Admission
Admission Standards
Admission to the Master of Science in Nursing Program (MSN) is open to graduates of baccalaureate nursing programs from institutions of higher education that are fully accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agencies and either NLNAC (National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission) or CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education). Applicants must hold a current Ohio registered nurse license and give evidence of the intellectual, academic and personal ability to succeed in graduate studies. Admission shall not be denied on the basis of race, religion, age, sex, color, disability, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, marital or veteran status.
Applications for admission will be reviewed each quarter by the Nursing Professional Review Committee. The most qualified applicants will be selected on a space-available basis. It may be necessary for some students to take undergraduate courses to meet prerequisites of selected graduate courses.
Candidates that do not meet all the admission criteria, but who wish to be considered for admission must submit a petition requesting special consideration along with their application materials. For example, the inclusion of GRE scores may strengthen the candidate’s position, if the application does not meet the criteria of a minimum grade point average.
Admission Criteria
- Baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education that is fully accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency.
- Baccalaureate degree from a NLNAC and/or CCNE accredited undergraduate nursing program.
- Current licensure as a registered nurse in Ohio.
- Evidence of capacity for graduate study. A blended cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate course work is required.
- Congruence of the applicant’s goals with the objectives and resources of the Otterbein College Nursing Department.
- One year full-time or part-time equivalent nursing work experience within the last five years is required for the NSA and CNL majors. Two years full-time or part-time equivalent nursing work experience within the last five years is required for the ANP and FNP majors.
- Ability to articulate one’s professional goals and express one’s self clearly as evidenced by the admission essay.
Admission Procedure
Materials required for admission to the MSN Programs must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Programs at the address listed below. All contents of the admission file become the legal property of the College and are not returnable or transferable.
- Complete a graduate Application for Admission.
- Request official transcripts from all previous colleges or universities attended be sent to the Office of Graduate Programs. In order to be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution to the Office of Graduate Programs. If hand-delivered, transcripts must be in an unopened envelope from the issuing institution.
- Submit a professional resume.
- Give an Otterbein College Graduate Nursing Recommendation Form to two individuals that can support your application to pursue graduate studies (one reference from an RN is preferred). At least one should be from an employer. If the applicant has been in school during the last five years, the other recommendation should be from a nursing professor. Otterbein College reserves the right to contact persons providing recommendations and to contact a recommender to acknowledge receipt of a recommendation.
- Submit a 2-4 page essay (typewritten, double-spaced). The essay should:
- Summarize professional background.
- Discuss professional goals and how these goals can be achieved in the MSN Program.
- Describe past experiences and reflections that have influenced these goals.
- Describe personal contributions that can be made to the nursing program and wider community.
This essay should be carefully prepared and edited since it is considered an important component of the admission application.
- Provide a current Ohio RN license number on the Application for Admission form. The Office of Graduate Programs will verify current Ohio RN licensure on the Ohio Board of Nursing website and a copy of the license verification will be added to the student file.
- Optional but strongly encouraged: Schedule an appointment with the Nursing Admissions Advisor in the Office of Graduate Programs for program information.
All admission materials including transcripts must be submitted to:
Office of Graduate Programs
Roush Hall, Room 208
Otterbein College
One Otterbein College
Westerville, OH 43081
Admission Process
Applicants for the MSN program may be enrolled provisionally for one quarter through the Office of Graduate Programs while completing the admission process. Applicants must submit transcripts showing completion of a BSN degree from an institution of higher education that is fully accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency, and a NLNAC and/or CCNE accredited program in nursing; MSN Application for Admission form; and a current Ohio RN number. (The Office of Graduate Programs will verify current Ohio RN licensure on the Ohio Board of Nursing website and a copy of the license verification will be added to the student file.) In order to ensure priority admission consideration, these materials should be submitted approximately four weeks prior to the start of the quarter. Please contact the Office of Graduate Programs at (614) 823-3210 for specific dates.
To be considered for full admission and continuation in the MSN program, all admission materials must be submitted to the Office of Graduation Programs according to the published deadline. Please refer to your provisional admission letter for the applicable deadlines. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all materials have been submitted by the appropriate deadline.
The completed application materials are reviewed by the Nursing Professional Review Committee to determine whether the applicant is accepted into the MSN program and may continue to enroll in graduate course work. Questions regarding the application process or admission status should be directed to the Office of Graduate Programs at (614) 823-3210.
