{"id":11547,"date":"2025-11-25T15:55:15","date_gmt":"2025-11-25T21:55:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/?page_id=11547"},"modified":"2025-11-25T15:56:22","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T21:56:22","slug":"program-admission","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/colleges\/nursing-health-sciences\/graduate-nursing-department\/program-admission\/","title":{"rendered":"Graduate Nursing Program Admission"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Getting a graduate degree is a great opportunity to advance your nursing career. To gain admission, you want to make sure you have a strong application.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To become a Graduate Nursing student at Winona State, you need to complete an online application process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019d like to start taking courses before applying to a specific WSU graduate program, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/colleges\/nursing-health-sciences\/graduate-nursing-department\/program-admission\/#non-degree\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/colleges\/nursing-health-sciences\/graduate-nursing-department\/program-admission\/#non-degree\">apply as a graduate non-degree seeking student<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"panel panel--white\">\n        <div class=\"panel__container\">\n            <div class=\"panel__intro\">\n                        <\/div>\n            \n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"admissions-criteria\">Admissions Criteria<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For all Graduate Nursing degree programs, you must meet the following requirements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater on a 4.0 scale<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Minimum of one-year clinical nursing experience<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Current, unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse (Minnesota licensure is typically required for all clinical courses. Other state licenses may also be required for clinical experiences in those respective states according to state statute.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Provisional Admission<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Applicants who have a GPA less than 3.0 but are otherwise competitive in the applicant pool will be considered for provisional admission on an individual basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students accepted provisionally must maintain a 3.0 graduate GPA for their first 12 semester credits, during which time they must take at least one of the following courses:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>NURS 618 &#8211; Advanced Pathophysiology<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NURS 771 &#8211; Research and Evidence-Based Practice for Advanced Nursing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Degree-Specific Criteria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are additional admissions requirements depending on the type of degree you are pursuing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-block accordion\">\n        <div class=\"accordion__item\" data-animation=\"fade-in-up\" data-animate=\"true\">\n        <button id=\"Master\u2019s_Degree_and_DNP_Degree_Applicants\" class=\"accordion__toggle\" title=\"Master\u2019s_Degree_and_DNP_Degree_Applicants\" aria-pressed=\"false\">\n            Master\u2019s Degree &amp; DNP Degree Applicants        <\/button>\n        <div class=\"accordion__content\">\n            <p>All Master\u2019s degree\u00a0and\u00a0Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)\u00a0degree applicants must have:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Bachelor\u2019s degree from a nationally-accredited program in nursing<\/li>\n<li>Undergraduate courses in nursing research and statistics<\/li>\n<li>Undergraduate coursework in physical assessment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>There are additional admissions requirements depending on the degree program you are pursuing.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Program-Specific Criteria<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Applicants for the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) DNP degree must also:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Be <a href=\"https:\/\/cpr.heart.org\/en\/cpr-courses-and-kits\/healthcare-professional\/acls\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)<\/a>\u00a0certified through the American Heart Association.<\/li>\n<li>Complete an electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation course at their hospital workplace prior to beginning WSU clinical courses<\/li>\n<li>Have one year of clinical practice experience in units that provide high acuity care with fast-paced decision making and complex procedures, like ER, ICU, and CUU<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"accordion__item\" data-animation=\"fade-in-up\" data-animate=\"true\">\n        <button id=\"Post-Master&#039;s_DNP_Degree_Applicants\" class=\"accordion__toggle\" title=\"Post-Master&#039;s_DNP_Degree_Applicants\" aria-pressed=\"false\">\n            Post-Master&#039;s DNP Degree Applicants        <\/button>\n        <div class=\"accordion__content\">\n            <p>All\u00a0Post-Master&#8217;s DNP degree\u00a0applicants must have:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Graduate degree from a nationally-accredited graduate program in nursing<\/li>\n<li>Master\u2019s courses in nursing research and statistics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A minimum of 1 year clinical nursing experience in a functional master\u2019s level role is recommended.<\/p>\n<p>There are additional admissions requirements depending on the degree program you are pursuing.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Program-Specific Criteria<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Applicants for advanced practice roles must show evidence that they have completed the following advanced courses or will have to take theses course during their program:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Adult-Gerontology Acute Nurse Practitioner\u00a0(AGACNP)<\/li>\n<li>Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS)<\/li>\n<li>Family Nurse Practitioner\u00a0(FNP)<\/li>\n<li>Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Applicants for the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner\u00a0(AGACNP) DNP degree must also:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Be <a href=\"https:\/\/cpr.heart.org\/en\/cpr-courses-and-kits\/healthcare-professional\/acls\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)<\/a>\u00a0certified through the American Heart Association.