School of Nursing

Administration

Lori Popejoy, Dean
Robin Harris, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Deidre Wipke-Tevis, Associate Dean for Research & Ph.D. Program Director

Sinclair School of Nursing
915 Hitt St.
(573) 882-0277
https://nursing.missouri.edu

The nursing program at MU began in 1901 with the establishment of Parker Memorial Hospital Training School. Today, the Sinclair School of Nursing is committed to promoting, maintaining, and improving health and healthcare delivery in Missouri and worldwide through nursing education, research, and service. Nursing faculty combine research and education to offer students hands-on experience in the art and science of nursing.

The MU Sinclair School of Nursing's BSN programs has the full approval of the Missouri State Board of Nursing. The Baccalaureate, Master, and Doctor of Nursing Programs at the University of Missouri are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington DC, 20001.

Admissions

Traditional BSN Option

The Traditional BSN is for first-time and transfer students. Incoming freshmen and transfer students are admitted as Pre-Nursing majors. Pre-Nursing students must complete their first 60 credit hours in prerequisite and General Education courses. Students apply for admission to the clinical major during their last semester of General Education and prerequisite courses. Students can be admitted to the clinical nursing major on a competitive and space-available basis.

Each student’s application is systematically reviewed and considered from a holistic perspective for each admission period. There are two admission cycles per year. Clinical application criteria include: 

  • Minimum Pre-Nursing grade point average of 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale)
  • Successful completion of five of the six science courses (in progress in a maximum of one course):
  • Minimum grade of C in Science courses, NURSE 2200 Foundations of Communication and Professionalism in Nursing and NURSE 3200 Pathophysiology
  • Minimum grade of C- in ENGLSH 1000 Writing and Rhetoric, MATH 1050 Quantitative Reasoning or MATH 1100 College Algebra, STAT 1200 Introductory Statistical Reasoning, and Writing Intensive courses
  • Successful completion/currently enrolled in all General Education and prerequisite coursework at the time of application
  • Evidence of capacity to uphold the practice standard, functional abilities as listed in the Undergraduate Student Handbook, and ethical codes of the Nursing profession

At the time of application, students are required to submit a resume using a provided template. Shortly after the determination of an applicant's eligibility, they will be required to submit video interview and essay responses.

Nursing Scholars who have applied to the clinical major, who have maintained Nursing Scholar eligibility, and who have met General Education and prerequisite coursework, are guaranteed admission to the clinical nursing major.

BSN graduates must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours. A Bachelor of Science (BSN) degree is awarded at graduation, and the graduate may be eligible to take the licensing examination to become a registered nurse (RN).

Accelerated BSN Option

The Accelerated BSN Option is a 15-month program designed for individuals who have completed a non-Nursing bachelor's degree.

Like the clinical nursing major, admission is on a competitive and space-available basis. Students are evaluated for admission to the Accelerated BSN based on the following criteria:

  • A baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university
  • A minimum GPA of 3.0 (4.0 grading scale)
  • Professional resume
  • Online interview and essay
  • Completion of prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C or better
  • Evidence of potential and motivation for nursing
  • Evidence of prior work success and the ability to handle a fast-paced academic program

Transfer students must apply for admission through the MU Admissions Office. An additional, required application for non-MU and MU students is available on the School of Nursing website from mid-July to early October. Clinical coursework begins the following summer and requires consecutive enrollment in the fall, spring, and a second summer to complete the degree.

A Bachelor of Science (BSN) degree is awarded at graduation, and the graduate may be eligible to take the licensing examination to become a registered nurse (RN).

RN to BSN Option

The RN to BSN is for registered nurses who have earned a diploma or associate degree in nursing, with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 of higher. All RN to BSN courses are offered online.

RN to BSN registered nurse applicants must be licensed to practice nursing (or eligible for licensure) in Missouri or another state. The RN to BSN major requires the completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours, which includes completed credit hours from other institutions. The length of the program varies, depending on previously completed equivalent prerequisite courses and the student's choice of part-time or full-time enrollment. More details about the program, including program prerequisites, can be found on the School of Nursing website.

Transfer Students

Students transferring to MU from another accredited institution of higher education or other schools and colleges within the University are subject to the regulations established by the MU Faculty Council concerning the transfer of credit.

For more information regarding the transfer guidelines for the School of Nursing, call (573) 882-0277. Prior to admission, transfer students must have the following:

  • Minimum 3.25 GPA 
  • Approval from the Nursing Student Affairs office

Transfer students must apply for admission through the MU Admissions Office. 

International Students

In addition to the admission criteria described above, international students must meet the following criteria:

  • Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) composite score of 84, with speaking sub-score of 26
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall score of 6.5, with a speaking band score of 8
  • Duolingo English Test (DET) minimum overall score of 105, minimum Production score of 105, and a minimum score of 90 in other sections.

Advising

The academic advising office is on the ground floor of the School of Nursing Building and can be reached at (573) 882-0277. Students are assigned to an academic advisor upon enrollment at MU. In addition, each clinical nursing major can work with faculty advisors who are available for consultation about academic and professional matters.

Health Care

Nursing students participate in a variety of on and off-campus educational experiences. The School of Nursing does not assume responsibility for healthcare expenses incurred in either setting. Students assume responsibility for all health care for illness and injury, including emergency treatment. Student Health is located at University Physicians Medical Building, 1101 Hospital Drive, (573) 882-7481. For additional information, visit their website at https://studenthealth.missouri.edu/.

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Nursing Graduate Programs

Master of Science (Nursing) and Masters of Science

The Master of Science degree program prepares nurses with post-baccalaureate or post-graduate degrees for roles as nurse educators, nurse leaders, and advanced practice nurses. Graduates of the Master of Science program proceed to prepare future nurses, promote health, and provide nursing leadership to meet the healthcare needs of its citizens of Missouri and beyond. 

Note: Prospective graduate students must apply to both the degree program of interest in the Nursing Centralized Application Service and upon admission, to the MU Graduate School. For more information on the application visit the School of Nursing website.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Our Ph.D. program prepares scholars to conduct original research, thereby; advancing the body of knowledge that guides the practice of nursing and contributes to improving health and well-being. Successful completion of the program prepares nurses for college or university faculty positions as well as leadership roles in nursing, health care, industry, and governmental agencies. 

For more information on the application visit the School of Nursing website.

Doctor of Nursing Practice

The DNP program prepares nurses to develop clinical programs based on the latest evidence. The student will choose an area of study (Adult Gerontology or Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist; Family, Pediatric, or Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner; or Nursing Leadership and Innovations) on which to focus their clinical practice. Successful completion of the program prepares nurses for advanced clinical practice in primary care, hospital, and community settings as well as leadership roles in practice settings and clinical faculty positions.

Note: Prospective graduate students must apply to both the degree program of interest in the Nursing Centralized Application Service and upon admission to the MU Graduate School. For more information on the application visit the School of Nursing website.

All graduate programs are distance-mediated, providing online coursework with minimal, short, intensive campus experiences at specific times during the program to augment learning opportunities and allow for individualized faculty evaluation of educational competencies. The Ph.D. program also offers a residential on-campus option for International Students only.