The keys to success

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

A complete application to the Accelerated second-degree BSN program will include the following four completed items:

1. Either:
   • An MSU undergraduate transfer application for admission (if no previous MSU enrollment)
   • A readmission application to the Office of the Registrar for previous MSU students returning after 3 or more semesters or who have completed their academic program
2. The College of Nursing supplemental application for the Accelerated second-degree BSN program containing:
   • Personal statements
   • Professional resume or curriculum vitae
3. Official transcripts for each institution of post-secondary education attended (excluding MSU) sent directly to the Office of Admissions
4. Two completed Reference Forms

Only completed applications received by the January 1 (5 p.m. EST) deadline will be reviewed for admission consideration.

 

MSU Application

Candidates with no prior enrollment at MSU:

Candidates must submit an application for undergraduate admission to MSU. There is a non-refundable fee for domestic and international applicants. For more information, refer to the MSU Office of Admissions and Scholarships website. 

To apply to MSU under the Accelerated second-degree BSN (ABSN) program:

1. Submit an application as an undergraduate transfer student
2. Select Nursing - Accelerated Second Degree Program as your major
3. Select Spring or Fall start if Summer is not an available option

Students whose only enrollment at MSU has been under the Lifelong Education status must also submit a transfer application for undergraduate admission to MSU. 

Candidates who are returning MSU students:

Students who have:

• not been registered at the university for three or more consecutive semesters (including summer)
• completed their academic program
• enrolled as a Lifelong student since last attending MSU as an undergraduate student

must submit a readmission application to the Office of the Registrar at MSU. There is no charge.

Please note that students who will be graduating from MSU with their first degree in the spring prior to the start of the program do not need to submit a readmission application. 

 

College of Nursing application

The College of Nursing supplemental application can be found under the Admissions section.

 

Transcripts

Official transcripts from all postsecondary education institutions attended should be sent directly to MSU. To be official, transcripts must be sent directly from the institution attended to the MSU Office of Admissions (not the College of Nursing). Many schools do this through an online service, such as the National Student Clearinghouse, or they can be sent via U.S. mail to:

            Michigan State University

            Office of Admissions

            426 Auditorium Rd., Room 250

            East Lansing, MI 48824-0590 

 

Professional references

Two references are required for admission consideration to the Accelerated second-degree BSN program. Within the College of Nursing supplemental application, applicants will be asked to provide the names and email addresses of two references. Upon submission of the application, the Reference Forms will be sent to the email addresses provided for reference writers to complete.

The Reference Forms should be completed by persons in an educational, administrative, professional, or volunteer capacity who have worked closely with the candidate within the past five years. Reference writers must answer all the questions and complete the ranking boxes on our Reference Form. Supplemental letters of recommendation will not be accepted or reviewed.

The reference should not be from a friend, family member, or peer-coworker.

 

Personal statements

Within the electronic application, you will be asked to provide responses to each of the below prompts. Each response will be limited to 1500 characters. 

1. What do you believe are the role(s) of a nurse in today's healthcare environment(s)? How do you see yourself embodying those roles?
2. Why are you ready and able to study in an accelerated program versus a traditional (slower-paced) nursing program?
3. Tell us about your personal characteristics that you believe will enhance your ability to be successful in an accelerated program.
4. Tell us about your previous life/work experiences that you believe will enhance your ability to be successful in an accelerated program.
5. Given that this program requires you to attend class two days a week and clinical three days a week, plus time outside of class for lab and studying, reflect on your current life situation and work demands. Share with the admissions committee your plan for managing these competing time demands.

 

Professional resume

A resume or curriculum vitae outlining the candidate’s varied experiences to date should be submitted to provide the program admissions committee with additional background information. Any relevant work/volunteer experience and academic achievements can be listed.

 

Background checks and drug screens

The Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) guidelines have resulted in many practice sites opting to require background checks for nursing students working in clinical settings. Additionally, many clinical, non-JCAHO accredited sites affiliated with the university for educational purposes have adopted this requirement and also require drug screens. The clinical programs of Michigan State University College of Nursing require students to participate in the care of patients in various health care settings. Accordingly, passing a criminal background check and drug screen is a condition for participation in the clinical component of all Nursing (graduate and undergraduate) programs.