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Applying to the Master of Arts in Nursing: Entry-Level

St. Catherine University seeks to admit into the Master of Arts in Nursing: Entry-Level a highly motivated group of students who are committed to making a positive contribution to the nursing profession, demonstrate an understanding of the university's mission, and are prepared for rigorous graduate study.

To be considered for admission, applicants should demonstrate:

  • Completion of a bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) from a regionally accredited college or university; your degree may be "in progress" at the time of application, but must be completed prior to enrollment in this program.
  • A cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or above in all post-secondary coursework.
  • Completion of three specific prerequisite courses at the time of application. Three additional prerequisite courses must be completed before enrolling in the Master of Arts in Nursing: Entry Level. Applicants should have received a "C" or better in each prerequisite course, and maintained a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or above in all prerequisite courses (note: one prerequisite course may be repeated one time, this includes withdrawals). For more details, see the prerequisite courses.

Admissions for this program is competitive. Meeting the minimum criteria listed above does not assure admission. Each application is reviewed on a holistic basis with broad attention paid to each applicant's goals and experiences. The selection process also takes into consideration the composition of each student cohort; the university seeks to enroll a group of students from a variety of backgrounds, with diverse academic and professional interests and life experiences.

We are no longer accepting applications for Spring 2014 enrollment.

Applications will be accepted Jan. 1 - June 1, 2014 to enter the Master of Arts in Nursing: Entry-Level program in the Spring 2015 term. All items listed below must be received no later than June 1, 2014.

Application form

Complete all sections of the online application form »

Application fee

Submit a $35 non-refundable application fee. Make check or money order payable to St. Catherine University. This fee is waived for students who previously:

  • Enrolled at the University (completed at least one course at either the undergraduate or graduate level)
  • Attended a graduate information session within the past five years
  • Completed an individual appointment with graduate faculty/staff within the past five years

If one or more of the above statements applies to you, choose the waiver option when asked for a form of payment.

Please note that your application fee will not be refunded if you submit the payment but are eligible for a fee waiver.

Personal statement

Prepare a personal essay that demonstrates professionally written communication skills and clarifies your purpose in pursuing a graduate degree in nursing. Do not exceed four typed, double-spaced pages. Handwritten essays will not be accepted. Please address the following topics:

  • St. Catherine University seeks to admit students who can meet the challenges and rigor of a Master of Arts in Nursing: Entry-Level program, who are committed to success in the nursing profession, and who recognize the relevance of the Nursing Department's mission statement:
    The Department of Nursing at St. Catherine University educates students to be leaders in nursing. Our commitment to excellence and ethical leadership in nursing is based upon the principles of Catholic social teaching, contemporary nursing knowledge, and professional and academic standards. The Department of Nursing fosters learning through caring relationships and interdisciplinary collaboration, is committed to the centrality of the liberal arts, and celebrates and reflects the diversity of our society.
  • After reflecting on the above, describe how your life experiences (e.g. personal, family, education, and work-related experiences) have prepared you for excellence in nursing. Provide specific information and examples.
  • In your opinion, what are the most pressing health care concerns today and what qualities would you bring to your future nursing practice to address these concerns?
  • What would you like to be doing in five years?

Personal statements should be mailed to the Office of Graduate Admission at the address at the bottom of this page. Applicants who wish to submit their statements via email should send the completed attachment to graduate_study@stkate.edu. Please type your full name at the top of your statement and include "MANU: E-L Personal Statement" in the subject line.

Resume

Submit a current resume. Please differentiate between paid work experience and volunteer activities. Indicate whether the experience/activity was part-time or full-time in nature, specify the dates of employment/volunteering and list the responsibilities involved. You may send your resume via e-mail to graduate_study@stkate.edu. Please include "MANU:EL Resume" in the subject line.

Recommendation forms

Two recommendation forms must be completed by professional and/or academic references who can attest to the intellectual ability, leadership potential and judgment of the applicant.

These are confidential recommendations and must be sent directly from the references to the Office of Graduate Admission at the address listed below. Original documents must be sent to our office. Applicants who wish to view a copy of the completed recommendations are responsible for making the appropriate arrangements with their references.

Download the Master of Arts in Nursing: Entry-Level recommendation form (pdf) »

Academic transcripts

Official transcripts are required from each post-secondary institution attended, even if courses are recorded on another transcript and regardless of the number of credits earned.

All transcripts should be mailed in a sealed envelope directly from the registrar of each institution to the Office of Graduate Admission at St. Catherine University. Transcripts that do not meet these criteria will be considered unofficial and will not be used to complete the applicant's file.

Test scores

Standardized test scores (e.g, Graduate Record Examination scores) are not required.

TOEFL/MELAB scores

Applicants whose native language is not English are required to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 600 or better on the paper and pencil test, 100 on the iBT or 250 on the computerized test or the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) with a score of 90 or better. This requirement is waived for students who have completed a baccalaureate or graduate degree in the United States.

Credential evaluation

Applicants with a college or university degree completed outside of the United States must submit an official evaluation from World Education Services as well as original transcripts and official translations of all documents not in English. All costs related to document translation and evaluation are the applicant's responsibility.

International applicants

Please read instructions from the Graduate College for international applicants.

Submitting materials

Submit all items listed above to:

St. Catherine University
Graduate Admission, Mail Stop 4027
2004 Randolph Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105

Fulfillment of the admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Each application that has been completed with the items listed above and received by St. Catherine University will be considered by the Admission Committee. No credentials will be returned to the applicant.