Graduate Nursing Admissions Requirements

Our Master of Science and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs allow you to build on your existing career in the medical and nursing field while continuing to work while in our program. Our professional faculty provide practical, learning in an online environment that offers you great flexibility at a pace that works for you and your schedule. To apply, you must have:

• Bachelor's degree with a major in nursing from an accredited institution with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or better on a 4.0 scale. (If undergraduate cumulative GPA is below a 3.0, conditional acceptance may be granted).
• Valid RN license in Iowa or state participating in the licensure compact.
• Completed application to NursingCAS or Morningside University Graduate Nursing Application.
• Official academic transcripts from all prior undergraduate and graduate programs previously attended.
• Two professional and/or academic letters of recommendation.
• Professional Goal Essay that includes your area of interest and how graduate education will help you achieve your professional goals. Describe how your professional history such as your practice and leadership experience has prepared you for graduate studies (500 words or less).
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae.
• Meet the essential ability requirements

Iowa Administrative Code 655--2.10(152) details that students and prospective students may not take nursing courses with a clinical or practicum component by a person: 1) who has been denied licensure by the board; 2) whose license is currently suspended, surrendered, or revoked in any U.S. jurisdiction; or 3) whose license is currently suspended, surrendered, or revoked in another country due to disciplinary action. Individuals seeking enrollment or currently enrolled in nursing programs who are not eligible to take a course with a clinical component because of disciplinary action in any state should contact the Iowa Board of Nursing Enforcement Unit at (515) 281-6472 as soon as possible. Individuals not eligible to take a clinical or practicum component will not be admitted to the nursing program or allowed to progress in the curriculum.

Building upon the bachelor's and master's degree programs that are already part of the Nylen School of Nursing, Morningside's first doctoral program will allow you to reach the pinnacle of your nursing education with two distinct tracks, including options for BSN to DNP or MSN to DNP. To apply, you must have:

• Bachelor’s degree with a major in nursing from an accredited institution with a 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale.  (If undergraduate cumulative GPA is below a 3.0 see below for other options).
• Master’s degree with a major in nursing from an accredited institution with a 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale.  (for post-master’s certificate or MSN-DNP track)
• Valid R.N. license in Iowa or state participating in the licensure compact. For applicants with non-compact R.N. license contact the Dean of Nursing for state approval status.  
• Valid APRN license and proof of certification for Direct Patient Care DNP Track.
• Completed application and application fee (non-refundable $65).
• Official academic transcripts from all prior undergraduate and graduate programs previously attended.
• Two professional and/or academic letters of recommendation.
• Professional Goal Essay that includes your area of interest and how graduate education will help you achieve your professional goals. Describe how your professional history such as your practice and leadership experience has prepared you for graduate studies (500 words or less typed).
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae.
• All materials are sent through MorningsideUniversity Graduate Nursing Application or NursingCAS application website. 
• BCLS certification.
• Meet the essential ability requirements

Direct Admissions

Morningside University Nursing alumni whom graduated in good academic standing are eligible for Direct Admission status into any Graduate Nursing Program track (MSN/DNP). Direct Admission is valid as long as the applicant applies to a track/program within three years from completing a prior degree/certificate. In the case of Direct Admissions the applicant must submit the following. The application fee will be waived.

• Completed application from the Morningside University Graduate Nursing website using the Morningside University Graduate Nursing Application link option.
• Valid R.N. license in Iowa or state participating in the licensure compact. For applicants with non-compact R.N. license contact the Dean of Nursing for state approval status.  
• Valid APRN license and proof of certification for Direct Patient Care DNP Track.
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae.
• Official academic transcripts from all graduate programs previously attended. If only attended Morningside University for BSN and/or MSN, the college has transcripts on file.

Iowa Administrative Code 655--2.10(152) details that students and prospective students may not take nursing courses with a clinical or practicum component by a person: 1) who has been denied licensure by the board; 2) whose license is currently suspended, surrendered, or revoked in any U.S. jurisdiction; or 3) whose license is currently suspended, surrendered, or revoked in another country due to disciplinary action. Individuals seeking enrollment or currently enrolled in nursing programs who are not eligible to take a course with a clinical component because of disciplinary action in any state should contact the Iowa Board of Nursing Enforcement Unit at (515) 281-6472 as soon as possible. Individuals not eligible to take a clinical or practicum component will not be admitted to the nursing program or allowed to progress in the curriculum.

