Master of Science in Nursing

Admissions

Admission criteria for a new applicant with the BSN degree:

1. Submit application to the graduate program in nursing.
2. Satisfactory completion of undergraduate courses in health assessment, pathophysiology, and statistics
3. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; if a student’s GPA is less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, submission of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required
4. BSN degree from an accredited college or university
5. Licensure as a registered nurse in the State of Missouri, or eligible for licensure in the State of Missouri
6. Submission of two reference forms from faculty and employer or others who can address the applicant's potential to succeed in graduate study (forms are provided).
7. Submission of an essay (no longer than two pages) outlining how an MSN will facilitate the accomplishment of the applicant's professional goals and career path
8. Official transcripts submitted from all prior nursing programs - must be sent directly to the Mercy College of Nursing and Health Sciences (Attn: MSN Department)
9. Submission of the following documents:
   -Current RN license
   -Current CPR card
   -Photo ID/Driver's license
   -Certified Background Check (Includes Criminal Background check, Family Care & Safety Registry Background Check, and Urine Drug Screen) at an additional cost to the student. Final acceptance into the MSN program is contingent on a negative drug screen
   -Immunization and TB testing verification form
   -Current RN liability/malpractice insurance verification prior to beginning clinical courses – NUR 5523, NUR 550(1-3), and NUR 5323

Admission criteria for an existing SBU student with the BSN degree:

1. Submit application to the graduate program in nursing.
2. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. If the student's GPA is less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, submission of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required.
3. Certified Background Check (Includes Criminal Background check, Family Care & Safety Registry Background Check, and Urine Drug Screen) at an additional cost to the student. Final acceptance into the MSN program is contingent on a negative drug screen.
4. Immunization and TB testing verification form
5. Current RN liability/malpractice insurance verification prior to beginning clinical courses – NUR 5523, NUR 550(1-3), and NUR 5323
6. Copies of admission documents from SBU BSN file

Course Transfer Equivalency

Nine graduate semester hours completed at another regionally accredited institution may be transferred and applied to the degree. These credits must be comparable to courses offered at Southwest Baptist University and must be approved by the MSN Faculty and Dean. Southwest Baptist University maintains a current database of course transfer equivalencies from hundreds of accredited colleges and universities. Students are welcome to search for and find course equivalents for pre-requisite courses and program requirements within the Mercy College of Nursing and Health Sciences degree programs.

Pre-Requisites

Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Current RN License

Contact Information

Shonna Fore
Assistant Director of Admissions
(417) 447-8672
sfore@SBUniv.edu