicants below a 3.0 GPA; additional documentation may be required. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 should complete the Minimum Requirement Waiver question.
- Proof of current, unencumbered U.S. registered nurse (RN) license (any state).
- Note: This program is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Students must reside in the US and have a valid RN license.
- Conditional Admission-Degree and/or RN Licensure Pending (Optional)
Applicants who are completing their bachelor's degree in nursing and/or preparing for U.S. licensure may be considered individually for conditional admission. Requirements include:- Unofficial transcripts showing successful completion of final semester bachelor's degree in nursing coursework (submitted before the semester start date).
- Official transcript with the posted bachelor's degree in nursing (due by the end of the first semester).
- RN License applicants must pass the NCLEX-RN by the end of their first semester enrolled in the MSN program. Students who do not provide proof of U.S. registered nursing licensure by the end of the first MSN enrollment semester will not be permitted to register for subsequent MSN courses until documentation is submitted.
MSN Application Requirements
- GradCAS application
- A current resume (include education, employment history, professional organizations, and volunteer experience).
- Unofficial transcripts are required from all institutions you list on your application.
- MSUM or other Minnesota State system institutions students can retrieve your unofficial transcripts from eServices. If you no longer have access to eServices, contact admissions@mnstate.edu for assistance.
- Upon admission, official transcripts are required from your degree-conferring institutions and any other transcripts listing possible graduate transfer coursework.
- Official transcripts can be requested through Parchment or the National Student Clearinghouse and sent directly to processing@mnstate.edu.
- MSUM or MN system institution students do not need to request official transcripts. The admission team will do this on your behalf.
- Documentation of your current unencumbered U.S. registered nurse (RN) license (any state).
- Note: If you are requesting conditional admission, upload a document stating the month/year you place to take the NCLEX-RN exam in the document section.
International Student Requirements
- An official comprehensive course-by-course transcript evaluation by Educational Credential Evaluator (ECE), World Education Services (WES) or any other NACES accredited evaluation firm, from post-secondary institutions outside the U.S.
- The ECE, WES, or NACES evaluation must certify your international degree is equivalent to a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution.
- For students whose native language is not English an official score is required from one of the following:
- TOEFL (6678 MSUM school code) score of 550 (paper-based) or 78-80 (online)
- IELTS (Minnesota State University Moorhead) overall band score of 6.5
- Duolingo a minimum score of 120 on the Duolingo English test.
For questions about the program or the application process please contact the Admissions Office at 218.477.2161 or email admissions@mnstate.edu.
Visit the GradCAS Applicant Help Center for detailed application instructions.
Questions about completing the application:
Call | GradCAS Customer Service at 857.304.2086
Email | support@gradcas.myliaison.com
Chat help for applicants is available.
(Google Chrome and Firefox are the preferred browsers)
Minnesota State Moorhead RN-BSN students interested in pursuing the RN-BSN-MSN Accelerated pathway should apply using the information below.
Accelerated RN-BSN-MSN Application Dates & Deadlines
- Spring 2026: July 1, 2024 - December 1, 2025
- Summer 2026: July 15, 2025 - May 12, 2026
- Fall 2026: July 17, 2025 - August 1, 2026
- Spring 2027: December 15, 2025 - December 1, 2026
Steps to Apply
You may begin your application before all documents are ready. GradCAS saves your progress, and you may return any time to continue updating your application.
- Create your account in GradCAS
- Select your preferred term for the RN-BSN-MSN Accelerated pathway application.
- Pay the $38 application fee.
Accelerated RN-BSN to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Admission Requirements
- MSUM RN-BSN students may be admitted pending their bachelor's degree in nursing.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in undergraduate coursework.
- Provisional admission may be considered for applicants below a 3.0 GPA; additional documentation may be required.
- Complete the Appeal for Admission Requirement question in the Organizational section.
- Proof on a current unencumbered U.S. RN license (any state).
- This program is not eligible for visa sponsorship; students must reside in the U.S.
- Conditional Admission-Degree and/or RN Licensure Pending (Optional)
Applicants who are completing their bachelor's degree in nursing and/or preparing for U.S. licensure may be considered individually for conditional admission. Requirements include:- Unofficial transcripts showing successful completion of final semester bachelor's degree in nursing coursework (submitted before the semester start date).
- Official transcript with the posted bachelor's degree in nursing (due by the end of the first semester).
- RN License applicants must pass the NCLEX-RN by the end of their first semester enrolled in the MSN program. Students who do not provide proof of U.S. registered nursing licensure by the end of the first MSN enrollment semester will not be permitted to register for subsequent MSN courses until documentation is submitted.
