Fast Track MS Program for Enrolled Prelicensure Baccalaureate Nursing Students

Outstanding UMass Lowell students in the Bachelor of Science nursing program may apply for admission to the bachelor's to master's degree in nursing. Students with a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average can apply no earlier than second semester junior year.

Application deadline: April 1 for Fall or Summer admission, November 1 for Spring admission. The program accepts student for full time or part time study. Part-time students will meet with their assigned advisor and plan a schedule for their program of studies.

Several designated courses (6 credits) can be taken in the master's program while a student is an undergraduate. Courses can be applied to both the BS (as an elective) and the MS program (as an elective or required course). When the B.S. degree is awarded, accepted Fast Track students can enter the master's degree program if they have maintained a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average.

Undergraduate nursing students from the Solomont School of nursing usually complete 3 to 6 credits of graduate courses prior to completion of their BS degree. Pre-enrollment advising will be done by a graduate faculty member to facilitate course enrollment.

Admission Requirements

The Fast Track MS Program is for enrolled pre-licensure Bachelor of Science nursing students. Admission requirements include:

• An undergraduate GPA of 3.5 at the time of application and graduation
  
• Introductory course in statistics. Evidence from the statistics course including the grade should be on your transcript(s)
• An interview with graduate nursing faculty 
• Two letters of recommendation, from BS nursing faculty members
• Experience working in a nursing-related role or clinical nursing experience at the undergraduate level.
• A brief goal statement indicating your immediate and long-range goals, relevant work history, academic honors/awards received, and your professional aspirations as an advanced practice nurse. Goal statements should be congruent with the specialty tracks offered at UMass Lowell (FNP or A-GNP) and demonstrate an understanding of the scope of the advanced practice nurse in ambulatory, long-term care or primary care settings.
  
• A resume
• Official transcripts
• No GRE required
• Must have completed sophomore year of the undergraduate BS program
• Up to six credits of designated graduate-level (500 or higher) courses may be used by a student in the bachelor'/master's degree program for both graduate and undergraduate degrees. Courses that will be applied to the MS degree must have been obtained with a grade B or better.
• Acceptance to the MS program will be conditional pending successful completion of the baccalaureate program with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better and passing of the NCLEX exam.

Students in the combined fast track program are expected to work at least part-time as an RN upon passing the NCLEX examination and upon entry to the MS program. (Enrollment in upper-level graduate specialty courses may be delayed until you have working experience as an RN.)

Accepted students must confer with graduate faculty on appropriate coursework prior to registration.

•  Graduate application