Admission to our Online Health and Nursing Degree Programs
All of the degrees offered by WGU’s Leavitt School of Health focus on mastery of the skills and knowledge that are essential to success in this vital and high-demand field. Below are admissions requirements specific to Leavitt School of Health programs that are in addition to WGU’s general admissions requirements.
Special requirements for the B.S. Nursing (Prelicensure) program:
Admission Requirements Include:
- HESI A2 Nursing Exam
- Background Check
- Nursing Application Essay
- Active Nursing Prelicensure File
Click the arrows below for more details about applying and admissions.
The Leavitt School of Health at Western Governors University is committed to student success and partners with the WGU Office of Admissions to determine academic eligibility for the Prelicensure Nursing program. Applicants who submit all admission requirements will be reviewed through a weighted evaluation system that considers several factors. The Office of Admissions reviews all applicants based on their academic experience and nursing entrance exam scores.
- Admission is competitive and not guaranteed; additional factors important to student success in the nursing program may also be considered.
- Admission to and enrollment in the Prelicensure Nursing program does not guarantee acceptance into the clinical nursing portion of the program.
- Only residents of the following states are eligible to apply to this program. Any applications from residents outside of these states will not be accepted.
Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
To be considered for enrollment into the Prelicensure Nursing Program, applicants must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent, be at least 16 years of age, AND complete the following admission requirements:
- Complete the HESI A2 nursing exam within the last five years with an overall score of at least 75%, and at least a 75% in each of the following sections: Vocabulary, Reading, Math, and Grammar. WGU will only consider two attempts at passing the HESI A2 exam per 12-month period. The 12-month period begins with the first attempt.
- Submit to a criminal background check through American Databank.
- Submit a Prelicensure Nursing Application Essay
- Activate their Prelicensure Nursing File which includes a declaration of:
- The date and location an applicant is applying to
- Completed certifications
- Completed licenses
- Military service and training
Requirements that must be satisfied in pre-nursing terms to be eligible to progress to the clinical nursing program
There are costs outside of tuition and fees involved with creating your compliance account early in your pre-nursing terms and purchasing uniforms and supplies by the end of your last pre-nursing term. These costs will vary based on each item along with geographic location/provider.
Students who are successful in the pre-nursing terms will be eligible for progression into the nursing portion of the program. The following must be completed to be considered for progression into the nursing portion of the program:
- Proof of health insurance†.
- Proof of successfully passing of a criminal background check (also may require a state background check to be completed per state regulatory requirements for nursing programs).
- Proof of successfully passing a urine drug test.
- Proof of a current immunization record and current negative TB test.
- Proof of meeting the specific physical requirements in accordance with the core performance standards of the nursing profession.
- Participation in the Nursing Progression Committee process.
Students in the pre-nursing term will be required to submit evidence of all of the requirements below to be considered for progression into the nursing portion of the program:
- Tetanus/Diphtheria and Pertussis vaccination
- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccinations and Titer
- Varicella Zoster vaccination and Titer
- Hepatitis B vaccination and Titer
- TB testing
- Seasonal flu vaccination
- Additional immunizations may be required based on state and clinical requirements.
It is necessary to have the following physical abilities for the Clinical portion of the program:
Essential Performance Standards/Clinical Nursing
- walk the equivalent of five miles per day
- reach above shoulder level
- hear tape recorded transcription and emergency monitors
- distinguish colors
- adapt to shift work
- grip
- sit and stand for long periods of time
- climb stairs
- lift 50 pounds
- perform CPR
If you have any questions about these required immunizations and physical requirements, please speak with an Enrollment Counselor.
† Note: Student malpractice insurance will be provided by WGU at no cost to you.
Learn more about what is required.
Special requirements by program:
Applicants must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent AND demonstrate program readiness through one of the following:
- Option 1: Submit transcripts documenting completion of college-level coursework with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Option 2: Possess a bachelors or associates degree (A.A or A.S. acceptable) from an accredited post-secondary institution.
- Option 3: Submit high school transcripts for review with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Currently Missouri residents are ineligible for the B.S. Public Health program as it is not yet approved by the State of Missouri. This limitation and notice will be removed upon approval.
