College of Science and Health > Academics > School of Nursing > Graduate Programs > MENP for Non-Nurses (MSN) > Admission Requirements

MENP Program Admission

​MENP Application Deadlines

​​Term
Early Decision​
Final Deadline*
Term Start Date
​Fall
​January 15
​July 15*
​September 7, 2022
​Winter
​June 15
​November 1*
​January 2, 2023
​Spring
​October 1
​January 15*
​March 25, 2023
​Summer
​October 1
​April 15*
​June 12, 2023

​​​​​* Review of applications will begin after the Early Decision date and will continue until each cohort is filled. Contact the Office of Graduate Admission at graddepaul@depaul.edu for more information. 

Students applying through NursingCAS should submit their application at least 4 weeks in advance of the deadlines listed, as it can take NursingCAS several weeks to verify your application and we do not review unverified NursingCAS applications.

You may only apply to one cohort location and one term. Please choose the location (the Lincoln Park Campus or the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science) and term that is most convenient for you. 

Graduate Information Sessions 

Please join us for an upcoming information session featuring DePaul's master's entry to nursing practice (MENP) program. Information sessions are held regularly at the Lincoln Park Campus and at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago (about 35 miles north of Chicago).

Applying for Admission 

Applicants have two options:

  1. Apply directly to DePaul at www.depaul.edu/apply OR
  2. Apply through NursingCAS. NursingCAS is the online, centralized application service for nursing programs nationwide. Students applying through NursingCAS should submit their application 4 weeks in advance of the deadlines listed, as it can take NursingCAS several weeks to verify your application. Your application must be verified by NursingCAS before it is considered complete for review by DePaul.

    You may only apply to one cohort location and one term. Please choose the location (the Lincoln Park Campus or the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science) and term that is most convenient for you. 

General Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the master’s entry to nursing practice program, students must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. 

  • Online application (www.depaul.edu/apply) OR NursingCAS application
  • Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended 
  • A personal statement - These questions are prompts within the application. Together, they comprise the Personal Statement that is required for a complete application.
    • How will your prior background contribute to your ability to fulfill the daily responsibilities of an entry-level registered nurse? (200 word max)
    • St. Vincent DePaul observed the needs of impoverished people with disparities in access to healthcare. He ultimately dedicated his life to answering a single question: "What must be done?" How will you utilize a nursing degree obtained from DePaul University to address these disparities? (200 word max)
    • Please address the strengths and opportunities for growth in your application (i.e., explanation for GPA below 3.2, repeated coursework, gaps in academic history, and performance on standardized tests.) (200 word max)
  • Two letters of reference from professional or academic sources
    • The recommender can be a professor or work supervisor (not a coworker or relative) and should address the student's ability to perform graduate work successfully.
  • Curriculum vitae or resume
    • Please include professional activities (i.e. organizational memberships, committee memberships, officer positions, etc.) and community service activities.
  • ​Official GRE scores - DePaul's School of Nursing does not require the GRE for admission to the MENP program. Applicants may still submit a GRE score to strengthen their application. (GRE institution code: 1165)
  • For applicants who have been educated in a country where the native language is not English, a TOEFL or IELTS score is required. If a student holds an undergraduate or graduate degree from a U.S. institution or other English-only speaking country, they will not be required to provide English proficiency test scores.

The admission committee reserves the right to request any additional materials they deem necessary to ensure an accurate review of an application.

Note: All students in the School of Nursing are required to complete a ten-panel drug screening prior to the first day of classes. Although Illinois state law permits the limited possession and use of cannabis, using or possessing cannabis remains a crime under federal law. Therefore, this screening includes cannabis. A confirmed positive drug test will result in a student being unable to enroll and/or dismissed from the program (in accordance with local, state, and federal law). Please see the Program Handbook for details. 

International applicants

International students (those who were educated outside of the U.S. and/or require an F1 visa) must take additional steps to be considered for admission.  Please see the specific international application requirements here.

