MRJCON Graduate Program Admissions and Progression Policy
Subject: Academic Affairs
Policy: MRJCON Graduate Program Admissions and Progression Policy
Revised: 2/2013; 4/2018; 9/2018; 4/26/19; 4/6/2020; 1/24/2022; 5/10/2023; 4/4/2024; 4/4/2025
Effective date: Fall 2025
Review date: Fall 2028
Responsible Party: Level I: GAAC; Level II: Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Introduction and Purpose:
The Mark & Robyn Jones College of Nursing (MRJCON) faculty establish guidelines for evaluating applicants for the graduate nursing programs to assure consistency in the process and adherence to national nursing and APRN standards. The MRJCON graduate nursing programs adhere to the policies and procedures of the MSU Graduate School. The goal of the Mark & Robyn Jones College of Nursing is to admit and graduate resilient nurse leaders who are passionate about caring for diverse populations and enhancing the health of Montana's rural, frontier, and tribal communities, our nation, and the world.
Policy:
The MRJCON offers two graduate programs including a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Masters in Nursing (MN). The DNP offers tracks in two APRN roles: Nurse-Midwifery (NM) and Nurse Practitioner (NP). Within the NP track, two population foci are available: Family and Psychiatric Mental Health. The college also offers a post-graduate APRN certificate in PMHNP and a graduate certificate in Nursing Education.
The Graduate Academic Affairs Committee (GAAC) is staffed with faculty who teach in each of the graduate programs and/or options and acts as the graduate admissions committee. A maximum number of admissions will be determined annually by the Dean and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs based on resources. The MRJCON works with The Graduate School to process admission offers. The deadline for application to the graduate programs will be December 15th each year and is limited to applicants who seek to do clinical in the following states: MT, UT, WY, ID, CO, AK. Recommendations for admission are based on a holistic evaluation of applicant metrics, experiences and attributes that contribute to the overall mission, vision, goals, diversity, and values of the university and the needs of the advanced nursing profession. Once admitted to a program or option, student requests for subsequent program changes are considered based on program/option capacity and may require re-application and approval by the MRJCON Scholastic Committee.
Procedures:
1. Program/option application is conducted through The Graduate School’s CollegeNet portal for transcript verification and secure portal application submission.
2. Applications are reviewed with the following criteria:
Metrics:
a. Undergraduate and graduate minimum GPA of 3.0 is preferred.
b. A baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited upper division program which included supervised clinical practice in a variety of nursing settings, including nursing leadership/management.
c. Successful completion of undergraduate courses in research and statistics.
d. Current unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse in Montana or a multistate license from a compact state.
e. If applicable, English proficiency scores as outlined by the Graduate School.
Experiences:
a. In general, one year of clinical experience is preferred for the DNP degree.
b. Montana and/or rural residency is preferred.
Attributes:
a. Career goals consistent with educational offerings
b. Professional analytical, evidence-based nursing practice.
3. Special Consideration for Applicants with a previous graduate degree. The College of Nursing adheres to admission, degree requirement, progression, and graduation policies established by the Graduate School.
a. Post-master’s DNP Applicants: Applicants who have earned an APRN master’s degree from a nationally accredited program must meet all admission requirements and will be further evaluated by the DNP Program Leads, Graduate Campus Director, and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs through a gap analysis (appendix A) of transcripts to validate education, clinical hours, and certification criteria that have been met for the intended population focus area. An individualized program of study will be developed to ensure DNP project hours and all coursework is completed for the DNP degree.
i. Post-graduate students who graduated from the MSU’s College of Nursing’s Nurse Practitioner master’s program, have current national APRN certification, state licensure, are currently practicing as an NP, and are not adding a separate practice population focus are not required to retake APRN core courses (NRSG 601, NRSG 602, and NRSG 603).
b. Post-graduate students from a non-MSU Nurse Practitioner program who are seeking certification in a new population-focused area of practice (in which they are not currently practicing or certified) must meet the educational and certification criteria for the additional practice area as well as the educational criteria for the DNP. Applicants will be evaluated by the DNP Program Leads, Graduate Campus Director, and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs through a gap analysis (appendix A) of transcripts to validate education, clinical hours, state licensure, current APRN practice, and APRN certification criteria have been met for the intended population focus area. An individualized program of study will be developed to ensure DNP project hours and all coursework is completed for the DNP degree.
i. Post-graduate Adult Nurse Practitioners (ANP) seeking the DNP - FNP degree must show evidence of completing the basic APRN core courses and complete NRSG 621 and NRSG 624 with an emphasis on the care of pediatric populations to meet certification requirements.
ii. Post-graduate Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNP) seeking the DNP - FNP degree must show evidence of completing the basic APRN core courses to meet certification requirements. In addition, PNPs must complete the DNP-FNP clinical courses except for the pediatric portion of NRSG 621.
iii. Post-graduate FNPs who wish to obtain certification as a PMHNP may either meet the educational, current practice, and certification criteria for the additional practice area as well as the educational criteria for the DNP or they may complete the post-graduate APRN Certificate - PMHNP program.
iv. Nurse-Midwifery applicants with prior graduate nursing education seeking the DNP- Nurse-Midwifery degree must submit transcripts for review of potential equivalent coursework. A gap analysis will inform an individualized course plan. Clinical hours from previous graduate nursing education are not transferable.
4. Subsequent Changes in Program/Option Admission or progression. Initial admission decisions are considered permanent, and program/option enrollment is guaranteed for students in good standing. Requests for a change in program/option are considered as outlined below:
a. Students who withdraw from the program prior to the start of the first semester may request a one-year deferral. Deferral requests are granted on a case-by-case basis due to clinical capacity and existing waitlists.
b. Students who fail or withdraw from a first semester nursing course(s) for the first time after the 15th day of the semester will be offered a new placement in the same program at the next available semester. Students who fail or withdraw from a nursing course must repeat the course. Progression may be delayed due to required prerequisites in the curricula.
c. Students are subject to The Graduate School's academic progression and appeal policies.
d. Students who are absent from the clinical course sequence of a graduate nursing program for more than two semesters will demonstrate satisfactory competency in previously learned content and skills to safely resume participation in direct patient care clinical experiences. Prior to returning to the program, a clinical judgement & skills remediation course will be required for students to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge. In the event of course failure, the remediation course may be repeated one time for continued progression in the program.
e. Students who experience a second course attempt that results in failure or withdrawal are not allowed to progress in the current program of study and may appeal to the MRJCON Scholastic Committee for re-admission to any graduate nursing program. The MRJCON considers a "W" grade as a failed attempt.
Internal control considerations, if applicable: