How to Apply: MS in Nursing
william f. connell school of nursing
Thank you for your interest in applying to the William F. Connell School of Nursing. The information on this page pertains to those applying for the traditional master's program, RN/MS, joint degrees, and additional specialty certificate. Please read all the forms and materials carefully. These forms often contain important details, and we recommend that you review each one in advance to ensure that you have all the necessary information.
program eligibility
- A bachelor's degree, diploma, or associate's degree from a nationally accredited nursing program*
- An undergraduate grade point average of B or better
- A completed course in statistics‡
- A current RN license to practice nursing
‡ Not a requirement for additional specialty certificate applicants
required application materials
Please be advised that applicants are accepted with a projected clinical semester of Fall 2013 or later on a space available basis. Please contact the Graduate Programs Office at 617-552-4928 if you require additional information.
- Online application form
- $40 application fee (can be submitted online via Agora Portal or mailed with cover sheet)
- Official transcripts of all prior postsecondary academic work (including at BC) Please note that all transcripts must be official and mailed directly from the institution to our Application Processing Center. If the institution does not accept the cover page, you must ensure that the name on your transcript exactly matches the name on your application. It is the applicant's responsibility to contact the Graduate Office (617-552-4928) if an academic transcript has been submitted under a different last name and does not have a cover page.
- Three letters of recommendation:
- A recent employer/supervisor who speaks to your level of professional practice
- A professor or instructor who assesses your potential for graduate study and performance in your desired area of study
- A person well acquainted with your professional preparation and/or clinical experience, preferably a master's prepared nurse
Please print out the cover sheet and have your writers attach the form to their letter; do not mail in the cover sheet separately. Photocopies of letters are not acceptable.
- Goal statement that articulates academic and career goals
- A copy of your current RN license
additional requirements for RNs with a diploma or associate's degree in nursing
- RNs with a diploma or associate's degree in nursing must meet all Boston College undergraduate science and liberal arts course requirements through direct transfer, portfolio review, or course enrollment. Individual course substitutions may be allowed on an individual basis.
- Applicant worksheet
additional requirements for international students
- Official transcript(s) evaluation (by the Commission on Graduate Foreign Nursing Schools or World Education Services) from all post-secondary institutions at which you have studied
- NCLEX-RN Examination results/RN licensure
- Evidence of English Proficiency (TOEFL) -- Official TOEFL scores required
Students who speak a native language other than English must provide evidence of English proficiency. A score of 600 on the paper-based test, 250 on the CBT test (computer-based test), or 100 on the new IBT test (Internet-Based Test) or higher on the Test of English, as a foreign language (TOEFL) is required. Student copies or photocopies of TOEFL scores are not accepted.
You can get application forms and information about testing dates for the TOEFL from many U.S. consulates, USIA Centers, and TOEFL centers overseas by writing to: TOEFL Registration CN 6152 Princeton, New Jersey 08541 USA, or www.toefl.org.
The TOEFL score is not required if:
- You are a citizen of Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, Guyana, an Anglophone country of Africa, or an English-speaking country of the Caribbean.
- You earned your prior college or university degree in the U.S. or one of the countries listed above.
- You are currently enrolled as a full-time student in a U.S. degree-granting program or at an American or English-speaking school in one of the countries listed above and will have completed two academic years of college/university work before beginning your studies at Boston College.
supplemental forms
Based on the answers you provide in your application, you may need one or more of the following forms to complete your application:
- Suspended or Revoked License Explanation Form (if you indicated a suspended or revoked license on your application)
- Learning Disability Documentation Form (if you indicated a learning disability on your application)
- Supplementary Information Form (if you wish to submit any supplementary information in addition to the standard application)
SUBMITTING APPLICATION MATERIALS
Completed application materials should be sent to the following address:
Boston College
William F. Connell School of Nursing
Application Processing Center
P.O. Box 225
Randolph, MA 02368-9998
In order to be processed, all materials must be submitted on official forms or with appropriate official cover sheets that includes your full name, social security number (if applicable), and date of birth. This information will be used to match your application to all supplementary materials (transcripts, recommendations, etc.) Failure to include the appropriate form/cover may delay or prevent your application from being reviewed.
Please note that the mailing address listed above does not accept deliveries from Fedex, UPS, or other express mail services. If you need to submit materials in an expedited fashion, please send to: