GENERAL PROGRAM DETAILS

Is the Master’s program at UCI an online, hybrid, or on-campus course?
All of the lecture courses in the Master’s program curriculum are on-campus.

When will the program start?
Coursework in the MEPN program starts in the Fall Quarter during the regular academic year.

How long is the program?
The program is two years and does not include summer sessions.  Students in the MEPN program graduate in the Spring Quarter (June of their second year in the program).

When are the clinical rotations scheduled?
Clinical rotations schedules and student assignments vary each quarter and depend on availability provided by our clinical partners. Availability on weekends and evenings is mandatory. Any preferences will be noted via extenuating or special circumstances only.

Will I need my own transportation for clinical rotations?
Yes, students will need their own transportation to our partner hospitals, clinics, and community sites.

Can I still work while enrolled in the program?
Part-time work may be possible. However, please keep in mind that MEPN is a full-time, accelerated program, and the pace and intensity are demanding.

I’m planning to request an exemption to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement.  Am I still able to complete the MEPN program?
Our program does not ask for proof of vaccination prior to admission to the program.  UC Irvine’s policy requires all UCI students, staff and faculty to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before physically accessing the university’s locations and programs.  Current students may request an exemption, however there is no guarantee that an exemption will be granted.  You can learn more about UC Irvine’s campus vaccination requirements and other COVID-19 related policies for students here: https://uci.edu/coronavirus/students/index.php

The other consideration when applying to nursing programs is the ability to complete clinical hours at hospitals and organizations.  Students must complete all required clinical hours in order to successfully complete the MEPN program and to be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam required to obtain an RN license.  Students completing clinical hours and working directly with patients must meet onboarding requirements set by our clinical partners.  Applicants should keep in mind that even if a campus vaccination exemption is granted, there is no guarantee that our clinical partners will grant an exemption.

Applicants should also note that future boosters may also be required.  Requirements for any and all immunizations are subject to change at any point throughout the program. Students will be expected to adhere to any University and/or clinical site requirements related to vaccinations, as they arise.

How much is the program?
View the Registrar’s Office for information about fees  Note: You will need to click on “Current” and then “Master of Science in Nursing” to find up-to-date fees for the MEPN program.

Will I be able to become a Nurse Practitioner after finishing this degree?
The MEPN program is a pre-licensure nursing program and not an advanced nursing degree.  After graduating from the MEPN program, you’ll be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become licensed as an RN. If you’re interested in becoming an NP, you will need to apply to an advanced nursing program.

Will I be able to practice outside of California after completing the program?
The MEPN program is a full-time, in-person nursing program located in the State of California.  Our program is designed to meet requirements outlined by California’s Board of Registered Nursing and our program works closely with students to help them apply to take the NCLEX-RN exam in California after graduating from the program.  Students interested in working as Registered Nurses in states outside of California should consult with the Board of Registered Nursing in those states to understand requirements to practice as an RN.

ADMISSIONS

How many times a year do you admit students? Does your program admit students on a rolling basis?
We admit students once per year. We do not do rolling admissions. All applications are reviewed after the deadline.

Students apply to the program in the fall, and the School of Nursing begins to notify applicants of admissions decisions in early Spring.  Students offered space on the wait list may receive admissions decision later in the year closer to the start date of the program.

If I don’t have a 3.0 GPA in my bachelor’s degree, can I still apply?
The MEPN program is highly competitive. UC Irvine’s Graduate Division requires a 3.0 GPA in your bachelor’s degree for admission. Students applying to the program with a GPA under 3.0 require an exception from the School of Nursing in order to be admitted.  This exception process is completed by the School of Nursing and does not require any additional submission from the applicant.  One factor taken into account for the exception is the GPA in a graduate degree. We are also looking at healthcare volunteer experience and work activities, leadership, etc. While exceptions are rare, if you feel you are an exceptional candidate, you are welcome to apply.

I did not receive a 3.0 GPA during my undergraduate studies. If I retake my prerequisites, will this increase my chances of admission?
We will be looking at your cumulative GPA from your bachelor’s degree. We do not calculate a cumulative GPA of all college courses you’ve taken (including the prerequisite courses you might take at a community college).

Does your program accept online prerequisite courses?
Yes. We accept online prerequisite courses (including both lectures and labs) so long as they are completed at a regionally accredited institution, you earn college/university-level credit for the course(s), and they meet the detailed guidelines outlined on our admissions page in the “Required Prerequisite Courses” section.

I’m planning to complete all my prerequisite courses by the end of Spring prior to the start of the program, can I still apply?
No, you must complete all prerequisite courses, as well as your non-nursing bachelor’s degree, by the end of December in the year that you submit your application.  You may not complete any outstanding prerequisites in the Winter/Spring/Summer terms before starting the program.

I’m planning to complete some of my prerequisite courses by the end of the Fall term of the year that I submit my application, can I still apply?
Yes.  However, all courses must be completed by December 31st in the year that you submit your application.  Note that we require that you upload unofficial copies of transcripts reflecting all final grades earned before December 31st.  If your campus or institution is unable to update Fall term grades before the application deadline due to administrative policies beyond your control, we may allow you to submit transcripts without these final grades by exception if you are able to provide our office with evidence of the policy (e.g. an email from the Registrar’s Office).  If this situation applies to you, please email our office (gnsao@hs.uci.edu) for clarification as soon as possible so that we may assist you before the application deadline.

If you submit your application before you complete your fall coursework with final grades, you will need to log in to your application again and submit transcripts reflecting final grades as “post-submission” documents in order to attach them to your application.

For example, if an applicant is finishing the Chemistry prerequisite in the Fall 2023 term, they should ensure that they submit a complete application by the application deadline.  On their prerequisite checklist they should list “IP/Fall 2023” as the term for the Chemistry course and ensure that they upload a copy of transcripts that reflect the Chemistry course as “In Progress.”  Then, after their final Chemistry grade has been posted, they should log back into their UCI Graduate Application and upload the final transcript with the final grade as a “post-submission” document.

Is there a time limit on when I took my prerequisites?

Applicants are required to complete Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, and Microbiology lecture and lab prerequisite requirements within 5 years of applying.  All other prerequisite course requirements must be completed, but do not need to be completed within five years.

Can I submit my application while my courses are in progress?
Yes, but please remember that your prerequisites and your undergraduate degree must be completed by the end of December in the year that you submit your application.

If you submit your application before you complete your fall coursework with final grades, you will need to log in to your application again and submit transcripts reflecting final grades as “post-submission” documents in order to attach them to your application.

For example, if an applicant is finishing the Chemistry prerequisite in the Fall 2023 term, they should ensure that they submit a complete application by the application deadline.  On their prerequisite checklist they should list “IP/Fall 2023” as the term for the Chemistry course and ensure that they upload a copy of transcripts that reflect the Chemistry course as “In Progress.”  Then, after their final Chemistry grade has been posted, they should log back into their UCI Graduate Application and upload the final transcript with the final grade as a “post-submission” document.

Is there a repeat limit on prerequisite courses?
No.

Do I need to submit any Letters of Recommendation in the application?

Starting with the application opening in Fall of 2024, MEPN applicants are no longer required to submit any letters of recommendation for admission. Any letters that are included with applications will not be reviewed or considered in admissions decisions.

I opened the Graduate Application and did not see the MEPN program listed. Where is it?
The MEPN program is listed on UCI’s Graduate Application as a Master’s Degree program under “Nursing Science with a Concentration in Community and Population Health.”

Does your program require the TEAS test or GRE test?
No, we do not require these tests for admission. If an applicant includes these test scores on their application, the scores are not taken into consideration during application review.

How do I know whether a course I have taken fulfills the prerequisite requirement?
Please refer to the “Required Prerequisite Courses” section of our Admissions page for specific course information.

You can view approved courses from our sister school, UCLA here. We conduct a full evaluation of your application and prerequisite courses after you apply.  Applicants taking prerequisite courses at California Community Colleges may also use Assist.org to find courses.

Does your program have a required number of volunteer hours in a healthcare/clinical setting for admission?
No, we do not have a minimum number of volunteer hours required for admission. We recognize and appreciate that our applicants come from a variety of backgrounds with different experiences. We also understand that it can be challenging for our applicants to secure volunteer hours in healthcare settings for a number of reasons including but not limited to: COVID-19 concerns/closures, competing personal commitments, etc.

Where should I send my official transcripts?
Applicants to the MEPN program are only required to upload unofficial copies of their transcripts to their application.  If you are admitted to the program and accept your offer of admission, you will then be prompted with instructions for submitting your official transcripts to UC Irvine.

I received my previous degree from a school outside the United States. What do I need to include in my application?
All graduate programs at the School of Nursing require professional transcript evaluations by an independent educational evaluating service from any member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. Students should upload a copy of evaluations and translations in their application.

Applicants should note that foreign transcript evaluation services may take several weeks to process and should plan accordingly.  The report uploaded to the application must include a degree-equivalent evaluation and course-by-course equivalent evaluation for any prerequisites.

The School of Nursing and the University of California do not endorse or have a formal partnership with any specific transcript evaluation agencies. However, some applicants have used the following services:

World Education Services, Inc.
P.O. Box  5087
Bowling Green Station
New York, NY 10274-5087
Phone: 212-966-6311
http://www.wes.org/

International Education Research Foundation
P.O. Box 3665
Culver City, CA 90231-3665
Phone: 310-258-9451
http://www.ierf.org/

Do you accept international students?
Yes, we accept international students into the program. However, please keep in mind in order to sign up for the NCLEX, students are required to either have a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer ID Number (ITIN). Getting an ITIN or SSN beforehand will prevent any delays with the BRN.

How do I know if I’m eligible to waive the TOEFL/IELTS exam or English Language Proficiency Requirement?
Please refer to UCI Graduate Division’s website regarding requirements for applying to UC Irvine or contact gradapplicant@uci.edu if you have any questions regarding the English Language Proficiency Requirements for Admission.

Can I still apply if I have a criminal record?

A criminal record does not necessarily impact your eligibility to apply to the University, however it may impact your ability to obtain a RN license. A requirement for our program is to complete clinical rotations in local hospitals. Currently, as long as you do not have a felony conviction, there should be no problem for clinical rotations, however please contact our Nursing Student Affairs office to confirm before applying. The larger issue may be if you are eligible to sit for the NCLEX and to be licensed in the state of California.  Students must pass the NCLEX after graduation in order to become a Registered Nurse; completing the degree by itself will not allow you to work as a Registered Nurse. We strongly encourage applicants in this situation to reach out to the California Board of Registered Nursing to confirm that you would be eligible for licensure given your individual situation.  These links may also be helpful in self-navigating the process: https://www.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/enforcement/appdocs.pdf and https://www.rn.ca.gov/enforcement/enfappdesk.shtml.