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

There are four phases to the application process. To be considered for graduate status, applicants must:
  1. Complete the UAA Graduate School online application and submit it by the October 1st deadline. 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.

Requirements for Admission

  • Masters of Science

    Master of Science in Nursing Leadership (NLDR), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMH-NP) Candidates

    The electronic application requires 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

    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.
     

    Family Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 

    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.
  • DNP

    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 masters degree transcripts so a Gap Analysis can be completed.
    • Complete an interview prior to being admitted to the program.

Dates & Deadlines

  • Masters of Science and Graduate Certificates applications for admission are due October 1.
  • The MS to DNP has rolling admissions. Students may apply for and be accepted to the MS to DNP program at any point during the academic year. Students may apply for and be accepted to the MS to DNP program at any point during the academic year.

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

Questions?

Please direct graduate advising inquiries to: