Graduate Study at HBSON
[see also our program-specific FAQ for the CRNA DNP program]

When are applications due?

For MS, Advanced Certificate, and DNP (AGPCNP, PMHNP, FNP) programs, the application deadline is March 1 for admission in the fall semester.

Programs with a summer start date have earlier application deadlines:

• Nurse Anesthesia DNP: November 1
• PhD in Nursing program: December 15

Any exceptions to these customary deadlines will be posted here.

Where can I apply? How should I send my application materials?

Applications are completed through the Hunter College Office of Graduate Admissions. Please visit their website to begin the application process.

Is part-time study available?

Yes, in fact most of our graduate students attend part-time, although a few complete some semesters on a full-time basis (12 or more credits per semester). For some specializations such as the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP master's program, consistent, full-time study is not possible due to factors like course sequencing, prerequisite requirements, and clinical preceptorship requirements. The Nurse Anesthesia DNP program is the only exception, as this dual-certification program is only offered on a full-time basis over nine semesters (summer, fall, spring).

I am an RN with an associate's degree in nursing. Can I apply to the master's or DNP program?

No; applicants to our graduate programs must have at least a baccalaureate degree in nursing and a current New York State RN license. If you are an RN without a baccalaureate degree, you may want to first look into our undergraduate RN-to-BS program.

I am not an RN, but I have a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing. Can I apply to the master's or DNP program?

No; applicants to our graduate programs must have at least a baccalaureate degree in nursing and a current New York State RN license. If you are not an RN and you have a bachelor's degree in another field, you may want to look into our accelerated second-degree program or our generic undergraduate program.

How much nursing experience do I need before applying to one of your graduate programs?

Please refer to the admission requirements of the program to which you are applying for specific requirements. For programs that do not state a hard requirement, we recommend at least two years of full-time registered nursing experience before applying.

I graduated with more than a 3.0 GPA from my undergraduate program, but I was not accepted into your program. Why?

For our master's programs, 3.0 is the minimum GPA required (for the DNP and PhD programs, the minimum is 3.5). Some of our programs may receive more applications than we can accept, so applicants who meet the minimum requirements are not always accepted. Please keep in mind that your GPA is computed based on grades from all post-secondary schools you have attended. Also, we look at your overall, cumulative GPA (all courses attended) and your GPA in your major—i.e., based on the nursing courses you completed.

We also take other factors into consideration, such as professional experience, recommendation letters, the applicant's personal statement, and the applicant's understanding of the program specialization/population focus for which they are applying. Please see our admissions requirements page for details on applying to the master's program, post-graduate advanced certificate program, DNP program, and PhD program.

Is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) required for graduate admission?

No; the GRE is not required for admission into any of our graduate nursing programs at this time.

Can I visit the school to find out more about your programs?

We hold an open house annually for anyone who is interested in applying to our programs, typically in the winter. Dates are posted on our website as soon as they are set.

How often during the week do classes meet on campus?

Courses typically meet once a week on campus, unless it is designated as a 'Hybrid'. Hybrid courses replace between 33% and 80% of scheduled class meetings with online activities/meetings, which may be synchronous or asynchronous, depending on their designation.

I want to arrange my schedule so that I am on campus just one or two days a week. Is this possible?

For students on a part-time plan of study: Many graduate-level nursing courses are offered in the afternoons and evenings to allow students to attend more than one class on the same day. However, clinical practicum requirements will vary by preceptor availability and often require additional flexibility (time off, changes in work schedules) to complete practicum hours. It is best to plan for at least one day off during the week, and at least two days off during the week when taking clinical courses. Rigid work schedules may present significant challenges to progressing and meeting program requirements.

Do you offer courses during the summer and winter (intersession)?

Some programs, such as our Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (master's and post-bachelor's DNP), Nurse Anesthesia DNP, and PhD program require summer enrollment. For other programs, course offerings during the summer and intersession are typically available but may be limited. Course scheduling depends in part on faculty availability during these times, as well as whether the course is appropriate to teach over a shorter term. The length of courses offered during summer and intersession will vary, but the majority of them meet twice per week due to their abbreviated timeframe.

Do you offer online completion options for any of your programs?

Our Nursing Education (master's and advanced certificate) programs are offered online, with the exception of a 105-hour practicum requirement completed in the final term. All other graduate programs are not designed to be completed online, although many core courses are offered in a blended/hybrid (partially online and partially face-to-face) format.