Mode of Delivery of Tracks:
The MSN Program at IU South Bend is part of the IU Regional MSN Consortium. Its courses use web-based and video technologies for maximum convenience.
FNP and Nursing Administration Tracks:
- A balance of online learning and practicum that mirrors today's work environment with some classes meeting synchronously online up to 4 times. Over 80% of the program is available online.
Nursing Education track-
- A balance of online learning and practicum that mirrors today's work environment in a hybrid format with some classes meeting on-campus and some synchronously online up to 4 times a semester. Over 75% of the program is available online,
Admission Cycles:
Admission for the FNP trackand Post Master’s Certificate occurs once a year with classes starting in January. The application cycle opens on April 1st and closes on September 15th.
Admission to the Nursing Administration and Nursing Education Tracks have rolling admissions and can start in the Fall or Spring Semester.
Admission Criteria for all MSN Tracks
- BSN Undergraduate GPA of 2.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale from an NLN CNEA, ACEN, or CCNE accredited program. Official transcripts need to be submitted from all post-secondary coursework.
- Copy of current RN license. Current unencumbered license or multistate license as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the states where practicum experiences will be completed.
- Statistics grade (by transcript or current completion at IU campus): Applicants need to have a grade of C or higher in a three credit, undergraduate college credit statistics course (or successfully complete prior to Research, R500).
- Personal Statement (goal statement): An essay that addresses the following:
- Identify your academic goals, career objectives, why you are applying to this program and the qualifications you have that make you a strong candidate for admission. (200-word count limit)
- Describe significant professional and life experiences that have prepared you for a master’s education. Please discuss these experiences in detail. (400-word count limit)
- All students contribute to creating a diverse and inclusive environment when diversity is broadly defined. Whether by a personal attribute, characteristic, culture, experience, or behavior, please tell us how you believe you will contribute to the diversity of Indiana University and the nursing profession. The concept of diversity includes the following dimensions: race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, and religious beliefs. (200-word count limit)
- Essential Abilities. Applicants must agree to the Essential Abilities Policy of the School of Nursing. The policy states that students must demonstrate Essential Abilities in a variety of areas (judgment, neurological function, emotional coping skills, intellectual/conceptual skills, and other behavioral attributions) as well as meeting all progression criteria.
- Criminal Background Check and Urine Drug Screen.
- CV/Resume: May upload via online
- References. Applicants must provide two professional references via online application (academic references are acceptable but at least one clinical reference should be submitted).
- Clinical practice. For the FNP track, two years of relevant full-time clinical practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) and currently working as an RN is preferred. For the education or administration track, one year of clinical experience as an RN is preferred.
Indiana University South Bend MSN Transfer Credits Policy
Prospective students admitted to the program may petition to transfer up to twelve (12) credit hours of graduate –level course work, using the following criteria:
- Core courses and elective courses will be considered for transfer credits.
- Courses must have been completed within 5 years of the date of the petition with a grade of B- or above.
- Courses must have been taken at an accredited school.
- Official transcripts for all requested courses to be reviewed.
Indiana University South Bend MSN Transfer Credits Procedure
Prospective students wanting to transfer MSN credits petition the Graduate Program Director to review graduate level courses taken elsewhere for credit in the MSN track must submit the following:
- A formal, written request to the Graduate Program Director for course review. This request must list the course(s) to be reviewed, including course number, course title, number of credit hours, grade earned, and semester/year completed.
- Official transcripts for all requested courses to be reviewed.
- Syllabus for any course may be requested from the Graduate Program Director
IU courses from other campuses, if they pertain to the IU South Bend curriculum, will be accepted without further review and without limit as long as taken within the last 5 years.
Program Length
- Administration and Education tracks: Completed in six semesters (including Summer).
- FNP track: Completed in seven semesters (including Summer).
- Post Masters FNP Certificate: Completed in four semesters (including Summer).
Tuition Information
Tuition adjusts each academic year and depends on the credit hours taken. Find tuition, fees, in-state vs. out-of-state tuition, residency requirements, and payment information at the IU South Bend Bursar Office.
