Admission Requirements

There is a required Orientation Program for students accepted into the PhD program that occurs the Friday before classes begin.  Details for the Orientation Program are sent by e-mail two weeks in advance of the orientation day.

Interested applicants should possess the following qualities:

• The PhD program is a post-bachelor's degree program.  Applicants must have completed a bachelor's degree program at time of admission.
• A Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
• A minimum grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.
• International applicants:  Please refer to this site prior to submitting an application:  https://illinoisstate.edu/admissions/international/online-program-disclosure/  Additionally, international applicants must submit a Credentials Evaluation Service Academic Report from CGFNS (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools).  Applicants must comply with the International Applicant Requirements, https://illinoisstate.edu/admissions/international/requirements/, as directed by the Illinois State University Office of Admissions. Please apply early in the application process to ensure adequate time to review transcripts and Credential Evaluation Reports. 

Health and Safety Compliance Requirements for enrollment in Mennonite College of Nursing programs

All students entering their respective nursing program are expected to be compliant with all health & safety requirements of the University, MCN, and the clinical sites they are assigned to or have selected, at all times. In addition to any University and MCN expectations, all students engaged in a clinical for credit are subject to any applicable policies and/or procedures of the clinical site, including immunizations and other requests. Upon admission, students receive a comprehensive list of health & safety compliance requirements that must be adhered to prior to nursing course registration.  These include but are not limited to the following: immunizations, blood titers, TB skin test, influenza vaccination, criminal background checks, and drug tests. Upon clinical assignment and throughout the semester as applicable, students are provided with any additional clinical site-specific requirements beyond those outlined upon admission. If clinical rotations require more than ISU/MCN, (i.e., COVID-19 vaccination proof, weekly testing, etc.), students must meet the requirements of their clinical site by providing documentation as directed by the clinical site (i.e., directly to the site following their guidelines for compliance and/or through the College with an appropriate release). Students must comply with these requirements to receive an override to register or remain registered for clinical.  More details related to health and safety can be found in the Health and Safety section of the Student Handbooks.  Students should refer to their Health and Safety packets to be aware of requirements and deadlines.