How to Apply

Two ways to apply

• Apply directly to DeSales MSN & NP programs
• We also accept applications for MSN programs via NursingCAS 
  (Note: Nursing CAS is not accepting applications for our Nurse Practitioner programs at this time.)

MSN Application Requirements

• Completed online application and nonrefundable fee of $50
• Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools attended
  • Electronic official transcripts can be sent to gradadmissions@desales.edu
  • Paper official transcripts can be mailed to:
    DeSales University Admissions Office
    ATTN: Graduate Programs
    2755 Station Ave.,
    Center Valley, PA 18034
  • The MSN program will generally accept up to six (6) transfer credits or two (2) courses into the declared MSN track based upon the following criteria:
    • Course work must have been completed within five (5) years before admission to the MSN program.
    • Courses transferred must be similar in credits, scope and subject matter to the courses offered in the MSN program. The student must provide a course syllabus and topical outline for any courses requested for transfer for evaluation by the Chair of Graduate Programs upon acceptance.
    • Only courses from an ACEN or CCNE accredited college or university will be accepted for transfer.
    • Grades for transfer courses must be a B or higher.
  • All transcripts from any degree-granting institution outside the United States must be evaluated by a NACES approved evaluation service, such as World Education Services, Inc., with the resulting report submitted directly to the address above. Please visit naces.org for additional information. DeSales University's institutional reporting code is 002021.
• Copy of current RN license
• Two professional letters of recommendation
  • One from a graduate program faculty member or direct supervisor from present employment
  • One from a professional colleague
  • Letters of recommendation can be requested electronically after you submit your online application
• Current résumé or curriculum vitae
  • This should reflect all evidence of professional career achievements, publications, presentations, or other forms of professional scholarship.
• Personal statement
  • Written in narrative format and addresses each of the following:
    • Why you chose your intended MSN track
    • How this academic program will help you meet your career goals
    • Where you see your career 5 years post-graduation
    • Additional relevant information that may assist the Committee in the overall evaluation of your application
  • This statement should be 500-750 words in length and demonstrate evidence of strong written communication skills.
• Official copy of GRE or MAT scores if the applicant's cumulative undergraduate GPA is below 3.0
• For the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) track
  • Evidence of the equivalent of two (2) years of full-time nursing practice in an adult acute care/ICU specialty area (i.e. medical/surgical ICU, trauma ICU, neuro/neurosurgical ICU, cardiac ICU, open heart unit, burn unit, etc.) within 18 months of application completion.
  • Students will be required to continue to work as an Acute Care/ICU registered nurse to fulfill the 2 years of nursing practice experience required to progress to the specialty clinical courses.
  • All admission to the AGACNP program will be at the discretion of the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program Director.
• For the Family/Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track:
  • Currently practicing nurses who have only had pediatric or labor and delivery experience will be required to obtain employment as an RN in the care of the adult while completing the program part-time.
  • All admission the the FNP program will be at the discretion of the Family/Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner Program Director.
• For the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) track:
  • Evidence of the equivalent of 12 months full-time experience as a practicing psychiatric RN within 18 months of application completion.
  • Students will be required to continue to work as a psychiatric nurse to fulfill the 12 months of nursing practice experience required to progress to the specialty clinical courses.
  • All admission to the PMHNP program will be at the discretion of the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program Director.
    

Nurse Practitioner and MSN degree applicants are admitted on a rolling basis up until the following deadlines:

• The deadline is May 15 for a July (Summer semester) start
• The deadline is June 15 for an August (Fall semester) start
• The deadline is November 15 for a January (Winter semester) start
• The deadline is February 15 for an April (Spring semester) start

The admission process and entrance requirements are rigorous; demonstrating minimum admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the MSN program.

Information for Applicants Born Outside of the United States

International applicants (regardless of citizenship) for whom English is a second language must submit English proficiency test scores (TOEFL, iBT, IELTS, or CAE) as part of their application. An official copy of test results must be sent by the testing agency directly to the Division of Nursing at DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley, PA 18034. Visit the following websites for up-to-date information:

• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• The International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• The Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE)

* All exams must have been taken within two years of application to a DeSales program.

• All transcripts from any degree-granting institution outside the United States must be evaluated by a NACES approved evaluation service, such as World Education Services, Inc., with the resulting report submitted directly to the address above.  Please visit www.naces.org for additional information. DeSales University’s institutional reporting code is 002021

Upon matriculation, students will be required to maintain the following:

• Current professional liability insurance
• Current Healthcare Provider CPR or ACLS certification
• Current criminal background check, child abuse clearance, FBI fingerprinting and drug screening