Application Instructions

You will need to complete all seven areas of the personal information section.

1. Release Statement
2. Biographic Information
3. Contact Information
4. Citizenship Information
5. Family Information
6. Race and Ethnicity
7. Other Information (all items are required, EXCEPT for social security number)

You will need to complete two or three of the academic history areas. Transcript entry is NOT required.

1. College(s) Attended: Applicants are required to enter information on ALL institutions that they enrolled in college/university level coursework. Missing information will result in delay in the verification of the application by NursingCAS.
   1. All official transcripts must be mailed or electronically submitted from the issuing institution’s registrar’s office DIRECTLY to NursingCAS.
   2. See NursingCAS applicant help center for the link to the instructions for electronic submission.
   3. You can request these electronically from Credential Solutions, the National Student Clearinghouse, Parchment or by mail. See sending official transcripts to NursingCAS for more information.
   4. Instruct the institution to include the transcript request form when mailing the transcript to NursingCAS.
   5. Applicants who have completed or are in process of completing their degree from a South Dakota Regental Institution are also required to have current official transcripts sent to NursingCAS (no exceptions). Follow your institution's instructions for requesting transcripts.
2. Standardized Tests(required if applicable): This section is only required if applicant meets ESL (English as a Second Language) definition. OFFICIAL Scores should be sent directly to SDSU as well as uploaded to NursingCAS in the documents section. Refer to program materials section: Documents.

You will need to complete the following areas of the supporting information section:

1. Experiences: In addition, applicants will be required to have their recent/past employers complete the professional employment verification form. This form MUST be uploaded with the NursingCAS application. Refer to program materials section: Documents.
2. Achievements (this is optional)

You will need to complete up to nine of the program material areas.

1. Documents: PDF documents can be filled in electronically but should be printed and then scanned and uploaded to NursingCAS. If documents are uploaded 'blank' and without information, applications will be considered incomplete. Check document BEFORE you upload to NursingCAS.
2. TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo (required for applicants who meet the definition of English as a Second Language): The College of Nursing requires all students who meet the definition of English as a Second Language attain the required TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo score (regardless of residency status). English as a Second Language is defined as a student who was instructed and spoke primarily in a language other than English in the K-12 grades or primary and secondary schooling. OFFICIAL scores must be sent directly to SDSU and uploaded to NursingCAS (under the 'test score report' documents section). Test must have been completed within 2 years of application to the program. Score requirements are:
   1. TOEFL 81 Internet-based score,
   2. IELTS score of 6.5 total band or
   3. Duolingo score of 110.
3. Licensure and Certifications: Applicants are required to upload current licensure and certification documents with the NursingCAS application. The NursingCAS system allows upload of one (1) license. If you have more than 1 license, please email the additional licenses to Graduate Program Specialist Cami Veire. License requirements:
   1. All applicants must submit an RN license.
   2. APRNs only must submit active APRN certification.
4. Experiences/Employment: A minimum of 1500 hours of experience as a registered nurse is required for unconditional admission. New graduates may be eligible for conditional admission. Contact Graduate Program Specialist Cami Veire for more information. In addition, applicants will be required to have their recent/past employers complete the professional employment verification form. This form MUST be uploaded with the NursingCAS application (upload under 'other' documents).
5. Supplemental Legal Questions:All applicants must complete the legal form found in the "documents" section of the NursingCAS application. The DocuSign form will go directly to the Director of Nursing Student Services. Applicants who answered “yes” to any of the legal questions on the form must submit the following through NursingCAS. These items must be uploaded on the DocuSign form:
   1. Copies of charges or citations,
   2. ALL communications with (to and from) the citing agency, and
   3. The court of jurisdiction, including evidence of completion/compliance with court requirements.
6. Resume'/CV

You will need to complete the required questions.

1. Multiple Area Topic Questions

Ph.D. applicants should also complete the following items:

1. Personal Statement: All Ph.D. applicants are required to complete personal statement DocuSign PowerForm.
2. Example of Scholarly Work: All Ph.D. applicants are required to upload an example(s) of scholarly written work with the NursingCAS application. These must be uploaded under the 'research/publication' documents area (minimum of 1 example).
3. Statistics Course Information: All Ph.D. applicants are required to complete the statistics course information DocuSign PowerForm.

DNP applicants should complete the following additional requirement:

1. Statistics Course Information: All DNP applicants are required to complete the statistics course information DocuSign PowerForm.

M.S. applicants should complete the following additional requirement:

1. Statistics Course Information: All M.S. applicants are required to complete the statistics course information DocuSign PowerForm.

Postgraduate certificate applicants should complete the following additional requirement:

1. Include their official transcript showing a master’s in nursing conferred degree with date at the time of application. This can be uploaded under the “Education” tab on the NursingCAS application.