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Graduate Nursing Certificate Admissions

For Graduate Nursing Certificate applicants: Admissions to the Graduate Nursing Program is on a rolling basis.

Admission to online graduate certificate programs at Thomas Edison State University is competitive. Applicants must have earned a MSN degree from a regionally accredited college or university, and must be ready to participate in an online environment.

Admission is based on:

  • An evaluation of the applicant’s graduate educational work from a regionally accredited college or university. Applicants must have a MSN degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Relevance of work experience and career objectives to the program objectives. 

Applicants to all programs offered by the School of Nursing must:

  • Applicants must have an active RN license from the United States.
    IMPORTANT: For your application to be processed, the University must be able to validate your RN license. If your state does not have an online RN license validation process, you must submit a notarized copy of current RN license valid in the U.S. to Office of Admissions, Thomas Edison State University, 111 W. State St., Trenton, NJ 08608.
  • have proficiency in using a computer, browsing the Web and sending and receiving e-mail, including attachments.
  • have minimum system requirements to access an online course: access to the Internet, an Internet browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or newer, or Firefox 2.0 or newer. Additional requirements that may apply to nursing courses are specified in the University Catalog and School of Nursing Student Handbook. Some courses require access to PowerPoint and/or Excel software and a webcam.
  • Apply online to submit a completed application, with nonrefundable fee.

View General Graduate Admission Requirements

General Admission Requirements top of page

Applicants for the Graduate Nursing Certificate program must have an MSN degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Applicants must submit an official transcript from the institution that awarded the MSN degree as well as their current RN license. View transcript requirements. Transcripts should be sent through a secured electronic delivery system.

Applicants who do not have a graduate GPA of at least 3.0, must also submit:

  • A current resume
  • The name and contact information of one academic and/or professional reference
  • A statement of background and goals, which will be evaluated critically and used to assess an applicant’s ability to succeed in and benefit from the graduate program. View statement of background and goals requirements

Interviews may be requested.

Prerequisites:

  • Basic knowledge of workplace or community issues.
  • Competency in written expression and presentation skills.
  • Access to and the ability to use email and the Internet.
  • GMAT or GRE scores are NOT required for admission. Students may submit test scores if they have taken the examinations.

Transcript Requirements top of page

An evaluation of the applicant’s undergraduate and graduate educational work from regionally accredited colleges and universities is part of the admissions committee review process. A graduate GPA of at least 3.0 is recommended to be successful in the program.

Sending Transcripts and Other Documents:

Applicants must submit an official transcript from the institution which awarded their MSN degree. Transcripts should be sent to:

Office of the Registrar
Thomas Edison State University
111 W. State St.
Trenton, NJ 08608

Applicants must have a MSN from a regionally accredited college or university

Regarding transcripts, please note:

All costs associated with the international credit evaluation are the responsibility of the student. The University reserves the right to make its own determination on the amount and type of credit to be awarded based on the evaluations provide by these agencies. An enrolled student may transfer a maximum of 90 credits from international institutions. Thomas Edison State University does not participate in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Therefore the University does not sponsor foreign national students for F-1 or J-1 visa status. Course-by-course credit recommendations will be reviewed by Thomas Edison State University based upon existing transfer and certificate policies in place at the time of application.

Please send official transcripts from the institution where your MSN degree was awarded to:

Office of the Registrar
Thomas Edison State University
111 W. State St.
Trenton, NJ 08608

Statement of Background and Goals top of page

Applicants who do not have a graduate GPA of at least 3.0 are required to submit a statement of background and goals. The statement of background and goals is limited to a 500 word response that addresses:

  • Your professional and personal goals
  • Your reasons for selecting the program for graduate study
  • How you expect the program will help you achieve your goals

This statement is an important part of your application. It allows the admissions committee to evaluate the clarity of your goals and the suitability of your choice of program to meet those goals. In this context, you may wish to briefly summarize any employment, community involvement or personal history and accomplishes that help shape your decision. Define as precisely as possible what you hope to do when you complete the certificate.

The statement of background and goals is also used as a writing sample to allow the admissions committee to evaluate your ability to write at the graduate level. Please proofread your essay for spelling, grammar, and clarity.

Type your statement of background and goals and submit it to the Office of Admissions by sending it to gradadmissions@tesu.edu.