Southern Connecticut State University

Program Length & Format

• 12 consecutive months (prerequisite courses excluded)
• Two entry terms: Summer cohort and Winter cohort
• Curriculum includes on-campus theory, laboratory, simulation, and clinical practice components

Admission Requirements

• Conferred BA/BS from an accredited institution by the application term deadline
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (includes all post-secondary GPAs)
• All required prerequisites completed with grade of C+ or greater by application deadline
• No more than two repeated prerequisite courses allowed due to an initial grade below C+
• Applicants previously dismissed from a nursing program are ineligible; applicants previously enrolled in a nursing program may not transfer nursing credits and must complete the full SCSU nursing curriculum if admitted

Prerequisites

• Anatomy & Physiology I (BIO 200) — 4 credits
• Anatomy & Physiology II (BIO 201) — 4 credits
• Basic Microbiology (BIO 120) — 4 credits
• General Chemistry (CHE 120) — 4 credits
• Introduction to Nutrition (PCH 200) — 3 credits
• Elementary Statistics (MAT 107) — 3 credits
• Math for Natural Sciences or approved alternatives (MAT 108 or listed equivalents) — 3 credits
• Introduction to Psychology (PSY 100) — 3 credits
• Lifespan Development (PSY 219) — 3 credits
• Science prerequisites require in-person labs and must be 4 credits; separated lecture and lab each require grade C+ or higher
• No Pass/Fail grades accepted for prerequisites except Spring 2020

Deadlines

• Summer entry application deadline: December 15 (annual)
• Winter entry application deadline: July 15 (annual)
• Example cycle: Summer 2026 application opened July 16, 2025; deadline December 15, 2025

Application

• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions must be submitted to the Transfer Admissions & Services Office by the application deadline
• International transcripts must include syllabi for relevant nursing prerequisites for equivalency evaluation
• Resumes and recommendation/reference letters are not accepted
• All parts of the application and supporting documents must be received for the application to be reviewed; incomplete applications will be deferred to the next application cycle

Selection Process

• Applications are reviewed only when all required materials and official transcripts have been received
• Incomplete applications are deferred one application cycle; applications still incomplete after two cycles require reapplication
• Admission requires meeting stated requirements; final admission decisions made after application review

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Program includes hospital and community-based clinical practice
• Multiple NUR courses include clinical components and laboratory/simulation components (clinical or lab noted in course listings)
• Students must complete required labs, simulation sessions, and clinical rotations as part of the curriculum

Credit Transfer

• University has no limit on number of credits that may be transferred into SCSU
• University does not specify a general expiration date for required prerequisites; program chairs may review and deny course equivalency based on program accreditation standards
• Online equivalency tool available for Connecticut regionally accredited institutions to verify course equivalencies prior to applying

International Students

• International transcripts must be accompanied by syllabi for relevant nursing prerequisite courses; courses without syllabi will not be considered for prerequisite equivalency

Contacts

• Southern Connecticut State University, 501 Crescent Street, New Haven, CT 06515
• Phone: (203) 392-SCSU

The Southern Connecticut State University Master of Science Degree is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

The program offers specializations in three different tracks Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Education and Clinical Nurse Leader.

The Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator tracks both consist of 45 to 48 credits that include 24 credits of core courses, 18 credits of role preparation and 6 credits of thesis advisement or 3 credits of a special project.

The Clinical Nurse Leader track consists of 42 credits made up of 24 credits of core courses and 12 credits of clinical courses in addition to a special project or a thesis.

Admission Requirements:

1. Successfully complete a baccalaureate program in nursing from an accredited college or university
2. Minimum of a 3.0 quality point ratio in baccalaureate program
3. Current, valid and unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse
4. Two professional letters of recommendation from and academic and a professional referee
5. Written statement
6. Successfully complete undergraduate courses in health assessment, statistics and nursing research methods
7. Interview with the Department of Nursing  

Admissions to the program are accepted on a rolling basis. Students accepted into the program are required to complete the program within six years from enrollment in the first graduate course.