Masters of Science Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements | Materials Required | Application Deadline | Financial Aid | FAQ
Download PDF - Application Information

A subcommittee of the Graduate Programs Committee together with the Associate Dean for Academic Programs review applications and make a recommendation regarding admission to the Graduate School.  Deadline dates are March 1 for Fall admissions and October 1 for Spring admission.  Applications must be complete (recommendations, transcripts, reasons for graduate study, and test scores received) by six weeks after the application deadline in order to be reviewed and processed for the selected semester.  Admission decisions are generally reached 7-8 weeks following the stated deadline dates.  Early admission decisions under special circumstances, for example military personnel under deadlines, may be requested.

Admission Requirements

• Graduation from a baccalaureate program in nursing. For graduates from U.S. universities, the baccalaureate program must be nationally accredited. RNs who have baccalaureate degrees in fields other than nursing and strong academic records are eligible to apply for admission to the MS program;
• A grade point average of at least 3.00 (4.0 basis) on the last 60 graded credits of the most recent baccalaureate degree;
• A college-level statistics course with a grade of B or better completed within five years of admission;
• Satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The GRE is not required for applicants whose undergraduate GPA on the last 60 graded credits of the most recent baccalaureate degree is 3.5 or higher.  The GRE general exam is a Computer-Based Testing (CBT) program offered year round throughout the U.S. and abroad. For test application and information contact the Educational Testing Service, Box 6004, Princeton, NJ 08541-6000, (609/771-7670). http://www.gre.org
  
• International students must submit official English proficiency test score prior to admission. A minimum TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 550 for the paper-based test (PBT), 213 for the computer-based test (CBT) and 80 for the internet based test (iBT) is requred by the Graduate School. An alternative to the TOEFL is the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with the minimum score set at 6. Prospective students may also use the MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery) with a required minimum score of 77. For up to date information visit the TOEFL (http://www.toefl.org), IELTS (http://www.ielts.org) or the MELAB (http://www.lsa.umich.edu/eli/melab.htm) websites.
• Licensure as a professional nurse;
• One year of professional nursing experience is required, preferably related to the population of interest.

Materials Required by the School of Nursing (sent to the following address):

School of Nursing Graduate Admission
University of Wisconsin-Madison
600 Highland Avenue K6/145B-CSC
Madison WI 53792-2455
Tel: (608) 263-5258
Fax: (608) 263-5296
Email: mlvoss@wisc.edu

Apply using electronic application at: http://info.gradsch.wisc.edu/admin/admissions/appinstr.html

One complete set of official transcripts from all institutions attended (including Madison campus).

Official results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Not required for applicants whose undergraduate GPA on the last 60 graded credits of the most recent baccalaureate degree is 3.5 or higher.

Official TOEFL or MELAB scores are required for international students only.

The School of Nursing requires:  “A college-level statistics course with a grade of B or better completed within five years of admission to the Master’s program.”  The course must be completed by the application deadline date for the semester of entry as the course and grade are part of the application review process. Requirement details.

Photocopy of nursing license. US applicants should submit a copy of their current state nursing license. International applicants should submit a photocopy of their home country license as well as credential evaluation and examination results from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (www.cgfns.org).

Reasons for Graduate Study - In essay form, please submit a Professional Statement.  Your statement should be a maximum of 500 words, typed and double-spaced and should address each of the following:

• Identify what area(s) of advanced preparation you seek to pursue in the MS program, explain why you have chosen this focus, and discuss how your work or other experiences (paid and voluntary) demonstrate a fit with the selected area(s).
• Discuss the needs and/or challenges you perceive as important in your chosen specialty area(s) in nursing.
• Define your professional goals and how this program will contribute to your achieving them.

[Applicants for the NET option (Nurse Educators for Tomorrow) should indicate their interest in the online program in their statement and on the biographical information sheet.]

Letters of recommendation are completed electronically.  In your online application for admission, provide contact information for three references.  A recommendation request will be sent, by email, to each of your references.  The email will include your name and a link to the electronic recommendation form.  After you have submitted your application, you will be able to track the Graduate School’s receipt of the recommendations through the online status system.

Completed Master's Applicant Biographical Information Form.

Application Deadlines:

Deadline dates are March 1 for Fall admissions and October 1 for Spring admission. Applications must be complete by six weeks after the application deadline in order to be reviewed and processed for the selected semester.

You can download our Graduate Program Application Information (in PDF format- This link requires Adobe Acrobat to open. You can get Acrobat for free by going to www.adobe.com ) or feel free to contact us and we will send you the information.

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Financial Aid

School of Nursing Scholarships and Traineeships

The School of Nursing annually awards scholarships and traineeships to students in the master's program.  Scholarship amounts vary from $750 to $2,500/year depending on the source of funding and student's attendance status (full-time or part-time).  A limited number of traineeships are also available and cover the cost of tuition. Scholarship and traineeship funds are limited.  Therefore, students may, in any given year, receive only one type of assistance.  Because of the limited amount of funding, scholarships are not available to international or post-masters students.

Federal nursing traineeships provide tuition support for graduate study in nursing. The School of Nursing has a long history of successfully competing for federal grants, which provide the funds for these traineeships. Clinical areas in which traineeships are available depend on specific training grants received by the School of Nursing.

