A world-class city filled with art and culture and an incredible campus that offers cutting edge resources–that’s what students receive at Penn Nursing. And that’s just the start. Penn Nursing and the wider university offer something for everyone, as well as a lifelong community.
Penn Nursing is globally known for educating dynamic nurses—because our School values evidence-based science and health equity. That’s where our expertise lies, whether in research, practice, community health, or beyond. Everything we do upholds a through-line of innovation, encouraging our exceptional students, alumni, and faculty share their knowledge and skills to reshape health care.
Penn Nursing students are bold and unafraid, ready to embrace any challenge that comes their way. Whether you are exploring a career in nursing or interested in advancing your nursing career, a Penn Nursing education will help you meet your goals and become an innovative leader, prepared to change the face of health and wellness.
Penn Nursing is the #1-ranked nursing school in the world. Its highly-ranked programs help develop highly-skilled leaders in health care who are prepared to work alongside communities to tackle issues of health equity and social justice to improve health and wellness for everyone.
Penn Nursing’s rigorous academic curricula are taught by world renowned experts, ensuring that students at every level receive an exceptional Ivy League education. From augmented reality classrooms and clinical simulations to coursework that includes experiential global travel to clinical placements in top notch facilities, a Penn Nursing education prepares our graduates to lead.
How To Apply
Each of our programs has different application requirements, see below for details. For specific deadlines, please visit the academic program for which you are applying. If you have any questions, please reach out. We are happy to help.
Admissions decisions are based on a holistic review of the application. All aspects of your application, such as academic history and record, demonstrated interest in the program, research experience, work history, exposure to health care, letters of recommendations, and more are reviewed and considered.
If you are a current Penn student looking for information on submatriculation, click here.
Please Note: All application requirements must be uploaded or completed before the application is submitted. One active application is permitted at a time, do not submit an application for multiple programs or multiple terms.
Two recommendations (for additional information, click here):
One Academic Recommendation from your college professors; we encourage you to select recommenders who can speak knowledgeably about your abilities and chance of success in our rigorous nursing program
One Other Recommendation: This may be a second teacher recommendation or a non-academic recommendation. We don’t prefer one option over the other (academic vs. non-academic) and encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
Transcripts*: unofficial transcripts from accredited BSN program, as well as all undergraduate, and graduate schools attended. *Official transcripts are only required if offered admission.
GRE scores: As of July 1, 2021, the GRE is no longer required.
Course requisite and verification: statistics class
Essay responses: two questions
Letters of recommendation: three (one of each of the following sources: academic, employer, and professional)
Licensures*: copy of active RN license(s): all master’s students are required to have an active Registered Nursing License(s), as progression into the clinical component requires an active Pennsylvania Registered Nursing License, and as specified by individual programs in Delaware (compact state) and New Jersey
International Applicants: Click here for additional requirements
Interview: we will contact you if you qualify for this step in the application process
You are required to have a Pennsylvania Registered Nursing License prior to beginning clinical rotations. If you do not have a Pennsylvania license but you are licensed to practice in another country, you must complete the CGFNS Certification Program. Proof that you’ve passed the CGFNS Qualifying Examination is required prior to reviewing your admissions application. See the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing website for more details.
If you are completing the NCLEX® in another state, please review the requirements to obtain a Pennsylvania Registered Nursing License. See Item 6: Licensure by Endorsement With Temporary Practice Permit.
Visit the program for which you are applying for program-specific requirements.
Transcripts*: unofficial transcripts from accredited BSN program, as well as all undergraduate, and graduate schools attended. *Official transcripts are only required if offered admission.
GRE scores: As of July 1, 2021, the GRE is no longer required.
Course requisite and verification: statistics class
Essay responses: two MSN questions and one doctoral essay question
Letters of recommendation: three (one of each of the following sources: academic, employer, and professional)
Licensures*: copy of active RN license(s): all master’s students are required to have an active Registered Nursing License(s), as progression into the clinical component requires an active Pennsylvania Registered Nursing License, and as specified by individual programs in Delaware (compact state) and New Jersey
International Applicants: Click here for additional requirements
Interview: we will contact you if you qualify for this step in the application process
You are required to have a Pennsylvania Registered Nursing License prior to beginning clinical rotations. If you do not have a Pennsylvania license but you are licensed to practice in another country, you must complete the CGFNS Certification Program. Proof that you’ve passed the CGFNS Qualifying Examination is required prior to reviewing your admissions application. See the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing website for more details.
If you are completing the NCLEX® in another state, please review the requirements to obtain a Pennsylvania Registered Nursing License. See Item 6: Licensure by Endorsement With Temporary Practice Permit.
Visit the program for which you are applying for program-specific requirements.
Please note that you may only apply to one of the following programs: MPN or MPN/MSN option.
Online application requirements:
Application fee: $80 (non-refundable)
Course requisite and verification: All prerequisite courses must be completed by June 15th of the enrollment year from a regionally accredited institution and have a grade of a C or higher.
Transcripts*: unofficial copies from all post-secondary transcripts, including transcripts from classes you might have taken at a community college or while studying abroad. *Official transcripts are only required if offered admission.
GRE scores: As of July 1, 2021, the GRE is no longer required.
Personal statement: you will be given the question once you start the application process
Letters of recommendation: two (we recommend academic sources who can speak confidently to your ability and chances of success within this rigorous program)
Video interview: question prompts will be available once you start the application process
Degree(s): Bachelor’s degree in any field of study with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
Transcripts*: unofficial transcripts from accredited Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts program, as well as all undergraduate, and graduate schools attended. *Official transcripts are only required if offered admission.
Course requisite and verification: basic nutrition course and undergraduate biology and/or chemistry
Essay responses: two questions
Letters of recommendation: two (from the following sources: academic, employer, and/or professional)
International Applicants: Click here for additional requirements
Interview: we will contact you if you qualify for this step in the application process
Degree(s): MSN or a Master’s degree in Nursing field with a GPA of 3.2 or higher
Transcripts*: unofficial transcripts from accredited BSN, undergraduate, and graduate schools attended. *Official transcripts are only required if offered admission.
Course requisite and verification: graduate-level Research Methods Course with a grade of a B or higher
Essay responses: two questions
Letters of recommendation: three (one of each of the following: academic, employer, professional)
Licensures: copy of official RN and APRN license(s) if applicable
Verification of Master’s degree clinical hours
TOEFL results: for non-native English speakers
Applicants who received an Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in the United States or Canada are exempt from this requirement.
International Applicants: Click here for additional requirements
Interview: we will contact you if you qualify for this step in the application process
Degree(s): BSN and a Master’s degree in Nursing or related field e.g., Master’s in Business Administration (MBA), Master’s in Healthcare Administration (MHA), Master’s in Public Health (MPH), etc. with a GPA of 3.2 or higher
Transcripts*: unofficial transcripts from accredited BSN, undergraduate, and graduate schools attended. *Official transcripts are only required if offered admission.
Course requisite and verification: graduate-level Research Methods Course with a grade of a B or higher
Practice experience: two years leadership and fiscal management (or formal graduate coursework in finance/accounting) experience required, within the past 5 years preferred
Essay responses: two questions
Letters of recommendation: three (one of each of the following sources: academic, current supervisor, and professional; or one employer and two professional)
Licensures: copy of official RN and APRN license(s) if applicable
Clinical or field immersion hours verification: If applicable, complete and upload PDF form within application
TOEFL results: for non-native English speakers
Applicants who received an Bachelor’s or MSN degree in the United States or Canada are exempt from this requirement.
International Applicants: Click here for additional requirements
Virtual interview: we will contact you if you qualify for this step in the application process
GRE scores: As of July 1, 2021, the GRE is no longer required
Transcripts*: unofficial transcripts from accredited BSN, undergraduate, and graduate schools attended. *Official transcripts are only required if offered admission.
Course requisite and verification: introductory-level undergraduate statistics course taken at an accredited university with a grade of a B or higher
Practice experience: Applicants must have a minimum of two years of ICU/critical care work experience (post-orientation) working with the most critically ill patients by time of matriculation. Our most competitive applicants typically have at least two years of experience at time of application. Neonatal ICU, Emergency Room, Recovery Room, Step Down Units, and Interventional Radiology will not be considered.
