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Three nursing professionals in a hospital setting

Direct Entry MS in Nursing for Non-Nurses
pathway to DNP or PhD


Care to make a difference?

Join a community of caring individuals with a range of academic backgrounds as you prepare to be a master’s-educated registered nurse in as little as 16 months.

The Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing at UMass Chan Medical School offers a high-quality, affordable, collaborative and supportive learning environment. Alongside peers who have earned bachelor’s degrees in fields other than nursing, prepare to become an evidence-based and clinically ready nurse leader who can confidently apply quality and safety data to inform and improve the practice of nursing. We have a dedicated clinical placement coordinator and interprofessional training at the only nursing school in Massachusetts that shares a campus with a nationally top-ranked medical school. Financial aid may be available upon acceptance.

Time to degree

Earn your MS in nursing in four semesters 

  

100% NCLEX

pass rate and 100% hire rate as an RN after NCLEX

  

Affordable

high-quality and interprofessional learning environment  

  

Seamless Pathway to DNP or PhD

Options for Doctoral Education after completing the Direct Entry MS

DNP  
Students completing the Direct Entry MS at UMass Chan will have a streamlined admission process to the DNP program, allowing for seamless progression to the DNP. Nine of the credits earned in the Direct Entry will be applied toward your DNP completion. More information on the DNP degree and the DNP completion program can be found here 

PhD 
Students completing the Direct Entry MS at UMass Chan will have a streamlined admission process to the MS-PhD program. More information on the PhD and the completion program can be found here.

Apply now

Application deadlines for a fall 2027 start

Early admission application deadline (To secure your spot in the class, apply by this date): Nov. 2, 2026

Final application deadline: March 22, 2027

Applicants must submit a completed application to NursingCAS by the final application deadline to be considered for admission. Application status emails will be sent to the email address provided on the application via NursingCAS. 

Admission requirements

Bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field

GPA of 3.0 or higher for all degrees previously earned

Required coursework - All prerequiste coursework must be completed by May 31, 2027 

  • Statistics (no time frame on completion) with a grade of B- or higher.
  • The following courses must have been completed within five years of application with a grade of B- or higher. If these prerequisite courses were taken between five to seven years prior, you may be accepted with a condition to complete course N590H Human Physiology online at Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing during the summer prior to matriculation: 
    • Anatomy & Physiology 1 with lab
    • Anatomy & Physiology 2 with lab
    • Microbiology with lab
  • The following courses must have been completed within seven years of application with a grade of B- or higher:
    • Nutrition
    • Human Growth & Development Across the Lifespan

If any prerequisite courses are in progress at the time of application, the applicant must upload to the documents section of the NursingCAS application the college/university, course and expected date of completion. Applicants may not have more than two outstanding prerequisite courses at the time they submit their application for review.Online prerequisites from accredited colleges are accepted. 

Personal statement

In a single response of no more than 500 words total, please address all three of the following prompts:

  1. Describe a person, experience, or event that inspired you to pursue a career in nursing. Include your short-term and long-term professional goals as a nurse.

  2. Explain why you believe you are a strong fit for the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing and what qualities, experiences, or perspectives you would bring to the program.

  3. The Direct Entry MS in Nursing program is a rigorous, full-time, accelerated program. Describe the strategies, skills, and resources you will use to successfully manage the program's academic and clinical demands.

Please note: The 500-word limit applies to your entire personal statement, not to each prompt individually. Be sure to address all three prompts within your response.

References

Please submit two letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your academic abilities and/or professional experience within the last five years.

References may be submitted in any of the following combinations:

  • Two professional references
  • Two academic references
  • One professional and one academic reference

Academic references should be from a current or former faculty member, instructor, or academic advisor who can speak to your academic performance, potential for graduate study, and readiness for the program.

Professional references should be from a current or former supervisor, manager, or professional colleague who can speak to your experience, competence, leadership, work ethic, dedication, and readiness for graduate-level nursing education.

CV/resume

Supplemental application
The supplemental application is completed outside of NursingCAS. Applicants will gain access via email only once they submit their NursingCAS application and pay the NursingCAS fee. There is an additional supplemental admissions application fee.

Attestation of authenticity of application

Residency validation form

Criminal background check

Video essay
Applicants are required to complete three video essay questions as part of the supplemental application. Each essay response can be up to two minutes.

Two nursing professionals looking at a computer screen together

DE program plan

Total estimated full academic year tuition cost (based on proposed Academic Year 2026-2027 tuition rates)

In-state                                   $66,263

New England regional            $74,622   

Out-of-state                             $82,286   

Contact

Alicia Collins
Assistant Director, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing at UMass Chan Medical School
gsnadmissions@umassmed.edu

The Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing pre-licensure program, which operated as the Graduate Entry Pathway program through the 2024-2025 academic year, is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing, Nursing Registration in Massachusetts, 239 Causeway Street, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02114.

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