To be considered for this program, applicants must:
- Possess an associate’s degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited institution or state board of nursing approved program.
- Possess an active, unencumbered RN license in your state of residence or your state of employment. (Some license holders may be granted a waiver if they are not licensed in their state of residence or employment.) RN licensure in your state of residence or employment is required to successfully complete clinical experiences. Compact licenses must be endorsed by your state of residence. Click here for more information about compact licenses.
- Submit to and pass a criminal background check through American Databank.
To be considered for this program, applicants must:
- Possess a bachelor of science in nursing degree (BSN) from an accredited institution or state board of nursing approved program.
- Possess an active, unencumbered RN license in your state of residence or your state of employment (though you are not required to be working as an RN at the time of enrollment). Some license holders may be granted a waiver if they are not licensed in their state of residence or employment. RN licensure in your state of residence or employment is required to successfully complete clinical experiences. Compact licenses must be endorsed by your state of residence. Click here for more information about compact licenses.
- Submit to and pass a criminal background check through American Databank and provide proof of current immunizations. Additional fees apply.
To be considered for this program, applicants must:
- Possess an associate’s degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited institution or state board of nursing approved program.
- Possess an active, unencumbered RN license in your state of residence or your state of employment. (Some license holders may be granted a waiver if they are not licensed in their state of residence or employment.) RN licensure in your state of residence or employment is required to successfully complete clinical experiences. Compact licenses must be endorsed by your state of residence. Click here for more information about compact licenses.
- Submit to and pass a criminal background check through American Databank and provide proof of current immunizations. Additional fees apply.
To be considered for this program, applicants must:
- Possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and experience in healthcare or healthcare-related industry.
OR - Possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and obtain MHA department chair professional coaching.
Up to 8 competency units of graduate-level coursework may be accepted as transfer credit.
To be considered for this master's degree program, you must:
- Possess a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.5 GPA from an accredited university.
To be considered for a post-master's certificate program, you must:
- Possess an M.S. in Nursing from an accredited institution or state board of nursing approved program.
- Possess an active, unencumbered RN license in your state of residence, or your state of employment. (Some license holders may be granted a waiver if they are not licensed in their state of residence or employment.) You must be licensed in the state in which you will complete your clinical experience.
Special requirements for the MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program
To be considered for this program, you must:
- Possess a bachelor of science in nursing degree (BSN) from an accredited institution or state board of nursing approved program. NOTE: Students that hold an MSN will not be eligible to apply for the MSN-FNP pathway.
- Possess a current, active, unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license from AND a permanent residence in an approved state. Students must complete the internships in their state of residence/license and intend to obtain initial APRN licensure in that state. Compact licenses must be endorsed by your state of residence. (The FNP is currently not available for students in California, District of Columbia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, North Dakota, and Washington.)
- Submit to a criminal background check through American Databank. Additional fees may apply.
- Submit a cover letter and professional resume or CV outlining your academic, professional, and service history.
- Submit an application essay. You must submit a 1-2-page student statement detailing your experience in nursing and explaining why you want to become an FNP. This document helps us understand your unique situation and personal goals.
- Provide three letters of recommendation from:
1. A supervisor or manager who directly supervised you in a clinical setting.
2. A professor, faculty member, or academic advisor who can provide meaningful input regarding your academic record.
3. A Board Certified practicing healthcare provider (APRN, NP, PA, MD, DO) who has served as a mentor or whom you have shadowed, preferably in the specialty to which you are applying. Note: A registered nurse cannot serve as the practicing provider for this recommendation source.
Note: Access the Letter of Recommendation request form through your enrollment portal. - Have earned a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) in the following 5 courses OR hold a BSNU degree from WGU:
- Anatomy / Physiology I w/lab (equivalent to 4 semester hours)
- Anatomy / Physiology II w/lab (equivalent to 4 semester hours)
- Statistics (equivalent to 3 semester hours)
- Human Growth and Development Across the Lifespan (equivalent to 3 semester hours)
- Pharmacology (equivalent to 2 semester hours)
Note: All courses must be awarded a C- or above to meet this requirement. At this time, WGU is not accepting transfer credit for the Master of Science - Family Nurse Practitioner program. - Have one year of clinical experience and be actively working as an RN at the time of application. *This requirement is strongly preferred, as these will be competitive factors in the admission decision-making process.
