Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Master's Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN)

I. Admissions

What is the application deadline? How often are students admitted?

The application deadline for the Master's Entry Program in Nursing is November 1. Applications are screened once a year for admission.

Paper-based applications can be downloaded from our website. The on-line application is available September 1 through November 1 each year.

What are the program prerequisite courses? Can I complete the prerequisite courses at the community college?

The prerequisite courses for the MEPN program are as follows:

Human Anatomy*
Human Physiology*
Microbiology*
Psychology (Introduction, General or Developmental)
Cultural Anthropology
English Composition
Speech/Public Speaking
Statistics

*Courses must include a lab. Human Anatomy and Human Physiology may be combined courses or two separate courses: Human Anatomy, Human Physiology or Human Anatomy & Physiology I and Human Anatomy & Physiology II. The courses must address human/mammalian anatomy and physiology.

These courses may be completed at the university or community college level.

There is no time limit regarding the prerequisite courses. However, if you have completed the Human Anatomy and Human Physiology courses more than 5 years ago, retaking the courses is recommended. Students are expected to have a solid understanding of Human Anatomy and Human Physiology. The university is, unfortunately, unable to review course descriptions or syllabi to determine acceptability. Applicants should review the depth of the course content with the instructor of their course.

> Table of San Diego Community College Equivalent Courses for the MEPN Program

Do all the prerequisite courses need to be complete at the time of application?

Prerequisite courses may be in progress at the time of application. However, the more prerequisite courses you have completed (especially the sciences) the stronger your application.

What is an acceptable GRE Score?

The most competitive applicants typically have verbal and quantitative scores in the range of 500-700. Please keep in mind the GRE is only one of the requirements used when evaluating applicants to the MEPN program.

What is the GPA requirement?

The minimum GPA requirement is 3.0. A cumulative GPA and a last 60 semester/90 quarter unit GPA is calculated using your undergraduate degree transcript(s). Prerequisite courses completed after the degree are not included in this calculation.

How do I determine if my degree from another country is equivalent to a US Baccalaureate degree?

Applicants who have earned a degree outside the United States are required to have their transcripts evaluated by World Education Services. (A course-by-course evaluation is required.)

Do I need to submit my Health Requirement Information and proof of Student Liability Insurance by the application deadline?

The Health Requirement Information along with the Student Liability Coverage does not need to be submitted by the application deadline. However, all information will be due by a specified date if accepted to the program. Failure to comply will void the admission offer.

Health Requirements

Is the Master's Entry Program in Nursing competitive? What can I do to improve my chances of being accepted?

Applicants to the Master's Entry Program in Nursing are screened as a cohort during the admission process. Great consideration is given to demonstration of a solid academic background (especially the last 60 units of program study and science grades), GRE scores, goal statements, letters of reference, health-care related experience (volunteer or paid) and the interview.

Applicants are encouraged to:

Research the nursing profession and health care
Research the role of a Registered Nurse
Consider enrolling in a GRE preparation course. (USD offers a test prep course.)

II. Master's Entry Program

How many units is the program?

The program is 71 units in length.

Where are the clinical placements?

Students in the MEPN program have clinical rotations that are the same as those of all pre-licensure nursing programs. These rotations focus on the care of patients in medical/surgical, maternal/newborn, pediatric, psychiatric, geriatric as well as community settings. These rotations are primarily done in hospital settings and can occur in any hospital in San Diego County. Current rotations include Kaiser, UCSD, Sharp, Mercy/Scripps and Balboa Naval Medical Center. Students may also visit a variety of community settings.

What is a Master's Degree in Clinical Nursing?

The Clinical Nurse is "a master's prepared registered nurse who provides direct patient care and oversees the care coordination of a distinct group of patients and actively provides direct patient care. This clinician puts evidence-based practice into action to ensure that patients benefit from the latest innovations in care delivery. This clinician also collects and evaluates patient outcomes, assesses cohort risk, and has the decision-making authority to change care plans when necessary. This clinician functions often serves as the leader of an interdisciplinary team by communicating, planning, and implementing care directly with other health care professionals, including physicians, pharmacists, social workers, clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners across and within various settings" (www.aacn.nche.edu/CNL/).

The clinical nurse is prepared to serve as the expert clinical nurse leader (nurse mentor, nurse resource expert or nurse leader roles) and to prepare for clinical faculty role if interested. The clinical nursing expert is not a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist (an Advanced Practice nurse) but graduates with this MSN are eligible for post-master's study or the PhD.