Admission to the School of Nursing and Health Professions – Master of Science in Nursing

Admission Requirements for Degree-Seeking Graduate Students

Admission Overview

Admission to the Master of Science in Nursing program requires approval by Trinity’s School of Nursing faculty and is based upon the following applicant qualifications: grade point average, essay, official transcripts, and references. A personal interview may be requested.

There are special application procedures for international applicants who are not citizens of the United States or who have completed their undergraduate degree outside of the United States.

Applicants for whom English is not their first language and who received degrees from institutions outside of the United States are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Official scores of 550 or higher (written format), 213 or higher (computer format) or 79-80 or higher (internet format) are required. Test scores must be submitted prior to admission. Students who completed degrees outside of the United States must contact the Admissions Office to submit official TOEFL scores and for evaluation of transcripts.

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Admission Requirements

The RN to MSN program application requirements include:

  1. Current, unencumbered U.S. Registered Nurse (RN) license
  2. Diploma or certificate from a hospital-based program, or associate degree program
  3. Current résumé
  4. One-two-page personal statement
  5. Copy of official transcripts of all completed college level coursework from all schools attended with proof of completion of an RN degree (associate or diploma)
  6. Minimum 2.75 overall GPA from RN degree
  7. Two letters of recommendation
  8. Completed online application
  9. Proof of currency in a clinical practice area required to continue to the MSN degree
  10. 3.0 overall GPA is required to continue to the MSN degree
  11. A 250-500 word essay describing your reasons for undertaking study in nursing at Trinity Washington University, your academic objectives, career goals, and related qualifications (including relevant collegiate, professional, and community activities). Applicants should include any substantial accomplishments not mentioned on the application form.

Candidates for admission must complete the online application.

All supportive application materials should be sent to:

Office of Admissions
Trinity Washington University
125 Michigan Avenue, N.E.
Washington, DC 20017

The Master of Science in Nursing program application requirements include:

  1. An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale from a baccalaureate nursing program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA).
  2. Submission of all undergraduate transcripts.
  3. A current unencumbered RN United States license.
  4. Two letters of recommendation from a professional source in support of the applicant’s aptitude for graduate education and potential for professional growth and development.
  5. A current resume or curriculum vitae.
  6. A 250-500 word essay describing your reasons for undertaking study in nursing at Trinity Washington University, your academic objectives, career goals, and related qualifications (including relevant collegiate, professional, and community activities). Applicants should include any substantial accomplishments not mentioned on the application form.

Candidates for admission must complete the online application.

All supportive application materials should be sent to:

Office of Admissions
Trinity Washington University
125 Michigan Avenue, N.E.
Washington, DC 20017

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure all required documentation is submitted to Trinity for an admission decision to be made. Applications are reviewed and evaluated in the order in which they are received. Admissions decisions will be communicated in writing to applicants as soon as possible after a decision is made.

All materials received by Trinity from applicants or third parties (high schools, undergraduate and/or graduate institutions, recommenders, etc.) will be the property of Trinity. Trinity does not return or release materials submitted to the Admissions Office to applicants or third parties.

Falsification or alteration of any documents submitted for admission will result in actions up to, and including, revocation of acceptance to Trinity and the School of Nursing and Health Professions and/or dismissal from Trinity.

Admission Deadline: There is no application deadline, but candidates for admission should apply and arrange that all credentials be forwarded well in advance of the semester in which they wish to matriculate.

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Admission Status

Provisional Admission

At the discretion of the Chief Nursing Officer and the Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions, graduate program applicants who do not meet the standard admission requirements but who demonstrate potential may be admitted on a provisional basis and may take up to six (6) credits of graduate course work during their first semester to demonstrate academic preparedness for graduate level studies. A minimum grade of “B” or higher must be earned and official transcripts for course work must be submitted for evaluation in order to be considered for full admission into the School of Nursing and Health Professions.

Conditional Admission

At the discretion of the Chief Nursing Officer and Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions, applicants may be admitted to Trinity and the Master of Science in Nursing program on a conditional basis if all application materials are not received and evaluated prior to the beginning of the semester in which the applicant wishes to start. Applicants may be permitted to register for up to six (6) credits prior to receipt of all admissions materials as non-degree-seeking students. Those admitted on a conditional basis have one semester to submit all required admissions materials. Permission to register as a conditional admit should not be construed as conferring full admission to Trinity or the Master of Science in Nursing program. Students from whom complete admission files have not been received by the end of the first semester will be dismissed and must reapply for admission.

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Transfer Credits for Graduate Degrees

Students enrolled in a graduate degree program may transfer a maximum of six (6) credits from appropriately accredited institutions of higher learning toward a degree at Trinity. 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. For specific rules governing transfer credits, see the School of Nursing and Health Professions Academic Policies.

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Admission Requirements for Non-Degree Seeking Students

Individuals interested in taking courses at Trinity on a part-time, non-matriculating basis may apply as non-degree students. Prospective non-degree students must complete an application for non-degree student status with the Office of Admissions.

Individual courses are offered on a space-available basis only, and students must satisfy all course prerequisites. Admission into these courses does not imply admission to Trinity. Students may earn no more than six graduate credit hours as a non degree-seeking student.

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Admission Requirements for International Students

International applicants must submit all credentials mentioned above for degree-seeking or non-degree seeking students. 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. Complete an online application for admission.
  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. (wes.org) or the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (www.aacrao.org).
  3. Two letters of recommendation from a professional source in support of the applicant’s aptitude for graduate education and potential for professional growth and development.
  4. Official score reports of TOEFL to be sent directly to the Office of Admissions. (A basic score of 550 on the paper exam, 213 on the 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 describing your reasons for undertaking study in nursing at Trinity Washington University, your academic objectives, career goals, and related qualifications (including relevant collegiate, professional, and community activities). Include any substantial accomplishments not already mentioned on the application form.

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 as measured by the TOEFL or by graduation from an appropriately accredited American university. 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; and
  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.

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Other Application Requirements

Declaration of Intent

Upon notification of acceptance, the applicant will be asked to submit a Declaration of Intent (DOI). The DOI confirms an accepted candidate’s intention to enroll at Trinity in the School of Nursing and Health Professions’ Master of Science in Nursing degree program. Registration for courses cannot be processed until a DOI has been received.

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Enrollment Requirements

After acceptance into the MSN programs and prior to beginning any courses, students must:

  1. Meet all Nursing Clinical Requirements.
  2. Provide evidence of current CPR certification and evidence of current RN license in a United States jurisdiction where you are practicing.
  3. Provide a 2×2″ passport photo for the student’s permanent department file.

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Readmission

A student previously registered as a degree candidate who has failed to maintain continuous enrollment in the same graduate program for one calendar year or more must apply for readmission to the program. A letter requesting file reactivation should be submitted to the Admissions Office.

Students who have not taken classes for two years or longer must apply for admission under the current academic program. Under certain circumstances, students who leave the college may be required to repeat courses that have expired. Students may be required to complete additional course work to meet degree, licensure, or certification requirements. The student’s transcript and program of study will be evaluated by the Chief Nursing Officer in consultation with the School of Nursing and Health Professions Dean.

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Disclaimer

Trinity reserves the right to change, without prior notice, any policy or procedure, tuition or fee, curricular requirements, or any other information found on this web site or in its printed materials.

Questions may be directed to the Office of Academic Affairs at academicaffairs@trinitydc.edu.

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