To be eligible for a School of Nursing scholarship or federal nursing traineeship, students must be currently enrolled in the master's program in nursing, or have been admitted by the Graduate School and School of Nursing by June 1 to enter the program in summer or fall term. In addition, applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States and must be in good academic standing. A grade point average of 3.0 (B) or above is necessary to be considered for scholarships. Students on academic action at the time applications are reviewed are not eligible.

Students interested in School of Nursing scholarships or traineeships should complete the application form (one form is used for both) generally due in June for the following academic year.

Who may/should apply:	If you are currently receiving an Advanced Education Nurse Traineeship, you do not need to complete this form for the coming year. Continuing students currently in the master's program and all applicants for Summer and Fall may apply for scholarships and traineeships.  Students must be in good academic standing at the time awards are made (i.e. admission in full standing, making satisfactory progress).  If you are an applicant for summer or fall you must be admitted to the School of Nursing by June 1st in order to be considered for a scholarship.
When and how to apply:	The application process for graduate scholarships takes place once a year in the Spring. To apply, students must complete the on-line Master’s Application for Scholarship/Traineeship form and a Statement of Academic/Professional Goals. Completed applications should be received on or before June1st in order to be considered for support. Before you login to complete the online application, please note that the on-line application requires an academic/professional goals statement. You must compose the statement prior to beginning the on-line application so that it is ready to be attached at the same time you complete the application. Academic/Professional Goals Statement:  Instructions Describe (a) your specific goals for graduate study and your career goals, (b) your plans for achieving these, and (c) your financial need. If you are applying for priority consideration for the Advanced Education Nursing Traineeship, please provide information on your experience working with medically underserved populations.  If you are applying for the Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Nurse Practitioner Scholarship/Loan, include information on your work experience in rural settings.  For the Wessels Scholarship, please note your background and experience in cancer nursing. Include your name on the statement. Masters of Science Scholarship Application Please note: You will use your UW-Madison NETID and password to login to the scholarship application.
When are awards offered:	Scholarship and traineeship awards will be made early summer.
For further information:	Contact Gina Florek, K6/136, 263-5183, rflorek@wisc.edu

 

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University of Wisconsin-Madison Tuition and Fees

Teaching, Project, and Research Assistantships

Teaching assistantships afford financial aid to graduate students as well as opportunities for acquiring valuable teaching experience. The stipend depends upon the time devoted to departmental duties.

Research and project assistantships permit students to assist in the research program of department faculty.

The student may be hired to assist a faculty member with some aspect of a research program.

Students can apply for assistantships as part of the annual scholarship application. Also as opportunities for assistantships with faculty become available during the year they are announced on the student section of the School of Nursing website and posted in the Student Communications Room, K6/162.

The Graduate School

Fellowships offered through the UW Graduate School require nomination by the School of Nursing. Nominations are due in early February for the "University" competition. Fellowships awarded include general ones as well as the Advanced Opportunity Fellowships for minority students. Details are available in the Graduate School catalog, or at http://www.wisc.edu/grad/ Contact Gale Barber (mgbarber@wisc.edu), K6/134, (608) 263-5172, for more information.

 

Office of Student Financial Services

Financial assistance for students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents is available from the office of Student Financial Services in the form of loans (including Helen Denne Schulte Loans for Registered Nurse students) and work study. Students who are parents may apply for the Child Care Tuition Assistance Program (CCTAP). Contact the Office of Student Financial Services, 432 N. Murray St., Madison, WI 53706, (608) 262-3060, or the website at: http://jumpgate.acadsvcs.wisc.edu/finaid/index.html for more information and applications

Outside Organizations

Scholarships, fellowships and grants given by outside organizations (e.g., American Cancer Society) are publicized through Nursing News (a newsletter for students published twice a month) whenever information is received by the School.

For information about other sources of money, a reference copy of the book NLN Scholarships and Loans for Nursing Education is available in Student Services, K6/146, (608) 263-5202.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Is there a minimum score on the GRE required for admission?

Answer: There is not a minimum score required on the GRE’s.  An applicant’s total record is considered when admission decisions are made.

Question: Are there any requirements for the letters of recommendation?

Answer: Recommendations are completed electronically as part of the online application.  The recommender completes a series of questions and provides a brief overall assessment of your qualifications for success in graduate study.  As a guideline, letters of recommendation should be from individuals who understand the demands and rigor of graduate education in nursing and can speak to your ability to do graduate level work.  If your undergraduate degree is recent, at least one of the recommendations should be from a faculty member.  After you have submitted your application, you will be able to track the Graduate School’s receipt of the recommendations through the online status system.

Question: How can I track the progress of my application?

Answer: Use the email link you received after you submitted your online application or Log onto your online application and scroll to the bottom of the page to find your personal web link.

Question: Can I take a class prior to admission?

Answer: You may apply online to become a special student through the Division of Continuing Studies at http://www.dcs.wisc.edu/students/univspec.htm.  Questions may be directed to (608) 262-4352 or email at nondegree.student@mail.dcs.wisc.edu. Special students must receive approval from the course professor and will be authorized only if there is space in the course.