Graduate Nursing

Admission Requirements

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

An applicant must have a baccalaureate degree in Nursing from a CCNE or NLNAC accredited institution or its equivalent and an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. Applicants are also required to have a minimum of one year professional nursing practice and possess current licenses as registered nurses in New Jersey. Applicants must present their licenses for documentation. An interview may be required.

Application Requirements:

  • Official application (Apply online or request an application by phone or mail.)
  • Personal Statement: A personal statement of educational and professional goals. (500 words)
  • Three letters of recommendation from professional nurses in supervisory positions or academic nurse educators.
  • Current Resume
  • Transcripts: Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended must be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admission by the issuing institution. Applicants with bachelor’s degrees from colleges outside the United States must submit official Course-by-Course Degree Evaluations (with an English Translation) from World Education Services, Inc. (WES).  The School of Nursing will only accept evaluations from World Education Services, Inc.
  • Malpractice Coverage: Applicants must show current malpractice insurance coverage with minimums of $1,000,000 per claim and $6,000,000 aggregate.
  • Copy of RN license
  • Satisfactory completion of undergraduate statistics and nursing research courses.
  • Physical assessment skills. From a transcript showing evidence of physical assessment skills, from validation by course description(s) showing hours of theory and laboratory, or by completing a challenge exam.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. However, it is strongly recommended that applicants submit applications and academic credentials at least two months prior to the beginning of the term in which they intend to start graduate study.

All Documents Should be Sent to:

Saint Peter’s University
Attn: Graduate and International Admissions
2641 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Jersey City, New Jersey 07306

Please feel free to call the Office of Graduate and International Admissions at (201) 761-6470 with any questions.

RN to MSN Bridge Option

In addition to the requirements for admission into the MSN program, applicants to the RN to MSN Bridge option must have:

  • Earned bachelor’s degrees from a regionally accredited college or university with a GPA of at least 3.0.
  • An RN diploma or associate degree in nursing from an NLNAC accredited institution or its equivalent.
  • College credit validation through testing for Anatomy and Physiology I and II (Excelsior Examination) and Microbiology.

Application Requirements:

  • Official Application (Apply online or request an application by phone or mail.)
  • Personal Statement: A personal statement of educational and professional goals. (500 words)
  • Three letters of recommendation from professional nurses in supervisory positions or academic nurse educators.
  • Current Resume
  • Transcripts: Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended must be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admission by the issuing institution. Applicants with bachelor’s degrees from colleges outside the United States must submit official Course-by-Course Degree Evaluations (with an English Translation) from World Education Services, Inc. (WES). The School of Nursing will only accept evaluations from World Education Services, Inc.
  • Malpractice Coverage: Applicants must show current malpractice insurance coverage with minimums of $1,000,000 per claim and $6,000,000 aggregate
  • Copy of RN license
  • Satisfactory completion of undergraduate statistics and nursing research courses.
  • Physical assessment skills. From a transcript showing evidence of physical assessment skills, from validation by course description(s) showing hours of theory and laboratory, or by completing a challenge exam.
  • A personal interview may be requested

All Documents Should be Sent to:

Saint Peter’s University
Attn: Graduate and Professional Studies Admission
2641 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Jersey City, New Jersey 07306

Please feel free to call the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies Admission at (201) 761-6470 with any questions.

Post-Master’s Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program

In addition to the MSN admission requirements, applicants to the Post-Master’s Certificate program must:

  • Have a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited program with a GPA of at least 3.3.
  • A current license as a registered nurse in New Jersey, and have a minimum of one year of recent professional nursing experience. Applicants must present a New Jersey registered professional nurse license for documentation.
  • Submit evidence of physical assessment skills from a transcript showing evidence of physical assessment skills or course description(s) showing hours of theory and laboratory or by completing a challenge exam.

Students in the post-master’s certificate program must adhere to the clinical requirements described in the section Master of Science in Nursing. An interview with the Program Director may be required.

Application Requirements:

  • Official Application (Apply online or request an application by phone or mail.)
  • Personal Statement: A personal statement of educational and professional goals. (500 words).
  • Three letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant’s potential for success in graduate studies from professional nurses in supervisory positions or academic nurse educators.
  • Current Resume
  • Transcripts: Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended must be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admission by the issuing institution. Applicants with bachelor’s degrees from colleges outside the United States must submit official Course-by-Course Degree Evaluations (with an English Translation) from World Education Services, Inc. (WES). The School of Nursing will only accept evaluations from World Education Services, Inc.
  • Malpractice Coverage: Applicants must show current malpractice insurance coverage with minimums of $1,000,000 per claim and $6,000,000 aggregate
  • Copy of RN license
  • Satisfactory completion of undergraduate statistics and nursing research courses.
  • Physical assessment skills. From a transcript showing evidence of physical assessment skills, from validation by course description(s) showing hours of theory and laboratory, or by completing a challenge exam.e
  • A personal interview may be requested

All Documents Should be Sent to:

Saint Peter’s University
Attn: Graduate and Professional Studies Admission
2641 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Jersey City, New Jersey 07306

Please feel free to call the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies Admission at (201) 761-6470 with any questions.

International Applicants

In addition to the above requirements for all nursing programs, international students must also submit:

  • Official TOEFL scores showing a minimum of 550 on the written exam, a minimum of 213 on the computer-based exam, a minimum of 79 on the Internet-based exam or an IELTS score of 6.5 overall will be accepted. The University code for score reporting is 2806.
  • Course-by-course evaluation reporting a 4 year bachelor’s degree (with an English Translation) from World Education Services, Inc. The School of Nursing will only accept evaluations from World Education Services, Inc. (WES).
  • Saint Peter’s International Statement of Financial Support including proof of funding.
  • Copy of valid passport page.

International applicants must submit their applications and materials at least three months prior to the term in which they intend to start graduate study. I-20s will only be issued to individuals who have been accepted as fully admitted students.

Criminal Background Checks and Health Records

Criminal history background checks are required for all candidates. The State of New Jersey requires proof of immunization against rubella, rubeola, mumps, and varicella. Therefore a copy of titer results and an updated physical must be on file in the University Health Office in Jersey City.

Jesuit Network

The nursing program participates in the Network of MSN Programs at Jesuit Colleges and Universities. Saint Peter’s University may be able to assist students who have completed a significant number of nursing courses at another Jesuit college or university to complete their degree at the original school. Details will be provided upon request.

Honor Society

Saint Peter’s has a chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, the International Honor Society of Nursing, Mu-Theta-at-large, that recognizes superior achievements in nursing, encourages leadership development, fosters high nursing standards, stimulates creative work, and strengthens the commitment to ideals of the profession.

Professional Memberships

The University is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Jesuit Conference of Nursing Programs, National League for Nursing, and New Jersey Council of Baccalaureate and Higher Degree Programs in Nursing.

Transfer Credit

A student must initiate the request for transfer credit and secure the necessary official transcript(s), transfer credit form, and the approval of transfer credit from the Coordinator of the Program in which the student is enrolled. A grade of B or better is necessary for all transfer credits that will be applied toward a degree. In the MSN program, a maximum of 6 transfer credits may be accepted from accredited graduate schools.

In the Post-Master’s Certificate Program, a maximum of 5 transfer credits may be accepted from accredited graduate schools.

Transcripts will be evaluated on an individual basis. Credits completed ten years or longer may not be transferable into the MSN or Post-Master’s programs.