Admissions Questions
Have questions about the admissions process?
Mailing Address
Indiana University South Bend
Dwyer College of Health Sciences
School of Nursing
c/o Graduate Program Director
1700 Mishawaka Ave PO Box 7111
South Bend, IN 46634-7111
Ready to apply to the IU South Bend MSN graduate program?
Application Process
Step One
Collect two professional references.
One reference needs to be from a direct supervisor, manager or director. The following are examples of acceptable professional references:
- Current or former nursing instructor (Faculty who teach in the IU South Bend MSN program are excluded).
- Current or former nurse manager or another clinical supervisor (i.e. house supervisor, shift coordinator, etc.)
- Nurse working in the role you wish to pursue with whom you have a professional relationship.
- Clinical educator
- Physician with whom you've worked closely.
- Immediate supervisor from previous healthcare-related employment (i.e., Nurse Tech, CNA, EMT, etc.)
References from peers, colleagues who are close friends, and relatives are not acceptable.
You will enter your reference contact information into the online application. When you submit the application, your references will receive an electronic request to complete an online evaluation. References do not need to send a formal letter of recommendation, but if they have a letter written for you, they will have the option to attach it to their evaluation.
Be sure to verify with your contacts that each received, completed, and returned the reference recommendation form. Your application must include three recommendations and be received by September 15th to be considered complete.
Step Two
Prepare your resume.
Your resume should include, if applicable:
- Clinical RN experience
- Other healthcare-related work experience
- Significant prior careers
- Certifications and professional development
- Leadership and/or committee roles in your place of employment
- Awards, nominations, or other recognition
- Preceptor experience
- Healthcare-related volunteer experience
- Membership to nursing organizations (including nursing student organizations, if a recent graduate) - denote any leadership roles held
There is no page limit - please feel free to use as much space as you need to convey to the admission committee who you are as a nurse and potential graduate student.
Step Three
Take a screenshot of your RN license.
Applicants must possess an active, unencumbered U.S. RN license at the time of application. Please take a screenshot from the licensing board (IPLA if in Indiana) website showing your license number and the expiration date.
Step Four
Prepare a response to the following questions:
- Identify your academic goals, career objectives, why you are applying to this program and the qualifications you have that make you a strong candidate for admission. (200-word count limit)
- Describe significant professional and life experiences that have prepared you for a master’s education. Please discuss these experiences in detail. (400-word count limit)
- All students contribute to creating a diverse and inclusive environment when diversity is broadly defined. Whether by a personal attribute, characteristic, culture, experience, or behavior, please tell us how you believe you will contribute to the diversity of Indiana University and the nursing profession. The concept of diversity includes the following dimensions: race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, and religious beliefs. (200-word count limit)
Please answer the following questions on a Word Document. Word count should be listed on the top corner of your essay. Word count cannot exceed 800 words.
Step Five
Submit your transcripts.
Submit official transcripts from each university and college attended outside of the Indiana University system. For coursework completed at Indiana University (any campus), we will have access to your official transcript - you do not need to send one.
To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to the IUSB School of Nursing by the issuing institution or their agent. We cannot accept transcripts that are marked "Issued to Student." The issuing institution can send transcripts electronically to cwendelb@iu.edu or by mail to:
Indiana University South Bend
Dwyer School of Health Sciences
MSN Nursing
c/o Graduate Program Director
1700 Mishawaka Ave PO Box 7111
South Bend, IN 46634-7111
Step Six
Complete and submit an online graduate application at https://iugraduate2025.liaisoncas.com. Create an account in the WebCAS system.Once in the WebCAS application, search for Nursing MSN and select the track of interest (FNP, Post Masters FNP, Admin, Education). For Administration and Education, there are Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 applications.
Be sure to upload all of your documents into the application before submitting; only complete applications will be processed. All documents including reference responses and transcripts must be received by September 15thbefore your application will be considered complete.