Prospective Students

MSN, MN, Post-Master’s Certificates

Vanderbilt School of Nursing’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Master of Nursing (MN), Master of Nursing Prespecialty and Post-Master’s Certificate (PMC) programs share many of the same admissions requirements. Have questions? Please contact us at VUSN-Admissions@vanderbilt.edu.  

Nursing photo
Section Contents

Basic Admissions Information by Degree Type

  • Full-time students start in the fall semester. 
  • Applications open in mid-August for the following fall semester. 
  • Review begins October 15, after which applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Priority is given to those applying before the October 15 date particularly in programs with limited spaces. 
  • You are encouraged to apply regardless of the priority review date. Your application is welcome throughout the fall and spring semesters.  
  • Your statement of purpose should reflect your interest in a specific specialty. Application to multiple specialties will not be considered.  
  • Determine if you wish to apply for admission as a Middle Tennessee area or Outside of Middle Tennessee area student. Visit Clinical Placement.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees are set annually by the Vanderbilt University Board of Trust. Tuition for 2024-2025 is $1,997 per credit hour. To determine your tuition, multiple $1,997 by the number of hours you will take each year, then add the applicable fees.  

Fees (per year)

Health Insurance*: $3,918
Student Service Fees: $758 
Student Health Fee: $968 
Transcript Fee (one time): $100 
Books**: $2,500 

* Health insurance is required for all students. You will be billed automatically for the university’s student health insurance plan if you do not provide proof of adequate coverage by another insurer. The automatic coverage does not account for spouses or dependents. 
** The charge for books is estimated because book prices and where students buy books varies. The charge for books will not appear on your bill; it’s best to purchase your books before classes begin. 

Cost of Attendance for MSN, MN, DNP and PMC

Most, if not all, VUSN students receive financial aid. When calculating the financial aid amount offered each student, the school calculates what it calls the cost of attendance budget. The COA is considered sufficient to cover tuition, fees and moderate living expenses for a single student. The COA is the budget Vanderbilt uses to determine the financial aid amount offered each year.  

Application Checklist

  • Attend an Information Session

    On-campus and online information sessions are held frequently; visit in person or virtually to learn more. 

  • Starting Your Application
    • Application Fee is $50.
    • Only one application is considered per student, per term.
    • Answer all application questions. Your writing style and content will be evaluated.
    • All application information must be your work.
    • Start the application before sending transcripts or recommendations.
  • Application Components
    • Standardized test scores are not required. 
    • A GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is recommended. 
    • Reference Letters: 
      • Submit three reference letters from faculty members, professional colleagues or supervisors only. At least one reference must hold a master’s degree or higher. There is no benefit to submitting additional references. 
    • Applicants to the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) specialty should submit one reference from a neonatologist and one from an NNP. 

    Transcripts:  

    • Request official electronic transcripts from all colleges and universities attended be sent to CDM@vanderbilt.edu. Faculty review does not begin until official transcripts are received. 
    • If electronic transcripts are not available, send paper transcripts to the Center for Data Management | Vanderbilt University | PMB 407833 | 2301 Vanderbilt Place | Nashville, TN 37240-7833. 

    Academic History: 

    • Complete the academic history portion before submitting the application to avoid delays. 

    Prerequisites: 

    • Prerequisites (including online courses) must be completed before the term begins.  
    • Statistics is a prerequisite for all applicants with a nursing degree. 
    • For applicants without nursing degrees, additional prerequisites include human anatomy, human physiology, microbiology, lifespan development (or developmental psychology) and nutrition. Non-nurse applicants must meet the professional practice of nursing eligibility requirements. For more information on licensure, visit the Tennessee Department of Health website. 
    • For nursing students who reside outside of Tennessee, see Professional Licensure and Out-of-state Requirements. 
    • Registered nurse applicants must have graduated from an ACEN or CCNE accredited school and must hold an unencumbered RN license.  
  • Check the Application Status Page Frequently
    • All applicants are responsible for monitoring the checklist on their application status page for missing transcripts, references, etc.
  • #4

    Top Graduate Nursing MSN
  • 98%

    NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate 
  • 29%

    Students from ethnic/racial backgrounds/groups (self-identified) 

Information for International Students

  • International Applicants Who Need an I-20 or Ds-2019 Issued to Study in the United States

    Due to federal guidelines, the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Post-Master’s Certificate (PMC) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs do not satisfy the requirements for F-1 or J-1 study. The federal regulations restrict the number of courses that can be delivered via an online format within a program of study for F-1 and J-1 students. As these Vanderbilt programs have a significant online component, the educational format is not compatible with the structure required by the federal government for F-1 and J-1 students. See details.

  • Registered Nurse Applicants Who Hold a TN (Trade NAFTA) Visa

    Applicants who hold a valid TN visa are eligible to apply to the MSN, Post-master’s Certificate and DNP programs and are not subject to the requirements that exist for F-1 or J-1 students. However, applicants with a TN visa will need to include in their application a letter from their US employer indicating the employer gives permission for the employee to attend school.

  • Applicants Who Have Completed Coursework or Academic Degrees Outside the USA

    A transcript evaluation is required for admission. Applicants who have completed college or university coursework or a degree in a country other than the United States must obtain and submit an original, official and complete course-by-course evaluation of all transcripts, degrees and other relevant documents.


    Evaluation agencies include:

    • World Education Services – www.wes.org
    • Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. – www.ece.org
    • Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. – www.jsilny.com
    • For evaluation by regular mail: International Education Research Foundation, Inc., Post Office Box 3665, Culver City, CA 90231-3665
    • For Courier Service only (no walk-in service available): IERF, 10736 Jefferson Blvd, #532, Culver City, CA 90230
      • Phone: 310.258.9451
      • Fax: 310.342.7086

    Send official transcripts and course-by-course evaluation reports to this address prior to the deadline:
    Office of the University Registrar
    Vanderbilt University
    ATTN: International Curriculum and Credentials Analyst
    PMB 407701
    Nashville, Tennessee 37240-7701

    For further questions regarding prior degrees, please visit the Registrar’s website.

  • For International Students Who Do Not Need an F-1 or J-1 Visa to Study in the United States
    • Submit an online application
    • English language proficiency must be demonstrated. Applicants whose native language is not English must present the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with their application unless they have demonstrated competence while obtaining a degree (bachelor's degree or higher) from an accredited American institution.
    • Upon acceptance, international students may be required to complete an intensive English language program at Vanderbilt University before beginning classes. Information about Vanderbilt's English language program may be obtained at vanderbilt.edu/international.
    • International students transferring from unfinished degree programs at other universities in the United States must present TOEFL or IELTS scores. Scores must be less than 2 years old. Access information regarding the TOEFL exam at www.ets.org/toefl or TOEFL, Box 6151, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6151 U.S.A.
    • The minimum acceptable score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language is 100 on the Internet-based test or 230 on the computer-based test. The minimum acceptable score on the IELTS is 6.5. For more information on the IELTS test, go to ielts.org. The Vanderbilt ETS code is 1871.
    • International student applicants whose native language is not English are also required to have a phone interview with the program director and a member of the admissions committee.
    • International student applicants who wish to enter the program as registered nurses must successfully complete the CGFNS (Commission on Graduate Foreign Nursing Schools) and the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Exam) examinations and earn licensure as a registered nurse in the state where they will be completing their clinical practice and/or preceptorship. Information about CGFNS may be obtained by writing CGFNS; 3600 Market Street, Suite 400; Philadelphia, PA 19104-2651, USA or call: 215-222 8454 or e-mail. Visit ncsbn.org for more information about NCLEX.
    • Information about Tennessee licensure may be obtained by visiting the Tennessee Department of Health website at www.tn.gov/health; writing to Tennessee Board of Nursing; Suite 300 Heritage Place, 227 French Landing, Nashville, TN 37243, USA, or calling 615-532-5166.

    More questions? Visit https://registrar.vanderbilt.edu/academic-records/international-degrees.php

    Applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources to meet the expected costs of their entire educational program. United States laws and regulations restrict the opportunity for international students to be employed. Students may be allowed to work off campus only under special circumstances. Many spouses and dependents of international students generally are not allowed to be employed while in the United States.

    International students, whether attending the university full time or part time, and their dependents residing in the United States, are required to purchase the university’s international student health and accident insurance unless, in the judgment of the university, adequate coverage is provided from some other source. For more information, contact the Student Health Center.

  • For Applicants to the Master of Nursing (MN) Program

    Vanderbilt’s Master of Nursing program welcomes international applicants. Please see information for applicants who have completed coursework or academic degrees outside the USA above.