The School of Nursing receives applications for admission and most applicant credentials for graduate nursing programs exclusively through the Nursing Central Application Service (NursingCAS), provided by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Applications are considered on a rolling basis until all spaces in the entering class for each program are filled and an appropriate wait list of alternate candidates is formed. Therefore, candidates are encouraged to begin the application process as soon as possible. Selected candidates will be invited to one of our interview days held throughout the academic year.
Information Sessions
To learn more about graduate nursing programs at Belmont University, please plan to attend an upcoming Information Session:
Admission Requirements
Because of the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, the School of Nursing will honor courses taken online during Spring or Summer 2020. In addition, a grade of “pass” may be accepted for coursework taken during this time although a letter grade is preferred if that option was available. Candidates may be required to provide an explanation if they opted into the P/F grading scale.
- MSN program
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from a nationally accredited baccalaureate-granting institution with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA from all undergraduate coursework. A student may transfer up to six graduate hours from another institution upon the recommendation of the Graduate Admissions and Progression Committee. Transfer courses taken more than 5 years prior to application are not acceptable.
- Proof of a current RN license from the applicant's state of residence and/or practice. A Tennessee RN license or a license from a state that is in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) is required for clinical experiences in Tennessee. This requirement can be completed after admission but prior to enrollment for students who will be finishing their bachelor's degree by June 1.
- A completed application file (per the Application Steps below), including:
- two references, one from a faculty member who is familiar with your undergraduate nursing work and a second from a nursing supervisor who can evaluate your clinical work
- a writing sample describing your education goals and professional career goals
- A successful on-campus interview, if invited
- BSN-to-DNP program
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from a nationally accredited baccalaureate-granting institution with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA from all undergraduate coursework. A student may transfer up to six graduate hours from another institution upon the recommendation of the Graduate Admissions and Progression Committee. Transfer courses taken more than 5 years prior to application are not acceptable.
- Proof of a current RN license from the applicant's state of residence and/or practice. A Tennessee RN license or a license from a state that is in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) is required for clinical experiences in Tennessee. This requirement can be completed after admission but prior to enrollment for students who will be finishing their bachelor's degree by June 1.
- A completed application file (per the Application Steps below), including:
- two references, one from a faculty member who is familiar with your undergraduate nursing work and a second from a nursing supervisor who can evaluate your clinical work
- a writing sample describing your education goals and professional career goals
- A successful on-campus interview, if invited
- MSN-to-DNP program
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree in advanced nursing practice, nursing education or nursing administration from a nationally accredited nursing program (CCNE or ACEN [Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing [formerly NLNAC]) with a minimum 3.5 GPA preferred.
- Candidates who are advanced practice nurses (nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, clinical nurse specialist) will typically hold current national certification.
- A completed application file (per the Application Steps below), including:
- two references with at least one from a doctorally-prepared nurse
- a writing sample that addresses your professional goals, identification of a topic for your scholarly project should you be admitted to the DNP program, and potential location(s) for project implementation.
- A successful on-campus interview, if invited
- Post Master's DNP-MBA Dual Degree
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree in advanced nursing practice, nursing education or nursing administration from a nationally accredited nursing program (CCNE or ACEN [Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing [formerly NLNAC]) with a minimum 3.5 GPA preferred.
- Candidates who are advanced practice nurses (nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, clinical nurse specialist) will typically hold current national certification.
- A completed application file (per the Application Steps below), including:
- two references with at least one from a doctorally-prepared nurse
- a writing sample that addresses your professional goals, identification of a topic for your scholarly project should you be admitted to the DNP program, and potential location(s) for project implementation.
- A competitive application for the MBA program, which includes the following supplemental items. While this program requires only the NursingCAS application, all application requirements must be satisfied for both the DNP and MBA programs.
- A short email indicating your interest in applying for the DNP/MBA program sent to gradnursing@belmont.edu. Once received, the Admissions Office will work with you to complete your application appropriately.
- A one- to two-page essay on how an MBA degree will help you achieve your goals as an advanced nurse practitioner, submitted via email as directed.
- A current resume, submitted via email as directed.
- Eligible candidates will be invited for separate interviews with each program. When possible, on-campus interviews will be coordinated depending on the status of application completion. If coordinated interviews or a second on-campus interview are not possible, a phone interview with a faculty member from the Massey Graduate School of Business may be arranged.
- Admitted candidates must complete all prerequisites for the MBA program prior to fall enrollment. MBA prerequisites can also be satisfied through the Summer Business Institute (SBI). The SBI is a Belmont-specific 10-credit, summer-based prerequisite accelerated program designed specifically for individuals who did not major in business as undergraduates. The program runs mid-May through early-August, with class meetings on most Tuesday and Thursday evenings (6:15 to 9:00 PM) and Saturdays (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM). Completion of the Summer Business Institute satisfies all Massey prerequisite course requirements, including finance competency.
- Post Graduate APRN program
- Graduate degree with APRN certification other than family nurse practitioner
- Individual portfolio review by the Graduate Affairs Committee will determine an applicant’s specific program of study.
- A completed application file (per the Application Steps below), including:
- two references
- a writing sample describing your education and career goals
- A successful on-campus interview, if invited
- Additional requirements for international applicants
- International applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by submitting official TOEFL scores (required minimum of 550 PBT or 80 iBT) or by successful completion of ELS Language Center Level 112.
- International applicants with college level course work from foreign institutions must have their transcripts evaluated by a credential evaluation service such as World Education Services (www.wes.org) or Joseph Silny & Associates (www.jsilny.com).
- In order to be issued an I-20 for the desired entry term, international applicants must be admitted no later than June 1 in order to begin enrollment in the fall.
Acceptance to the DNP program does not guarantee admission to the MBA program. Each review is conducted on an independent basis.
Application Steps
Create an account for your online NursingCAS application at https://nursingcas.liaisoncas.org/apply/.
- Log in to your application and complete all sections as directed.
- For applicants to the MSN or BSN-to-DNP programs only, as part of your application, enter all previously completed (and yet to be completed) college courses (you will need a copy of transcripts from all colleges attended to do this). This is not required for applicants to the MSN-to-DNP or Post-graduate APRN programs.
- As part of your application (in the Colleges Attended section), download Transcript Request Forms for each college attended to arrange for an official transcript to be sent to NursingCAS.
- As part of your application, complete all sections in the Program Materials area. Click on each tab at the top of the program page for instructions.
- Submit your completed application to NursingCAS with the appropriate program designated.
- Wait to hear from Belmont University via email regarding the status of your application. Update your application file as necessary.
- If selected to interview based on a preliminary review of your credentials, come to campus when invited to interview and plan to be available on the interview day for up to 3 hours, typically beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Post Admission Requirements
Once accepted, candidates must complete the following requirements before enrolling:
- $500 non-refundable enrollment deposit by a specified deadline after acceptance, applied to first semester tuition
- Final official transcript of coursework that was in progress at the time of application, sent directly to
Belmont University - Documentation of licensure or certification information, as requested
- A background check, as directed by the School of Nursing, with favorable results
- Required immunizations
- Proof of health insurance coverage
- Program orientation
If any of these requirements are not satisfied, admission to the program may be rescinded.