An applicant whose native language is not English must present an IELTS score of 6.5 or alternatively, a TOEFL score of at least 80 on the TOEFL ibt, 213 on the scale of 0-300, or at least 550 on the older scale of 310-677 where applicable. A two-page, double-spaced Goal Statement/Writing Sample to address: Professional goals, desired advanced practice or nursing education specialization in the M.S. degree program, and how a graduate degree in the desired specialization will promote goal achievement. This statement should also include a paragraph regarding clinical practice experience in the past three years and the area(s) of practice specialty.

Three professional letters of reference which provide evidence of the applicant's professional qualifications. At least one reference should be from a professor or graduate level-prepared nursing colleague who can address the applicant's potential for academic success. At least one reference must be from a current, professional nurse colleague (e.g., a supervisor or preceptor) who can address the applicant's professional qualifications as a licensed professional registered nurse. References should be provided on the Graduate School reference form and indicate the credentials and professional title of the person providing the reference. Ratings and comments should be included. Family members and personal friends are not considered professional references.
Current licensure with no encumbrances as a professional registered nurse in the U.S. Prior to beginning course work, students must hold or have applied for licensure in Illinois.

A baccalaureate degree from a school accredited by an accrediting agency officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education, such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), or from a program seeking initial accreditation which includes an upper-division major in nursing equivalent to the undergraduate nursing major at NIU. If the applicant is a graduate of a nongraded baccalaureate program in nursing, CCNE accreditation is required. The applicant must provide documentation of course work which is essentially equivalent to that required in the nursing major at NIU.

A minimum 3.00 GPA (based on a 4.00 system) for the last 60 hours of the baccalaureate program.

Transcript Evaluation: Applicants who completed their nursing education at a non-U.S. school are required to submit non-U.S. transcripts to the Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE, www.ece.org) or the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS, http://www.cgfns.org/) or World Education Services (WES, www.wes.org) for evaluation of credentials. The evaluation report must show that the non-U.S. education is equivalent to a U.S. bachelors' degree in nursing to be considered for admission.

Prefer one year experience as a professional Registered Nurse in clinical practice.
A minimum 2.75 overall GPA on a 4.00 system or a 3.20 GPA with 15 or more semester hours of graduate work at an accredited institution.