Loyola University Chicago

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Graduate

ADMISSION

We invite you to apply to the Graduate Programs in Nursing and join a community of working professionals and full-time students who have chosen to advance their careers by pursuing a graduate degree.

Online Application
Paper Application

   MSN Program

  •  A $50.00 non-refundable application fee (fee waived for Online Application)
  • Official transcripts from all diploma nursing programs, colleges, and universities attended.
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 in undergraduate nursing courses.  Applicants with an undergraduate nursing GPA of 2.7 to 2.99--and meeting all other admission criteria--have the option to take the GRE or be admitted on strict probation.  Strict probation is defined as enrolling in three designated courses, taking them in the designated semester, and receiving a minimum grade of B in each course.  The GRE is required for all applicants whose undergraduate nursing degree is 2.69 or below or who have earned their baccalaureate degree outside the United States.  The GMAT is required for the MSN/MBA dual degree program.
  • TOEFL (minimum score of 650), if the applicant's primary language is not English.
  • Three professional references. If possible, at least one should be from a nursing professor. All references must be from nurses with a master's degree or higher (No MDs).
  • Personal statement following these required guidelines:
    1. Provide a statement describing how your work experiences and professional interests have prepared you to be successful in the graduate program to which you have applied.
    2. Discuss how completing the graduate program you have selected will help you meet your professional goals.
  • Current Illinois nursing license. Out-of-state applicants must be eligible for endorsement in Illinois. International students must hold a current license from a U.S. state and be eligible for endorsement in Illinois.
  • Evidence of completion of a basic course in statistics and physical assessment.

One year of clinical experience is required prior to beginning the first practicum in the nursing specialty to which you are applying.

   Non-Degree Status

  • A $50.00 non-refundable application fee (fee waived for Online Application)
  • Official transcripts from an accredited nursing program.
  • Current Illinois nursing license. Out-of-state applicants must be eligible for endorsement in Illinois.

 Nine credits may be taken as non-degree and applied to a degree program.

   Certificate Program

  • Current Illinois Nursing license is required for all programs, including certificate and post-master's certificates.  A license is not required for those who are not nurses taking the HSM and PICES courses.

  • A $50.00 non-refundable application fee (fee waived for Online Application)

  • Official transcripts.
  • Current Illinois nursing license. Out-of-state applicants must be eligible for endorsement in Illinois. International students must hold a current license from a U.S. state and be eligible for endorsement in Illinois.

   Post-Master's Certificate Program

  • Current Illinois Nursing license is required for all programs, including certificate and post-master's certificates.  A license is not required for those who are not nurses taking the HSM and PICES courses.

  • A $50.00 non-refundable application fee (fee waived for Online Application)
  • Official transcripts of all diploma nursing programs, colleges, universities attended
  • Personal statement following these required guidelines:
    1. Provide a statement describing how your work experiences and professional interests have prepared you to be successful in the graduate program to which you have applied.
    2. Discuss how completing the graduate program you have selected will help you meet your professional goals.
  • Current Illinois nursing license. Out-of-state applicants must be eligible for endorsement in Illinois. International students must hold a current license from a U.S. state and be eligible for endorsement in Illinois.

   Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

  • Admission is competitive, based on the strength of application materials and interview.
  • A $50 non-refundable application fee (fee waived for online application).
  • Official transcripts from all diploma nursing programs, colleges, and universities attended.
  • Graduate degree from an accredited master’s nursing program.
  • GPA of 3.25 or higher in the master’s nursing program.
  • Current nursing license from a U.S. state.
  • Certification in your area of advanced practice specialization, where applicable.
  • Minimum of 1,000 hours of clinical experience in your specialty area within the past four years. 
  • Current Curriculum Vita.
  • Three professional references from nurses with a DNP or PhD who can speak to your leadership, academic and professional successes, and potential to be successful in a DNP program.  If possible, at least one reference should come from a nursing professor.
  • A statement of purpose, following these required guidelines (one to two pages):
    1. Describe your personal vision of yourself as a leader in health care; discuss how the DNP program will help you to operationalize this role.

    2. Provide a statement describing how your work experiences and professional interests have prepared you to be successful in the DNP program to which you have applied.
  • Completion of a personal interview.  The DNP Admissions Committee requires that the interview be conducted in person in an effort to give both the applicant and the faculty an opportunity to determine whether there is a good fit between the strengths of Loyola’s DNP program and the goals of the applicant.
  • Note: The GRE is required for all applicants who have earned their baccalaureate degree outside the United States. 
  • The TOEL test (minimum score of 213 on the computer-based test; 79 on the Internet-based test) is required for all international applicants except those who are from, or who have completed their degree in, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand.

   Application Deadlines:

MSN RN to MSN Non-Degree Certificate Post-Master's Certificate Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
  Fall  (August 1)     Spring  (December 15)     Summer  (April 15)
April 1

   PhD Program

Before initiating the application process, please contact Dr. Lee Schmidt, PhD Program Director, to discuss your proposed area of research interest. Dr. Schmidt can be reached at (708) 216-3573 or lschm3@luc.edu.

For admission to the PhD in Nursing Program, applicants must provide:

  • A completed paper application form (The application fee normally associated with a paper application is waived)
  • An official transcript from programs where baccalaureate and advanced degrees were earned
  • Scores for the Graduate Record Examination (general examination)
  • Three letters of recommendation from individuals with the earned Ph.D. degree and preferably at least one from a former instructor
  • A statement of purpose regarding the applicant's interest in entering Loyola's program, including a summary of academic and research interests, professional goals and potential faculty mentors
  • Professional vita or resume
  • Copy of R.N. license
  • Copy of a research or scholarly referenced paper written by the applicant
  • Either a TOEFL or IELTS score report is required for international applicants whose native language is not English. For the TOEFL, a score of at least 280 on the computer-based test or 650 on the written test is required. The minimum score for the new TOEFL IBT (Internet-based test) is 114-115. For the IELTS, a minimum score of 7 is required.
  • International applicants must provide a transcript evaluation from the Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools.

Application deadlines are July 15 (fall admission) and March 15 (summer admission).

To request additional graduate program information or an application, please click here. 

For questions about the graduate program application process, contact Graduate Enrollment Management at:

Graduate Enrollment Management
Loyola University Chicago
820 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Phone: 312.915.8950
E-mail: GradApp@luc.edu