Frequently Asked Questions

For many majors with a clinical component, the number of spaces is limited in relation to the number of students who are interested in completing the major.

Due to the clinical nature of nursing, we fall under this category. Therefore, beyond declaring a major, you must also apply and be accepted before taking certain course work for the major.

Applications are accepted twice a year. The deadline is 5 p.m. on Jan. 31 and/or July 31.

No late applications are accepted. If you are currently enrolled in courses at MSU or another program, please refrain from applying until you have submitted your final grades to the MSU admissions office. If you plan to take courses, please do not submit your application materials until you can include an unofficial schedule showing courses in which you are enrolled.

Fifty-six (56) students are accepted to each cohort. The number of applicants fluctuates from one application period to another.

A cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale for all college course work, including transfer credits and high school dual enrollment, is required.

The average GPA for applicants is around a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Students who meet the minimum GPA requirement above are encouraged to apply as the average could change.

No. Admission selection is based primarily on cumulative college GPA. Additional preference will be given to current MSU students; those individuals with health care, community service, and leadership experience; and those with high first-attempt grades in chemistry, anatomy and university math requirements (college algebra).

Applicants in January will be notified of their acceptance status by late February or early March. July applicants will be notified by late August or early September.

Yes and yes. The school does keep a waiting list of eligible students who rank just below students selected for admission in any given admission period. Students with a completed application portfolio who are not offered admission (including those on the waiting list) may re-apply the following admission period.

However, the waiting list is not carried over from one application period to the next so there is no advanced standing and no guarantee of admission is offered to those who re-apply.

A waiting list is kept as described above as well as the student’s option to re-apply in a following admission period.

However, to avoid this situation, the school of nursing recommends that all students, regardless of GPA and resume factors, apply at more than one nursing program or school to increase their chances of acceptance.

Due to a shortage of space in nursing schools nationwide compared to the number of interested students, we encourage everyone to have a backup plan.

At MSU, we want to support your academic goals and desire to become a nurse. You're encouraged to meet with other programs and learn how their admissions policies and prerequisite course work may differ from that at MSU.

An academic advisor in the McQueary College of Health and Human Services Advisement Center is happy to discuss these options with you and advise you on how to meet requirements for other programs while studying at MSU.

No, we are not a direct-admit program. 

Several activities are recommended, including but not limited to the following:

• Job shadowing of nurses and health care providers.
• Community service.
• Holding leadership positions in groups or clubs including sports teams.

Research other nursing programs to make sure MSU is the right fit for you, and other health careers to make sure nursing is the best fit as well. A great way to attain many of these experiences is by joining the MSU Student Nurse Organization (SNO).

Yes, MSU accepts transfer credits from accredited institutions across the country.

Please visit with a representative of the MSU admissions office at 417-836-5517 or 1-800-492-7900 for more information and explore the transfer credit website prior to application.

The advisors in the McQueary College of Health and Human Services Advisement Center are happy to set up a visit or discuss your questions over the phone at 417-836-3065.

BSN applications are submitted online through NursingCAS.

No, the nursing program begins in the fall and/or spring. During the second summer of the program, you will stay and complete one week of pediatric clinical rotation. You can use the rest of the summer for a nursing internship or additional coursework needed for graduation.

You're eligible to apply once all pre-nursing coursework is completed or in progress by the time of application to the four-year BSN program. You must have all general education courses completed, with the exception of Writing II, prior to beginning BSN coursework.

Yes, the page only lists the minimum course work to apply.

During the BSN program at MSU, you complete a total of 624 clinical hours in Springfield and surrounding communities. The clinical focus at MSU is 40 percent acute care in hospitals, including Mercy, Cox, and Select Specialty Hospital.

The remaining 60 percent of clinical hours are spent in community settings such as nursing homes, clinics for underserved populations, and non-profit organizations such as The Kitchen Inc. and Camp Barnabas.

Having varied experiences at the BSN level allows you to explore your interest areas and determine different settings and populations in which you would eventually like to work or specialize.

Please contact the McQueary College of Health and Human Services Advisement Center 417-863-3065 to make an appointment to speak with an adviser.