Accelerated RN-BSN to MSN Application Requirements
- GradCAS application
- A current resume (include education, employment history, professional organizations, and volunteer experience).
- Unofficial Moorhead transcript. Upload your documents in the Academic History section of the application.
- Students can retrieve unofficial transcripts from eServices. Contact admissions@mnstate.edu for assistance.
- Documentation of your current unencumbered U.S. registered nurse (RN) license (does not need to be Minnesota).
RN to MS in Nursing Bridge Program Application Dates & Deadlines
- Spring 2026: July 1, 2024 - December 1, 2025
- Summer 2026: July 15, 2025 - May 12, 2026
- Fall 2026: July 17, 2025 - August 1, 2026
- Spring 2027: December 15, 2025 - December 1, 2026
Steps to Apply
You may begin your application before all documents are ready. GradCAS saves your progress, and you may return any time to continue updating your application.
- Create your account in GradCAS
- Select your preferred term for the RN to MS in Nursing Bridge Program application.
- Complete the three general application sections.
- Complete the fourth, MSUM section (See Application Requirements below).
- Make sure to request all documents before submitting your application. Once you submit, you can no longer amend or upload additional documents.
- Pay the $38 application fee.
RN to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Bridge Program Admission Requirements
- A bachelor's degree or higher in a non-nursing discipline from a regionally accredited program.
- An associate's degree in nursing (ADN) from an accredited nursing program.
- A current unencumbered RN license in the U.S. (any state).
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in undergraduate courses at the institution where the associate's degree was awarded.
- Provisional admission may be considered for applicants below a 3.0 GPA or those requesting waivers of standard application requirements; additional documentation may be required. Complete the Appeal for Admission Requirement questions in the Organizational section.
- Note: This program is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Students must reside in the U.S. and have a current unencumbered U.S. RN license.
- Conditional Admission-Degree and/or RN Licensure Pending (Optional)
Applicants who are completing their associate's degree and/or preparing for U.S. RN licensure may be considered individually for conditional admission. Requirements include:- Unofficial transcripts showing successful completion of final term ADN coursework (submitted before the semester start date).
- Official transcript with the ADN degree posted (due by the end of the first semester).
- RN License applicants must pass the NCLEX-RN by the end of their first semester enrolled in the MSN program. Students who do not provide proof of U.S. registered nursing licensure by the end of the first MSN semester will not be permitted to register for subsequent MSN courses until documentation is submitted.
RN to MSN Bridge Program Application Requirements
- GradCAS application
- A current resume (include education, employment history, professional organizations, and volunteer experience).
- Unofficial transcripts are required from all institutions you list on your application. Upload your documents in the Academic History section of the application.
- Minnesota State Moorhead or other Minnesota State system institutions, students can retrieve unofficial transcripts from eServices. If you no longer have access to eServices, contact admissions@mnstate.edu for assistance.
- Upon admission, official transcripts are required from your degree-conferring institutions and any other transcripts listing possible graduate transfer coursework.
- Official transcripts can be requested through Parchment or the National Student Clearinghouse and sent directly to processing@mnstate.edu.
- MSUM or Minnesota system institution students do not need to request official transcripts. The admission team will do this on your behalf.
- Documentation of your current unencumbered U.S. registered nurse (RN) license (any state).
- Note: If you are requesting conditional admission, upload a document stating the month/year you plan to take the NCLEX-RN exam in the Document section.
International Student Requirements
- An official comprehensive course-by-course transcript evaluation by Educational Credential Evaluator (ECE), World Education Services (WES) or any other NACES accredited evaluation firm, from post-secondary institutions outside the U.S.
- The ECE, WES, or NACES evaluation must certify your international degree is equivalent to a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution.
- For students whose native language is not English an official score is required from one of the following:
- TOEFL (6678 MSUM school code) score of 550 (paper-based) or 78-80 (online)
- IELTS (Minnesota State University Moorhead) overall band score of 6.5
- Duolingo a minimum score of 120 on the Duolingo English test.
For questions about the program or the application process please contact the Admissions Office at 218.477.2161 or email admissions@mnstate.edu.
Visit the GradCAS Applicant Help Center for detailed application instructions.
Questions about completing the application:
Call | GradCAS Customer Service at 857.304.2086
Email | support@gradcas.myliaison.com
Chat help for applicants is available.
(Google Chrome and Firefox are the preferred browsers)