Admission requirements varies by program. See the programs below for the exact admission requirements. 

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), MSN Nurse Practitioner, Accelerated MSN Option & Accelerated MSN with Clinical Nursing Leadership Option

Prospective students must complete an application and interview with a Chamberlain admission advisor. They must provide documentation of previous education and licensure. When all admission requirements are fulfilled, applicants are notified in writing of their admission status.

• A degree in nursing at the bachelor’s level or higher from an institution accredited by an organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), U.S. Department of Education or the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA)^1.
• A minimum undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.
• Current, active, unrestricted RN license in the U.S. or in a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the NCSBN.² Before entering any clinical/practicum courses, students must provide proof of current, active, unrestricted license to practice as a Registered Nurse (or equivalent licensure outside the U.S.) in the state or country where the student will conduct the clinical(s).³ Students who fail to maintain an active, unrestricted license throughout their clinical/practicum courses do not meet the clinical/practicum requirements and cannot progress. Students are required to maintain RN licensure throughout the entire program of study and required to self-report any restrictions or adverse reports applied to their RN license as a professional best-practice.
• For the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Specialty Track Only: One year of RN experience at the time the application is submitted.

¹

Chamberlain reserves the right to admit candidates with equivalent educational qualifications, from institutions outside the U.S. that are not recognized by CHEA, U.S. Department of Education, CCNE or CNEA as determined by an independent transcript evaluation.

²

Chamberlain reserves the right to admit candidates with nurse licensure from countries outside the U.S. that are not affiliated with NCSBN but where equivalent standards can be demonstrated. These decisions are made on a case-by-case basis according to the general academic principles of integrity outlined by the Academic Standards committee.

³

Applicants applying to any one of the NP tracks will have their license reviewed for past sanctions, violations, and restrictions that impact current clinical/practicum approval by clinical sites and future licensure or other advanced practice credentials. Applicant may be denied entry related to current and past infractions at the discretion of the admissions committee and/or Dean.

Provisional Acceptance

Provisional Acceptance [Non-Nurse Practitioner (NP)]

Applicants who meet all general admission requirements to the Master of Science in Nursing degree program, but who have a CGPA for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree between 2.50 to 2.99, may be granted provisional acceptance and placed on academic warning. See the Academic Warning sections for additional information. Provisional acceptance is not granted for the graduate certificate program.

Provisional Acceptance (NP)

Applicants who meet all general admission requirements to the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program, but who have a CGPA for the BSN degree between 2.50 to 2.99, may be granted provisional acceptance to an NP Specialty Track and be placed on Academic Warning. See the Academic Warning sections for additional information. These applicants must complete an NP assessment to determine the appropriate course placement. Provisional acceptance is not granted for the graduate certificate program.

Nurse Practitioner (NP) Specialty Tracks are science intensive; student success is related to the ability to synthesize knowledge in nursing science courses of pharmacology, physical assessment and pathophysiology. To provide resources to foster success in the NP courses, provisionally accepted NP students complete a formal assessment of their science knowledge after admission but before entering an NP core course or declaring an NP Specialty Track.

Based upon the assessment results:

• Students whose science knowledge is assessed within the passing threshold or 70 percent will be placed in an NP course and can declare NP (if all other specialty track change requirements have been met) if changing tracks; or
• Students who require additional science knowledge as identified by the assessment or below 70 percent will be placed in NR-545 Pharmacology, Physical Assessment, and Pathophysiology Nurse Practitioner graduate placement Course¹ (3 credits).

¹

Students who do not successfully complete NR-545 Pharmacology, Physical Assessment, and Pathophysiology Nurse Practitioner graduate placement on the first attempt may repeat it once. Unsuccessful completion of the course after the second attempt will result in dismissal from Chamberlain.

Accelerated RN to MSN Option & Accelerated RN to MSN with Clinical Nursing Leadership Option

Prospective students must complete an application and interview with a Chamberlain admission advisor. They must provide documentation of previous education and nursing licensure. When all admission requirements are fulfilled, applicants are notified in writing of their admission status.

