NursingCAS Application instructions for the Master of Nursing Program
We are pleased you are considering our program! Below is a list of instructions to assist you in the application process for the MN program.
Applicants interested in University of Minnesota's MN program should apply through NursingCAS. NursingCAS is the online, centralized application service for nursing programs. Visit www.nursingcas.org and click “Apply Here”. Click on “Create Account” and complete the required fields in order to start your application.
Helpful Hint: We encourage you keep these instructions open when completing your NursingCAS application.
Please note that all applicants are required to submit a new application every year.
Follow the guidelines below for the University of Minnesota requirements and note that your application will not be considered until ALL elements listed below are completed, submitted, and verified through NursingCAS
Apply Early!
All materials must be submitted to NursingCAS and applications must be complete and verified to move forward with consideration. Please be sure you’ve reviewed our application deadline information. It can take up to 2-3 weeks for NursingCAS to receive and verify your transcripts and calculate GPAs. Please take this into consideration for meeting deadlines.
You should monitor your NursingCAS application portal weekly for completion of tasks such as your transcripts and recommendations. Notifications regarding your application will only be sent through your NursingCAS portal, and it is your responsibility to be checking and taking action on necessary tasks.
Required portions of the NursingCAS application for your MN Application to the University of Minnesota
Once you initiate an account on the NursingCAS site, you will be directed to select the programs to which you want to apply. You will need to select at least one program to begin your application. After selecting your program(s), proceed to Review My Selections. After reviewing, continue to your application.
On the My Application dashboard, you will be able to complete the four application sections as well as manage your programs. Each section will ask for multiple pieces of applicant information; please follow the directions below carefully for the University of Minnesota requirements.
Helpful Hint: At any point, to return to the My Application page, simply click on the blue icon with four boxes in the upper left corner.
Personal Information
Please complete all seven sections of the Personal Information section as thoroughly as possible.
Academic History
There are five sections in the Academic History section. Please follow the instructions below for completion.
1. High School Attended
This section is not required for the University of Minnesota
2. Colleges Attended
The University of Minnesota requires a complete academic history including official transcripts from ALL post-secondary institutions where course registration existed. In addition to transcripts reflecting awarded degree, this includes transcripts reflecting:
• awarded or in-progress degrees
• in-progress coursework
• PSEO/CIS coursework
• coursework that was transferred to another institution
• study abroad experiences
Please follow the instructions provided by NursingCAS within the application for initiating transcript requests, review applicant resources, and consult our step-by-step guide for transcript ordering options. All transcripts must be received by NursingCAS. Transcripts sent directly to the University of Minnesota will not be accepted. Applicants that will have 5 prerequisites completed with their Fall coursework will receive additional instructions via email for updating their transcripts to reflect final grades.
Once your application is submitted and transcripts are received, NursingCAS will review the materials to ensure a complete academic record is collected. It is not uncommon for NursingCAS to identify additional transcript needs and alert applicants to this. Please watch your application portal and messages closely until your application has a verified status.
International Students
Applicants who have completed college-level courses outside the U.S. and Canada must have their international coursework evaluated. This can be accomplished by sending transcripts to a foreign credential evaluation service for a course-by-course evaluation. This evaluation must be sent to NursingCAS. If the international coursework was completed as part of a study abroad through a U.S. institution, only the U.S. transcript is required.
Note for applicants currently or previously enrolled in a nursing program (RN):
Students currently or previously enrolled in a nursing program (RN) must provide a letter of good standing from the Nursing Program Director. Letters will not be accepted until an applicant has initiated an application for the current application cycle. The letter must be on institutional letterhead, include Program Director signature and sent in a sealed envelope (signature across the envelope seal).
Send directly to:
University of Minnesota School of Nursing
2-139 Weaver-Densford Hall
308 Harvard Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
3. Transcript Entry
In this section, you will be prompted to complete your coursework entry. The University of Minnesota Master of Nursing program requires full coursework entry that includes in-progress coursework. We acknowledge that this process can be labor-intensive and we encourage entering this information early on in the application process.
Helpful Hint: Having your unofficial transcript handy when completing this section can make the process quicker and easier.
Once all your coursework has been entered, you will be prompted to review and finalize your transcripts. Applicants that will have 5 prerequisites completed with their Fall coursework will receive additional instructions via email for updating their transcript entry with final grades.
4. Standardized Tests
5. Diploma in Nursing
This section is not required by the University of Minnesota.
Supporting Information
There are four sections in the Supporting Information section. Please follow the instructions below for completion.
1. References
Two (2) references from past or current professors, supervisors or professional colleagues are required. The references should attest to your potential for success in the MN program (including preparation, initiative, and aptitude) and your commitment to the nursing profession.
2. Achievements
This section is optional. We encourage applicants to list all honors and awards on their CV/Resume.
3. Experiences
This section is optional. We encourage applicants to list experiences on their CV/Resume.
4. Licensure and Certifications
This section is optional. We encourage applicants to list licensures and certifications on their CV/Resume.
Program Materials
This section directs you to complete program-specific requirements. Please navigate to the University of Minnesota’s program and follow the instructions to complete the Documents, Questions, and Prerequisites sections.
1. Documents
- Current Curriculum Vitae/Resume
- Personal Statement (Essay Response)
A. Please share an experience or opportunity that contributed to your pursuit of a nursing career. Include how those experiences or opportunities, along with your personal characteristics, will help you be a successful nurse.
B. Describe how your own resilience or perseverance has helped you cope with or overcome a challenge in your life. How do you see that experience impacting your interaction with individuals and communities in your future nursing practice?
C. Reflect on a personal experience where you were part of a team. Describe the dynamics within the team, including roles, responsibilities, and decision-making processes. What lessons did you learn about effective teamwork from this experience?
D. Please tell us about an instance when you have demonstrated leadership or commitment to social justice and equity in your work.
Please respond to all of the essay questions. Prepare your responses carefully. This is your opportunity to tell the Admissions Committee about yourself in ways that might not be evident from your academic record.
2. Questions
Please answer all required questions for the University of Minnesota.
3. Prerequisites
For each prerequisite, you have the option to link a course previously entered in the Transcript Entry section or to select a button stating that you choose to not select a course for that prerequisite. Make sure to read through the description of the prerequisite, and select the courses that best matches, even if it is Planned/In Progress. This section is required.