Pre-licensure Level – Generalist Entry Master's (GEM)
Students may enter Rush after completing their baccalaureate education at another accredited college or university. An individual may attend either an approved post-secondary institution of his/her choice or one of 14 colleges and universities affiliated with Rush. Students interested in attending an affiliated school are encouraged to submit applications to the affiliated colleges and universities soon after the beginning of their senior year in high school. Each college has its own entrance requirements. The student's academic progress will be monitored by the health careers advisor on the affiliated college campus. Graduates of affiliate institutions satisfying GPA requirements, meeting the objectives of the pre-health curriculum, obtaining the approval of the health careers advisor, completing all required documents and interviews, and passing review of the Admissions Committee, will continue at Rush University to pursue their master's degree in nursing. Transfer credit is not awarded for required coursework in which the student earned less than a "C" grade. Physical education and technical skill courses are not accepted for transfer credit.
Program Prerequisites:
- Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry (with lab)
- Human Anatomy
- Human Physiology
- Microbiology
- Normal Nutrition
- Statistics
- Introductory or General Psychology
- Human Growth and Development, Developmental Psychology or Child Psychology
All required prerequisite courses must be completed, with a grade of "C" or better, prior to enrolling at Rush. Science courses should be taken with a laboratory component whenever possible. It is highly recommended to have taken human anatomy and physiology within the last three years.
Applicants must submit transcripts of all college work attempted regardless of whether a degree was earned at the previous colleges/universities, along with recommendations from three individuals who know the applicant well. Two recommendations must come from former teachers and one from the applicant's most recent employer, when applicable. Recommendations from family members or close friends are not permissible. All materials of the application are taken into consideration when evaluating an applicant.
Post-licensure Levels of Study - Generalist and (MSN) Specialist Master's, DNP, and PhD
Each applicant to post-licensure graduate study should have earned a baccalaureate degree (except ADN to MSN) with a recognized upper-division major. The majority of credit toward the degree should be earned through university level coursework. Previous nursing coursework completed at other schools or at schools not offering an upper-division major in nursing must be validated. Programs of study developed by the student and his/her advisor incorporate core, cognate and practica requirements for the exit option selected by the student. Progression from one level of graduate study to another requires maintenance of stipulated academic standards. Applicants to post-licensure graduate study must submit transcripts of all college work attempted regardless of whether a degree was earned at the previous colleges/universities, along with Graduate Record Examination (GRE) results as required (see graduate admission guidelines). Registered nurses must submit proof of licensure in at least one state or jurisdiction. MSN and DNP applicants must complete an interview with at least one faculty member and submit recommendations from three persons able to evaluate his/her potential for success in graduate study. PhD applicants must complete two interviews and submit at least one of the three required recommendations from a person who has a doctoral degree. Students taking courses under student-at-large status will not be admitted if their Rush GPA is below 3.0. All materials submitted for evaluation are taken into consideration. The faculty may recommend an exit option different from the one requested based upon an evaluation of the applicant's potential for success in the curriculum.
Deadlines for Application
Current application deadlines for pre-licensure and graduate nursing programs may be obtained at our web site at http://www.rushu.rush.edu/nursing/admissions or by contacting the Office of College Admission Services. All application materials must be received by the indicated deadline. Applicants are encouraged to apply early in order to avoid missing deadlines due to a lack of required documentation. Specific graduate areas of concentration have pooled reviews for all completed applications due to limited enrollments. The Office of College Admission Services can provide current information regarding pooled review dates and requirements for each area of specialization.
Practice Experience Requirement for Admission to Specialization
Specific areas of concentration have RN practice requirements that must be met prior to enrollment in the clinical courses for those MSN and Post-master's programs. The Office of College Admission Services has information on current practice requirements. Nurse anesthesia has specific practice requirements that must be completed prior to admission into the program. Applicants with less than the required experience for that particular specialty area of practice may in certain circumstances apply to general areas that do not have practice requirements and later apply for admission to the specialty area after meeting the minimal practice experience.
International Students
Students from other countries are welcome to apply to both undergraduate and graduate levels of study. Limited financial aid is available. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for students who are non-native speakers of English or who have not completed a minimum of three years of higher education and received their baccalaureate degree in the United States.
Post-Master's Non-degree Option
A post-master's non-degree option is available for RN'swith a master's degree in nursing. This program has been designed to facilitate the attainment of specific skills without replicating an entire graduate program. Transcripts are evaluated on an individual basis to determine advanced placement. Applicants should contact the Office of College Admission Services for specific admission requirements for each area of concentration. Applicants to the non-degree options must submit transcripts of all college coursework attempted regardless of whether a degree was earned at the previous colleges/universities, along with evidence of RN licensure in at least one state or jurisdiction. All applicants must also complete an interview with at least one faculty member.
|