• A nursing diploma or a degree in nursing at the associate level or higher from an institution accredited by an organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education¹
• A minimum undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for prior undergraduate nursing degree
• Current, active, unrestricted RN license in the U.S. or in a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the NCSBN². Before entering any clinical/practicum courses, students must provide proof of current, active, unrestricted license to practice as a Registered Nurse (or equivalent licensure outside the U.S. in the state or country where the student will conduct their practicum(s)³. Students who fail to maintain an active, unrestricted license throughout their clinical/practicum courses do not meet the clinical/practicum requirements and cannot progress. Students are required to maintain RN licensure throughout the entire program of study and required to self-report any restrictions or adverse reports applied to their RN license as a professional best-practice.
• Applicants who are unable to provide proof of RN licensure may be admitted if they can submit proof of graduation.  Additionally, applicants must have temporary licensure in the form of either an email from a board of nursing showing proof of completed application, proof of completed application listed on a nursing board website, proof of a scheduled NCLEX exam or a passing score, or the authorization to test/ticket to test. They may be allowed to start and have the official licensure documentation by the end of their first semester (see Official Documentation Requirements section).

¹

Chamberlain reserves the right to admit candidates with equivalent educational qualifications from accreditors that are not recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education, as determined by an independent transcript evaluation.

²

Chamberlain reserves the right to admit candidates with nurse licensure from countries outside the U.S. that are not affiliated with NCSBN but where equivalent standards can be demonstrated. These decisions are made on a case-by-case basis according to the general academic principles of integrity outlined by the Academic Standards committee.

³

Applicants applying to any one of the NP tracks will have their license reviewed for past sanctions, violations, and restrictions that impact current clinical/practicum approval by clinical sites and future licensure or other advanced practice credentials. Applicant may be denied entry related to current and past infractions at the discretion of the admissions committee and/or Dean.

Provisional Acceptance

Applicants who meet all general admission requirements to the MSN degree program’s accelerated options, but who have a CGPA for the post-secondary nursing degree between 2.50 to 2.99, may be granted provisional acceptance and placed on academic warning. See the Academic Warning sections for additional information.

Nursing Certificate Programs

Admission

• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program – A degree in nursing at the baccalaureate level or higher from an institution accredited by an organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the U.S. Department of Education, accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA)¹.
• Graduate Certificate Programs – A degree in nursing at the master’s level or higher from an institution accredited by an organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the U.S. Department of Education, accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA)¹.
• A minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the earned master’s in nursing degree.
• Current, active unrestricted RN license from the U.S. or from a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).² Before entering any practicum courses, students must provide proof of current, active, unrestricted license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the state where the student will conduct the practicum(s).³ Students who fail to maintain an active unrestricted license throughout their practicum courses do not meet the practicum requirements and cannot progress. Students are required to maintain RN licensure throughout the entire program of study and required to self-report any restrictions or adverse reports applied to their RN license as a professional best-practice.
• For the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Specialty Track Only: One year of RN experience at the time the application is submitted.

¹

Chamberlain reserves the right to admit candidates with equivalent educational qualifications, from institutions outside the U.S. that are not recognized by CHEA, U.S. Department of Education, CCNE or CNEA as determined by an independent transcript evaluation.

²

Chamberlain reserves the right to admit candidates with nurse licensure from countries outside the U.S. that are not affiliated with NCSBN but where equivalent standards can be demonstrated. These decisions are made on a case-by-case basis according to the general academic principles of integrity outlined by the Academic Standards committee.

³

Applicants applying to any one of the NP tracks will have their license reviewed for past sanctions, violations, and restrictions that impact current clinical/practicum approval by clinical sites and future licensure or other advanced practice credentials. Applicant may be denied entry related to current and past infractions at the discretion of the admissions committee and/or Dean.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree Program

Current, active unrestricted license to practice as a registered nurse in the student’s state of residence. A registered nurse with a Nurse Licensure Compact license must reside in a state that is included in the Nurse Licensure Compact.

