Applying to an online nursing program begins before you open the application. First, confirm that your current degree, RN license, professional experience and state of residence align with the program you want to pursue.

Xavier University offers online graduate pathways for BSN-prepared and MSN-prepared nurses, including MSN specialties, post-master’s certificates, a DNP in Leadership and Population Health and a dual MSN/MS program in forensic nursing and criminal justice.

This guide walks you through the process — from choosing the right program to gathering transcripts, recommendations and other required materials.

Key Takeaways

• Xavier University’s online graduate nursing programs are designed for registered nurses and do not provide initial RN licensure.
• Requirements vary by pathway, including MSN tracks, post-master’s certificates, the DNP, and the MSN/MS Criminal Justice dual degree.
• Online MSN applicants generally need a BSN, RN licensure, nursing experience, undergraduate statistics, official transcripts, and any program-specific materials.
• Post-master’s certificate applicants generally need an MSN, RN licensure, nursing experience, official transcripts, and supporting materials such as a résumé/CV or goal statement where required.
• DNP applicants should review additional requirements, including prior graduate preparation, statistics, graduate-level Epidemiology, résumé/CV, a personal statement, and professional references.
• State authorization, licensure, certification, and practicum eligibility should be checked before applying.
• Applicants should confirm current requirements before submitting an application.

Before comparing programs, start with eligibility. Xavier’s online graduate nursing programs are intended for registered nurses. They do not provide initial RN licensure, so RN licensure is a prerequisite rather than an outcome of the program.

Use this readiness check before you apply.

If you are not already an RN, these online graduate pathways are not designed to provide initial licensure. Xavier’s MIDAS program is a separate, direct-entry option for people entering nursing from another field.

The right application path depends on your current degree, professional background and long-term goal. Use this comparison to identify which program page to review first.

Admissions requirements vary by program. The sections below summarize what applicants should expect to review for each Xavier online nursing pathway.

Xavier’s online MSN specialties are designed for BSN-prepared registered nurses pursuing advanced clinical, educational or forensic nursing preparation.

Online MSN options include:

• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Nursing Education
• Forensics
• Dual Degree – MSN in Forensics and MS in Criminal Justice

Applicants to Xavier’s online MSN pathways generally need to review RN licensure, nursing experience, BSN background, statistics coursework, GPA expectations and official transcript requirements. No GRE or other admission test is required for graduate nursing programs.

• An unencumbered U.S. RN license in the state where practicum experiences will occur
• At least one year of nursing experience
• A BSN from an eligible accredited nursing program
• Undergraduate statistics with a grade of C or better
• A competitive academic record

• Official transcripts from every college or university attended
• A current résumé or CV
• A goal statement or personal essay
• Professional recommendations
• A possible interview, depending on the specialty

Review the admissions requirements for your selected specialty before applying.

If you do not have a BSN, you cannot be accepted into the online MSN programs. In that case, review whether Xavier’s MIDAS pathway or another option fits your background.

Xavier University’s online post-master’s nursing certificates are designed for registered nurses who already hold an MSN and want to add or change a nursing specialty.

Common requirements include:

• An unencumbered U.S. RN license in the practicum state
• An MSN from an eligible accredited nursing program
• At least one year of nursing experience
• Official transcripts
• A current résumé or CV
• A goal statement or personal essay
• Professional recommendations

Requirements, course plans and certification considerations vary by certificate. Nurse practitioner applicants should also confirm that the pathway aligns with the educational and clinical requirements for certification and licensure in the jurisdiction where they intend to practice.

Xavier University’s online Doctor of Nursing Practice in Leadership and Population Health is designed for nurses seeking doctoral preparation in organizational leadership, population health and evidence-based practice.

Applicants must hold either:

• An MSN from an eligible accredited nursing program, or
• A BSN plus a related master’s degree

Additional requirements include an unencumbered U.S. RN license, nursing experience, basic statistics with a grade of C or better and a competitive academic record.

Graduate-level epidemiology is required before entering the program’s second year. Students who have not completed an equivalent course may be able to add it to their Xavier sequence, and conditional admission may be considered.

Application materials differ for Xavier MSN graduates and other applicants. Most external applicants should prepare official transcripts, a résumé or CV, a personal statement and two professional references. Review the DNP page for the pathway that applies to you.

This dual degree has its own unified admissions process. Applicants must be registered nurses with an unencumbered U.S. license in the state where practicum experiences will be completed, hold a BSN from an eligible accredited nursing program and have at least one year of nursing experience.

Undergraduate statistics with a grade of C or better is also required. No GRE is required.

Review the admissions requirements for the dual-degree program rather than combining requirements from the standalone programs.

Online nursing applicants should review location-based requirements before applying. This is especially important for nursing programs because state authorization, board of nursing rules, licensure requirements and practicum eligibility may affect whether a student can enroll or complete program requirements.

Online program availability can vary by state. Xavier University may not be able to accept applicants from every state into every online nursing program, so applicants should confirm whether their selected program is available in their state before applying.

Licensure is also important. Xavier’s graduate nursing programs do not provide initial RN licensure. RN licensure is required before admission. Some nursing programs may prepare students for certification pathways, but certification is different from state licensure. For example, nurse practitioner licensure may require passing a national certification exam in the chosen specialty and meeting additional state-specific requirements.

Practicum eligibility should also be checked early. Some Xavier online nursing programs include practicum, clinical, synthesis or application experiences. Applicants should confirm where practicum experiences can be completed, whether the state where practicum occurs affects eligibility and what type of site or preceptor may be required.

Speak to an enrollment advisor if you are unsure whether your state is eligible, you completed statistics or Epidemiology at another institution, you are applying with a nontraditional degree background, you need to confirm practicum location requirements, or you are not sure whether the MSN, post-master’s certificate, DNP or dual degree is the right pathway.

Once you know which pathway fits your background, start preparing the materials that may take time to collect. Transcripts, recommendations, prerequisite verification and licensure documentation can all delay an application if left until the last minute.

Official transcripts are commonly required for Xavier online graduate nursing applications. Applicants may need to request transcripts from all colleges or universities attended.

Official transcripts should be sent to:

Mailing address:
Xavier University
ATTN: Admission Processing Center
3800 Victory Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45207-5131

Electronic transcripts: xuadmit@xavier.edu

Transcript instructions can change, so confirm current details before sending materials.

Your résumé or CV should make it easy for the admissions committee to understand the scope and length of your nursing experience. Include your employers, locations, roles and employment dates, along with licensure, certifications, clinical specialties, leadership responsibilities and relevant teaching or precepting experience.

Tailor the emphasis to your program. For example, highlight behavioral-health experience for PMHNP, teaching and mentoring for Nursing Education or forensic and correctional experience for the Forensics pathways.

Some pathways require a personal statement, essay or goal statement. Use the statement to connect three ideas: the experience that shaped your goal, the responsibility you hope to take on next and why Xavier’s specific program is the right preparation.

Strong statements move beyond “I want to advance my career.” They show reflection, knowledge of the program and a realistic plan for balancing graduate study with professional and personal responsibilities.

Some pathways may also require professional references or recommendations. Strong recommendation writers may include supervisors, nurse managers, clinical leaders, faculty members, professional mentors or advanced practice providers. Give your references enough time, and share your résumé or CV, the program name, the deadline and a brief explanation of why you are applying.

Begin by completing Xavier’s free online application. Select the correct program and intended start term, then fill out every required section and provide contact information for any recommenders.

Submitting the form may not mean your application is complete. Continue monitoring transcripts, recommendations and other outstanding materials until admissions confirms that your file is ready for review.

Before applying to a graduate nursing program, review accreditation and certification preparation. Xavier’s baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, post-graduate APRN certificate program and Doctor of Nursing Practice are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneacreditation.org).

Certification preparation varies by pathway. Some programs may support certification pathways, but certification is different from licensure. State requirements vary by specialty and location, so applicants should confirm whether their selected program supports their intended certification or licensure pathway before applying.

Tuition depends on the program, total credit hours and academic year. Additional costs may include university fees, practicum-related liability insurance, books and professional requirements.

Before applying, calculate the full program commitment rather than comparing only the per-credit rate. Review current tuition, financial aid eligibility, employer tuition benefits and any scholarships that apply to your program.

Before you submit, check for five common issues:

1. The program is not authorized for your state or practicum location.
2. Your résumé does not clearly document the required nursing experience.
3. Transcripts or recommendations are still outstanding.
4. Required statistics or other prerequisite courses are missing.
5. Your personal statement is generic or names the wrong specialty.

Xavier offers online graduate options for BSN- and MSN-prepared registered nurses, from advanced-practice and nursing-education pathways to forensic nursing, post-master’s certificates and doctoral study.

Begin with the degree and license you already hold. Then review the admissions page for the specialty that aligns with the patients, communities or organizations you hope to serve.

If you are still comparing pathways, start with the Nursing Programs overview page or the MSN overview page. If you are ready to take the next step, review admissions requirements and request information.