Admissions

The Master of Nursing seeks a diverse student body that embodies a wide range of identities. Applying to the program requires a UW Graduate School application and the program materials outlined below. A new cohort begins each fall quarter.

Fall 2025 Entry
Accepting applications for rolling admissions

We guarantee consideration of all complete applications submitted by July 1. The sooner you apply, the sooner you can receive an admissions decision.

Apply now

Fall 2026 Entry

Applications open: October 1, 2026
Priority deadline: March 1, 2025
General deadline: May 1, 2025
Rolling admissions after May 1 is on a space-available basis.

RN to MN pathway

Designed for experienced nurses holding a bachelor’s degree in a major other than nursing.

Graduate non-matriculated enrollment

Intended for students interested in taking coursework without being formally admitted to the program.

Admission requirements

An in-process or earned bachelor’s degree in nursing from a nursing program that is accredited by a national accrediting body, recognized by the US Department of Education (e.g., CCNE, NLN, ACEN). Applicants not holding a BSN are eligible to apply.
A minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0, or a 3.0 GPA for the last 60 semester/90 quarter graded college/university credits. The degree must be completed prior to beginning the program of study. Applicants not meeting the GPA requirement may still apply and will be reviewed on a case-by-case in accordance with the Graduate School Alternate Standards Policy 3.1.2.
Proficiency in English. Every applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency. Learn more about the Graduate School English Language Proficiency Requirements .
Completion of a 3-credit quarter-based or 2-credit semester-based basic statistics course in descriptive and inferential statistics with a grade of at least 2.0 grade (no expiration date).
Active and unencumbered RN license valid in the State of Washington.
Agree to comport with the Essential Nursing Behaviors and the Health & Safety requirements.
Criminal background check with acceptable results and a criminal disclosure form upon offer of admission.

This program is not eligible to admit international students enrolling with an F1 or J1 student visa.

Application materials

Résumé

Describe your RN work experience, with dates, positions, and a brief description of responsibilities, including evidence of leadership in practice. Provide your educational background, a Washington State RN license number, and a list of certifications. Identify professional involvement, accomplishments, awards, volunteer work, publications, and/or committee leadership and/or membership.

Statement of purpose

In no more than 750 words, please respond to the following prompts.

Why are you pursuing a graduate nursing degree?
How will completing this degree support your professional growth?
How will your attributes and background contribute to your success in this program?

Two recommendations

A supervisor recommendation is required if you are currently employed. If you are not currently employed, provide a recommendation from a former supervisor or provide a professional recommendation from a graduate degree-prepared healthcare provider. Contact the graduate advisor for alternate options as needed.

An academic or professional recommendation if your nursing degree was earned within the last 3 years. If it has been more than three years, provide a professional recommendation from a graduate prepared healthcare provided. Contact the graduate advisor for alternate options as needed.

Criminal disclosure form and completion of a background check

Upon offer of admission students begin the process of completing a set of Health and Safety requirements. This initiates with the submission of a 1) a criminal disclosure form and 2) a background check with acceptable results. The background check fee $53.00 and access to the online portal to complete the criminal disclosure form as part of a larger set of requirements accessible to complete in the portal is $63.00. These two items are required prior to course enrollment. All requirements are accessed, submitted and monitored using CastleBranch. Instructions are to complete the two items are available in the application portal once the applicant accepts the offer and pays the university’s enrollment confirmation deposit.

Unofficial transcripts

Transcripts from all prior educational institutions. If admitted, you will be required to submit official copies of selected transcripts as directed by the School.

Application fee assistance

UW BSN students and alumni from Bothell, Tacoma, and Seattle are eligible to have the application pre-paid as funding permits. Email the graduate program advisor prior to submitting the application to request pre-payment. Reimbursement is not an option. Celinda Smith, cesmith3@uw.edu.

All Applicants who have financial need and those who participate in the McNairs Scholars or PPIA Fellows programs may be eligible for an application fee waiver from the UW Graduate School. See the UW Graduate School fee waiver policy and application

Admissions related policies & procedures

Updated May 2025