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
nursing@missouri.edu
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 degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate program) at the University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
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 evaluated and considered from a comprehensive review 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):
- CHEM 1100 Atoms and Molecules with Lab
- MICROB 2800 Microbiology for Nursing and Health Professions
- PTH_AS 2201 Human Anatomy Lecture
- PTH_AS 2203 Human Anatomy Laboratory
- MPP 3202 Elements of Physiology
- NURSE 3200 Pathophysiology
- 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
- Admitted students are expected to possess the ability to complete the entire nursing program including technical standards, personal and professional behaviors, and all course policies as listed in the Undergraduate Student Handbook.
At the time of application, students are required to submit a resume using a provided template. Applicants meeting the minimum requirements will be invited to complete a video interview using an online platform.
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 17-month option designed for individuals who have completed a previous undergraduate degree in a non-nursing field or are first degree seeking students who desire an accelerated path to degree completion.
Admission for first degree seeking applicants who desire an accelerated path will be based on the criteria above for the "Traditional BSN Option."
Admission for second degree seeking applicants is based on a comprehensive review for each admission period. There are two admission cycles per year. Clinical application criteria for second degree seeking applicants include:
- A baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 (4.0 grading scale)
- Completion of prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C or better
- Chemistry: 2 credit hours, no lab required
o Statistics: 3 credit hours
o Nutrition or Diet Therapy: 3 credit hours
o Microbiology: 4-5 credit hours, must include laboratory
o Human Anatomy: 4-5 credit hours, must include laboratory
o Physiology: 4-5 credit hours, must include laboratory
o Pathophysiology: 3-4 credit hours
- Chemistry: 2 credit hours, no lab required
Second degree seeking applicants must apply for admission to the University of Missouri and submit all official transcripts before completing the Accelerated BSN Option application which is available on the School of Nursing website. There are 2 admission cycles/year. One is open from August 15th to September 15th for the upcoming spring semester. The other is open from December 31st to January 31st for the upcoming fall semester. Clinical coursework requires consecutive enrollment in the fall/spring/summer/fall OR spring/summer/fall/spring semesters.
At the time of application, students are required to submit a resume using the provided template. Applicants meeting the minimum requirements will be invited to complete a video interview using an online platform.
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. Some RN-BSN courses require completion of clinical hours or shadowing experiences. Completion of compliance requirements is mandatory.
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 7.0, with a speaking band score of 8
- Duolingo English Test (DET) minimum overall score of 115, minimum Production score of 115, and a minimum score of 100 in other sections.
Advising
The academic advising office is located in S201 of the School of Nursing 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 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. For additional information on campus resources, visit their website at https://wellbeing.missouri.edu/.
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.