Morningside offers a Clinical Outcome Post-Bachelor's Certificate. This certificate is ideal for nurses with a Bachelor's Degree in nursing who wish to expand their scope of practice. To apply, you must have:

• Completed and received a Bachelor's degree with a major in nursing from an accredited institution with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or better on a 4.0 scale. (If undergraduate cumulative GPA is below a 3.0, conditional acceptance may be granted)
• A Valid RN license in Iowa or state participating in licensure compact.
• Completed application submitted to NursingCAS or Morningside University Graduate Nursing Application.
• Official academic transcripts from all prior undergraduate and graduate programs previously attended.
• Two professional and/or academic letters of recommendation.
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae.

Iowa Administrative Code 655--2.10(152) details that students and prospective students may not take nursing courses with a clinical or practicum component by a person: 1) who has been denied licensure by the board; 2) whose license is currently suspended, surrendered, or revoked in any U.S. jurisdiction; or 3) whose license is currently suspended, surrendered, or revoked in another country due to disciplinary action. Individuals seeking enrollment or currently enrolled in nursing programs who are not eligible to take a course with a clinical component because of disciplinary action in any state should contact the Iowa Board of Nursing Enforcement Unit at (515) 281-6472 as soon as possible. Individuals not eligible to take a clinical or practicum component will not be admitted to the nursing program or allowed to progress in the curriculum.

If you already have an MSN degree, further your education with a Post-Master's Certificate. Each certificate will allow you to expand your scope of practice. You'll also gain a better understanding of specific roles. To apply, you must have:

• Completed and received a Master of Science degree in the discipline of Nursing, typically MS, MSN or MN with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or better on a 4.0 scale. Master's degree must be awarded from an accredited institution.
• Valid RN license in Iowa or state participating in the licensure compact.
• Completed application submitted to NursingCAS or Morningside University Graduate Nursing Application.
• Official academic transcripts from all prior undergraduate and graduate programs previously attended.
• Two professional and/or academic letters of recommendation.
• Professional Goal Essay that includes your area of interest and how graduate education will help you achieve your professional goals. Describe how your professional history such as your practice and leadership experience has prepared you for graduate studies (500 words or less typed).
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae.

Iowa Administrative Code 655--2.10(152) details that students and prospective students may not take nursing courses with a clinical or practicum component by a person: 1) who has been denied licensure by the board; 2) whose license is currently suspended, surrendered, or revoked in any U.S. jurisdiction; or 3) whose license is currently suspended, surrendered, or revoked in another country due to disciplinary action. Individuals seeking enrollment or currently enrolled in nursing programs who are not eligible to take a course with a clinical component because of disciplinary action in any state should contact the Iowa Board of Nursing Enforcement Unit at (515) 281-6472 as soon as possible. Individuals not eligible to take a clinical or practicum component will not be admitted to the nursing program or allowed to progress in the curriculum.

Conditional acceptance may be granted to:

• Students with undergraduate and/or graduate cumulative GPA less than 3.0 may be accepted into the Clinical Outcomes post-bachelor’s certificate program.  If students demonstrate successful completion of 10 credit hours of non-clinical graduate course work from the certificate program with a cumulative GPA of 3.0, they may apply/reapply to the master’s program. 
• Students who are non-degree seeking may enroll in non-clinical graduate courses for the purpose of self-enrichment and professional development.  No more than 12 credits from non-degree seeking students may be applied toward degree requirements. Non-degree seeking status is not eligible for student federal loans. 

Iowa Administrative Code 655--2.10(152) details that students and prospective students may not take nursing courses with a clinical or practicum component by a person: 1) who has been denied licensure by the board; 2) whose license is currently suspended, surrendered, or revoked in any U.S. jurisdiction; or 3) whose license is currently suspended, surrendered, or revoked in another country due to disciplinary action. Individuals seeking enrollment or currently enrolled in nursing programs who are not eligible to take a course with a clinical component because of disciplinary action in any state should contact the Iowa Board of Nursing Enforcement Unit at (515) 281-6472 as soon as possible. Individuals not eligible to take a clinical or practicum component will not be admitted to the nursing program or allowed to progress in the curriculum.