Applicants to the MSN program have the option of being provisionally admitted and enrolling for one quarter prior to review for full admission. Applicants who do not exercise this option and are denied admission by the Nursing Department Professional Review Committee, may not provisionally enroll under a degree or non-degree admission status.
International/Non-Citizen Applicant Admission
Some, or all of the following information may be required in order to complete the application process. Once the Office of Graduate Programs has received an admission application, the applicant will be notified what additional materials will be required.
The materials may include:
- Supplemental Application for Admission.
- Official TOEFL report if the applicant’s first language is not English or the applicant does not hold a degree from a U.S. college or university. A score of at least 550 on the paper-based test, a 213 on the computer-based test, or a 79 on the Internet-based test (iBT) is required. Departments may set separate minimum scores.
- Proof of financial support is required for applicants seeking a student visa. Please contact the Office of Graduate Programs for a complete description of documentation required to process an I-20.
- If academic credentials are from an institution outside of the United States, a World Education Services, Inc. (WES) course-by-course evaluation of all post-secondary credentials.
- Applicants who hold a visa, are a U.S. resident alien, or are a permanent resident (with a green card) must submit a copy of the visa/green card along with the Supplemental Application.
All international applicants should contact the Office of Graduate Programs for additional information. In order to process admission and immigration documents in a timely manner, international/non-citizen applicants are asked to submit all admission materials, including the WES evaluation and proof of financial support, no later than two months prior to the start of the term.
Non-Degree Applicant Admission
Qualified applicants with baccalaureate degrees in nursing who do not plan to earn a Master of Science in Nursing degree at Otterbein College may enroll in selected graduate nursing courses on a space available basis for one quarter. Requests for enrollment beyond one quarter must be submitted to the Director of Graduate Studies in Nursing. Non-degree students must pay the same fees as degree seeking students. Prior to beginning the admission process, applicants must contact the Otterbein College Nursing Department Professional Review Committee Chair.
In order to be admitted, non-degree applicants must submit the following to the Office of Graduate Programs:
- Graduate Application for Admission.
- Official transcripts showing completion of a BSN degree from an institution of higher education that is fully accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency and a NLNAC and/or CCNE accredited nursing program. In order to be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution to the Office of Graduate Programs. If hand-delivered, transcripts must be in an unopened envelope from the issuing institution.
- Current Ohio RN license number.
The Office of Graduate Programs will verify current Ohio RN licensure on the Ohio Board of Nursing website and a copy of the license verification will be added to the student file. Contact the Office of Graduate Programs at (614) 823-3210 for application deadline.
Transient Applicant Admission
A student enrolled and in good standing in a graduate nursing program at another institution may enroll in specific graduate courses for transfer of credit.
In order to be admitted, transient applicants must submit the following to the Office of Graduate Programs:
- Graduate Application for Admission form.
- Official transcripts from all previous colleges or universities attended.
- Official transcript from the current graduate nursing program. In order to be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution to the Office of Graduate Programs. If hand-delivered, transcripts must be in an unopened envelope from the issuing institution.
- Letter from school administrator documenting enrollment with good academic standing of the student in a graduate nursing program.
- A current Ohio RN license number.
The Office of Graduate Programs will verify current Ohio RN licensure on the Ohio Board of Nursing website and a copy of the license verification will be added to the student file.
The visiting student must meet the registration requirements for the given course, complete all the course requirements and examinations, and pay the same fees and tuition as Otterbein College students. Transient students may register on a space available basis and take up to 12 quarter hours over a maximum of three quarters.
Transfer Credit
Master of Science in Nursing Program transfer credit for graduate level course work will be considered if:
- The course work is evaluated by the Director of Graduate Studies in Nursing and course faculty.
- The transcript and syllabus reflect course work at the graduate level from an accredited graduate nursing program.
- The content of the transfer course is equivalent to the course offered in the Otterbein College Master of Science in Nursing Program.
- The course has been taken within the previous 5 years.
- The course was completed with a grade of B or higher. The actual grade is not transferred and thus will not be included in the Otterbein grade point average.
- No more than 15 hours of graduate credit will be accepted as transfer credit.
- Graduate course work must be taken at an institution of higher education that is fully accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency and a NLNAC and/or CCNE accredited graduate nursing program.
- Proficiency exams are not offered in the MSN program.
- Credit for life/professional experiences is not granted for graduate courses.
