Admission Requirements

Applications for admission to the Ruth S. Coleman School of Nursing will be reviewed on an individual basis. If you are interested in applying for admission you should have the following educational credentials:

Associate of Science in Nursing (A.D.N.)

Applications for admission will be reviewed on an individual basis. Students must have certification as a Nursing Assistant (CNA) prior to starting the Associate of Science in Nursing (A.D.N.) program. If you are interested in applying for admission to the A.D.N. program, you should have the following educational credentials:

First-Time University Enrollment

  • A diploma from an accredited high school or a high school equivalency diploma (such as the GED).
  • Rank in the top 50% of your high school graduating class.
  • A grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, or a total score of 250 on the GED.
  • An ACT score of 20 or above or a cumulative SAT score of 940.
  • Take the NLN Pre-Admission Exam for Registered Nurses (NLN PAX RN) and achieve benchmark scores.

Transfer Enrollment

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) Completion

Applications for admission will be reviewed on an individual basis. If you are interested in applying for admission to the Bachelor of Science (B.S.N.) Completion program, you should have the following educational credentials:

  • An associate of science or a diploma in nursing from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
  • A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.33 on a 4.0 scale in all work attempted.
  • Licensure to practice as a registered nurse in Wisconsin.

Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.)

Applications for admission to the Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) program will be reviewed on an individual basis. If you are interested in applying, you should have the following educational credentials:

  • A bachelor’s degree in nursing from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
  • A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in nursing and other course work.
  • Successful completion of undergraduate courses in statistics and nursing research.
  • Computer literacy.
  • License to practice as a registered nurse in Wisconsin.

In addition to the educational credentials mentioned above, it is also required that all candidates for admission to the MSN program complete a Reflective Essay on Professional and Educational Goals as follows:

  1. Essay should be 3-5 pages in length, typed using proper grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc. and with a scholarly writing style.
  2. Reflect on the following:
  • Your goals for graduate nursing education (provide at least 2-3 goals with discussion);
  • How will an MSN degree from Stritch advance or change your career path in nursing and as a nurse educator;
  • How will a graduate nursing degree with an educator focus affect your individual nursing practice and the discipline of nursing; and
  • Your reasons for choosing Stritch and the MSN degree program it offers.

Applicants educated outside of the U.S. must follow academic admission procedures relating to English ability and credential evaluation described on the International Admissions webpage.

If you have questions regarding the nursing programs, please contact Nursing Admissions at (414) 410-4054, toll-free (800) 347-8822, ext. 4054, or nursingadmissions@stritch.edu.