Prerequisite Coursework

In addition to the general admission requirements above, students should be able to provide proof of successfully completing the following prerequisite courses: 

  • One course of human anatomy & physiology I (or human anatomy) with lab
  • One course of human anatomy & physiology II (or human physiology) with lab
  • One course of inorganic (i.e. general chemistry) with lab
  • One course in organic chemistry with lab OR biochemistry with lab OR microbiology with lab

Note on Prerequisites

All prerequisite courses must include labs and have been completed within the last seven (7) years with a grade of 'C' or better. Pass/Fail grades will not be accepted. All prerequisites must be completed before the start of term to which the student is applying.​  The prerequisites must be taken for college credit at a regionally accredited institution.  

Two prerequisite courses must be completed before the application deadline in order to be reviewed for that entry term. Students who have completed all or most of their prerequisites are given priority consideration. If the admission review committee needs additional information on an applicant whose prerequisites are not complete, they may defer making a decision on the application until the review period for the next available term.


  • Submit the DePaul online application at www.depaul.edu/apply.
  • Submit your personal statement, two letters of recommendation, and resume or CV, directly through the online application OR by email to GradDePaul@depaul.edu. Please make sure your name is on all documents.
  • Pay the non-refundable $40 application fee through the online application or mail a check to the Office of Graduate Admission at the address below.
  • Send official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended to the Office of Graduate Admission at the address below. (College and universities that issue official electronic transcripts can email them to GradTranscripts@depaul.edu).
  • If required, submit your TOEFL score directly from ETS (www.ets.org). DePaul's institution code is 1165.
  • You may submit your GRE scores directly from ETS. DePaul's institution code is 1165.

Mailing Address:

The Office of Graduate Admission
College of Science and Health
DePaul University
2400 N. Sheffield Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614-2215

Applicants to the MENP program have the option of applying to the program through NursingCAS. Applying through NursingCAS allows you to submit your application to DePaul and other institutions nationwide through one centralized application. NursingCAS also verifies your academic credentials on behalf of DePaul. Students applying through NursingCAS should submit their application 4-6 weeks in advance of the deadlines listed (depending upon the term), as it can take NursingCAS several weeks to verify your application and we do not review unverified NursingCAS applications.

Start here with NursingCAS' online information how to complete an application.

  • Visit https://nursingcas.liaisoncas.org/apply/ and choose the term you wish to apply for. This will route you to the correct NursingCAS cycle.
  • Click on “Create Account” and complete the required fields.
  • You may only apply to one cohort location and one term. Please choose the location (the Lincoln Park Campus or the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science) and term that is most convenient for you.
  • The questions for the personal statement are embedded within the application and should be answered within the space provided.
  • Request that your references be submitted via the “References” section of NursingCAS. Attach your references to DePaul University prior to e-submitting your application.
  • Upload a copy of your CV or resume into the “Documents Upload” section of NursingCAS. Remember to attach your resume to DePaul University prior to e-submitting your applications.
  • If you are submitting a GRE score, you should report your score in the “Tests” section of the NursingCAS application. Have your official score sent directly from ETS (www.ets.org) to DePaul University. DePaul’s institution code is 1165.
  • Submit official transcripts from each college or university attended. All official transcripts must be mailed from the issuing institution’s registrar’s office directly to NursingCAS. Check the NursingCAS Help Center page about how to request transcripts here.

Questions about NursingCAS

For questions regarding the NursingCAS application please contact NursingCAS support via phone at 617-612-2880 Monday – Thursday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM Eastern Time and Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Eastern Time and via email at nursingcasinfo@nursingcas.org. Or post questions to NursingCAS by following their Twitter and/or Facebook accounts. Almost all questions can be answered by searching through the NursingCAS Help Center.

 
Monitor the Status of Your Application

The “My Messages” section of the NursingCAS application will include any messages that NursingCAS or a school has sent to you. Please check your “My Messages” to see if you have received any vital information about your application. Messages will be sent to the “My Messages” inbox and your personal email address that you created your account with.

Use the “Quick Status Menu” options to check to see if your Transcript(s), Reference(s), or Payment(s) have been received after you submit them. To check to see which Designations you have selected (in other words programs you have applied to) click on the Designations option under the Quick Status.

For more information about submitting and monitoring your NursingCAS application, click here.

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If you need assistance to complete your application and/or have questions, contact the CSH Graduate Admission office at (773) 325-7315 or graddepaul@depaul.edu.