Traditional MS FAQs

Yes, students in our master’s-level programs do work both part-time and full-time. However, due to the rigorous nature of the programs and the time commitments required, it is strongly recommended that you pursue the part-time study for the Traditional Master of Science program if you intend to maintain a substantial employment schedule outside of school. The final year or clinical course portion of your curriculum is full-time and typically requires a three to four day-a-week commitment.

No, applicants must pick one specialty area at the time of application. It is also extremely unlikely that students are permitted to switch specialties after admission. If you aren't sure what the right fit would be for you, we recommend you take our graduate nursing specialty quiz. If you have an interest in more than one specialty field, consider pursuing a second specialty after graduation through our Post-Master’s Study option.

Applicants must select either the full-time or part-time option at the time of application. Please be aware that while we will try to accommodate your requested status, such accommodation is not guaranteed and you may be admitted to the alternate enrollment status.

Yes, you can reapply by submitting a new application. Once the new application is received by the College of Nursing, you will be sent an email asking what materials you would like to re-use. We encourage you to revise and submit new versions of all application materials.

Students who enroll in two graduate degree-granting programs concurrently are called Dual Degree students. Please review this information on the Graduate School website to learn more about the Dual Degree designation.

Dual Degree students must satisfy the credit hour requirements for each degree program. There may be little overlap between the two sets of coursework, which can result in students being required to fully complete the degree requirements for both programs in order to graduate. This can extend time to graduation. Due to the rigorous nature of some of our graduate clinical programs, prospective students interested in a Dual Degree option with the College of Nursing are advised to closely examine the curriculum requirements of our programs before applying. For degree programs with clinical components, it is important to recognize that adjustments to the standard curriculum plan may not be possible.

To learn more about the process for applying as a Dual Degree student, please visit the Graduate School’s website. After you have reviewed this information, please contact the director of the program in which you are interested for further discussion. The director’s name and contact information can be found by visiting the homepage of the program on the college’s website. This discussion should occur before you begin applying in order to gain a better understanding of program requirements. Applicants interested in applying to a College of Nursing graduate program as a Dual Degree student must follow the application process listed on the program admission webpage and adhere to all deadlines. Please email nursing@osu.edu if you have any questions about how to apply.

MS students usually waive coursework rather than transfer credit. Only upon admission to the program will your courses be reviewed by the faculty to determine how they could apply to the program’s course requirements. There isn’t a limit on how many courses a student can petition, but clinical coursework cannot be waived. For more information reach out to the graduate program manager.

Yes, you may take classes as a “Graduate Non-Degree” (GND) student. You can find more information on how to do so on our Graduate Non-Degree website. You may apply up to ten credits of coursework taken as a GND student to the master’s program.

Possibly. Ohio State offers a Tuition Assistance program for employees, which you can learn more about here. Eligibility is based on your employment status. You should consult with your Human Resources representative if you have questions about the Employee Tuition Assistance Program.