Skip to Content

Admission

On This Page

Admission Requirements – Domestic Applicants

The university graduate and program admission requirements below must be met before an application is considered complete.

Admission is a two-step process. Students must first be admitted to graduate status at the university before being considered for admission to a School of Nursing graduate program, including the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Early Entry into Nursing and Advanced Practice (EENAP), and Second Careers and Nursing (SCAN).

International students have a separate application procedure that precedes the standard admission process. View international requirements below or contact the International Center at +1-626-812-3055 or by email.

  1. Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an NLN- or CCNE-accredited program (Nurses with bachelor’s degrees in fields other than nursing may be considered for admission to the EENAP Program or S.C.A.N. Program.)
  2. 3.0. baccalaureate or master’s grade-point average (Candidates with a grade-point average of 2.7-2.99 may be considered for provisional admission.)
  3. Current licensure as a registered nurse in the United States
  4. Recent (within past five years) experience as a registered nurse
  5. A Graduate Application for Admission
    (Apply Online | Download PDF)
  6. Three letters of reference (two professional, one personal) (form provided*)
  7. Written statement of educational and professional goals
  8. Completion of the California Critical Thinking Test (given in the School of Nursing)
  9. Computer literacy
  10. Completion of courses in health assessment, pathophysiology, nursing research, statistics, nursing leadership, and community health nursing equivalent to those offered in the APU undergraduate nursing program
  11. See Additional Requirements for program specific requirements.

All materials should be sent to:

Graduate Center: Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000

*The downloadable version of this document is provided in a Portable Document Format (PDF). To learn more about PDFs or to download Adobe Acrobat, follow this link.

Admission Requirements – International Applicants

Azusa Pacific University is authorized under federal law by the U.S. CIS and the U.S. Department of State to enroll nonimmigrant, alien undergraduate and graduate students. APU issues and administers both the I-20 and DS 2019 (F-1 and J-1 status documents respectively).

To apply to be a graduate student at APU, the following requirements must be fulfilled in addition to meeting the domestic applicant and other admission requirements specified by the program.

International applicants must:

International applicants must also submit:

  • An International Graduate Application
    (Apply Online | Download PDF)
    Note: This application is submitted in place of the domestic graduate application.
  • A $65 (U.S.) nonrefundable application fee
    Note: This fee is submitted in place of the $45 nonrefundable application fee for domestic applicants.
  • Official transcripts
    Request that official transcripts be sent to APU's International Center for all degrees, certificates, and credentials earned prior to application to APU. Learn more about APU's international applicant transcript policy.

  • Official TOEFL/IELTS score report (if applicable)
    Request official TOEFL/IELTS test scores sent directly from the academic institution to APU. For more information, read our English Proficiency Requirements for Graduate and Doctoral Programs.
  • An affidavit of support and a bank statement
    International applicants must provide an affidavit of support and a bank statement proving financial ability to pay for educational costs through personal, family, or sponsor resources.
  • A recent photo
    International applicants must submit one recent photo of yourself.
  • A résumé showing work experience
    International applicants must submit a current résumé or curriculum vitae (CV) that demonstrates recent work experience.
  • Three recommendation letters (Download PDF)
    International applicants must request recommendations completed by professors or employers (non-family members) who have knowledge of the applicant's academic ability and potential. Some programs require specific information in their recommendations.
  • Essays (international master's applicants only)
    International applicants must submit a typewritten essay addressing the following questions:
    1. How do you hope to benefit from an academic experience in America?
    2. Describe your current religious or philosophical beliefs.
    3. Explain why you would be a good candidate to study at APU, including any leadership roles you have experienced.

Submit all materials to:

International Center
Azusa Pacific University
901 E. Alosta Ave.
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
USA
+1-626-815-3055
Fax: +1-626-815-3801
Email IC

What to Expect

After all admission materials have been received by the International Center, the department reviews the applicant’s file. The student is notified of the committee’s decision within approximately two weeks.

Transfer of Credits

Up to 12 units of approved graduate work taken elsewhere may be applied toward the MSN degree. Six additional units of approved graduate work may be applied toward the MSN degree through petition.

Additional Requirements

Students who have not had an undergraduate health assessment course within the last five (5) years must successfully complete or petition APU’s undergraduate UNRS 220 Health Assessment course. Students also have the option to take a comparable health assessment course prior to enrolling in GNRS 511 Advanced Pediatric Health Assessment and Health Promotion or GNRS 512 Advanced Health Assessment and Health Promotion.

At the beginning of clinical coursework, including health assessment labs, the student is required to provide documentation concerning CPR certification, malpractice insurance, TB screening, and immunizations appropriate to the clinical setting.

The student’s health status must permit him/her to safely undertake and complete clinical experience required for the degree.

As a fully prepared health professional, the student is expected to take responsibility for self-evaluation of her/his own health status, including an assessment of the safety and appropriateness of practice in the clinical context, both for the student and the patient. An individual faculty member may require documentation of the student’s health status.

In light of recent statements from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and contracted facilities, the School of Nursing now requires that all undergraduate and graduate students undergo a background check prior to their involvement at clinical sites. The cost of the background check is the responsibility of the student and is included in the lab fees for UNRS 105 and GNRS 511 or 512, or at the first clinical course if entering the program out of sequence.

Note: International students are required to pay the additional fee based upon the actual costs of background checks for their country.

All students are expected to read, understand, and adhere to the policies and requirements articulated in the MSN Handbook.

Note: This information is current for the 2008-09 academic year; however, all stated academic information is subject to change. To view 2009-10 program information, please refer to the Academic Catalogs page. For additional information, please contact the appropriate office.