To request transfer credit, the student must submit the following information to the Director of Graduate Studies in Nursing:
- A letter describing what transfer credit is being sought.
- Syllabus of the graduate course(s) taken at another school(s) for which transfer credit is being sought.
Transient Credit
Students admitted to the nursing graduate program may petition to take appropriate course work in other institutions for credit at Otterbein College.
The conditions for approval of course work taken as a transient student in other institutions for graduate credit are as follows:
- The application for credit earned as a transient student must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies in consultation with course faculty.
- The institution offering the course must be accredited and approved for graduate work in nursing.
- Course work for which credit is requested must be described in the catalog or other official publication of the offering institution.
- The content of the course must satisfy a requirement (or be a suitable elective) in a degree program of the offering institution which is similar to the Otterbein program.
- No more than 4 quarter hours of credit earned as a transient student will be approved.
- The 4 credits earned as a transient student plus any transfer credits approved when the student is admitted to the MSN program cannot exceed 15 quarter hours.
- Credit will not be recorded until an official transcript or report has been received from the offering institution. In order to be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution to the Office of Graduate Programs. If handdelivered, transcripts must be in an unopened envelope from the issuing institution.
Residence Requirement
A student is considered to be in residence when registered for graduate course work offered by Otterbein College. To meet the residence requirement for the Master of Science in Nursing degree, students in the Nursing Service Administration major must complete at least 27 quarter hours of graduate course work at Otterbein College. Students in the Clinical Nurse Leader major must complete at least 17 quarter hours of graduate course work at Otterbein College to meet the MSN degree residence requirement. Students in the Adult Nurse Practitioner major must complete at least 31 quarter hours and students in the Family Nurse Practitioner major must complete at least 38 quarter hours of graduate course work at Otterbein College to meet the MSN degree residence requirement.
Program Completion
Students must submit a Request for Degree Application to the Registrar’s Office two quarters prior to the completion of all graduate work. This form may be obtained at the Registrar’s Office or from the Registrar’s web page at www.otterbein.edu, under the intranet link. All financial obligations must be met before students may participate in graduation, receive their transcripts, or receive their diploma.
The following criteria must be fulfilled to complete the MSN Program:
- Complete:
- 42-45 quarter hours of required graduate course work for the NSA major
- 32 quarter hours of required graduate course work for the CNL major
- 46-49 quarter hours of required graduate course work for the ANP major
- 53-56 quarter hours of required graduate course work for the FNP major
- Complete at least the following hours of course work at Otterbein College:
- 27 quarter hours for the NSA major
- 17 quarter hours for the CNL major
- 31 quarter hours for the ANP major
- 38 quarter hours for the FNP major
- Achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
- Successfully complete the capstone requirement (thesis or scholarly project or comprehensive examination for all MSN students; or NURS 708 for NP students only ). Must achieve a passing grade at a level equivalent to a B or higher for the capstone requirement.
MSN Program Curriculum
The Master of Science in Nursing Program (MSN Program) at Otterbein College provides the baccalaureate nurse an opportunity to synthesize knowledge and develop skills for advanced nursing practice, teaching, management, and research. Students may major in Nursing Service Administration, Clinical Nurse Leader, Adult Nurse Practitioner or Family Nurse Practitioner. Post Masters Adult Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate Programs are available for students who already have an MSN degree and want to practice as an advanced practice nurse in adult or family primary care. (For additional details, see section on Post Masters NP programs in this catalog.) MSN students may also choose a concentration in education consisting of three online courses focusing on the role of the Advanced Practice Nurse Educator. This advanced practice nurse educator concentration is also offered as a Post Masters program. (For additional details, see section on Post Masters Advanced Practice Nurse Educator program in this catalog.) An RN to MSN program is also available (See Undergraduate course catalog for details). Graduate courses are offered on-line and via interactive television to five distance sites: Central Ohio Technical College, Hocking College, Marion Technical College, Southern State Community College, and Washington State Community College.
Curriculum Objectives
Upon completion of the Master of Science in Nursing Program, the graduate will be able to:
- Synthesize knowledge from nursing and relevant fields of study as a basis for an advanced nursing role.
- Use the nursing process to perform the independent, collaborative and multifaceted functions of an advanced nursing role to optimize health care outcomes.
- Demonstrate critical thinking when making decisions regarding the delivery of quality, cost effective, culturally relevant health care to individuals or populations including the vulnerable or underserved.
- Analyze the legal, political, ethical, financial and professional functions of advanced nursing roles.
