Direct-Entry Master of Science in Nursing

MGH Institute of Health Professions educates nurse practitioner students to provide comprehensive health care to diverse patient populations. Through clinical placements and scholarly projects, you will learn the application of evidence based practice to improve health outcomes of your patients and their communities. MGH IHP is unique in our commitment to securing clinical placements for all of our students. Our Clinical Education Department and your specialty Track Coordinator work together to secure the best possible clinical experiences to prepare you for a seamless transition to an advanced practice role.

The Dr. Charles A. and Ann Sanders IMPACT Practice Center houses the Ruth Sleeper Nursing Center for Clinical Education and Wellness, a nurse-led screening, referral, education, and support resource for Charlestown and Greater Boston-area residents.

The Sanders IMPACT Practice Center enables student teams from across the health professions to deliver integrated services as part of their uniprofessional and interprofessional clinical education.  By providing this free care under the  supervision of the Institute's practicing clinician faculty, students enrolled in the nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, speech-language pathology, and genetic counseling programs receive a priceless benefit: real-life experience.

Students provide care to a variety of clients, tackling complex problems, supported by the latest technology and state-of-the-art facilities. Client populations include those with chronic conditions across the lifespan.

Prerequisite Requirements

Admission into the Direct-Entry Master of Science in Nursing (DEN-Masters) program requires a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university.

Applicants that have earned a degree from a non-US institution are required to submit a course-by-course credential evaluation that documents minimum equivalency of a US baccalaureate degree or higher. (Please see the Transcripts section for additional information).

Prerequisite Coursework

In addition to a bachelor’s degree, completion of the courses listed below is required to satisfy the Direct-Entry Master of Science in Nursing program's prerequisite requirements. They must be taken at a fully accredited college or university.

All of these courses are offered online by the MGH Institute. Learn more about our online prereqs or select a course below to view its description.

• Chemistry (no lab): Basic Chemistry, Intro to Chemistry, or Intro to Chemistry for Health Professions will be accepted.
• Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 & 2 (no lab) or Human Anatomy (no lab) and Human Physiology (no lab)
• Human Growth & Development (aka: Developmental Psychology): Course must cover lifespan including physical, cognitive, and emotional development.
• Microbiology: Must include content on microbes. No lab component is required.
• Human Nutrition: Exercise, sport, or weight control courses do not meet this requirement.
• Statistics: Must include inferential statistics
• Prerequisite coursework must be completed with a minimum letter grade of C+ or higher.
• Prerequisite coursework must have been completed within the last seven (7) years. Time is measured from the time of course completion to the time of anticipated matriculation. Applicants with extenuating circumstances may apply for a waiver of the 7-year policy by submitting the DEN Prerequisite Time-Limit Waiver Form.
• Applicants may have prerequisite coursework planned or in process at the time of application with no more than two(2) outstanding prerequisites during the semester prior to anticipated matriculation.
• All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to starting the program.
• Complete and submit our Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing Prerequisite Inquiry Form if you have any questions about prerequisite course equivalency and/or suitability. Upon submission of the form, replies can be expected by email within 5-7 business days.

GRE

The GRE is not required for admission to this program.

TOEFL/ IELTS

The language of instruction and clinical education at the MGH Institute is English and a high level of proficiency in both written and spoken English is required.  Applicants who have not completed either an undergraduate or graduate program where English is the language of instruction must demonstrate English Language proficiency as part of your application to the MGH Institute of Health Professions.  If you have questions about the language requirements, please contact the Office of Admissions.

• Applicants who are citizens of Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Great Britain, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand, Guyana, an Anglophone country of Africa, or an English-speaking country of the Caribbean are not required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.
• Applicants who are candidates for graduation from an accredited degree-granting program in the United States or at an English-speaking school in one of the countries listed above are also not required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. Acceptance to the IHP will be contingent upon successful completion of this degree prior to matriculation.

Please note that in some circumstances, demonstrating English language proficiency may be required by the academic program even if you are a citizen of a country in which the (or one of the) national language(s) is English. Decisions about the need for TOEFL or IELTS scores are at the discretion of the academic program to which you are applying in coordination with the department of OES.

The IHP accepts either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). The test must have been taken within two years of the application deadline and official score reports are required. The minimum TOEFL (internet-based) score accepted is 89 and the minimum IELTS score accepted is 6.5.  

• To forward your TOEFL score please contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS).  The MGH Institute of Health Professions code is 3513.
• For IELTS, a Test Report Form may be mailed to MGH Institute of Health Professions and score information will be verified by the IHP directly. You may designate up to 5 schools to receive Test Report Forms at the time you register for the test.  To request additional Test Report Forms, contact your test center.

Please contact the Office of Admissions if you have any questions about the MGH Institute’s English Language requirements. 

Applicants are required to submit an official transcript from each college and/or university attended, and should be sent directly to NursingCAS. Transcripts will be required even if a degree was not received from that institution. 

Applicants that have earned a degree from a non-US institution are required to submit a course-by-course credential evaluation from one of the following NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) members: Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc., SpanTran: The Evaluation Company, World Education Services (WES), or the Center for Educational Documentation. If you earned your bachelor's degree outside of the U.S. this credential evaluation must document minimum equivalency of a US baccalaureate degree or higher.

Personal Statement

A personal statement is required for all applicants and must be submitted directly to NursingCAS. The personal statement should address:

In what way(s) do you envision that your entry into the nursing profession could help address pertinent issues in nursing? In reference to MGH IHP’s core values, what ways do you envision you will foster an inclusive environment at the IHP. How will you contribute to the IHP community to make it a welcoming and inclusive place to learn?

The Personal Statement should be approximately three (3) pages in length, double spaced.

Recommendation Letters

Applicants are required to provide two (2) recommendation letters directly to NursingCAS. Recommendation letters should come from individuals who are able to address your academic ability, character, and integrity, as well as your potential for post-baccalaureate study. At least one letter should come from an academic reference and one should come from a professional reference. No more than two (2) recommendation letters will be reviewed as part of your application. 

Who can I contact for more information about the academic program, curriculum, or course requirements?

Please nursing [at] mghihp.edu (subject: Requesting%20information%20about%20the%20DEN) (contact the School of Nursing).

Who can I contact for more information about the application process, my application status, or what documents to submit?

If you require assistance with the application process or have questions about the requirements, please admissions [at] mghihp.edu (email the admission office) or give us a call.  

How can I tell if my prerequisites were taken at a regionally accredited institution?

All prerequisite courses must be taken at an institution that is accredited by one of the six regional accrediting bodies. Please refer to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation website for additional information on regional accreditation and regionally accredited institutions.

I’ve been placed on a waitlist.  What now?

Admission to MGH Institute is very competitive, and we cannot offer admission to all qualified candidates.  A waitlist of qualified applicants is maintained in order to continue to offer admissions if places become available.  We notify waitlisted students as soon as possible as places become available. Direct-Entry Master of Science Nursing applicants can find more info on the admissions page.

Can I defer my admission to a future term?

Deferral requests for the DEN program are not permitted with the exception of military deployment. To request a deferral, admissions [at] mghihp.edu (subject: Requesting%20a%20deferral) (email the admission office).

Are there other Conditions of Admission?

Yes.  If applicable, final transcripts and test scores must be submitted to satisfy the conditions of admission.

I’m an international student. Can I receive an F-1 visa?

Not all programs at MGH Institute are eligible for F-1 visa status. Please see General Information for Prospective International Students.