Questions about these requirements?
Special requirements for the MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program
To be considered for this program, you must:
- Possess a bachelor of science in nursing degree (BSN) from an accredited institution. NOTE: Students that hold an MSN will not be eligible to apply for the BSN-PMHNP pathway.
- Possess a current, active, unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license from AND a permanent residence in an approved state. Students must complete the internships in their state of residence/license and intend to obtain initial APRN licensure in that state. Compact licenses must be endorsed by your state of residence. (The PMHNP is currently not available for students in Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, North Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin.)
- Submit to a criminal background check through American Databank. Additional fees may apply.
- Submit a professional resume or CV outlining your academic, professional, and service history.
- Submit an application essay. You must submit a 3- to 4-page student statement detailing your experience in nursing and explaining why you want to become a PMHNP. This document helps us understand your unique situation and personal goals.
- Provide three letters of recommendation from:
1. A supervisor or manager who directly supervised you in a clinical setting.
2. A professor, faculty member, or academic advisor who can provide meaningful input regarding your academic record.
3. A Board Certified practicing healthcare provider (APRN, NP, PA, MD, DO) who has served as a mentor or whom you have shadowed, preferably in the specialty to which you are applying. Note: A registered nurse cannot serve as the practicing provider for this recommendation source.
- Have earned a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) in the following 5 courses OR hold a BSNU degree from WGU:
- Anatomy / Physiology I w/lab (equivalent to 4 semester hours)
- Anatomy / Physiology II w/lab (equivalent to 4 semester hours)
- Statistics (equivalent to 3 semester hours)
- Human Growth and Development Across the Lifespan (equivalent to 3 semester hours)
- Pharmacology (equivalent to 2 semester hours)
Note: All courses must be awarded a C- or above to meet this requirement. At this time, WGU is not accepting transfer credit for the Master of Science in Nursing–Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program. - Have one year of clinical experience and be actively working as an RN at the time of application. *This requirement is strongly preferred, as these will be competitive factors in the admission decision-making process.
Special requirements for the Post-Master's Certificate Family Nurse Practitioner program
To be considered for this program, you must:
- Possess an M.S. in Nursing or Terminal Nursing Degree (e.g., DNP, PhD) from an accredited institution or state board of nursing-approved program.
- Possess a current, active, unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license from AND a permanent residence in an approved state. Students must complete the internships in their state of residence/license and intend to obtain initial APRN licensure in that state. Compact licenses must be endorsed by your state of residence. (The FNP Post-Master's Certificate is currently not available for students in Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, North Dakota, and Washington.)
- Submit a criminal background check through American Databank. Additional fees may apply.
- Submit a professional resume or CV outlining your academic, professional, and service history.
- Submit an application essay. You must submit a 3- to 4-page student statement detailing your experience in nursing and explaining why you want to become an FNP. This document helps us understand your unique situation and personal goals.
- Provide three letters of recommendation from:
1. A supervisor or manager who directly supervised you in a clinical setting.
2. A professor, faculty member, or academic advisor who can provide meaningful input regarding your academic record.
3. A Board Certified practicing healthcare provider (APRN, NP, PA, MD, DO) who has served as a mentor or whom you have shadowed, preferably in the specialty to which you are applying. Note: A registered nurse cannot serve as the practicing provider for this recommendation source.
- Have one year of clinical experience and be actively working as an RN at the time of application. *This requirement is strongly preferred, as these will be competitive factors in the admission decision-making process.
Special requirements for the Post-Master's Certificate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program
To be considered for this program, you must:
- Possess an M.S. in Nursing or Terminal Nursing Degree (e.g., DNP, PhD) from an accredited institution or state board of nursing-approved program.
- Possess a current, active, unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license from AND a permanent residence in an approved state. Students must complete the internships in their state of residence/license and intend to obtain initial APRN licensure in that state. Compact licenses must be endorsed by your state of residence. (The PMHNP is currently not available for students in Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, North Dakota, and Washington)
- Submit to a criminal background check through American Databank. Additional fees may apply.
