Traditional MS Admissions

Admission Requirements | Who We Are Looking For | How to Apply | Admission Timeline and Deferrals

Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Traditional Master of Science in Nursing applicants must have:

Completed Bachelor of Science or Master of Science in Nursing

Applicants must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Nursing degrees must be from an institution with a nursing education program accredited through the CCNE, ACEN, or CNEA. Applicants may apply to the Traditional Master of Science in nursing while a bachelor’s degree is still in progress, but must receive the degree by August 1 prior to beginning enrollment in the master’s program.

Active RN license

Applicants must have an active, unencumbered license as a registered nurse in the state where they practice. Applicants may apply before receiving an RN license, but must be in possession of a current, unencumbered RN license by August 1.

Minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale in the last degree earned that is relevant to the program of study

GPAs are reviewed by Ohio State's Graduate and Professional Admissions Office. Applicants whose GPAs fall below 3.0 may still apply and be considered for admission.

Visit this page to learn more about requirements related to vaccines, licenses and other requirements upon admission. 

Who We Are Looking For

Your application will receive a holistic review, meaning all aspects of who you are as an applicant will be considered including your academic preparedness, professional background, formative life experiences, and your unique strengths and attributes. The following list of applicant attributes and experiences is not all encompassing but is meant to help guide you in highlighting your strengths as you prepare your written application materials and recorded online interview.  

• A clear understanding of the role of the advanced practice nurse in your chosen specialty and how it aligns with your future career goals 
• Previous personal or professional experience with the population of your chosen specialty 
• Leadership, and/or ability for teamwork and collaboration 
• Community engagement (local or global) 
• Diversity of thought, perspective and experiences 
• Evidence of resilience, personal growth and ability to think critically  
• Emotional intelligence, organization of ideas and written and oral communication skills  
• Examples of key personal attributes such as humility, professionalism, compassion, etc. 
• Overall commitment to the nursing profession

How to Apply

To apply for the Traditional Master of Science in Nursing program applicants must complete the following prior to the application deadline:

1. Apply online

You can complete an application online at Ohio State’s Graduate and Professional Admissions office website. A $60 fee is required at the time of submission of the application.

In the online application you will be required to select your Specialization for the program, as well as whether you will attend full-time or part-time and whether you will attend on-campus or through distance learning, if that option is available for your chosen specialization. You can find a list of the available specializations here.

2. Submit all college transcripts

Applicants must submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities that you have previously attended at both either the undergraduate or graduate levels. This includes transcripts for any post-secondary courses taken during high school or of coursework that appears as transfer credit on another transcript. Transcripts from The Ohio State University do not need to be submitted.

Transcripts should be submitted directly by the sending institution by mail or electronic transfer to be considered official. Please request your transcripts be sent early so they arrive before the deadline. Transcripts can be sent to:

The Ohio State University
Graduate Admissions Office
P.O. Box 182004
Columbus, OH 43218-2004

or

gpadocs@osu.edu

Applicants may upload a copy of an official transcript at the time of application or after by way of the Admissions Uploader. However, documents submitted in this manner are considered unofficial, but will suffice for the purposes of application. Web based documents, online grade reports, and related materials are not acceptable. If an applicant is admitted, they will be required to supply official transcripts sent direct from your previous institutions.

For details regarding these methods of submitting transcripts, please visit The Ohio State University Graduate and Professional Admissions office’s website. Please direct all transcript related questions to the Graduate and Professional Admissions office at 614-292-9444 or to gpadmissions@osu.edu.

3. Current resume or Curriculum Vitae

Your resume or curriculum vitae (CV) should be in a similar format to what you would use for a job application. You should include your previous education, professional experiences, community service, volunteer activities, publications, research and leadership experiences on your resume or CV. You may submit this document at the time of application or after by way of the Admissions Uploader.

4. Purpose and Goals Statement

The purpose and goals statement is an opportunity to introduce yourself, to express your interest in advanced nursing practice and to demonstrate your writing skills. Here are some recommended questions to consider and to address when composing your statement:

• What specifically are your academic and career goals?
• How did you decide to seek graduate education in this specialty area?
• How have your life experiences prepared you for a master’s degree and/or to be an advanced practice nurse in your selected specialty?
• How do you see yourself as a leader and advocate for patients in your future practice setting?

Your statement should not exceed three pages and use a standard format of single-spaced, 12-point font, with one-inch margins. You may submit this document at the time of application or after by way of the Admissions Uploader.

5. Recorded Online Video Interview

You are required to complete an interview through an online portal called HireVue. You will answer a few questions and your responses will be recorded. This interview can be completed at any time during the application window. However, we ask that you do so only after you have completed and submitted your application. Note: You must complete the recorded online video interview before the application deadline. For further details, instructions and links to the online portal go to the interview.

6. Three Letters of Recommendation

During the application process, you will be asked to provide the names and email addresses of three recommenders. Once the application is submitted, an email will be automatically generated and sent to your recommenders with further instruction on how to submit their letters of recommendation. We encourage you to submit your application far in advance of the deadline so that your recommenders have ample time to upload their letters. Letters of recommendation should not be mailed and you may not personally submit letters of recommendation.

It is suggested that at least two of the three letters of recommendation come from academic sources. Supervisors are also a good source for recommendations. We suggest providing your recommenders with information in advance on the degree and specialty to which you are applying and with a copy of your purpose and goals statement. Ask that they address your potential for success in a rigorous graduate program and what attributes and experiences they feel will allow you to excel as an advanced practice nurse in your chosen specialty. Finally, make them aware of the submission process and the application deadline by which they must submit their letters.

7. Test of English Proficiency - International Applicants Only

Details regarding what English Proficiency tests are acceptable, the scores required, and how to submit scores may be found on The Ohio State University Graduate and Professional Admissions office’s website.

8. Supplemental application for current or former Ohio State graduate students

If you are currently or have been previously enrolled in a degree granting graduate program at The Ohio State University for any length of time, you would be considered a Graduate Intra-University Transfer Student. Be sure to choose the appropriate application for "current or former" Ohio State students after following the Apply link. In addition to that online application, you must complete a Supplemental Application. This separate application must be submitted to the College of Nursing directly at CON-gradrecords@osu.edu. Choose any of the following options to access this application:

• MS Word Document: Supplemental Traditional Master’s Application (To download, select "Save")
• PDF: Supplemental Traditional Master’s Application

Failure to complete all required steps of this application process by 11:59 pm ET on the day of the posted deadline will result in your application not being considered for admission, with no exceptions. 

Most applicants may review the status of their application anytime at appstatus.osu.edu. If you are currently or have been previously enrolled in a degree-granting graduate program at Ohio State for any length of time, you are considered a Graduate Intra-University Transfer and can contact nursing@osu.edu to review your application status.

Admission Timeline and Deferrals

All required materials listed above must be submitted by the posted application deadline to be considered for admission. Please allow up to five business days for the status of materials to be updated on your application status webpage. 

Please review the admissions timeline here. This admissions timeline covers what you can expect throughout the application process, including an anticipated timeline for when admissions decisions will be released and next steps if you are offered admission. 

You are not able to defer admittance. If you are unable to begin your studies in the term to which you applied, you will be required to reapply in the future.