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

MENP Frequently Asked Questions

​​​​​​​​​​​​​Questions about the application and admission process

MENP Application Deadlines

Term Early Decision Final Deadline* Term Start Date
Fall January 15 July 15* September 4, 2024
Winter June 15 November 1* January 6, 2025
Spring October 1 January 15* March 31, 2025
Summer December 1 April 15* June 16, 2025

* 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 cshgrad@depaul.edu for more information.

No, we ask that you apply only to the quarter/start term that is most convenient for you.  Deferring to a future term is a possibility if admitted.

Beginning in August 2021, the GRE is not required for admission. However, it can be submitted to strengthen an application.

Please see the MENP prerequisite page.

Prerequisites must have been completed within seven years of your first enrollment term in the MENP program. 

You can be considered for conditional admission if you have completed two out of the four prerequisites with grades of C or better. Your admission will be conditional until you provide transcripts showing that the remaining pre-reqs have been completed successfully. Priority consideration is given to students who have completed all four prerequisites. If your GPA is below 3.2, we recommend that you complete all four pre-reqs before applying for admission.

Please see the link General Admission Requirements for the MENP program.

All materials must be submitted through the NursingCAS application and portal. Nothing should be sent directly to DePaul.

The admission review committee completes a holistic review of each application. Most students have over a 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Starting with the summer 2024 term and beyond, applicants will be required to only use NursingCAS to apply to DePaul's MENP program. There will be no application submitted directly to DePaul.

Most of the classes are offered face-to-face at the Lincoln Park campus however there are occasional online courses available to choose.  Labs are always done in-person at the Lincoln Park campus and the clinical experiences will be in-person throughout the Chicagoland area. As of the winter 2024 quarter, we no longer offer a fully online model for classes.

You can sign up to meet with an admission counselor and have a tour of campus (and possibly the MENP space) using this calendar: https://grad.depaul.edu/portal/counselor-appointment

No, the MENP program is a lockstep accelerated program designed to be taken fulltime. Students are not allowed to go off sequence unless a significant life event occurs.

Graduate coursework that has been credited toward a previous master’s degree cannot be transferred into the MENP Program. Once admitted, students with advanced coursework in relevant areas can inquire with the School of Nursing directly (with appropriate documentation) to determine whether any coursework can be waived.

At this time the MENP admission process does not include an interview.

Introducing the DePaul University School of Nursing's innovative Three-Year Balanced Stride Track for the MSN Entry into Nursing Practice (MENP) program. Designed for ambitious professionals, parents, and individuals juggling multiple commitments, this flexible full-time study option allows you to pursue your passion for nursing without sacrificing your current responsibilities.

Our Balanced Stride Track offers:

  • A manageable three-year timeline that respects your work-life balance
  • The same high-quality education and clinical experiences as our accelerated track
  • Opportunity to transition into nursing while maintaining your current job or commitments

With the Balanced Stride Track, you can take the first step towards a rewarding nursing career at a pace that fits your life. Whether you're a working professional seeking a career change or someone with family responsibilities, our program empowers you to achieve your goals without putting your life on hold. Join us at DePaul and stride confidently towards your future in nursing.

Here is a side-by-side comparison.


Questions about post-decision

Generally, students can expect an electronic decision within six to eight weeks after the deadline.

Students have three weeks from the decision date to submit their intent to enroll and non-refundable tuition deposit which secures their place in the cohort. After the three-week timeframe, students are still able to submit their intent to enroll and non-refundable tuition deposit if space in the cohort is available. If the cohort has been filled, students can secure a spot in the next available cohort and be placed on a waiting list for the original term.

Students can apply to the MENP program a total of two times. If a student decides to reapply, it must be for a new term and we require new materials and/or new information (additional grades, GRE scores, etc.) to be submitted as part of the new application.

If we have more qualified applicants than we can admit for a given term, students will be admitted for the next available entry term and waitlisted for the term they applied for. We will notify waitlisted students if space opens up in the original term.

A student can defer their admission one time for up to one full year; however, we do not allow students who apply for the spring and summer cohorts to defer their admission to the fall cohort at the Lincoln Park Campus until fall applications have been reviewed.

You may pay the non-refundable tuition deposit at the time of deferral to secure your place in the cohort, but you aren’t required to. If you do not pay the non-refundable tuition deposit, your spot is not guaranteed.

Preview Day is an opportunity for you to visit campus, tour the simulation lab, connect with your cohort, and engage in a Q&A session with current students and faculty from the program. Orientation is mandatory and is hosted by the School of Nursing typically a week before classes start. Orientation provides you with information for all of the necessary tools to succeed in the program i.e., books, scrubs, etc.

Please notify the School of Nursing (773-325-7280) or at nursing@depaul.edu as soon as possible to set up an individual appointment.

DePaul Central is the primary contact for the university’s immunization requirement. Visit their website or call (312) 362-8610. Please note that the university’s immunization requirement is mandated by the State of Illinois and is separate from, and in addition to, the School of Nursing’s requirements.

They are separate requirements. Any Castlebranch or compliance questions related to immunizations, CPR, or malpractice (liability) insurance should be directed to the compliance officer at the School of Nursing at nursing@depaul.edu. Other resources include:

  • The main students resource page can be found here.
  • The new pre-entrance health screening form can be found here.
  • A compliance overview document can be found here.
  • The Health Requirements page can be found here.
  • The Health Requirements guide can be found here.

This is an automatically generated setting in Campus Connect that populates for all students. Please disregard this as it does not affect your student account. Placement tests are not required.


Program specific questions

The first clinical placement is scheduled during the second quarter of the program.

 795 clinical hours.

The MENP is a full-time program. Some students are able to work part-time, but the job will need to be very flexible. Courses and clinical meet during the morning, afternoon, including several evening class options. Your course schedule will change every ten weeks.

MENP courses are not offered during the December intersession. Summer quarter courses span across both the Summer I and II sessions. There is an optional study abroad option available to MENP students during the December intersession.

Master of Science (MSN) in Generalist Nursing.

Students are eligible to sit for the NCLEX exam once they have completed the entire program and grades are conferred.

  • Each cohort is between 30-48 students.
  • Clinical groups are between 4-8 students for both cohorts.

We have over 150 clinical affiliates across the Chicagoland area. Clinical sites correspond to the nursing specialty per term. You will be given 2-3 options at the time of course registration.

For Lincoln Park cohort students, a CTA pass providing access to trains and buses across the city is included in the quarterly fees. Parking for the Lincoln Park campus is available for an additional cost.  Most clinical sites are easily accessible via public transportation.  If driving is necessary, students typically carpool. 

  • Students are eligible to enroll in our post master's certificate program certifying them in advanced practice for Family Nurse Practitioner and Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner specialties. Admission requirements are available at the link provided here.
  • Students are also eligible to enroll in our Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program which offers specialties in Family Nurse Practitioner and Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner. Admission requirements are available at the link provided here.
  • After completing at least two years of critical care nursing, students are eligible to apply for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist program.  The nurse anesthesia specialty is offered in conjunction with NorthShore Health Systems. Admission requirements are available at the link provided here.

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.

Financial questions

Please check the Student Accounts Tuition & Fees page for the current academic year cost per credit and fees.  The program is 107 total quarter credits. 

Limited internal funding is available through the School Of Nursing. Please review our website for more detailed information regarding financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

There are four Graduate Assistantship positions available. You must have completed the first quarter of the program to be eligible to apply. The Graduate Assistantship positions include a quarterly stipend coupled with one course per term tuition waiver. GA positions are not guaranteed and become available as the current student holding the position transitions out.