- Submit a professional resume or CV outlining your academic, professional, and service history.
- Submit an application essay. You must submit a 3- to 4-page student statement detailing your experience in nursing and explaining why you want to become a PMHNP. This document helps us understand your unique situation and personal goals.
- Provide three letters of recommendation from:
1. A supervisor or manager who directly supervised you in a clinical setting.
2. A professor, faculty member, or academic advisor who can provide meaningful input regarding your academic record.
3. A Board Certified practicing healthcare provider (APRN, NP, PA, MD, DO) who has served as a mentor or whom you have shadowed, preferably in the specialty to which you are applying. Note: A registered nurse cannot serve as the practicing provider for this recommendation source. - Have one year of clinical experience and be actively working as an RN at the time of application. *This requirement is strongly preferred, as these will be competitive factors in the admission decision-making process.
Safety Notice
Applicable to All Leavitt School of Health Programs Except MHA and BSHHS
WGU and the Leavitt School of Health are committed to the health, safety, and well-being of all patients, community members, and key stakeholders that interact with WGU students at various clinical/host sites. Interactions might include direct patient interaction, observation experiences, laboratory experiences, project development, or conducting research. Standard compliance verification for students in applicable programs is required to protect the public, meet program expectations, reasonably assure compliance with state regulatory board requirements, meet WGU’s contractual and legal obligations with clinical partners, and support WGU’s mission to prepare students who will be qualified to enter their desired field. The Standard Compliance, Background Check, and Drug Screen policies outline the procedures associated with these requirements. All Leavitt School of Health students are responsible for reading and complying with program policies.
More About Background Checks
Background check verification for students in applicable Leavitt School of Health programs is required to protect the public, meet program expectations, reasonably assure compliance with state regulatory board requirements, meet WGU’s contractual and legal obligations with clinical partners, and support WGU’s mission to prepare students who will be qualified to enter their desired field. Criminal background check results will be reviewed by an appropriate WGU representative. All flagged background checks will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine the student’s admission and placement eligibility.
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Steps and deadlines for enrollment in a Health Professions program:
Below is the list of steps and their respective deadlines required for enrollment in an online health degree program. Please note that at the present time, WGU is accepting applications only from individuals living in the United States.
The exceptions are U.S. active-duty military personnel and their families at overseas installations and individuals living in Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
International Applicants
Unfortunately, we have discovered we cannot always guarantee that the educational experience for students living outside the United States will meet our high standards for quality and convenience. It is our expectation that these problems will be solved in future years. An Enrollment Counselor has more information about which areas are eligible to submit applications.
1. Apply for admission.
You may apply for admission at any time once you’re ready. You will need to have information such as your social security number, the name of the program you are interested in, and a few more items in order to apply.
2. Send in your official transcripts.
Transcripts of your prior college experience are required if you are seeking transfer credit, confirmation of sufficient background (for master’s licensure programs), or if you are looking to enroll into a graduate program. WGU offers a free transcript gathering service to help you get transcripts from participating institutions. If your previous institution does not participate, you will need to pay and arrange for your transcripts to be sent to WGU.
Official copies of your transcripts must arrive by the 5th of the month prior to your intended start date for evaluation. For any MAT program, the applicant must have completed all the major-specific content.
Submit by mail or email:
Western Governors University
ATTN: Transcripts Department
4001 South 700 East, Suite 300
Salt Lake City, UT 84107-2533
3. Complete the financial aid application process.
If you intend to use federal financial aid to cover your tuition expenses, you will need to complete WGU’s financial aid application process and be certified as eligible to receive aid no later than the 22nd of the month prior to your intended start date. An Enrollment Counselor can answer any questions you may have about the financial aid process.
4. Complete your Commit to Start Documents.
Once your official transcripts have been received, an admission decision will be made. At this point you will complete a self-guided, web-based experience or speak with a WGU Enrollment Counselor to submit your Commit to Start documents. This process will finalize your enrollment and officially set your program start date. This process will likely take 20-30 minutes.
5. Make tuition payment arrangements.
Tuition payment arrangements must be made by the 22nd of the month prior to your start date.
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