Plus, one of the following:

• A degree in nursing at the master’s level or higher with a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from an institution accredited by an organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the U.S. Department of Education, accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA)¹.
• A Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and a degree in a discipline other than nursing at the master’s level or higher with a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from an institution accredited by an organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the U.S. Department of Education, accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA)¹.

Prior to January 2024, successful completion of the following courses satisfied through transfer credit, a Chamberlain portfolio² or coursework completed at Chamberlain, with a minimum CGPA of 3.0:

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
NR-500	Foundational Concepts and Applications	3
NR-501	Theoretical Basis for Advanced Nursing Practice	3
NR-505	Advanced Research Methods: Evidence-Based Practice	3
NR-512	Fundamentals of Nursing Informatics	3
NR-506	Health Care Policy	3

• Students with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and a non-nursing master’s degree may submit a portfolio in lieu of any or all of the courses listed above to earn course waivers.

Effective January 2024, successful completion of the following courses satisfied through transfer credit, a Chamberlain portfolio² or coursework completed at Chamberlain, with a minimum CGPA of 3.0:

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
NR-581	Foundational Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice	3
NR-582	Leadership and Role Development for Advanced Nursing Practice	3
NR-583	Informatics for Advanced Nursing Practice	3
NR-584	Quality and Safety for Advanced Nursing Practice	3
NR-585	Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice for Advanced Nursing Practice	3
NR-586	Population Health and Epidemiology for Advanced Nursing Practice	3

• Students with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and a non-nursing master’s degree may submit a portfolio in lieu of any or all of the courses listed above to earn course waivers.

¹

Chamberlain reserves the right to admit candidates with equivalent educational qualifications, from institutions outside the U.S. that are not recognized by CHEA, U.S. Department of Education, CCNE, CNEA as determined by an independent transcript evaluation.

²

Chamberlain provides qualified DNP Preparatory applicants and students with the opportunity to receive course waivers through completion of a Chamberlain portfolio. Prior to January 2024,to complete the Chamberlain portfolio process for NR-500 Foundational Concepts and Applications, NR-501 Theoretical Basis for Advanced Nursing Practice,NR-505 Advanced Research Methods: Evidence-Based Practice, NR-506 Health Care Policy and/or NR-512 Fundamentals of Nursing Informatics, applicants or students must successfully document and provide sufficient evidence, to reflect attainment of each course outcome. Effective January 2024, to complete the Chamberlain portfolio process for NR-581 Foundational Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice, NR-582 Leadership and Role Development for Advanced Nursing Practice, NR-583 Informatics for Advanced Nursing Practice, NR-585 Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice for Advanced Nursing Practice, applicants or students must successfully document and provide sufficient evidence, to reflect attainment of each course outcome.  Faculty will assess each course portfolio submitted to determine if attainment is achieved for each course outcome. In order to receive a course waiver, evidence of all course outcomes must be met. Students interested in this portfolio process should contact their student support advisor immediately upon admission for more details.

Additional Admission Requirements

• Current, active, unrestricted RN license in the U.S. or in a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the NCSBN¹. Before entering any practicum courses, students must provide proof of current, active, unrestricted license to practice as a RN (or equivalent licensure outside the U.S.) in the state or country where the student will conduct the practicum(s). Students who fail to maintain an active, unrestricted license throughout their practicum courses do not meet the practicum requirements and cannot progress. Students are required to maintain RN licensure throughout the entire program of study and required to self-report any restrictions or adverse reports applied to their RN license as a professional best-practice.

¹

Chamberlain reserves the right to admit candidates with nurse licensure from countries outside the U.S. that are not affiliated with NCSBN but where equivalent standards can be demonstrated. These decisions are made on a case-by-case basis according to the general academic principles of integrity outlined by the Academic Standards committee.

