Accelerated MSN Program Admissions
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in any area of study from an accredited institution and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for the bachelor's degree earned.. Applicants may apply to the Accelerated MSN program while still completing their bachelor's degree, but must receive their degree prior to beginning enrollment in the program.
- Complete prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of B-minus. Prerequisite courses must have been completed within the past 10 years; Pharmacology with Nursing Component must have been completed within one year of application.
- Applicants have the option to complete all prerequisite courses through UC's Pre-Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN program.
| Anatomy & Physiology |
|---|
| Anatomy & Physiology I and II (semesters) or I, II and III (quarters) |
| Sciences |
Microbiology (Elementary Bacteriology)* Pathophysiology** Pharmacology with Nursing Component*** |
| Nutrition |
| Nutrition for Health and Nutrition Disease**** |
*If taken at the University of Cincinnati, students must first complete Anatomy & Physiology I.
**If taken at the University of Cincinnati, students must first complete Anatomy & Physiology I and II.
***If taken at the University of Cincinnati, students must first complete Pathophysiology.
****If taken at the University of Cincinnati, this requirement is satisfied with one course.
Application Deadlines
| Semester Start | Application Open | Application Deadline | Class Start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | Mar. 1, 2025 | Sep. 15, 2025 | Mar. 15, 2026 |
| Summer 2026 | Sep. 1, 2025 | Feb. 15, 2026 | May 11, 2026 |
Application Process
All information required to apply to our Accelerated MSN program should be submitted through NursingCAS.
- 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.
Changes to Transcript Requirements due to COVID-19
UC College of Nursing maintained the traditional grading process for Spring 2020 courses. Applicants to the Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN program who completed coursework during the Spring 2020 semester and have a Pass/Fail grade listed on their transcript should submit a letter from their instructor or the university/college informing the letter grade earned in the courses required for admissions.
Provide your CV or resume in PDF format.
Make sure that your CV or resume provides relevant work history and reflects any contributions beyond normal job expectations. Include military service, community service, membership in professional associations and any certifications that you currently hold. Please also include any scholarship, such as publications or presentations.
Three letters of reference from individuals who can attest to your academic and professional skills.
Your goal statement should:
- Demonstrate a clear understanding of the specialty area you are applying for;
- Explain your interest in the specialty;
- Highlight your preparedness and reasons for pursuing the program;
- Describe your goals after graduation.
This statement, which should be between 500-700 words in length, will also serve as an academic writing sample.
- NursingCAS application fee: $85
- UC Graduate School application fee (non-refundable): $65 ($70 for international students)
- Matriculation fee upon acceptance (non-refundable): $300, applied toward your first-semester tuition
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).
Upload English Proficiency Scores to your NursingCAS application. Do not send scores to the University of Cincinnati. (This requirement is waived, if you have a U.S. higher education degree or were born in a country where English is the first language.)
TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo Score Requirements:
- Internet based TOEFL: 100 or higher
- Computer based TOEFL: 250 or higher
- Paper based TOEFL: 600-603
- IELTS Overall: 7.0 or higher
- Duolingo - 120 or higher
Federal regulations require the University of Cincinnati to publicly disclose whether completion of certain programs that lead or may lead to professional licensure or certification would meet a given state’s educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification required for employment in an occupation (regardless of whether the program is on-ground, online, or hybrid). To learn whether a University program meets a given state’s educational requirements, please visit the University of Cincinnati State Authorization webpage.