Graduate Programs Admission Requirements

Applicants will be considered for program admission on a competitive basis; meeting all admission criteria does not guarantee admission. Special consideration may be given to candidates with clinical expertise, proficiency in other languages, knowledge of other cultures, and a proven record of professional contributions. This information should be documented in the resumè portion of the application. To the extent that there are limited seats available in the program, preference may be given to residents of the state of Alaska as defined by the university’s policy on residency for tuition purposes.

Application Process

• Masters of Science

  There are four phases to the application process. To be considered for graduate status, applicants must: 

  1. Complete the UAA Graduate School online application. Remember to monitor the application portal to make sure all requested transcripts are received and all requested references are uploaded. Only completed applications submitted on or prior to the deadline will be considered. As part of the application process, you will be asked to: 
  • Upload your resumè (follow the provided Resumè Instructions)
  • Provide three names/emails of individuals willing to provide a professional reference
  • Upload a copy of your RN license
  2. Faculty review and rank all applications for evidence of basic qualifications for admission to the program. The most qualified applicants will be identified and moved to Phase III of the admission process. 
  3. Selected applicants are scheduled for a faculty interview and asked to provide a writing sample (directions will be provided at the interview). 
  4. The final ranking of the applicants is completed based on all admissions criteria; the highest ranking are admitted to the program. Students admitted to the program will begin taking classes during the spring session.
• Graduate Certificate

  There are four phases to the application process. To be considered for graduate status, applicants must: 

  1. Complete the UAA Graduate School online application. Remember to monitor the application portal to make sure all requested transcripts are received and all requested references are uploaded. Only completed applications submitted on or prior to the deadline will be considered. As part of the application process, you will be asked to: 
  • Upload your resumè (follow the provided Resumè Instructions)
  • Provide three names/emails of individuals willing to provide a professional reference
  • Upload a copy of your RN license
  2. Faculty review and rank all applications for evidence of basic qualifications for admission to the program. The most qualified applicants will be identified and moved to Phase III of the admission process. 
  3. Selected applicants are scheduled for a faculty interview and asked to provide a writing sample (directions will be provided at the interview). 
  4. The final ranking of the applicants is completed based on all admissions criteria; the highest ranking are admitted to the program. Students admitted to the program will begin taking classes during the spring session.
• Post-Masters DNP

  Please review the requirements for admission to the DNP program. Once you determine you meet those qualifications, begin the application process:

  1. Complete the UAA Graduate School online application. The DNP program has rolling admissions and we review and act on applications in the semester in which they are completed.  Remember to monitor the application portal to make sure all requested transcripts are received and all requested references are uploaded. Only completed applications will be considered. As part of the application process, you will be asked to: 
  • Upload your resumè (follow the provided Resumè Instructions)
  • Upload your goal statement (follow the DNP Goal Instructions)
  • Provide three names/emails of individuals willing to provide a professional reference
  • Upload a copy of your RN license
  • Upload a copy of your APRN license
  • Upload a copy of your APRN Certification
  2. Applicants who meet the DNP program requirements and have a completed application are scheduled for a faculty interview. 
  3. The final ranking of the applicant is completed based on all admissions criteria; and a decision is made on admission. 

Admission Requirements

• Masters of Science

  The electronic application requires Master of Science in Nursing Leadership (NLDR), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMH-NP) candidates to submit documentation of the following requirements:

  • Baccalaureate or graduate degree in nursing from a regionally accredited program that is also accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
  • Undergraduate (and graduate if applicable) GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
    • A student who does not have a 3.00 undergraduate GPA may substitute their graduate GPA (based on completion of three graduate core courses and earning a 3.00 or higher in each course).
    • Applicants who attended a program that issued Pass/Fail grades for all classes will not be competitive unless there is documentation that a passing grade is equivalent to a 3.0 or better.
  • Minimum grade of 2.00 (C) in an undergraduate or graduate research methods course, and a statistics course that covers descriptive and inferential statistics.
  • Minimum of one year of full-time clinical experience as a registered nurse prior to starting clinical course work.
  • Active unencumbered registered professional nurse (RN) license in the state of Alaska. Out-of-state applicants will need to submit an active license in the state where they reside and will be required to have an Alaska state license prior to the start of clinical coursework.
    • The license must remain active and unencumbered while in the SON graduate program.
    • There are different reasons for a license to be encumbered and some may not preclude admission to the program. Students with encumbered licenses should meet with the SON graduate program chair or Director of the SON to determine program eligibility.

  NOTE: all clinical coursework will be done in the state of Alaska.

• Graduate Certificate

  Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education students must submit documentation of the following requirements:

  • Graduate degree in Nursing (masters or doctoral) from a regionally accredited program that is also accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
  • Graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (applicants who attended a program that issued Pass/Fail grades for all classes will not be competitive unless there is documentation that a passing grade is equivalent to a 3.0 or better).
  • An academic plan of study based on a gap analysis which is done with a faculty advisor.

  
  Graduate Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate students must submit documentation of the following requirements:

  • Graduate degree in Nursing (masters or doctoral) from a regionally accredited program that is also accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
  • Graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (applicants who attended a program that issued Pass/Fail grades for all classes will not be competitive unless there is documentation that a passing grade is equivalent to a 3.0 or better).
  • National certification as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner.
  • Licensed in Alaska as a nurse practitioner in a different field than the one being pursued.
• Post-Masters DNP

  Post-Masters DNP students must submit documentation of the following requirements:

  • Masters degree in nursing from a regionally accredited Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) program. The program must also be accredited by the Accreditation for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). 
  • Graduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (applicants who attended a program that issued Pass/Fail grades for all classes will not be competitive unless there is documentation that a passing grade is equivalent to a 3.0 or better).
  • National certification as a nurse practitioner, certified registered nurse anesthetist, certified nurse midwife, or clinical nurse specialist.
  • Active unencumbered APRN license in the state of Alaska.
  • Currently engaged in practice as an APRN.
  • Graduate level inferential statistics course within the last 5 years. Applicants who do not meet this requirement, must complete NSG A633 Statistics for Advanced Practice while in the program. 
  • Email Chris Caples, Graduate Program Assistant, to set up an advising meeting. Applicants will need to provide an unofficial copy of their master's degree transcripts so a Gap Analysis can be completed. 
  • Complete an interview prior to being admitted to the program.
    

Dates & Deadlines

• Masters of Science

  Masters of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner applications for admission are due October 1. 

  Master of Science in Nursing Leadership has rolling admissions. Students may be admitted each semester once an application is completed. 

• Graduate Certificate

  Graduate Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner applications for admission are due October 1.

  Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education has rolling admissions. Students may be admitted each semester once an application is completed. 

• Post-Masters DNP
  The Post-Masters DNP has rolling admissions. Students may be admitted each semester once an application is completed. 

Note: Students may take up to 9 credits of core courses prior to admission (on a space-available basis and with faculty permission).

Questions?

• Chris Caples, Graduate Program Assistant at (907) 786-4593 or cdcaples@alaska.edu.