DNP Conditional Acceptance

To be eligible for acceptance, successful completion of all preparatory coursework with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required. All conditionally accepted students must satisfactorily meet all admission requirements as a condition of matriculation into the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program. Conditionally accepted students are not considered a regular student and enrollment will not be final until all conditions satisfied. Conditionally accepted students are not eligible to enroll in a practicum nursing course. During the conditional period, the student is permitted to enroll in non-practicum courses and will not be eligible for Title IV Federal Student Aid.

DNP Preparatory Coursework Prior to January 2024

Chamberlain provides the opportunity for students to enroll in preparatory coursework to prepare for admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program. The DNP program is designed for registered nurses with a master’s degree in nursing. Registered nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and a master's degrees in fields other than nursing, must complete five Chamberlain courses (15 credits) prior to being admitted to the DNP degree program through any combination of transfer credit (maximum of six semester hours), course waiver via a Chamberlain portfolio or successful course completion at Chamberlain.

If accepted, a student will be admitted as a non-matriculating student until all preparatory coursework is completed. Time to complete prerequisite courses will vary depending on the number of required prerequisite courses which remain after transfer credit (if any) is awarded. Students will be notified of the total number of preparatory courses they need to complete at the time of admission. Preparatory coursework is limited to the following nursing courses:

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
NR-500	Foundational Concepts and Applications	3
NR-501	Theoretical Basis for Advanced Nursing Practice	3
NR-505	Advanced Research Methods: Evidence-Based Practice	3
NR-506	Health Care Policy	3
NR-512	Fundamentals of Nursing Informatics	3

Applicants must have a master’s level degree or higher¹ with a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and a current, active, unrestricted RN license in the U.S. or in a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the NCSBN². Please see the Graduate Admission Requirements section of the catalog for more information on admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. Students enrolled in DNP preparatory coursework may be eligible for Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans. Please see the Tuition & Assistance section of this catalog for more information.

DNP Preparatory Coursework Effective January 2024

Chamberlain provides the opportunity for students to enroll in preparatory coursework to prepare for admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program. The DNP program is designed for registered nurses with a master’s degree in nursing. Registered nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and a master's degrees in fields other than nursing, must complete six Chamberlain courses (18 credits) prior to being admitted to the DNP degree program through any combination of transfer credit (maximum of six semester hours), course waiver via a Chamberlain portfolio or successful course completion at Chamberlain.

If accepted, a student will be admitted as a non-matriculating student until all preparatory coursework is completed. Time to complete prerequisite courses will vary depending on the number of required prerequisite courses which remain after transfer credit (if any) is awarded. Students will be notified of the total number of preparatory courses they need to complete at the time of admission. Preparatory coursework is limited to the following nursing courses:

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
NR-581	Foundational Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice	3
NR-582	Leadership and Role Development for Advanced Nursing Practice	3
NR-583	Informatics for Advanced Nursing Practice	3
NR-584	Quality and Safety for Advanced Nursing Practice	3
NR-585	Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice for Advanced Nursing Practice	3
NR-586	Population Health and Epidemiology for Advanced Nursing Practice	3

Applicants must have a master’s level degree or higher¹ with a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and a current, active, unrestricted RN license in the U.S. or in a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the NCSBN². Please see the Graduate Admission Requirements section of the catalog for more information on admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. Students enrolled in DNP preparatory coursework may be eligible for Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans. Please see the Tuition & Assistance section of this catalog for more information.

¹

Chamberlain reserves the right to admit candidates with equivalent educational qualifications, from institutions outside the U.S. that are not recognized by CHEA, U.S. Department of Education, CCNE or CNEA as determined by an independent transcript evaluation.

²

Chamberlain reserves the right to admit candidates with nurse licensure from countries outside the U.S. that are not affiliated with NCSBN but where equivalent standards can be demonstrated. These decisions are made on a case-by-case basis according to the general academic principles of integrity outlined by the Academic Standards committee.