ADMISSION

The online application and all supporting documentation must be received for your application to be considered complete. Completed applications are reviewed by the Graduate Program Admissions Committee shortly following the published application deadlines. You will be notified via the online application portal regarding a decision about your application.

 

  1. Complete the specific Fitzpatrick College of Nursing Graduate Program Online Application for either the master's or post-graduate tracks.
    The application portal is currently closed. The Summer 2025 MSN application will go live February 3, 2025.
  2. Submit completed online graduate application with required documents to the Nursing Graduate Program Office by
    • April 1: Summer Admission
    • July 1: Fall Admission
    • November 1: Spring Admission

M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing
Graduate Nursing Program | Driscoll Hall Room 319

Villanova University
800 E Lancaster Avenue
Villanova, PA 19085

Electronic transcripts may be sent to:


PhD and Post-Master’s DNP Transcripts:

phddnptranscripts@villanova.edu

 

DNP Nurse Anesthesia Transcripts

dnpnatranscripts@villanova.edu

 

MSN Transcripts:

msntranscripts@villanova.edu

A maximum of six graduate credits may be transferred, including credits earned in other colleges or schools of Villanova University. If transfer credit is requested in lieu of required courses in the program, a course syllabus and transcript must accompany the request.

All requests for transfer must be submitted in writing to the Program Director after admission to the program. Only courses taken prior to acceptance into the Graduate Nursing Program may be transferred.

  • Complete Online Application for Admission
  • Personal Goal Statement identifying career goals that are congruent with the purposes of the program and indicate appropriate communication and writing skills (for Nurse Practitioners, an essay regarding goals and conceptualization of the role of the Nurse Practitioner in clinical practice)
  • Application fee (waived for Open House event attendees)
  • TOEFL or IELTS (non-native English speakers)
  • Transcripts from all schools attended must be submitted.  Please note that transcripts are required regardless of number of credits taken or if the credits were transferred to another school. An admission decision will be delayed if you do not send transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.  Transcripts originating from academic institutions outside of the U.S. must be translated and a course-by-course evaluation performed by World Education Service or a comparable credential evaluation service.
  • Three (3) Letters of Recommendation from professionals who are in a position to judge your performance/professional skills
  • Copy of current RN license
  • Upon acceptance, a comprehensive criminal background check through Complio (Villanova's online compliance tracking service) is required.

To be eligible for admission to degree status, potential candidates must submit evidence of:

  • A baccalaureate degree in nursing from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program or its equivalent
  • A GPA of 3.0 or above
  • International Students: One year of RN clinical practice in the U.S.
  • All non-native English speakers are required to submit either official TOEFL or IELTS results. TOEFL: Applicants must score a minimum of 83 (with 25 in speaking) on the iBT (internet-based test) in order to be considered for admission. IELTS: Applicants must score at least 6.5 overall (7 in speaking band) in order to be considered for admission.  When you register for the TOEFL or IELTS, please request that your results be sent directly to Villanova - our institutional code is 2959.
  • Satisfactory completion of a statistics course, which includes both descriptive and inferential statistics
  • Satisfactory academic record
  • Licensure as a Registered Nurse (USA)

Students who enroll in this degree or certificate program may decide to pursue licensure and/or certification, the requirements for which vary by location.  For more information on educational requirements, please review the professional licensure/certification disclosures.

Get important information regarding the University's authorization statues, students' responsibilities related to relocation and programs leading to professional licensures, and the complaint process for online students.

Get information regarding the University's Health Insurance Policy and Requirements.

Mary Terhaar, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN
Professor & Associate Dean for the Graduate Nursing Programs
mary.terhaar@villanova.edu

Jan Campbell, BA, MS
Assistant Director, Graduate Nursing Programs
jan.campbell@villanova.edu

Linda Copel  PhD, RN, PMHCNS, BC, CNE, ANEF, NCC, CGP, FAPA
Professor, Interim Director PhD Program
linda.copel@villanova.edu

Debra Shearer, EdD, MSN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
Director, Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Track
debra.shearer@villanova.edu

Patti Kostelnak, DNAP, CRNA, APRN
Nurse Anesthesia Program Director, Associate Clinical Professor
patricia.kostelnak@villanova.edu

Inquiries:

PhD Program Inquires & Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice Inquires:
Sandi Schultz

Assistant Director, Doctoral Programs
sandra.schultz@villanova.edu

DNP Nurse Anesthesia Inquires:
Recruitment and Enrollment Department
nursing.recruitment@villanova.edu

MSN Inquires (Nurse Practitioner Tracks & Nurse Education Tracks):
Recruitment and Enrollment Department
nursing.recruitment@villanova.edu

Transcripts:

PhD and Post-Master’s DNP Transcripts:
phddnptranscripts@villanova.edu

DNP Nurse Anesthesia Transcripts
dnpnatranscripts@villanova.edu

MSN Transcripts:
msntranscripts@villanova.edu
 

 

Villanova Graduate Nursing Program