Entry-Level Master of Science in Nursing (ELM)

The prelicensure phase is an intensive, 18-month series of coursework and clinical practice that rapidly builds your foundation in professional nursing. During this phase, you cover essential topics in health assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, and community health. Hands-on training in simulation labs and hospital clinical rotations ensures that you can confidently deliver patient-centered care.

Upon successful completion of the prelicensure coursework and clinical residency, you earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), gaining eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN. Once licensed as an RN, you can begin working in the field while seamlessly transitioning into your chosen MSN specialization path.

To explore specific requirements and coursework information, visit the academic catalog page for your chosen MSN specialization:

• Entry-Level Master of Science in Nursing (ELM)
• ELM-MSN: School Nurse Services Credential (SNSC) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• ELM-MSN: School Nurse Services Credential (SNSC) and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner–Primary Care (PNP-PC)
• ELM-MSN: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
• ELM-MSN: Adult-Gerontology or Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
• ELM-MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• ELM-MSN: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner–Primary Care (PNP-PC)
• ELM-MSN: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Specialty
• ELM-MSN: Healthcare Administration and Leadership
• ELM-MSN: Nursing Education
• MSN-ELM with School Nurse Services Credential (SNSC)

Health Documentation

At the beginning of clinical coursework and health assessment labs, you are required to provide documentation concerning CPR certification, malpractice insurance, TB screening, and other appropriate immunizations. Your health status must permit you to safely undertake and complete all clinical experiences required for the entry-level master’s in nursing degree. Individual faculty members may require documentation of your health status.

As a fully prepared health professional, you must take responsibility for evaluating your own health status, including assessing the safety and appropriateness of practice in the clinical context for yourself and the patient.

Background Check

Aligned with the statements of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and contracted facilities, the School of Nursing requires that all undergraduate and graduate students undergo a background check prior to their involvement at clinical sites. You must pay for the full cost of the background check.

Note: If you are an international student, you must also pay any additional fees related to the actual costs of background checks in your country

All students are expected to read, understand, and adhere to the policies and requirements articulated in the Second Degree and MSN handbooks, available through the School of Nursing.

Prerequisite Transfer Guidelines for the ELM Nursing Program

The prerequisites for the entry-level master’s in nursing program generally follow these guidelines:

• Human anatomy and lab (4 semester units): May also be titled “Intro to Anatomy”
• Human physiology and lab (4 semester units): May also be titled “Intro to Physiology”
• You can also take “Human Anatomy and Physiology,” but it must be both parts for a total of 8 semester units, and both parts must come from the same university or college
• Organic chemistry and lab (3 semester units): The course description should explicitly state that organic chemistry is covered, so many “General Chemistry” classes will not fulfill this requirement, as they are often prerequisites for organic and biochemistry classes
• Biochemistry (1 semester unit): You can take a full biochemistry class (generally worth 3-5 units), or you may combine this prerequisite course with the organic chemistry class
• If combined, the organic chemistry class must be worth 4 semester units, and the course description needs to explicitly state that biochemistry is covered
• Microbiology and lab (4 semester units): Acceptable courses are usually titled “Microbiology,” “General Microbiology,” or “Intro to Microbiology”
• Verbal communication skills (3 semester units): Acceptable courses are usually titled “Public Communication,” “Speech 101,” or “Intro to Public Speaking,” but the course description must explicitly state that students regularly practice public speaking in front of the class
• Communication courses that do not involve frequent public speaking, such as “Interpersonal Communication” or “History of Mass Communication,” will not fulfill this requirement
• Written communication skills (3 semester units): Acceptable courses are usually titled “Freshman Writing Seminar” or “Intro to Composition”
• A literature class will not fulfill this requirement, but AP English scores from high school that were used as transfer units for your bachelor’s degree may complete this requirement
• General psychology (3 semester units): Also titled “Intro to Psychology,” we are looking for a broad foundation in psychology, so specific courses such as “Abnormal Psych” or “Psychology of Sexuality” will not fulfill this requirement
• AP Psychology scores from high school that were used as transfer units for your bachelor’s degree may complete this requirement
• Human growth and development (3 semester units): If your college does not offer a class titled “Human Growth and Development,” it is probably called “Lifespan”; “Developmental Psychology” may fulfill the requirement if the course description explicitly states that the entire lifespan is covered
• Classes that focus on one piece of the lifespan, such as “Child Psychology” or “The Psychology of Aging,” will not fulfill this requirement, nor will “Sociology of Life” classes
• Statistics (3 semester units): We can accept a field-specific statistics class, or AP Statistics scores from high school that were used as transfer units for your bachelor’s degree may complete this requirement
• Research methods (3 semester units): This class will usually be found in the behavioral science department, such as “Research Methods in Psychology” or “Research Methods in Sociology”
• The course description must explicitly state that the ethics of research are discussed and that the research methodologies are covered; experimental methods or bench research courses do not fulfill this requirement

Note: APU cannot move your application for the ELM program forward for admission consideration until you have completed all prerequisite courses.

 

Application Deadlines

Note that all deadlines refer to the date Graduate and Professional Admissions receives your complete application package. This is not a postmark deadline.

Once admitted, you must submit a $500 nonrefundable admissions deposit within a week to hold your spot in the cohort.

Students must first apply for and be admitted to graduate status at the university before being considered for admission to School of Nursing graduate programs, including ELM and the Master of Science in Nursing.

After all admission materials have been received by the Student Services Center, the faculty or department chair reviews the applicant’s file. The applicant is notified in writing of the admission decision.

Admission Requirements for Domestic Applicants

To complete your application to the entry-level MSN, you must complete the following:

• Graduate application for admission

• $45 nonrefundable application fee

• Official transcripts from all regionally accredited institutions leading to and awarding your bachelor’s degree, and from all postbaccalaureate studies
• An official transcript is one that Azusa Pacific University receives unopened in an envelope sealed by the former institution and that bears the official seal of the college or university (a minimum cumulative 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average (GPA) on the posted degree is required for regular admission status; provisional admittance may be granted to individuals with a lower GPA if competency can be shown through multiple measures)

• Two recommendations from professional or academic (work or school) sources through the online application
• Résumé or statement of experience

You are also required to submit a personal statement that is no longer than 2-3 pages (double-spaced). This statement should include

• why you are applying to the Azusa Pacific University ELM program;
• your motivations for pursuing nursing at this time in your life, including relevant background experiences and why you are choosing nursing over other healthcare professions;
• any professional or volunteer experiences you have related to nursing;
• brief background information that would help someone get to know you as a unique person; and
• a brief discussion of your professional goals.

Send official transcripts to:

Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
[email protected]

Admission Requirements for International Applicants

The entry-level master’s degree in nursing accepts applications from international students who hold an F-1 or J-1 visa. In addition to meeting the domestic student admission requirements, international applicants must also submit the following:

• Demonstrate proficiency in English through one of our Academic Success Center’s Foreign Language Placement and Proficiency Assessments or through a TOEFL or IELTS score that meets APU’s requirements (request that official test scores be sent to APU; you must submit all other forms of proof indicated in the English proficiency requirements directly to International Services)
• Provide a Graduate Affidavit of Financial Support (PDF) and a bank statement from within the last six months, proving your financial ability to pay for education costs through personal, family, or sponsor resources
• Submit a copy of a valid passport showing biographical data, including your name, country of citizenship, and date of birth
• Get foreign transcripts evaluated (a foreign transcript evaluation agency must evaluate international credentials, including transcripts, certificates, diplomas, and degrees; review our graduate international transcript policy and a list of approved foreign transcript evaluation agencies)

If you are also a U.S. permanent resident, submit a photocopy of your green card. If you have applied for a green card but have not yet received it, you will need to apply through APU’s International Services.

Send official transcripts to:

Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
[email protected]

Review the ELM program’s tuition and fees, as well as the options available at APU to support your investment in your education.

ELM Nursing Program Tuition and Fees

Some courses may require additional costs. View a complete list of university fees.

All stated financial information is subject to change. Contact the Student Services Center at (626) 815-2020 for more information.

Financial Aid

At Azusa Pacific University, we’re committed to keeping Christian education accessible. Several types of financial aid are available to you as a graduate student in the ELM nursing program, including federal loans, state grants, fellowships, and scholarships. For additional details about financial aid, contact the Student Services Center at (626) 815-2020.

Military and Veteran Benefits

Military members—and in some cases their spouses and dependents—qualify for financial assistance covering tuition, housing, and books. Azusa Pacific is a Yellow Ribbon University and Military Friendly School, which signifies our commitment to ensuring that you receive the benefits and flexibility you need in order to complete your education.

Program-Specific Aid

For more details on these scholarships and funding opportunities, as well as other possible resources, contact the School of Nursing at (626) 815-5386.

Nurse Faculty Loan Program

The Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) is a government loan program set up to increase the number of qualified nursing faculty by providing loans to students in advanced nursing education programs. Students must be pursuing an MSN or doctoral nursing degree.

The NFLP loans will be forgiven—up to 85% of the amount received—over a consecutive four-year period if the student commits to serve as full-time faculty at a school of nursing following graduation. Faculty at private universities, state schools, and community colleges are eligible. Students receiving these loans must also complete the nursing education courses prior to graduation.

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Azusa Pacific University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master’s degree in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice at Azusa Pacific University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The traditional baccalaureate nursing program, upper-division transfer (2+2/LVN to BSN) programs, entry-level master’s program, and the nurse practitioner program are approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing.

Yes. APU’s Entry-Level Master of Science in Nursing program is for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing discipline. In this accelerated program, you earn  a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 18 months and then proceed to earn a Master of Science in Nursing.

Yes, they are highly regarded pathways into nursing. APU’s ELM program is the state’s first entry-level master’s in nursing program, and the School of Nursing is nationally ranked among the best graduate school programs by Money, with strong partnerships with Southern California healthcare networks and an 80% NCLEX pass rate.

At APU, the prelicensure portion of the ELM program takes 18 months to complete and earns you a BSN. Afterward, once you pass the NCLEX and become a registered nurse, the postlicensure/MSN coursework is self-paced, allowing you to complete it at your own speed while working in the field.

An MSN degree prepares you for advanced practice roles and leadership in health care. At APU, you can choose from eight specialization pathways, preparing you for careers as a

• family nurse practitioner (FNP);
• pediatric nursepractitioner–primary care (PNP-PC);
• adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (AGPCNP);
• clinical nurse specialist (CNS);
• psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP);
• healthcare administrator/leader;
• nurse educator; or
• school nurse.

Yes, but primarily during the postlicensure phase. The initial 18-month prelicensure BSN phase is accelerated and highly intensive, making work difficult. The postlicensure MSN coursework, however, is self-paced, allowing students to work full time as registered nurses while earning their master’s degree.

You can take the NCLEX after completing the 18-month prelicensure BSN coursework to become a licensed RN before starting your postlicensure MSN studies. The program prepares you to pass the exam, but the NCLEX fee is not included in the ELM program tuition or fees.