Essay responses
Letters of recommendation: three (one of each of the following sources: academic, employer, and professional)
Licensure: copy of active RN license(s): all master’s students are required to have an active Registered Nursing License(s), as progression into the clinical component requires an active Pennsylvania Registered Nursing License, and as specified by individual programs in Delaware (compact state) and New Jersey
Clinical or field immersion hours verification: If applicable, complete and upload PDF form within application
International Applicants: Click here for additional requirements
Interview: we will contact you if you qualify for this step in the application process
Degree(s): Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Nursing.
GRE scores: As of July 1, 2021, the GRE is no longer required.
Essay responses
Letters of recommendation: three (one of each of the following sources: academic, employer, and professional)
Transcripts*: unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. *Official transcripts are only required if offered admission.
Licensure: copy of official RN license(s)
International Applicants: Click here for additional requirements
Interview: we will contact you if you qualify for this step in the application process
One of the driving factors of our admissions decision is fit with faculty. You are encouraged to reach out to faculty who align with your research interests and may be a good mentor during your PhD program. Please review our faculty research interests here.
Our Graduate Admission Committee cannot properly evaluate a candidate or offer an interview until all required application items have been received.
Transcripts*: Unofficial transcripts from your accredited Bachelor’s** program, undergraduate, and graduate schools must be uploaded for review purposes.
*Official transcripts are only required if offered admission.
**Nutrition Certificate requires a Bachelor’s degree in any field.
**Integrated Nursing Care of Autism Spectrum Disorder Certificate requires a BSN.
Essay responses: one
Letters of recommendation: one
Licensure: Copy of your active RN license(s)*
*Nutrition Certificate does not require an RN license.
Resume
International Applicants: No visa sponsorship is available
*Licensure
You are required to have a Pennsylvania Registered Nursing License prior to beginning clinical rotations. If you do not have a Pennsylvania license but you are licensed to practice in another country, you must complete the CGFNS Certification Program. Proof that you’ve passed the CGFNS Qualifying Examination is required prior to reviewing your admissions application. See the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing website for more details.
If you are completing the NCLEX® in another state, please review the requirements to obtain a Pennsylvania Registered Nursing License. See Item 6: Licensure by Endorsement With Temporary Practice Permit.
Transcripts: *Unofficial transcripts from your accredited BSN program, undergraduate, and graduate schools must be uploaded for review purposes. *Official transcripts are only required if offered admission.
Essay responses: one
Letters of recommendation: one
Licensure: Copy of your active RN license(s)*
Resume
International Applicants: No visa sponsorship is available
*Licensure
You are required to have a Pennsylvania Registered Nursing License prior to beginning clinical rotations. If you do not have a Pennsylvania license but you are licensed to practice in another country, you must complete the CGFNS Certification Program. Proof that you’ve passed the CGFNS Qualifying Examination is required prior to reviewing your admissions application. See the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing website for more details.
If you are completing the NCLEX® in another state, please review the requirements to obtain a Pennsylvania Registered Nursing License. See Item 6: Licensure by Endorsement With Temporary Practice Permit.
Transcripts*: unofficial transcripts from their original Nurse Practitioner coursework that include courses taken in Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, Physical Assessment, and your clinical courses, to verify the requirements for NP certification. *Official transcripts are only required if offered admission.
Verification that you’ve completed the required statistics class.
Streamlined Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP Program Applicants: this is not required.
One letter of recommendation from a direct supervisor
Responses to essay questions
Licensure: Copies of your active RN license and active NP certification and/or license.*
Streamlined Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP Program Applicants: Not required to obtain a Pennsylvania nursing license, unless they will be completing their clinical rotations in Pennsylvania.
Interview: We will contact you if you qualify for this step in the application process.
International Applicants: No visa sponsorship is available
*Licensure
You are required to have a Pennsylvania Registered Nursing License prior to beginning clinical rotations. If you do not have a Pennsylvania license but you are licensed to practice in another country, you must complete the CGFNS Certification Program. We need proof you’ve passed the CGFNS Qualifying Examination before reviewing your admissions application. See the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing website for more details.
Applicants to the Streamlined Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP program are not required to obtain a Pennsylvania nursing license, unless they will be completing their clinical rotations in Pennsylvania.
