Application Requirements and Procedures

HOW TO APPLY

You may apply in two ways:

1. Apply online
2. Apply by mail using the paper application

Send Graduate application form and all application materials to:

Pacific Lutheran University
Office of Admission--Graduate Programs
12180 Park Avenue South
Tacoma, WA 98447-0003

APPLICATION DEADLINES/TIMELINES

November 15th

is the deadline date for priority consideration for most programs, however, applications past the deadline date (and until as late as the beginning of June) are still welcomed.

ENTRY-LEVEL (ELMSN) AND RN-B TO MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING

The following application requirements pertain to the Entry-Level Master of Science in Nursing program (for applicants with a non-nursing background) and the RN-B to Master of Science in Nursing program (for RNs with a non-nursing bachelor's).

Pre-Requisites - to be completed before the program start date:

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA
• Completion with a minimum grade of 3.0 (B) or better in each course:
  • College-level Statistics (both descriptive and inferential)
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology I (with on-site lab within last six years)
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology II (with on-site lab within last six years)
  • Developmental Psychology—Lifespan
  • Intro to Microbiology (with on-site lab within last six years)

Download the Comparable Course Guide to see courses at Washington universities and colleges which can fulfill nursing prerequisite course requirements.

• Current, unencumbered WA State RN License (Note: PLU will verify licensure via the Dept. of Health; do not make a copy of your
  RN license)
• Nursing 430, Situations with Communities (5 semester units, offered at PLU in the spring) Note: All pre-requisites must be completed by the program start date.

Application Requirements

• Graduate application and $40.00 non-refundable application fee payable to PLU.
• Résumé: Submit a résumé that includes your employment history; significant academic, professional, and community achievements;
  honors and awards.
• Official transcripts from all higher-education institutions (no exceptions), sent directly from the institution to PLU at the above address.
  Students applying with degrees from institutions outside the US must submit official transcripts in the original language as well as a certified English translation and course-by-course evaluation for US degree equivalency by a PLU approved evaluation service. Two approved providers are Foreign Credential Translation and Evaluation Services (FIS) and World Education Services (WES).
• Statement of Goals: Submit a typed statement of educational and professional goals. The statement should not exceed four
  double-spaced pages. Please reference your name on each page. Applicants should include the following information in their statements:
  • Discuss why you are interested in a career in nursing.
  • Describe how the Advanced Generalist Entry-Level MSN (or the RN-B to MSN program, as appropriate) program at PLU
    will fulfill your career goals.
• Official Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Scores. The PLU code is 4597. (GRE minimum scores: 500 verbal, 500 quantitative,
  4.0 analytical writing [old score format] or 150 verbal, 150 quantitative, 4.0 analytical writing [new score format])
• Two Recommendations – References may be academic or professional. Each letter of recommendation with written comments must be
  accompanied by the PLU Recommendation Form, and may be sent by email to gradadmission@plu.edu, by fax to 253-536-5136,
  or by mail.
• Questions Relative to Licensure form
• Educational Background and Transfer Credit Policy form with required attachments
• Washington State Patrol Disclosure Affidavit & Request for Conviction Criminal History Record with attached cashier’s check
  or money order ($15.00 made out to PLU School of Nursing)
• Policy/Procedures Regarding English Proficiency form
• Physical and Psychological Expectations of Nursing Students (Note: For applicant’s information only; do not submit this page)
• Additional Items for Entry-Level MSN Applicants form (Note: RN-B to MSN applicants must fill this form out as well)



BSN TO MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING PROGRAMS

The following application requirements pertain to Bachelor of Science in Nursing prepared registered nurses pursuing either the Master of Science in Nursing—Family Nurse Practitioner program, the Master of Science in Nursing—Care and Outcomes Manager program, or the Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Business Administration Dual Degree program.

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a regionally accredited institution with 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA
• Current, unencumbered WA State RN License (Note: PLU will verify licensure via the Dept. of Health; do not make a copy of
  your RN license)
• Completion of college-level statistics (both descriptive and inferential) with a 3.0 (B) or better
• Candidates should have direct care RN experience

• Graduate application and $40.00 non-refundable application fee payable to PLU.
• Résumé: Submit a résumé that includes your employment history; significant academic, professional, and community achievements; honors and awards.
• Official transcripts from all higher-education institutions (no exceptions), sent directly from the institution to PLU at the above address.
  Students applying with degrees from institutions outside the US must submit official transcripts in the original language as well as a certified English translation and course-by-course evaluation for US degree equivalency by a PLU approved evaluation service. Two approved providers are Foreign Credential Translation and Evaluation Services (FIS) and World Education Services (WES).
• Statement of Goals: Submit a typed statement of educational and professional goals. The statement should not exceed four
  double-spaced pages. Please reference your name on each page.
• Official Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Scores. The PLU code is 4597. (GRE minimum scores: 500 verbal, 500 quantitative,
  4.0 analytical writing [old score format] or 150 verbal, 150 quantitative, 4.0 analytical writing [new score format])
• Two Recommendations – References may be academic or professional. Each letter of recommendation with written comments must
  be accompanied by the PLU Recommendation Form, and may be sent by email to gradadmission@plu.edu, by fax to 253-536-5136,
  or by mail.
• Questions Relative to Licensure form
• Educational Background and Transfer Credit Policy form with required attachments
• Washington State Patrol Disclosure Affidavit & Request for Conviction Criminal History Record with attached cashiers check or
  money order ($15.00 made out to PLU School of Nursing)
• Policy/Procedures Regarding English Proficiency form
• Physical and Psychological Expectations of Nursing Students (Note: For applicant’s information only; do not submit this page)

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

• Official Internet Based TOEFL scores. (TOEFL iBT minimum scores: 86 cumulative score, with minimum individual scores of 26 speaking, 20 writing, 20 reading, and 20 listening)
• A copy of the applicant’s passport picture page.
• Declaration of Finances (for applicants with an F1 or J1 visa).
  Note: The Declaration of Finances form is not required for your application to be considered for admission, but will be required prior to issuance of the I-20 student visa document. To expedite admission processing, please consider submitting it with application documents.

GRE SCORES

All applicants, including those holding master's degrees or doctorates in other subjects, are required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Test results must be less than 5 years old. Waivers are not issued, nor is another test (LSAT, GMAT, etc.) acceptable. Minimum scores are:

• about 500 in the verbal portion, or equivalent scores (about 153) on the new scale on the revised GRE test
• about 500 in the quantitative portion, or equivalent scores (about 145) on the new scale on the revised GRE test
• 4.0 in the analytical writing portion

Applicants who must retake the GRE to meet minimum score requirements may be considered less competitive for admission. Preparation is key; applicants are strongly advised to prepare for the GRE. Free preparation materials and sample tests are available from the testing agency (www.ets.org/gre). In addition, many colleges and publishers offer test preparation courses, books and sample tests. Contact your university or local college to learn about GRE test preparation opportunities. To see a list of services that the School of Nursing has identified in Pierce County, click here.

ADVANCE TUITION DEPOSIT

Because space is limited in the MSN program, applicants accepted into the program are required to make a $300.00 non-refundable advance tuition deposit within two weeks of their acceptance date to confirm their acceptance of an offer of admission. The deposit is not a separate fee, but goes toward your tuition expenses. Click here to make your non-refundable $300.00 tuition deposit.

QUESTIONS?

Contact the PLU Office of Admission, Graduate Programs at gradadmission@plu.edu or 253-535-7151 or the PLU School of Nursing at gradnurs@plu.edu or 253-535-7672.