Master of Science in Nursing – Clinical Nurse Leader Entrance Requirements

The following admissions requirements will apply to prospective MSN-CNL students:

  • Download the admission eligibility checklist.
  • Applicants will have completed a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited college or university by the time of enrollment and meet the GPA requirements following.
  • All applicants are required to earn a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher AND an undergraduate science GPA of 3.5 or higher to waive GRE requirement.
  • Applicants who have an overall cumulative GPA between 2.5 – 2.9, OR a undergraduate cumulative science GPA of 3.4 or lower will be required to take the Graduate Record Exam prior to acceptance into the program.
  • Applicants will have a current, unrestricted Professional Registered Nurse license in their home state.
  • Applicants will be required to submit two professional letters of recommendation from professional associates familiar with the applicant’s work and credentials.
  • Applicants will be required to submit at least one academic letter or recommendation from the BSN Program they attended.
  • Applicants must submit a current CV or resume that includes nursing employment and education.
  • Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.t

    For Graduates of Foreign Schools:
    Please refer to the Admission Eligibility checklist, which can be accessed by the link above, for detailed requirements for these students. Please note that these requirements are LECOM Policy for all Programs in all Colleges and Schools.

    Pre-requisite Coursework:
    All course pre-requisites are required from Bachelor of Science in Nursing undergraduate study (BSN) and must have earned 3.0 in each course:
  • Physical assessment course
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Undergraduate Pathophysiology (preferred but not required)
  • Pharmacology (may have been included in Med Surg courses)
  • Basic statistics (preferred but not required)

It is recommended to have taken a course on research design and scientific writing prior to this program, however, it is not required.
All students are required to register prior to the start of the semester. Failure to register by the appropriate date may be grounds for dismissal. Tuition, fees, and prior debts are payable in full on or before the start of each semester. In addition, prior to registration, incoming students must confirm that the school has received the following documents:

  1. Final official transcripts from previously attended colleges and/or universities.
  2. Official copy of RN unencumbered license from work state sent directly to LECOM from Board of Nursing.
  3. Official copy of National Nursing Certifications sent directly to LECOM from certifying body.
  4. Copy of continuing education hours completed in the previous 5 years from the date of this application.
  5. Physical examination form.
  6. Emergency data form.
  7. Safety report form.
  8. Criminal background check.
  9. Immunization record.
  10. Signed LECOM Matriculation Agreement.

The MSN-CNL Program has one cohort start date for full-time students each year, which starts in late July to early August. Applications, GRE scores, letters of recommendation and all required documents will be due June 1 (for cohorts starting 2024 and onward), to review materials and establish eligibility for a ZOOM Interview with the Admissions committee. Applications, GRE scores, letters of recommendation and all required documents will be due July 1st for the Fall 2023 cohort, to review materials and establish eligibility for a ZOOM Interview with the Admissions committee. Applications will be accepted throughout the year, and interviews will be scheduled in a timely manner on a rolling basis.  For the 2024 cohort and onward, it is highly recommended that students apply at least 10 weeks prior to the start of classes to allow for this process.
Part-time students will be required to adhere to the above requirements except for the length of time to complete coursework, which can take between 3-6 years to complete

All students are required to complete all 45 credit hours of coursework, required scholarship, and 500 clock hours in clinical requirements within no more than four (4) years from start of the program for full-time students and six (6) years for part-time students, to be eligible to graduate from the program.

It will be up to the decision of both student and academic advisor if a student would be eligible to change from full-time to part-time study OR part-time to full-time study once they have started the curriculum.

For further information regarding the Masters of Science in Nursing/Clinical Nurse Leader Program, please contact the Program Director, Dr. Octavia Flanagan, PhD, WHNP-BC at oflanagan@lecom.edu.