Admission to the School of Nursing and Health Professions

Admission Pathways to the School of Nursing and Health Professions

A student’s admission to Trinity’s School of Nursing and Health Professions depends upon several factors, including the major the student selects.  The School of Nursing and Health Professions (NHP) admits students who will benefit from and contribute to a Trinity education and who will be able to meet the standards for graduation. When considering candidates, the Admissions Committee evaluates a number of factors: past academic records, scholastic aptitude, letters of recommendation and a student’s personal statement. Special talents, high motivation and academic and social involvement are important factors in the consideration of a student’s admission to the program.

Applicants for the School of Nursing and Health Professions must meet minimum qualifications as outlined by the respective programs. Applications from qualified students of diverse cultural, economic and ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Trinity admits students without regard to race, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, or disability. Applicants enter NHP through varying paths.

Current Trinity Students in the College of Arts and Sciences

Students may enroll in Trinity’s College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) with the intention of declaring Nursing or Occupational Therapy Assistant as a major. For information about applying to CAS, please see Admission. After enrolling at Trinity, these students work with academic advisors and present their application to the School of Nursing and Health Professions once they have completed all requirements for the major. For more information about this process please see Nursing (B.S.N.) – CAS or Occupational Therapy Assistant.

Students may enroll in Trinity’s College of Arts and Sciences with the intention of declaring Exercise Science as a major. These students take courses through the School of Nursing and Health Professions at the time they declare their major. For information about applying to CAS, please see Admission.

Current Trinity Students in the School of Professional Studies

Students may enroll in Trinity’s School of Professional Studies (SPS) with the intention of declaring Nursing or Occupational Therapy Assistant as a major. For information about applying to SPS, please see Admission. After enrolling at Trinity, these students work with academic advisors and present their application to the School of Nursing and Health Professions once they have completed all requirements for the major. For more information about this process, please see Nursing (B.S.N.) – SPS or Occupational Therapy Assistant. 

Transfer Students

Students apply to either the College of Arts and Sciences or the School of Professional Studies, in which they will complete the prerequisites and from which they will subsequently apply to the School of Nursing and Health Professions. Please see the application process for CAS or SPS.

Transfer Admission Requirements

A candidate who has attended an appropriately accredited college or university after graduation from high school or receipt of a GED must apply to CAS or SPS. Associations recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEA) confer appropriate accreditation; these associations include but are not limited to regional accreditors. Applications for admission to Trinity are considered on a rolling basis. Candidates will be reviewed within two weeks of receipt of all required credentials. If additional information is required, candidates for admission will be notified promptly.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the campus and arrange for an interview with an admissions representative. Prospective transfer students should call the Office of Admissions at 800/492-6882 or 202/884-9400 for an appointment to visit the campus.

Transfer Credits Satisfying Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Requirements

Courses eligible for transfer must meet the following requirements:

  1. The course must have been completed at an appropriately accredited institution of higher learning. Associations recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEA) confer appropriate accreditation; these associations include but are not limited to regional accreditors.
  2. Courses taken as either Pass/No-Pass or Credit/Non-Credit will not transfer to Trinity.
  3. Courses that have been audited will not transfer to Trinity.
  4. For transfer to undergraduate programs, the course must have been completed with a final grade of “C” or better, although certain academic programs require higher grades to count toward major or minor requirements. Transfer courses taken at the undergraduate level must be applicable to Trinity’s liberal arts curricula. However, transfer credits may be approved to satisfy the requirements of the major or minor field(s) as determined by the appropriate Program Chair(s).

Second Baccalaureate Students

Students who have earned a degree from Trinity or another appropriately accredited institution of higher learning may apply directly to Trinity’s School of Nursing and Health Professions. Associations recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEA) confer appropriate accreditation; these associations include but are not limited to regional accreditors. Students must complete all pre-requisite courses prior to submitting their application to the Nursing Program. Pre-requisite courses include:

Nursing Pre-Course Credit Hours 
Anatomy & Physiology I, with lab 4
Anatomy & Physiology II, with lab                    4
Chemistry I 4
Ethics (Bioethics preferred) 3
Mathematics (as specified) 3
Microbiology, with lab 4
Nutrition 3
Pathophysiology 3
Introduction to Psychology 3
Introduction to Sociology 3
Statistics 3

 In order to apply for admission to the School of Nursing and Health Professions at Trinity, second baccalaureate candidates must:

  1. Complete the application form and return it to the Office of Admissions with the non-refundable application fee of $40 (fee waived for prospective students who visit campus).
  2. Submit a personal statement (see application for topic).
  3. Send a letter of recommendation from a professor.
  4. Request a copy of the applicant’s official college transcript to be sent directly to the Office of Admissions.
  5. All materials should be sent to:
    Office of Admissions
    Trinity Washington University
    125 Michigan Avenue, N.E.
    Washington, DC 20017

All materials received by Trinity from applicants or third parties (high schools, undergraduate institutions, graduate institutions, recommenders, etc.) will become the property of Trinity. Trinity does not return or release materials submitted to the admissions office to applicants or to third parties.

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Other Application Requirements and Procedures for Students

International Students

International applicants must submit all credentials for admission as first-year, transfer or non-degree students as listed above. The student is responsible for submitting all transcripts from institutions attended outside the United States for evaluation. To apply for admission to Trinity, international applicants must present the following documents:

  1. An application form, accompanied by a non-refundable fee of US $40.00, payable to Trinity (the application fee is waived for those who visit campus).
  2. A copy of the applicant’s official high school or college/university transcript. Transcripts must be translated into English and evaluated by an accredited agency such as the World Education Services, Inc. (www.wes.org) or the American Association of Collegiate Registrar’s and Admissions Officers (www.aacrao.org).
  3. A letter of recommendation from an instructor or supervisor from a previous secondary school, college/university, or workplace, supporting the application for admission.
  4. Official TOEFL score reports must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions. (A basic score of 550 on the paper exam, 213 on a computer-based exam or 79-80 on the internet exam is required.)
  5. Proof of financial responsibility, such as a Declaration/Certificate of Finances or an official bank statement for the first year of study.
  6. A 250-500 word essay, written in English. (The applicant may choose to write about his/her future ambitions, goals, a special talent or unusual interest that sets him/her apart from peers, or a significant professional or community experience.)

Trinity will issue the form I-20 (for the F-1/Student Visa) to applicants who:

  1. Are admitted to Trinity.
  2. Are proficient in the English language.
  3. Demonstrate sufficient funds to cover expenses for at least one academic year.

Deadlines for International Students: All required documents must be submitted by July 1 for the fall term and November 1 for the spring term. Financial aid is not available to international students.

Confirmation Deposits for the School of Nursing and Health Professions

Upon acceptance to Trinity, students who wish to enroll in the School of Nursing and Health Professions must submit a confirmation deposit.

For residential students, the total deposit is $200, $100 of which is applied toward tuition charges. The remaining $100 is a security deposit to be refunded less damage fees or other charges when the residence hall is vacated. For commuter students not living in a Trinity residence hall, the deposit is $100, which is applied toward tuition charges.

Accepted students who intend to enroll should pay the confirmation deposit by May 1. The deposit is not refundable after May 1. Students admitted after May 1 should make the confirmation deposit within two weeks of admission.

Accident and Health Insurance

All full-time undergraduate students enrolled in the School of Nursing and Health Professions must carry health insurance. NHP students enrolled through the College of Arts and Sciences are covered by the mandatory school-sponsored health insurance plan. NHP students enrolled directly into NHP or through the School of Professional Studies must carry health insurance and will be expected to show proof of coverage. A brochure describing the student health insurance plan offered through the University is mailed each year to new students; it also may be obtained from Trinity’s Health Services. Part-time students in the College of Arts and Sciences may enroll in the plan as well by logging on to www.studentresources.com.

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