Nursing, MS

Admission Requirements

Applicants wishing to pursue a master’s degree in nursing must satisfy the general conditions and procedures for graduate admission to Binghamton University. Further, they must adhere to all policies outlined in the Graduate School Manual.

Domestic:

Although each applicant is considered on an individual basis, the general admission criteria are:

• A baccalaureate degree in nursing from an ACEN, CNEA or CCNE-accredited school of nursing program

• A descriptive statistics course with a grade of C or better

• An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better

• A current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered professional nurse in the United States

• Students must pass the NCLEX-RN examination before enrolling in the graduate program

• Prior to beginning clinical experiences in a New York State clinical facility, students must submit a copy of their current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in New York, which is a requirement of the New York State Department of Education Office of the Professions

• Please upload a PDF of your NURSYS license verification (review directions for uploading your NURSYS license)

• Two (2) letters of recommendation from individuals who can authoritatively comment on applicants’ academic achievements, work, or clinical experience. It is expected that a professional referent is a current or former supervisor or faculty member and may not be a personal friend or family member of the applicant

• Submission of a 500-word personal statement

International:

• Proof of English proficiency (official TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic Scores)

• International Student Financial Statement Form

  • Proof of an earned baccalaureate degree in nursing or its equivalent

  • Proof of a current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered professional nurse in their home country

  • Proof of a current unencumbered license to practice as a registered professional nurse in the United States

  • Please upload a PDF of your NURSYS license verification (review directions for uploading your NURSYS license)

  • An evaluation of the applicant’s academic transcript from the student’s home country must be evaluated by World Educational Services (WES)

Notes regarding admission criteria above:

• There are two admission cycles - Fall and Spring. Fall and Spring deadlines are listed on the Office of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions website.

• Domestic students may apply for non-degree/non-matriculated status. If admitted, a maximum of 12 graduate nursing credits may be completed as a non-degree student. Upon successful completion of up to 12 credits, students are encouraged to apply for matriculated status in the program of their choice. The director of the graduate nursing programs, provides academic advisement regarding appropriate courses for non-degree students who are attempting to demonstrate their ability to succeed in graduate nursing courses and in anticipation of students applying for future matriculation.

• Students who do not meet all academic requirements for admission, as determined by the academic program, may be admitted conditionally. Specific conditions for admission to degree status and a timetable for fulfilling those conditions will be identified by the program at the time of conditional admission. Each semester, the program will review the student’s progress toward satisfying those conditions and recommend appropriate action to the Office of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions. 

• One year of full-time employment as a professional registered nurse is recommended prior to admission to a graduate nursing program, but is not required. Students may be admitted to begin the master’s degree program on a part-time basis to allow time to gain confidence in their nursing skills while working as an RN.

• Students admitted to a graduate nursing program must possess the ability to communicate clearly and effectively via email, demonstrate the ability to use various software applications, conduct web searches, download and upload files using Microsoft Word, and use Google Drive.  Students must also be able to communicate via web-based platforms such as Zoom and must verify sufficient internet access at home to participate in web-based meetings or class activities.

• International student applicants cannot be admitted “conditionally” based on changes to federal regulations implemented in 2016 by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

  • International student applicants who have not met minimum TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic score requirements may be recommended for an offer of admission from the Decker School of Nursing, but may be granted provisional admission by the Office of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions.

  • A provisional admission status related to these test scores requires the applicant to provide sufficient proof of English proficiency.

  • Once sufficient proof has been provided by the applicant, the Office of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions will default the admissions decision back to that assigned by the department, and the student will receive a regular letter of admission and an I-20.

  • In such cases, the student will be required to take an English as a Second Language Institute Program (ESI) assessment. Exam results assist the department in determining which ESI courses must be completed by the student, preliminary to or concurrently with core graduate nursing course requirements in the first and/or subsequent semesters, at the discretion of the graduate nursing program director.

  • Binghamton University is not authorized to issue Forms I-20/DS-2019 for international students seeking F/J non-immigrant status for the DNP program.

Program Requirements

The curriculum has five components: core, specialization, role development, supporting courses, and electives. Core courses taken by all students in the program address nursing theory, advanced physical health assessment, advanced pathophysiology across the lifespan, advanced pharmacology, nursing research, professional issues, and the health care delivery system. The clinical courses prepare nurses for masters level non-advanced practice nursing roles in: community health nursing or adult-gerontological nursing. Supporting courses are tailored to degree requirements per MS specialization of study. The courses in the first semester of study for all MS curricula provide the foundation for courses in subsequent semesters.

Enrolled students may complete the Nursing Education Advanced Certificate  by completing one additional four-credit course (NURS 558) and the three required role courses (NURS 556, NURS 557, and NURS 590). Nurse educator role courses must be taken in sequence with the exception of NURS 558 (Information and Educational Technology in Nursing Education). 

Elective course(s) may be taken either in nursing or related areas of study. Courses may be taken in other units of the University, i.e., the departments of Harpur College of Arts and Sciences, such as psychology, anthropology, political science, and sociology; College of Community and Public Affairs; and School of Management. Students are encouraged to select electives that will enhance their special interests and career goals. Independent study is an option with permission from the graduate program director. Those students earning a nurse educator certificate are encouraged to take NURS 558 as one of the required electives.

Additional Information About the Program

Program completion time

Estimated program completion time based on program planning:

• Full-time study: 2 years

• Part-time study: 3-4 years 

Binghamton University Graduate School policy states that a master’s degree curriculum must be completed within five years from the date of matriculation to remain eligible for the award of degree.

Outcomes for Master of Science programs can be found on our website.

For more information, please refer to the School of Nursing website. To apply to the program, please visit the University Admissions website. If you have questions about submitting your application, call 607-777-2151 or email gradadmission@binghamton.edu.