<\/li>\n<li>Complete an electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation course at their hospital workplace prior to beginning WSU clinical courses<\/li>\n<li>Have one year of clinical practice experience in units that provide high acuity care with fast-paced decision making and complex procedures, like ER, ICU, and CUU<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"accordion__item\" data-animation=\"fade-in-up\" data-animate=\"true\">\n        <button id=\"Post-Graduate_Certificate_Applicants_\" class=\"accordion__toggle\" title=\"Post-Graduate_Certificate_Applicants_\" aria-pressed=\"false\">\n            Post-Graduate Certificate Applicants         <\/button>\n        <div class=\"accordion__content\">\n            <p>For all\u00a0post-graduate certificate\u00a0applicants, you must have a graduate degree from a nationally accredited graduate program in nursing.<\/p>\n<p>There are additional admissions requirements depending on the degree program you are pursuing.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Program-Specific Criteria<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Applicants for advanced practice roles must show evidence that they have completed the following advanced courses or will have to take theses course during their program:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Pathophysiology<\/li>\n<li>Health assessment (60 hours must be faculty supervised and include diagnostic reasoning)<\/li>\n<li>Health promotion<\/li>\n<li>Pharmacology (must have been within the last three years in some states for credentialing)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Acute Care Nurse Practitioner\u00a0(AGACNP) post-graduate certificate\u00a0applicants must also:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cpr.heart.org\/en\/cpr-courses-and-kits\/healthcare-professional\/acls\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Be Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)<\/a>\u00a0certified through the American Heart Association.<\/li>\n<li>Complete an electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation course at their hospital workplace prior to beginning WSU clinical courses<\/li>\n<li>Have one year of clinical practice experience in units that provide high acuity care with fast-paced decision making and complex procedures, like ER, ICU, and CUU<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"panel panel--white\">\n        <div class=\"panel__container\">\n            <div class=\"panel__intro\">\n                        <\/div>\n            \n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"application-materials\">Application Materials<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to the information you\u2019ll need to provide in your application, most Graduate Nursing applicants must submit the following materials:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Official transcripts from each institution you have attended \u2013 ask early to ensure enough time for processing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2 professional references \u2013 ask early to ensure your references have enough time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Professional resume <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Personal statement<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re applying to enroll in the Wound, Ostomy, &amp; Continence Nursing Education graduate certificate program, you must submit one professional reference along with your official transcripts and professional resume. You do not have to submit a personal statement.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Please check your application for extended deadlines for programs with open seats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Contact&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:gradnursing@winona.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">gradnursing@winona.edu<\/a>&nbsp;with any questions about the application process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-block tabs\">\n\n    <div class=\"tabs-nav\">\n        <button class=\"tabs__toggle\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" id=\"tabbed-1\">Professional References<\/button>\n<button class=\"tabs__toggle\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" id=\"tabbed-2\">Resume<\/button>\n<button class=\"tabs__toggle\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" id=\"tabbed-3\">Personal Statement<\/button>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"tabs-content\">\n        <button class=\"tabs__mobile__toggle\">Professional References<\/button>\n<div class=\"tabs__content__item\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><div><p>Your references should be from people who can comment competently on your background and suitability for nursing graduate study.<\/p>\n<p>At least one professional reference should be from someone who occupies the student\u2019s chosen advanced practice nursing role, such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>nurse practitioner<\/li>\n<li>clinical nurse specialist<\/li>\n<li>nurse educator<\/li>\n<li>nurse administrator or leader<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<button class=\"tabs__mobile__toggle\">Resume<\/button>\n<div class=\"tabs__content__item\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><div><p>Follow our guidelines when putting together your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/GN-Application-Resume-Format-2012.pdf\"> resume<\/a> (PDF) to ensure your application is done correctly.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<button class=\"tabs__mobile__toggle\">Personal Statement<\/button>\n<div class=\"tabs__content__item\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><div><p>Follow our guidelines when putting together <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/GN-Personal-Statement-Format-2022.pdf\">statement of professional and personal goals<\/a>\u00a0(PDF) to ensure your application is done correctly.<\/p>\n<p><strong>DNP Degree Applicants<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As part of your personal statement, you must also provide a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/GN-Clinical-Practice-Question-2012.pdf\">clinical practice question<\/a> (PDF) that you\u2019re most interested in studying during your clinical scholarship courses.<\/p>\n<p>Be prepared to explain why your clinical question is important for graduate nursing students to answer and offer ideas for the best clinical setting within which your question can be answered.