MSN in Nursing Leadership
Admission Requirements
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Applying to the MSN-NL Degree Program
Our admissions process is designed to be clear and supportive, helping you take the next step in your nursing career with confidence. The program is built for working nurses, and every applicant is paired with an enrollment advisor who is available to guide them through each step. To contact an advisor, fill out the inquiry form at the top of this page, and an advisor will reach out to you within 48 hours. If you’d like to connect sooner call 619-260-4580.
New students are admitted to the program three times a year — spring, summer, and fall. To be considered, please submit an application, official transcripts, letters of recommendation, proof of an active, unencumbered RN license, and your resume or CV.
Application Materials
Official Transcripts
Applicants must submit official transcripts verifying their undergraduate degree. Transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution to the University of San Diego Office of Graduate Admission.
Electronic submission of official transcripts is strongly recommended. Most institutions send transcripts electronically to [email protected]. If your undergraduate institution uses Parchment to fulfill transcript requests, please be sure to select University of San Diego-Graduate Admission from the drop-down menu.
If electronic submission is not available, please connect with your enrollment advisor for alternatives.
If your undergraduate GPA is below 3.0, you’re strongly encouraged to submit a letter of explanation. Candidates with lower GPAs may still be considered based on professional experience and other qualifications.
Resume or CV
Provide a current résumé highlighting your nursing experience, education, and leadership-related activities or responsibilities. This helps our admissions team match your background with the program’s clinical and leadership experiences.
Personal Statement
The personal statement helps the Admissions Committee understand your career goals and motivation for pursuing advanced nursing education. In 500 words, please highlight your qualifications, professional ambitions, and how earning your MSN in Nursing Leadership will help you make a greater impact in your field.
Letters of Recommendation
Applicants are asked to submit at least one letter of recommendation from a current or recent supervisor, or another professional contact, familiar with yoru quallifications and leadership potential.
If you are unable to obtain a letter of support from your current supervisor, you are required to submit two letters of support from a previous employer, board member, and/or previous professor who can comment on your experience and potential for graduate studies.
Interview
Once your materials are reviewed, you’ll be scheduled for a virtual admissions interview with the program directors. This is your opportunity to ask questions, discuss your career goals, and confirm your fit for the program.
Additional requirements
- One year of clinical experience is strongly preferred
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a related professional field
- Proof of an active, unencumbered RN license
- A bachelor’s degree GPA of 3.0 or higher is required. Candidates with a GPA below 3.0 are still encouraged to apply, but may need to submit an explanatory essay (guidelines available on the applications page). You may also choose to submit standardized test scores, such as the GRE or GMAT, to strengthen your application or if recommended by the admissions committee.
- GRE not required
- Completion of a basic statistics course (recommended)
Technology and Compliance Fee: Please note that students in USD’s MSN in Nursing Leadership program are required to pay a $100 technology and compliance fee each semester. This fee covers compliance subscriptions and clinical logging/portfolio applications (Project Concert and Complio) associated with the degree program. The fee is subject to change annually.
At A Glance
The MSN-NL degree program equips you with the expertise and leadership skills that employers seek in nursing leaders.
I’ve Applied — What Happens Next?
Once your enrollment advisor has submitted your application materials to the admission review committee, you can expect:
- Review and Interview: Your advisor will keep you informed as the committee evaluates your application and schedules your interview (if not already completed).
- Decision Notification: You’ll be notified by the Office of Graduate Admissions regarding your admission status within a week.
- Preparing to Start: After acceptance, your advisor will help you finalize your enrollment, confirm your clinical placement timeline, and answer any final questions.
Please note: If accepted, you will be provided a link and instructions for making your admission deposit and confirming your intent to enroll. The non-refundable deposit equal to 5% of your first term’s tuition will be applied to your first tuition payment when you enroll in the program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a degree or work experience in healthcare required for admission?
Yes, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing or a related professional field from an accredited institution, along with an active, unencumbered RN license. While work experience is not required, it can strengthen your application by demonstrating your understanding of the field.
Do you require any nursing entrance exam requirements?
No, we do not require any nursing entrance exams. However, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in a related professional field from an accredited institution and provide proof of an active, unencumbered RN license. You can find the complete list of requirements on the admissions page.
My GPA is slightly below the minimum requirement. Can I still apply to the program?
Yes — candidates with a GPA slightly under 3.0 are still encouraged to apply. Each applicant’s admissions packet is reviewed holistically, with full consideration of your professional experience, education, and letters of recommendation. Any exception to meeting the admissions requirements is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. An enrollment advisor will be happy to help you address all questions regarding your candidacy for the program.
What if decide I want to pursue a specialty track after I’ve started the program?
If you choose to pursue one of the optional specialty tracks in Nursing Education or Informatics, you still have time! You can make that switch until the end of your first semester.
Do you provide clinical placements for MSN-NL students?
Yes! We take great pride in our robust clinical placements, which are customized to meet students where they are. These experiences provide valuable hands-on training while focusing on leadership development to prepare you for advanced nursing roles.
How many units is the MSN-NL program?
The MSN-NL program is 36 units, which equates to approximately 20 months. Choosing a specialization track will require additional units and extend the program duration.
How much is the tuition for the MSN-NL program?
Tuition for the MSN-NL program is $995 per unit. With a total of 36 units, the full cost is $35,820. If you choose a specialization track, additional units will be required, which will increase the overall cost.
Tuition amounts shown on this website, or in other university publications or web pages, represent tuition and fees as currently approved. However, the University of San Diego reserves the right to increase or modify tuition and fees without prior notice and to make such modifications applicable to students enrolled at USD at that time as well as to incoming students. In addition, all tuition amounts and fees are subject to change at any time to correct errors. Please note that the displayed tuition covers only the cost of courses, and additional expenses such as books and other fees are not included.
Are there any state restrictions for applicants?
Applicants must hold an active, unencumbered RN license at the time of application. This program is authorized in the following states:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Montana
- Virginia
Is a GRE or GMAT required for admission to the MSN-NL program?
No, the GRE or GMAT is not required. However, if your GPA is below 3.0 or the admissions committee recommends it, submitting test scores may strengthen your application.
Is this a full-time or part-time program?
The University of San Diego considers 9 or more units as full-time student status. Your program is designed to be part-time, and students enroll in just 6 units per semester. There is no full-time option for this program.
Is there any required time that I need to login to my online course?
No, online degree programs are 100% online and asynchronous so that you will never be required to log in during a specific date or time.
There may be supplemental synchronous opportunities such as Office Hours with your instructor, virtual workshops or on campus events that you may participate in.
Is on campus housing available for part-time and online degree students?
On campus housing options may be available only for full-time on campus students. Housing is very limited for graduate students. We highly encourage part-time and online students seeking housing in San Diego to leverage the resources below including the USD Off-Campus Housing website.
Two of our most popular resources are the Off-campus Housing Facebook page where we list housing options, and our Roommate Finder List.
Please note that the University of San Diego does not research, vet or endorse any of the off-campus apartments listed on our website or the off-campus housing Facebook page. The listings provided are posted by third parties who are not affiliated in any way with the University of San Diego. Students must contact the manager of each apartment building directly regarding questions, current pricing and availability.