Nursing Overview

The School of Nursing offers a M.S.N. degree with H.C.S.M. specialty. Nurse practitioner preparation is in the post-B.S.N. to D.N.P. track. Please see Doctor of Nursing Practice section degree track section. The master's program prepares nurse managers and accepts new students each semester.

Accreditation

Loyola’s bachelor of science in nursing and master of science in nursing degree programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) through spring 2015. To contact the NLNAC, use the following information. Address: 3343 Peachtree NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, GA 30326; Phone: (404) 975-5000

Admission to the M.S.N. Program

Students are admitted into the M.S.N. program based on a thorough review of all required materials provided to the H.C.S.M. Faculty Committee of the School of Nursing. Students may be admitted unconditionally or provisionally.

Sixty days prior to enrollment, the student is required to apply for a certified background review at their own expense, by a provider designated by Loyola University New Orleans with the results reported to Loyola University New Orleans School of Nursing: Attention: Lisa Williams. Information on this process will be provided to the student upon acceptance of an admission offer.

Prospective students can view the application process on the School of Nursing website.

Admission Requirements for Persons with Bachelor’s Degrees

  1. A B.S.N. degree from an accredited school or a bachelor’s degree in any field in conjunction with completion of the Loyola M.S.N. Bridge program.
  2. Official transcripts from each college/university attended.
  3. A current unencumbered R.N. license.
  4. A cumulative GPA of either 3.0 or higher on all prior undergraduate work or a GPA of 3.0 or higher on all Loyola Nursing courses.
  5. Three recommendations (on the form provided by Loyola) from persons knowledgeable about the applicant’s aptitude for graduate school, such as former professors or master’s prepared nursing supervisors.
  6. A thoughtful, typed, double-spaced goal statement of approximately to one page in length describing career goals and interest in graduate education.
  7. The undergraduate equivalent of three semester credit hours in statistics.
  8. A formal interview with one or more graduate faculty at Loyola.
  9. Sixty days prior to enrollment, the student is required to apply for a certified background review at their own expense, by a provided designated by Loyola University New Orleans with the results reported to Loyola University New Orleans School of Nursing: Attention Lisa Williams. Information on this process will be provided to the student upon acceptance of an admission offer.

Admissions Requirements for R.N.-to-M.S.N.

Graduates of associate degree and diploma nursing programs may apply for admission to the R.N.-to-M.S.N. option for the M.S.N. program. In this option, students complete requirements for both the B.S.N. and M.S.N. degrees.

  1. A graduate of an associate degree or diploma nursing program is first admitted to the Loyola B.S.N. program and classified as a “B.S.N.” student.
  2. Requirements for admission to B.S.N. program include:

a.) Application for Undergraduate Admission.
b.) Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
c.) Proof of a current R.N. license.
d.) Proof of Professional Liability insurance (limits 1,000,000-3,000,000)
e.) Application fee of $20 ($40 for online program). Checks should be made payable to “Loyola University New Orleans.”

Upon admission to the B.S.N. program, a student will be advised to first complete most core, adjunct, and elective courses. In the semester prior to taking the first 700-level nursing course, the student must submit an application to M.S.N. program.

Types of Admission

The School of Nursing reviews all applications and makes admissions decisions. The committee may recommend two types of admission:

  1. Unconditional Admission: Applicants are admitted unconditionally when they have submitted all required materials and met all admission standards. Since admission into the M.S.N. program is limited, the Committee reserves the right to determine which applicants are the best match for Loyola’s graduate program.
  2. Provisional Admission: If an applicant appears to meet admission standards but is unable to provide one or more documents required for admission by the time admissions decisions are made, provisional admission may be granted. A provisionally admitted student has until the beginning of the second academic term to provide required materials unless directed by other policies. The H.C.S.M. Faculty Committee reserves the right to deny any provisionally admitted student the right to enroll in courses if needed documentation has not been provided by the beginning of the second academic term.

Transfer Credits

Read the Transfer of Academic Credit Policy for more information.

Registered Nurse Licensure Requirements

Upon entering the M.S.N. program, each student provides evidence that she/he has a current, unencumbered, unrestricted, and valid registered nurse license and there are no grounds for disciplinary proceedings. If at any point during the program a student’s R.N. license becomes encumbered or restricted, the student is obligated to immediately inform the director of the School of Nursing.

Academic Probation and Student Progression

In order to remain in good standing and progress through the M.S.N. program, a student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. A student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. A student on academic probation has one semester (fall, spring, or summer semester) to remove the academic deficiency. If the deficiency is not removed in the allotted time, the student may not be eligible to continue in the program. The final decision to allow a student to remain in the program will be made by the school faculty. Generally, no course with a grade below C may be used toward degree requirements and must be repeated. Each program has published policies in the handbook indicating the minimal grade required in each course to progress in the program. A grade of "F" in any course will result in dismissal from the program.

Length of Time to Complete the M.S.N. Program

Students are required to complete the program within five years of their first term of enrollment.
 

Doctor of Nursing Practice