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Interview<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Students who advance in the admission process will be asked to have a personal interview with Graduate Nursing faculty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Be ready to talk about what makes you a great candidate for your desired program.<\/p>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"panel panel--white\">\n        <div class=\"panel__container\">\n            <div class=\"panel__intro\">\n                        <\/div>\n            \n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-apply\">How to Apply<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Applications open each year around<strong> <\/strong>Aug. 15. We highly recommend you submit your application as soon as possible to allow enough time for the application system to verify your submission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Applications for the following programs are still open and will close Feb. 1:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nurse Educator<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wound, Ostomy, &amp; Continence Nursing Education<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Applications for the following programs are closed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Family Nurse Practitioner<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Graduate Nursing applicants should complete the NursingCAS application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn more about&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/admissions\/apply\/graduate\/\">how to apply to WSU Graduate Studies<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"non-degree\">Apply as a Graduate Non-Degree Seeking Student<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You can&nbsp;apply to be a non-degree seeking student&nbsp;if you\u2019ve earned your bachelor\u2019s degree (or higher) in nursing from an accredited university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Prior to being accepted into the Department of Graduate Nursing, you can take up to 12 credits as a non-degree seeking student. You can then transfer these credits to the department later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To take non-degree seeking classes, you&#8217;ll need to <a href=\"https:\/\/warriorspace.winona.edu\/ProcessDirector\/form.aspx?pid=cbc76cfa-e332-489a-a868-237dcf390893&amp;formid=452ca647-2ed6-4387-962b-7dca05a2178d&amp;forminstid=&amp;wfinstid=&amp;prinstid=&amp;tlid=&amp;testmode=&amp;parsecontrols=&amp;CTRun=&amp;CTConfigure=&amp;CTContainerFORMID=&amp;CTContainerWFID=&amp;CTContainerRULEID=&amp;CTContainerPRID=&amp;completepage=&amp;completepageprompt=&amp;completetext=&amp;saveformpage=&amp;saveformtext=&amp;saveformpageprompt=&amp;url=&amp;INFOMSG=&amp;linkwfid=&amp;linkprid=&amp;nottask=&amp;findtask=&amp;caseinstid=&amp;indash=&amp;incasef=&amp;targetportlet=0&amp;howtoopen=0&amp;_gl=1*1g5erds*_gcl_au*Mjg3NTI0MDE3LjE3MzI1NDQyMjI.*_ga*NjIzMTM2ODY2LjE3MDEyNzc4Nzg.*_ga_4R06VM0FK3*MTczODg1MDgzNC43Ny4xLjE3Mzg4NTI1MzUuNTAuMC4w\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">register as a guest student<\/a>&nbsp;at Winona State University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You must complete this agreement each semester that you want to take non-degree seeking classes before being formally accepted into the Department of Graduate Nursing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Courses for Non-Degree Seeking Students<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Courses within our program that are open for you to take as a non-degree seeking student include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>NURS 604 \u2013 Health Policy and Quality Health Care Delivery<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NURS 606 \u2013 Nursing Information Management &amp; Decision Making<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NURS 608 \u2013 Organizational and Systems Leadership<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NURS 618 \u2013 Advanced Pathophysiology<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NURS 705 \u2013 Leadership in Nursing &amp; Healthcare Innovations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATS 601 \u2013 Statistical Methods for Health Care Research<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Visit the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.winona.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">graduate catalog&nbsp;<\/a>for course descriptions as well as pre-requisite and co-requisite information.<\/p>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"panel panel--white\">\n        <div class=\"panel__container\">\n            <div class=\"panel__intro\">\n                            <div class=\"h3\">Contact the Graduate Nursing Department<\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n            \n<div class=\"wsu-block contact-card mb-1\">\n   <div class=\"contact-card__content\">\n       <div class=\"contact-card__title h4\">\n           Graduate Nursing Department\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__subtitle h4\">\n           WSU Rochester on Broadway\n       <\/div>\n       <div class=\"contact-card__description\">\n           <p>400 South Broadway, Suite 204<\/p>\n<p>Rochester, MN 55904<\/p>\n<p>507.535.2580<\/p>\n\n       <\/div>\n       <a class=\"wsu-link contact-card__link\" href=\"mailto:gradnursing@winona.edu\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"\">Email the Graduate Nursing Department<\/a>\n   <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you plan on advancing your nursing career through one of WSU&#8217;s graduate programs, check out the admissions process.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"parent":11506,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_tec_requires_first_save":true,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_tribe_blocks_recurrence_rules":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_description":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_exclusions":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[454],"tags":[352],"class_list":["post-11547","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-graduate-nursing","tag-legacy"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11547","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11547"}],"version-history":[{"count":57,"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11547\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18520,"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11547\/revisions\/18520"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11506"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11547"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11547"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11547"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}