Nursing Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

1. Admission to Spalding University. Traditional undergraduate applicants, apply here. Transfer student applicants, apply here. (Admission to Spalding University does not guarantee you admission to the nursing program. You must also apply to the School of Nursing.)
2. A completed application for admission to the Spalding University School of Nursing.
3. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale of the science courses and a minimum grade of a C in the science courses is required (B is recommended). The GPA is based on all earned academic credits earned at Spalding and other colleges and/or universities for the five (5) following courses and labs:
   • BIO251 — Anatomy & Physiology 1 and BIO253 — Anatomy & Physiology 1 Lab
   • BIO252 — Anatomy & Physiology 2 and BIO254 — Anatomy & Physiology 2 Lab
   • BIO256 — Microbiology and BIO257 — Microbiology Lab
   • BIO301 — Pathophysiology
   • CHEM 106 — Chemistry for the Allied Health Services
   1. If the cumulative pre-requisite science core GPA is between 2.5 and 2.74, a student may be considered for admission if the following criteria are met:
      • Cumulative GPA of 3.0
      • The following pre-requisite courses are completed with a grade of “C” or higher:
        • Traditional students: PSY 103, NURS 322 or HS 350, ENG 109, ENG 110, MAT 113
        • Traditional Students: PHIL 154
   2. Science courses must have been completed within the last ten (10) years. No science courses greater than 10 years will be accepted.
4. A minimum grade of a C in the following courses is required for admission criteria: PSY103, NURS 322 or HS 350, ENG 109, ENG 110, MATH 113, and PHIL154.
5. A student is not eligible for admission to the nursing major if he/she earns two or more unsatisfactory final course grades in the same course or any combination of the science courses (as listed above) in the last ten (10) years. An unsatisfactory grade is defined as one grade lower than C, or two withdrawals from any single course or combination of the courses listed.
6. A completed TEAS (Reading, Math, English & Science) Entrance Exam within two-years of program start date. Students have unlimited number of attempts to achieve a minimum required score of 60% on each section. The minimum score must be achieved by the time of established deadlines.
7. Completion of an American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR Course.
8. Personal interview (if requested).
9. All prerequisite courses, including labs, must be completed prior to official acceptance into the nursing program.
10. Completion of NURS 301 or Completion of CNA course or be listed on the Nurse Aide Registry. Licensure is not required. The CNA requirement is waived for LPNs or Certified Medical Assistants or Persons with recent experience as a nursing assistant. A completed waiver must be submitted prior to admission and will be verified by SON Faculty.
11. Upon acceptance to the university, you may apply to the School of Nursing.

TEAS Exam

The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is used as part of the admissions process for the School of Nursing. View available testing dates and register for the TEAS exam here.

Transfer Students

Transfer students from other nursing programs are accepted on a case-by-case evaluation by the BSN faculty with transfer documentation submitted. Students with only one (1) withdrawal or failure in a nursing course may be considered. Students dismissed from another nursing program are not eligible for admission to the Spalding School of Nursing for a period of five (5) years.

NOTE: Before you apply, please review the BSN admission requirements in our university catalog for the most up-to-date qualifications.

Admission Requirements

1. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale of the pre-req science courses and the science courses have been completed within the last 10 years from the projected program start date.
2. Grade of C or better in all pre-requisite courses.
3. Applicants who do not have a minimum 2.75 cumulative science score undergraduate GPA but have between a 2.5 and 2.74 will be reviewed for admission if they meet the following requirements:
   • Cumulative GPA of 3.0
   • The following pre-requisite courses are completed with a grade of “C” or higher: PSY 103, NURS 322 or HS 350, ENG 109, ENG 110, MAT 113
4. A student is not eligible for admission to the nursing major if he/she earns two or more unsatisfactory final course grades in the same course or any combination of the science courses (as listed above). An unsatisfactory grade is defined as one grade lower than C, or two withdrawals from any single course or combination of the courses listed.
5. A completed TEAS (Reading, Math, English & Science) Entrance Exam within two years of program start date. Students have unlimited number of attempts to achieve a minimum required score of 60% on each section. The minimum score must be achieved by the time of application submission and by established application deadlines.
6. The program reserves the right to request additional information or a personal interview. The admission decision will be made following receipt of additional information or the personal interview.
7. Completion of NURS 301 or Completion of CNA course or be listed on the Nurse Aide Registry. Licensure is not required. The CNA requirement is waived for LPNs or Certified Medical Assistants or Persons with recent experience as a nursing assistant. A completed waiver must be submitted prior to admission and will be verified by SON Faculty.
8. Completion of an American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR Course.
9. Satisfactory completion of all required criminal background and immunization documents
10. Satisfactory completion of a mandatory drug testing.
11. Admitted students must attend both the mandatory Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN Orientation. The dates will be provided at the time of admission.
12. All prerequisite courses, including labs, must be completed prior to official acceptance into the nursing program.
13. If transferring from another nursing program, students are accepted on a case-by-case evaluation by the BSN faculty with transfer documentation submitted. Students with only one (1) withdrawal or failure in a nursing course may be considered. Students dismissed from another nursing program are not eligible for admission to the Spalding School of Nursing for a period of five (5) years.

Prerequisite Courses

• Anatomy & Physiology 1 and 2 with lab (4 credits each)
• Microbiology with Lab ( 4 credits)
• Pathophysiology (3 credits)
• Chemistry for the Allied Health Services (3 credits)
• Research (3 credits)
• Intro to Psychology (3 credits)

TEAS Exam

The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is used as part of the admissions process for the School of Nursing. View available testing dates and register for the TEAS exam here.

Admission Requirements

1. Admission to Spalding University.
2. An active, unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse (licensure is required to be maintained throughout the program.)
3. An associate’s degree or diploma in nursing. (All general education requirements are considered to be met if an appropriate associate’s degree has been earned.)

Transfer Students

We accept up to 90 credit hours to meet nursing and general education requirements.  You can transfer up to 60 credit hours for an earned associate’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university to meet general education requirements and up to 30 credit for an active nursing license.

Application Deadline

The MSN program accepts the application on a rolling basis, so you can apply at any time. Qualified applicants will be admitted first come, first served until capacity.

MSN-FNP applicants are encouraged to complete the application and all supplemental items by April 27. Classes start at the beginning of May each year.

The on-campus (hybrid) program has different deadlines and start dates from the online MSN-FNP program. Use the program link to check for upcoming start dates and deadlines.

The requirements outlined below are applicable to all MSN speciality tracks (FNP, Nurse Educator and Nursing and Healthcare Leadership).

Admission Requirements

1. Baccalaureate degree in Nursing (BSN) from a regionally accredited college or university. Non BSN degree applicants are considered for the RN to MSN and RN to Bridge courses of study.
2. Completion of the Spalding University Online application and submission of all required documents.
3. Provision of official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate courses of study.
4. Students may request transfer credit for similar course work completed at another accredited college or university. The MSN faculty reviews requests and may grant a maximum of 12 graduate hours of credit when appropriate.
5. Evidence of undergraduate statistics, research analytics or evidence based practice methodologies is preferred.
6. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
7. Because all MSN programs of study require precepted practice hours, the applicant must hold an unencumbered, current nursing license in the state in which they will perform practice hours (or a Compact license to include the state in which they will perform practice hours).
8. Two letters of recommendation. One recommendation is preferred from a current or recent employer. The second recommendation is preferred from a current and/or recent academic faculty member (if possible) or another qualified professional who can speak to the applicant’s ability to successfully complete academic work.
9. A typed essay of the proposed student’s professional goals and how graduate study will support these goals (minimum of 500 words and maximum of 2 typed pages).
10. Health records are required to include: TB skin test/Chest x-ray, Hepatitis vaccination series, immunization records at a minimum. Other records may be requested to meet current health situations.
11. Evidence of health insurance must be maintained (NP program specific).
12. Evidence of personal malpractice insurance is preferred.
13. An in-person or virtual interview with graduate faculty as appropriate to each specialty track.
14. Any identified deficiencies in undergraduate coursework must be completed before students are eligible for full admission to the program. Every student situation is different and extenuating or mitigating circumstances may be considered for provisional acceptance into the program if recommended by the MSN faculty and approved by the Chair of the School of Nursing.
15. All admissions into the MSN program are recommended by the MSN faculty and approved by the Director of Graduate Programs for the School of Nursing.

Track Your Application

Our ‘My Account’ applicant portal page is the place to view, update and submit information to your application. You have access to:

• Update your profile
• Submit your application
• View your application
• Upload additional supplemental documents required for admission

Application confirmation

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email acknowledgment with further instructions regarding items needed for admission to the university.

If you did not receive this message please check your spam folder. To make sure you receive all electronic communication from us, please add spalding.edu to your safe sender and/or contacts list.

Transfer Students

For the MSN-FNP program, you are allowed to transfer up to 6 credit hours if they match the course description(s) of Spalding University courses. Faculty determine if courses are compatible.

Application Deadline

We accept applications on a rolling basis. Apply at any time. Classes begin every eight weeks with multiple start dates throughout the year.

Admission Requirements

1. A completed online application for the Spalding University Doctor of Nursing Practice program
2. A master’s degree in nursing or equivalent (i.e. Master of Public Health) from an accredited program
3. A cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale)
4. A current unencumbered RN license or privilege to practice in the state where practicum hours will be earned
5. A current resume or curriculum vitae
6. Provision of official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate study
7. Two letters of reference from professional resources from your current or previous employment or academic facility
8. Documentation of clinical hours accrued during attainment of MSN (or equivalent) degree (see the Post-Baccalaureate Verification of Clinical Hours Form)
9. Submission of an essay documenting both your short term and long term career goals and how the attainment of a Doctor of Nursing Practice will support the vision for your professional future (500 word limit)
10. GRE is not required
11. A telephone or personal interview may be requested