Our MSN program uses active learning to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to be a leader and change agent in the nursing workforce. We provide a high-quality education that inspires, challenges, and develops nurses while maximizing flexibility to meet your unique learning needs.
What's the admissions process like?
Apply by November 1 to start in January or June 1 to start in August. Choose your practicum location with faculty approval. Our graduate admissions team is here to help you reach your educational goals and answer your questions.
Request official transcripts from all institutions previously attended. Email to gradprograms@mtmercy.edu or mail to:
Graduate Programs Mount Mercy University 1330 Elmhurst Drive NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402-4797
Current and valid registered nurse (RN) license
International students without current RN license may be admitted based on review by Program Director
NOTE: Nursing courses with a clinical component may not be taken by a person:
Who has been denied license by the Board
Whose license is currently suspended, surrendered, or revoked in any U.S. jurisdiction
Whose license or registration is currently suspended, surrendered, or revoked in another country due to disciplinary action
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited nursing program, other undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university, or an equivalent degree from an accredited institution outside of the United States
Undergraduate record should reflect ability to be successful in graduate studies
If undergraduate degree is not a BSN, students may be admitted with a BA or BS, an associate degree in nursing, and the Mount Mercy RN-BSN courses, NU 470 Population Based Nursing, NU 471 Professional Aspects of Nursing, and NU 472 RN-BSN Practicum Seminar completed with a minimum grade of B (B- not acceptable)
An undergraduate statistics course with a minimum grade of C (C- not acceptable)
A student may be admitted at the discretion of the program director prior to completing this prerequisite
Two letters of recommendation addressing professionalism, clinical skills, critical thinking, and communication skills.
All MSN students must meet administrative requirements, including criminal background check, health insurance coverage, immunization status compliance, CPR, and malpractice liability insurance prior to completion of the first MSN course
All non-native English speakers are required to take TOEFL or equivalent English language proficiency assessment and complete an interview with the program director
Nursing Informatics students must meet admission criteria of Mount Mercy University and University of Minnesota School of Nursing
The program not only taught me the basics I need to know in forensic nursing, but it also improved my professionalism, effective communication, critical independent thinking, and problem solving.
FLEXIBLE
1 class at a time
5- and 10-week blocks
What areas of emphasis are offered?
Choose from five areas of emphasis to meet your professional interests:
Forensic Nursing—Develop, promote, and implement protocols and systems related to complex health concerns while responding to victims and perpetrators of trauma, injury, accidents, neglect, abuse, exploitation, and all forms of violence.
Health Advocacy—Design, implement, manage, continuously improve, and lead innovative health care population management programs.
Nurse Administration—Lead and manage complex 21st century health care organizations.
Nurse Education—Design, implement, and continuously improve educational initiatives in academic and health care settings.
Nursing Informatics*—Develop, implement, and lead interdisciplinary health information technologies with knowledge and skills in system design and analysis, databases, consumer informatics, clinic decision support, knowledge representation, interoperability, and population health informatics.
*Nursing Informatics applications are due April 1 for fall admission and November 1 for spring admission. Applicants must meet admission criteria for both Mount Mercy and University of Minnesota.
Online On-Demand
Complete your coursework each week at the time that fits best with your life
MSN Helps Her Land New Gig (0:44)
Courtney Rust ’16, ’19 MSN shares how her MSN equipped her to take on this new role.
Yes, you may be eligible for scholarships and loan programs. The first step is to complete yourFAFSA, which helps determine state and federal aid available to you. Our federal school code is001880. Contact ourFinancial Aid Officewith any questions.