- Examine health issues, health care delivery systems, including informatics and the implications for nursing.
- Provide nursing leadership through advocacy and change management within the health care delivery system in advanced nursing roles.
- Integrate caring behaviors and patterns into advanced nursing roles.
- Apply the body of nursing knowledge through systematic inquiry, professional standards of care and evidence-based practice.
The Master of Science in Nursing program is accredited by:
NLNAC Statement
* National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), located at 51 Broadway, New York, NY 10006, is an informational resource for the nursing program (eg. tuition, fees and length of programs). The telephone number is 1-800-669-9656.
CCNE Statement
* Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is located at One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, D.C., 20036-1120. The telephone number is 202-887-6791.
Summary of Curriculum Requirements
The Master of Science in Nursing Program curriculum requirements in the four majors are as follows:
| Credit Hours |
NSA |
CNL |
ANP |
FNP |
| Core Nursing Hours |
13-16 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
| Specialty Core Hours |
8-12 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
| Specialty Hours |
18-20 |
10 |
24-27 |
31-31 |
| Total Hours |
42-45 |
32 |
46-49 |
53-56 |
- Nursing Service Administration (NSA)
- Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
- Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Capstone Requirements
In order to successfully complete the thesis, the student must demonstrate the following:
- Knowledge and mastery of the graduate program content, including therapeutic nursing interventions, critical thinking skills, and communication skills.
- Pose a research question based on a review of the literature and clinical experiences.
- Develop a research proposal.
- Meet with a thesis committee for approval of the proposal.
- Receive Institutional Review Board approval and if appropriate, agency approval for planned research.
- Conduct the study.
- Analyze the study results and make recommendations for future research.
- Write a comprehensive research report (thesis).
- Defend the study to the thesis committee during an oral examination.
The thesis will be read and evaluated by a thesis committee, and the student will defend the study before the committee. All three faculty committee members must approve the written thesis as well as the oral defense before the Master of Science in Nursing degree can be granted. The student must achieve a passing grade at a level equivalent to a B or higher. A passing grade will be granted if the student demonstrates the competencies listed in the above objectives. Thesis guidelines may be obtained in the Department of Nursing Office, 614-823-1614.
In order to successfully complete the scholarly project, the student must demonstrate the following:
- Knowledge and mastery of the graduate program content, including therapeutic nursing interventions, critical thinking skills, and communication skills.
- Select a significant problem related to advanced practice nursing or administration based on a review of the literature and clinical experiences.
- Develop a scholarly project proposal.
- Meet with the scholarly project committee for approval of the proposal.
- Receive agency and/or if appropriate, Institutional Review Board approval for planned project.
- Develop and implement the scholarly project.
- Evaluate the project results and make recommendations for future initiatives.
- Write a comprehensive project report.
- Defend the project to the scholarly project committee during an oral examination.
The scholarly project will be read and evaluated by a scholarly project committee, and the student will defend the project before the committee. All three faculty committee members must approve the scholarly project report before the Master of Science in Nursing degree can be granted. The student must achieve a passing grade at a level equivalent to a B or higher. A passing grade will be granted if the student demonstrates the competencies listed in the above objectives. Scholarly Project guidelines may be obtained in the Department of Nursing Office, 614-823-1614.
In order to successfully complete the comprehensive examination, the student must demonstrate the following:
- Knowledge and mastery of the graduate program content, including therapeutic nursing interventions, critical thinking skills, and communication skills.
- Ability to write comprehensive and clear responses to the examination questions.
- Ability to respond clearly and concisely to oral questions posed by a comprehensive examination committee composed of three faculty members.
All three faculty committee members must approve the written comprehensive examination as well as the oral defense before the Master of Science in Nursing degree can be granted. The student must achieve a passing grade at a level equivalent to a B or higher in both the written and oral portions of the examination. A passing grade will be granted if the student demonstrates the competencies listed in the above objectives. The comprehensive examination policy is contained in Appendix A of the Nursing Graduate Handbook.
In order to successfully complete Nursing 708, the student must demonstrate the following:
- Knowledge and mastery of the graduate program content, including therapeutic nursing interventions, critical thinking skills, and communication skills.
- Ability to write a paper suitable for publication, that is clear, concise, well-written, and demonstrates knowledge of the literature and critical thinking.
The student must achieve a passing grade equivalent to a B or higher in the course. A passing grade will be granted if the student demonstrates the competencies listed in the above objectives.
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