ADMISSIONS

Admission to the Graduate Nursing Program is based on consideration of a number of factors: prior cumulative grade point average, prior transcripts, letters of recommendation, GRE or MAT performance, personal statement and work experience. Applicants who show promise of success in a rigorous and demanding program are considered.

Admission criteria to the Division of Nursing Graduate Program include the following ten steps as well as guidelines for written personal statements. This information is submitted to the Howard University Office of Admissions.

1. A completed University Application Form.

2. A Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from an accredited nursing program.

3. Official College Transcript(s) from all previous colleges attended.

4. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0. GPA’s of less than 3.0 may be given consideration.

5. Three (3) letters of recommendation, to include one each from:
(a) a faculty member at the educational institution granting the BSN degree, and
(b) a nursing supervisor in the current or most recent area of employment.
Be sure letters of recommendation address capacity for graduate study and clinical expertise.

6. Personal statement of 400-500 words. (See guidelines below.)

7. Completion of the Graduate Record Examination or Miller Analogy Test. (The above may be taken during the first semester of graduate study)

8. Evidence of licensure in the U.S. and eligible for licensure in the District of Columbia, and Maryland or Virginia.

9. Evidence of Malpractice or Liability Insurance with current identification number.

10. Completion of a course in undergraduate statistics.

11. Admission interview (for FNP Program).

For international students, the TOEFL score is also considered. A score of 550 or above is expected.

Personal Statement Guidelines:

Please respond to the following areas in your personal statement: 1) Your interest in the Master’s Program and how you will use the degree to make a difference; 2) Professional goals; 3) Professional experience; 4) Strengths; 5) Areas needing strengthening; 6) Additional information on achievements, honors, professional activities, travel, etc. Your statement must be typewritten, signed and dated and approximately 400-500 words in length.

Submit all documents to the Admissions Office.

The “Trial Start” Program is a mechanism by which a registered nurse, with a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and one year of professional nursing practice, may experience up to nine credits of selected graduate courses in the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) curriculum before deciding to make application for degree-seeking status in the program. Students enroll as non-degree status and upon successfully being admitted to the FNP program, six credit hours would be applied to the degree.

Undergraduate students will be allowed to take Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Practice Nursing, Health policy and/or the course on Cultural Diversity. Senior Undergraduate students cannot take more then six credit hours in the graduate program.

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