Masters of Science In Nursing Program (MSN)

This program prepares nurses for leadership roles in the promotion, restoration, and maintenance of health in a variety of settings. Cultural dynamics of the region receive special emphasis.

In addition to meeting the general UTPA graduate admission requirements the MSN program has the following requirements

Clear Admission

To qualify for clear admission, an applicant must have:

1. A bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited program
2. Current licensure as a registered nurse in Texas
3. Grade point average of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale in upper-division nursing and in any graduate courses
4. A basic statistics course
5. A basic physical assessment course
6. Three satisfactory academic and/or professional references
7. Approval of the M.S.N. Student Development Committee immunization records showing freedom from active tuberculosis and immunity to hepatitis B (upon admission to the program)

In addition, the nurse practitioner applicant must have one year of post-baccalaureate nursing experience.

Probationary Admission

An applicant with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution may be granted probationary admission to the graduate school if the applicant does not meet clear admission requirements, but has a 2.5 to 2.99 graduate admission GPA, and provides the graduate office with a letter from the program director or program chair, signed by the dean of the college, requesting a waiver of the clear admission graduate GPA. An applicant granted probationary admission may not enroll for more than 12 graduate hours total. The student must be accepted into a graduate degree program within this 12-hour time period or future registration will be put on hold. A student on probation who earns any graduate grade of less than a “B” will be denied further admission to the graduate school until such time that the requirements for clear admission are met. At the end of the semester in which a probationary student’s graduate GPA is 3.0 or better with no grade less than a “B,” the student’s admission classification will be changed to clear.

Transient Admission

The transient student category is designed for students who are enrolled and in good academic standing in a graduate nursing program other than the UTPA graduate nursing program. Students who obtain permission may enroll in selected courses at UTPA by:

1. Meeting basic requirements for graduate admission as a transfer student
2. Submitting a letter of application to the Department of Nursing
3. Obtaining consent of the instructor of the course being taught at UT Pan American.

Non-Degree Admission

The non-degree-seeking category is for those postbaccalaureate students who want to take courses, but are not working toward a degree. Non-degree students may enroll in selected courses by:

1. Submitting a Graduate Student Application for Admission Form to the Office of Records and Registration, meeting deadlines for admission
2. Submitting a letter of application to the Department of Nursing
3. Submitting official transcripts to the Office of Records and Registration verifying a bachelor’s degree in nursing
4. Obtaining acceptance by the Master of Science in Nursing Student Development Committee
5. Presenting immunization records showing freedom from active tuberculosis and immunity to hepatitis B

Students admitted under the non-degree status may write to the Master of Science in Nursing Student Development Committee and apply to the graduate program. At the time the application is reviewed, the student must have provided an official transcript, reference letters, evidence of current licensure as a registered nurse in Texas and evidence of meeting the statistics and physical assessment requirements. Furthermore, the application letter should include a petition that courses completed while under the non-degree status be credited toward the degree. A maximum of nine hours, with grades of “B” or better, may be proposed toward the master’s degree in nursing.

Transfer Admission

Transfer admission will follow university guidelines. A maximum of 12 graduate hours may be accepted following review by the M.S.N. Student Development Committee. International Student Admission In addition to the University and departmental requirements for admission, the following are required:

1. A minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL. This score should be no more than two years old, but can be evaluated on an individual basis
2. A course-by-course transcript evaluation by World Education Service (WES)
3. A license to practice nursing in the state of Texas obtained prior to admission according to Board of Nurse Examiners’ rules and regulations