Direct Entry MSN Admissions Process
Once an admissions adviser has verified your eligibility to become a Direct Entry MSN student, you can begin your journey toward an accelerated nursing education. While there are several steps to our admissions process, your adviser will be there to help you take on each step. We’ve even created a streamlined process that allows you to submit your information via an online portal.
Admissions Checklist
While the process of applying to nursing school may seem daunting, our admissions team is ready to help you navigate the process. In fact, individuals often tell us they chose our program based on the level of personalized attention they received from their advisers.
“I think what really got me interested in Marquette University as a whole was my adviser,” says Madaline McCarthy, a Marquette DE-MSN student. “He would call me and say, ‘Hey, how are you? Where are you at with your application? Is there anything I can do to help you?’ And more than an adviser, he felt like a friend, and that really was nice to have. I never experienced that in an academic setting.”
Below is a checklist of how to apply and work through the MSN admissions process. You’ll notice that in addition to the program’s academic requirements, there are several supplementary materials we require as part of our College of Nursing application package.
- Speak with an admissions adviser to verify your program eligibility.
- Create an academic plan that works toward your desired program start date.
- Complete all of your prerequisite courses within our requirements.
- Begin the online application process via the Marquette Graduation School application portal ($50 application fee).
- Gather and submit your official academic transcripts via the portal.
- Gather and submit three letters of recommendation via the portal.
- Submit an updated resume via the portal.
- Write and submit an admissions statement via the portal.
The GRE is not required to apply. However, if you feel that your GRE scores would strengthen your application, you can submit them, and we will include that information in the application review.
Why Prerequisite Courses Matter
As a prospective Direct Entry MSN student without a previous nursing bachelor’s degree, prerequisite courses are vital to ensure that you hit the ground running and continue to be successful in this fast-paced program.
Prerequisite courses provide a baseline of foundational knowledge in subjects including:
- Anatomy
- Chemistry
- Microbiology
- Nutrition
- Statistics
Each of these subjects supports future learning throughout our nursing curriculum. The core skills you will learn and develop through prerequisite courses will build your competencies and make it easier to understand new nursing concepts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the timeline from application to admission?
The timeline for admission to Marquette University’s Direct Entry MSN program starts when you first contact the admissions team and continues through the application review process. Timelines vary by student, so your admissions adviser will create a personalized academic plan tailored to your needs and desired start date.
Factors like how many prerequisite courses you need to take, how quickly you submit documentation, and when you first apply can all influence your target start date.
What happens after admission?
After admission, start working toward your nursing career by choosing one of three annual start dates. Since you will have completed prerequisite courses prior to admission, you do not need to take any additional courses after acceptance.
Your admissions adviser will make you aware of any orientation events or activities prior to your first day of classes, with specific details varying depending on your enrollment location and start date.
Once you officially begin as a Marquette DE-MSN student, you will complete a five-semester or eight-semester MSN curriculum delivering:
• Blend of online and on-site courses and skills labs
• Nursing labs and clinical simulation at your program location in Pleasant Prairie or on campus in Milwaukee.
• Clinical rotations at top area hospitals local to your enrollment location
After graduation, you must successfully pass the NCLEX-RN and attain licensure before pursuing nursing roles.
How much does the program cost? Are there any hidden fees?
It is our mission to provide a high-quality nursing education at a competitive cost, while also being transparent about pricing. There are no hidden fees for Marquette DE-MSN students.
Our tuition and fees page gives a comprehensive breakdown of how much it costs to complete the program, with additional guidance toward financial aid resources. You may speak to your admissions adviser about cost-related questions.
Know What to Expect
Contact us to prepare for working through the admissions process.