Master of Science in Nursing

Mission

The School of Nursing is committed to providing the highest quality undergraduate and graduate nursing education at an affordable cost to a student population diverse in terms of culture, ethnicity, gender, and age. The baccalaureate program combines liberal arts and nursing education to assist students to develop the knowledge, skills, and perspectives required for professional practice; it fosters intellectual development, personal growth, and professional collaboration. The master’s program educates nurses for diverse and expanded roles. The faculty is strongly committed to excellence in teaching and preparing graduates for the complex, rapidly-changing health care environment. The School provides a nurturing, inclusive, performance-based, technologically-equipped, innovative learning environment that promotes caring, competence, and professionalism. Faculty, students, and alumni contribute to the improvement of health and health care through practice, service, and scholarship activities that extend to populations, agencies, and institutions throughout the City of Providence, the State of Rhode Island, and the surrounding communities.

Program Options

Two areas of study are available:

A. Adult/Gerontology with an Acute Care Emphasis

Students may choose the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) or Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) role. Students who successfully complete the Adult/Acute Care option will be eligible to apply to take the following certification examinations: the American Nurses Credentialing Center Adult Acute NP exam; the American Association of Critical Care Nurses Adult Acute CNS exam.

B. Public Health / Community Leadership

Students who successfully complete the Public Health / Community Services Leadership option will be eligible to sit for the ANCC Advanced Public Health Certification exam.

MSN Application

MSN Online Application

New Students:
Click here to begin the application process to create your account

If you have already created your account and have started using the online application, click here to continue.

RIC Students: If you have an active RIConnect account, you can use this to apply online to the MSN program. Click here to submit your MSN online application

MSN Application Form

Click here to download the application form for graduate admission to the School of Nursing.

Admission Requirements

1. A completed application accompanied by a fifty-dollar nonrefundable application fee.
2. A baccalaureate degree in an upper-division nursing major from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited program.
3. Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate records.
4. Completion of a course in statistics (MATH 240 or its equivalent), with a minimum grade of C.
5. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale in undergraduate course work. Provisional acceptance occasionally granted.
6. An official report of scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies test (MA). The MA is administered on the RIC campus; for further information please contact Denise Males at dmales@ric.edu.
7. An official report of scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) from international applicants who are from countries where English is not the first language.
8. Current unrestricted licensure for the practice of nursing in Rhode Island.
9. A professional résumé.
10. Three professional references (at least one from the clinical area).
11. A brief letter of intent, which includes a statement of goals.
12. Proof of residency.
13. An interview may be required.

Application deadline is February 15th for fall admission

Additional Admission Requirements for Adult/Gerontology acute care

One year of relevant acute care experience

Additional Admission Requirements for RN to M.S.N. Students

Students must fulfill all of the above requirements and successfully complete the RN to B.S.N. program, including Math 240. Students who have senior standing in the B.S.N. program may complete NURS 501, 502, 503, or 512 (up to 9 credits) as electives. M.S.N. courses that are completed will be waived upon entry into the M.S.N. program of study.

Retention Requirement for All M.S.N. Students

Students who earn less than a B in a required nursing course will be placed on the probationary status and must earn a minimum grade of B in all required nursing courses over the next 9 credits.

Handbook

The School of Nursing Handbook for Graduate Students in Nursing provides detailed and essential information about the graduate nursing program. It is available online at www.ric.edu/nursing.

* provisionally approved by the RI Board of Governors of Higher Education

This page contains content in PDF format. You must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this content, click here to download it for free.