Direct Entry - Master of Science in Nursing

Whether you’re pivoting from a different career, rediscovering your purpose, or simply ready for a new challenge, Concordia provides a clear, supportive path to becoming a Registered Nurse.

• Career changers welcome: no prior nursing experience required.
  
  
• Any bachelor’s degree accepted: bring your existing degree, no matter the discipline, with a minimum 2.75 GPA or better.
  
  
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): certification or proof of completion (examination not required but recommended) - Current unencumbered EMT certification or current unencumbered LPN licensure may be considered as equivalent to CNA.
  
  
• Prerequisite courses required within 7 years: this set of science and health prerequisites ensures you’re fully prepared to succeed:
  • A&P I*
  • A&P II*
  • Chemistry
  • Microbiology*
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Statistics
    
    *Lecture and Labs must be taken within the last 7 years with an award of B grade or better.
    
    
• In-person learning: Students must be able to attend clinicals and on-campus lab experiences at either the CUW or CUAA campus.

Submit an online application: www.cuw.edu/apply (select the Graduate option)

All students applying for admission to the program must submit:

• Resume with educational and professional experience
• All official transcripts from all schools previously attended
• Personal Statement / essay - should include responses to each of the following statements/questions. This short essay should be an example of student’s best writing for the admission review committee’s consideration. Each touch point should not exceed 350 words.
  • Describe why you are choosing a career in nursing.
  • Concordia University is Christ-centered, valuing truth and integrity, excellence, and service. How does this fit with your values and beliefs?
  • In reflection on your qualifications as a candidate for our direct-entry Masters of Science in nursing graduate nursing program, describe how you will manage your time and financial responsibilities to be successful.
• Brief video introduction recorded and submitted through your application
• Provide a copy of your government-issued identification
• The following items are required upon acceptance, prior to the cohort orientation. If already completed, please provide the documents during the application process:
  1. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification or proof of completion (examination not required but recommended) - Current unencumbered EMT certification or current unencumbered LPN licensure may be considered as equivalent to CNA
  2. American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Professionals (BLS-HCP) certification

In addition to the Graduate Admission Requirements, there may be a pre-admission telephone interview.

The admission committee will review applications and a formal letter/email of acceptance or denial will be sent to the student.

Please note: in clinical experiences, students are required to work in healthcare systems or clinics, and must comply with any vaccination requirements of the clinical sites.

Contact us

For additional information, please contact the Graduate Admission Office at graduate.admission@cuw.edu or 262-243-4300.

At Concordia, you don’t just graduate as a nurse—you graduate as a Concordia nurse. Rooted in Christian faith, our education empowers nurses to inspire hope, touch lives, and transform healthcare through compassion, integrity, and unwavering excellence.

The master’s degree program in nursing at Concordia University Wisconsin is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.