Admission

Admission Deadlines

July 21 for the fall term and November 15 for the spring term.

Admission Requirements—Domestic Applicants

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

Admission of students into the PhD in Nursing will be evaluated by each of these criteria.

• Graduate application for admission
• $45 nonrefundable application fee

• Official transcripts from all institutions leading to and awarding the applicant’s bachelor’s and master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and all post-baccalaureate study

  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 cumulative minimum 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average 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.

Transcripts should show completion of a BSN and master’s degree (master’s degree may be in nursing or another field).

• Graduate-level statistics course, taken within the last five years
• Graduate-level nursing research course
• Graduate-level nursing theory course
• Evidence of written creative work and/or scholarly papers
• Written statement of educational objectives, specific focus of research, and career goals
• Current curriculum vitae
• Two letters of recommendation from persons who are suited to evaluate applicant’s qualifications for PhD education in nursing, including at least one from the applicant's direct supervisor and/or a previous faculty member
• Faculty member(s) interview with the prospective student
• Status as a licensed registered nurse; evidence of current licensure as a registered nurse in the State of California is mandatory at the time of program entry

Send official transcripts to:

Graduate and Professional Center
Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
gpadmissions@apu.edu

Admission Requirements—International Applicants

Azusa Pacific University is authorized under federal law by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services 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 for a graduate program at APU, the following requirements must be fulfilled in addition to meeting the domestic applicant and program-specific admission requirements specified above.

International applicants must also:

• Demonstrate proficiency in English through a placement test with the American Language and Culture Institute (ALCI), or through a TOEFL/IELTS score that meets program-specific requirements. Refer to APU’s English proficiency requirements to learn more. Request that official test scores be sent to APU. All other forms of proof indicated in the English proficiency requirements must be submitted directly to the International Center. Applicants applying for conditional admission through the American Language and Culture Institute (ALCI) must apply to both ALCI and the academic program. Read about ALCI admission requirements.
• Provide a Graduate Affidavit of Financial Support (PDF) and a bank statement from within the last six months proving 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, date of birth, and other legal information.
• Get foreign transcripts evaluated. International credentials (transcripts, certificates, diplomas, and degrees) must be evaluated by a foreign transcript evaluation agency. View our policy and a list of approved Foreign Transcript Evaluation Agencies.

Send official transcripts to:

Graduate and Professional Center
Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
gpadmissions@apu.edu

What to Expect

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

Screening of Applicants

Both the Graduate and Professional Center and the School of Nursing handle screening of applicants for admission into the nursing PhD program. Screening of applicants' portfolios is conducted by the Graduate and Professional Center and is evaluated according to the admission criteria. The school reviews completed applications for admission to the doctoral program to discern an applicant’s academic qualifications and preparation for advanced graduate study. Upon completion of the screening and review process, the Nursing Doctoral Admission Screening Committee forwards a list of qualified/alternate applicants to the Graduate and Professional Center. The Graduate and Professional Center officially notifies applicants of admission decisions.