Admission to MSN program (does not include Executive Leadership concentration)

Admission to both the Graduate School and the Loewenberg School of Nursing is required.  Admission to the program will be based on competitive selection from the pool of applicants.  Multiple criteria will be used when considering applicant admission including, but not limited to, undergraduate and graduate grade point averages, professional experience, applicant interview and letters of recommendation.

Admission Requirements for all MSN Applicants:

• Admission to the University of Memphis Graduate School
• Admission to the Loewenberg School of Nursing graduate nursing program
• A TOEFL score of 600 (250 computer based score) for students who speak English as a second language
• An undergraduate minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale
• Letters of recommendation from three persons qualified to judge the applicant’s ability to practice in an advanced role
• Interview with LSON graduate faculty as requested

Admission Procedures

1. Complete admission to the U of M Graduate School.
2. Submit TOEFL scores if applicable.
3. Complete admission to the LSON School of Nursing.
4. Have 3 completed recommendation forms.

Only complete application files will be considered to an Admissions Committee. 

All Students admitted to graduate clinical practicum must have and maintain while in the program:

• An unrestricted license to practice as a registered nurse in Tennessee
• Current CPR certification
• Evidence of Heptavax, MMR, polio, and tetanus vaccination
• Rubella and Varicella titers
• Freedom from tuberculosis as evidenced by a negative PPD or health provider examination
• Evidence of current professional malpractice insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 in the aggregate

Admission Test

• The standardized admission test is successful completion of the NCLEX licensing examination.

Admission Requirements for BSN Applicants

• Completion of BSN
• An unrestricted registered nursing license to practice in Tennessee

Admission Requirements for RN/MSN (Applicants with a RN and BA/BS non-nursing major)

• An unrestricted registered nursing license to practice in Tennessee.
• Completion of a 13- unit RN/MSN nursing bridge sequence: NURS 3107, NURS 4120/6120, NURS 4127/6127, NURS 4110/6110, NURS 4327/6327.  RN/MSN graduates will not be awarded the BSN degree.

Admission Requirements for Generic MSN (non-registered nurse) applicants

• Completion of (12 hour) nursing support sequence: BIOL 2010/2011, BIOL 2020/2021, MMCS 1230/1231 with a grade of 3.0 or higher.
• Completion of undergraduate foundation, provider of care, coordinator of care courses with a cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or higher.  The BSN degree will be awarded when these undergraduate courses and the TBR minimum general education degree requirements are completed.
• Unrestricted license to practice as a registered nurse in Tennessee.

Note:  The Nurse Practice Acts in several states require that nurses hold an earned degree (AAS/BSN in nursing) or a diploma in nursing prior to successful completion of the NCLEX examination in order to obtain a registered nursing license in that state.  Generic master's students who licensed via a certificate program and then continued on to obtain an MSN as the first nursing degree would not be able to be licensed in those states.

Admission Requirement for Executive MSN Program

1. Cummulative GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale is required
2. Current resume. All Applicants must have a minimum of 2 years of middle management experience.
3. Letter of interest from applicant addressed to the admission committee which discussed  prior professional experience and future career goals; and reasons for pursuing graduate study
4. Letter from the sponsoring hospital or organization describing reasons the applicant is viewed as a “high potential/high performer”.
5. MSN recommendation forms completed by three individuals qualified to judge the applicant’s ability to practice in an advanced administrator role.
6. Interview with LSON graduate faculty if requested.
7. Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or institution. Applicants with a baccalaureate degree in a discipline other than nursing are required to complete a 5 course Bridge Program (15 hours) before entering the graduate program.
8. A TOEFL score of 600 (250 computer based score) for students who speak English as a second language
9. Applicants not “sponsored” by an organization must submit a dossier and resume that validates that the applicant possesses “high potential/high performer” ability.
10. Applicants not “sponsored” by a health care organization must submit 3 letters of reference from former employers who view the applicant as “high potential/high performers” with strong potential for executive leadership.

Student Outcomes of the MSN Program:

1. Demonstrate knowledge and competencies in advanced nursing practice, teaching (in the classroom and in clinical settings), and administration.
2. Integrate specialized knowledge and theories from nursing and related disciplines into advanced nursing roles.
3. Use research to validate and refine knowledge relevant to advanced nursing roles.
4. Practice advanced nursing roles in collaborative relationships across disciplines and in partnership with communities (i.e. nursing education, nursing administration, nursing informatics, and advanced clinical practice).
5. Manage the health care of clients within legal, ethical, and professional standards.
6. Improve the health of clients among diverse population groups.
7. Promote positive changes in health care delivery, health policies, and nursing practice.