Accelerated MSN Program Admissions

The Pre-Accelerated MSN program includes all prerequisite coursework required for admission into our Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN, allowing students a smooth transition into the graduate program. 

Students who successfully complete the Pre-Accelerated MSN are guaranteed progression into the Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN, while benefiting from financial aid opportunities, dedicated advising, and support throughout both programs.

*Regional community colleges usually offer many of our prerequisite course equivalencies online.

To look up how courses from other institutions may transfer to UC, check the Transfer Equivalency Database using the UC Main Campus course codes below. 

• Official transcript verifying a previous bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing, conferred by an accredited institution and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for the bachelor's degree earned.
  
  
• Official transcripts from all schools previously attended, including community colleges and two- and four-year colleges and universities should be sent directly to NursingCAS.

• International transcripts must be evaluated by World Education Services (WES) (preferred), or another NACES member.

A minimum of three (3) and a maximum of six (6) references are required.

Choose references who can speak from direct experience about your academic and professional skills. References must upload their letters on official letterhead and the letter must be signed.

Your personal statement should:

• Discuss why you wish to transition to a career in nursing;
• Identify how your academic, professional and volunteer experiences thus far make you a unique candidate for this program;
• Explain the role of a nurse as you understand it.

This statement should be between 500-700 words.

The International Student Services office provides assistance to international graduate students and supplies additional information upon receipt of the university application. This information addresses how to obtain a visa, anticipated expenses, health and accident insurance (required), housing and general information concerning the university, as well as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

English Proficiency

Proof of English proficiency is required of all applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and who were educated in a country where the official national language is not English. Applicants can demonstrate English proficiency via standardized test score or by meeting the requirements for one of the waivers below. 

The following exams and minimum scores are accepted as proof of English proficiency:

• TOEFL: minimum score of 4.5 (on the 1-6 scale) or 80 iBT (on the 0-120 scale)
  • In-person and at-home (online) exam scores accepted. TOEFL Essentials and My Best Test scores are not accepted. 
• IELTS: minimum score of 6.5 overall band 
  • In-person and at-home (online) exam scores accepted. One Skill Retake is not accepted. Only IELTS Academic exam is accepted.
• Duolingo (DET): minimum score of 110
• PTE: minimum score of 54

UC only accepts official scores sent directly from the testing agency to UC, preferably via electronic sending methods. For TOEFL, please use school code 1833. IELTS scores must be sent directly from your testing center to UC.

Self-reported scores will not complete your application nor will scores that are below the minimum qualifying scores listed above.

For proper matching of your test score(s) to your application, please use the same email address for both your test registration and your admissions application. 

Automatic Waiver of English Language Testing

When completing the graduate application, international applicants will automatically be exempted from the English Proficiency testing requirement if they have received or will receive a bachelor's or higher degree from one of the following countries where English is the official language:

Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Cameroon, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Denmark, Dominica, Fiji, Finland, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Scotland, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Swaziland, Sweden, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United States, United Kingdom, Vanuatu, Virgin Islands, Wales, Zambia, Zimbabwe