Question 1: How can I request an application packet?
To have an application packet sent to you by mail, contact the admissions office at (909) 469-5335.  You may also download the application from our website, please refer to the apply now web page for more information.

Question 2: If I live out of state can I attend?
Yes. The program is ideal for people living in distant or remote areas. Air travel is convenient to the Ontario International Airport, which is 15 minutes from campus. Many area hotels offer shuttle service to the campus. After orientation, many students make acquaintances and share hotel expenses. Distant students enrolled in clinical programs are required to periodically extend their seminar weekends to work with clinical faculty.

Question 3: Do you give preference to California residents?
No. We are a private institution and do not have to meet certain resident enrollment standards that state institutions must meet.

Question 4: Is tuition the same for in-state and out-of-state residents?
Yes. Tuition costs are the same for all students within the same program.

Question 5: What if I haven't been in school for a long time?
Many of our students have not been in school for a long time. We find that adults do very well with our learning model as it is designed for the working professional who has typically been out of school for a while.

Question 6: Do the Reference Forms have to be turned in with the application packet?
We prefer that the forms be sent to our office by the person writing the recommendation. If you submit the Reference Forms with your application, they must each be in a sealed envelope with the person's signature across the seal.

Question 7: May I submit more than the required number of Reference Forms?
Only three Reference Forms are required; however, if you would like to submit additional recommendation letters, it is advisable to limit them to two or three extra.

Question 8: Can I replace a Reference Form with a recommendation letter?
No. Your application file requires three completed Reference Forms. Recommendation letters are optional. Please refer to the apply now page for more information.

Question 9: Do I need to plan for an interview as part of the admissions process?
No. You will be required to submit a personal statement and CV as part of your application and that is what is used to gain insight into your motivation for graduate study, and your career goals.

Question 1: What are the admission requirements for the MSN-Completion program?
Please review the view requirements web page for more information on the MSN Completion program prequisites. 

Question 2: Do you require any standardized tests prior to application?
We do not require any standardized tests (i.e GRE or MCAT) for admission into the MSN Completion program.

Question 3: What should I do if my GPA is not at least 3.0?
Include in your personal statement an explanation for your low GPA. We will review your personal statement and possibly interview you by phone or in person. Occasionally, we recommend retaking courses with low grades to improve your GPA.

Question 4: Can I talk to a counselor about my prerequisite coursework?
Yes, we encourage you to communicate with your counselor for any questions you may have about prerequisites 

Question 1: Why Western University?
Western University's College of Graduate Nursing was the first in the country to offer an MSN and FNP program online. Since the college started as a Web-based program, all aspects of the program are fully synchronized to support a Web-based instructional style. Our faculty members are experienced leaders in the field of advanced practice nursing, nursing education and nursing research. Our program offers the same rigorous curriculum as any traditional nursing degree program. The College of Graduate Nursing received full professional accreditation from the Committee Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) in October 2006. Western University offers a full range of degree programs in the medical and allied health sciences and is fully accredited.

Question 2: What are the benefits of completing a master's degree in nursing?
Master's-prepared advanced practice nurses find greater job satisfaction from having greater autonomy in their daily practice. A wider range of job career options becomes available. You are able to make a greater contribution to the care of your patients-both because our program gives you the conceptual and clinical tools to care for "the whole patient," and because, from a licensing perspective, the degree allows you to provide a greater scope of care.

Nurses who became established in the field before the threshold of educational requirements increased are now finding that many state regulating agencies are requiring master's level preparation in order to continue in the advanced practice setting.

Question 3: How long does it take to complete the MSN Completion program?
The MSN Completion program can be completed in three semesters (one year) while a full time student, or six semesters (two years) as a part time student.

Question 4: How does the program work?
The program consists of two core components:

• Self-directed web-based courses accessed over the Internet. These courses include asynchronous discussion sessions (each class member making contributions over a period of several days) in which students and faculty collaborate to achieve learning objectives.
• Intensive three-day seminar weekends on campus (6 total: 2 per semester x 3 semesters). These classes provide valuable time for you to interact one-on-one with the nursing faculty and peers. The schedule for the intensive weekends includes: clinical skill building laboratories and testing, selected clinical experience with faculty, lectures, student presentations and content assessments.

Question 5: Are Western University's web-based nursing programs as rigorous as traditional programs?
Yes. We maintain professional accreditation standards. The curriculum was developed specifically for the Web, and follows national guidelines and standards from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. Western University is WASC accredited and offers a full range of degree programs in the medical and allied health sciences. The College of Graduate Nursing received full professional accreditation from the Committee on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) in October 2006. The college is California Board of Registered Nursing approved. All graduates to date have passed the national certification exam.

Question 6: What are the benefits of learning in a web-based program?
There are many advantages to a web-based program. First, it allows the bachelor's-prepared nurse to complete an advanced degree while living and working in his/her own community. This offers the student a great degree of flexibility in scheduling written coursework around job, personal, and family commitments. Second, the one-on-one nature of web-based class discussion groups allows the nursing faculty to get to know students better than in a more traditional classroom group format. Finally, Western University's program is designed with the adult learner in mind. Students find the course content to be more relevant to their needs, since they are actively involved in shaping their educational experience.

Question 7: Am I ready for distance education?
Take a self-assessment test to help determine if distance education is right for you!

Question 8: What computer skills will I need?
Students need word processing skills for papers, discussions and written clinical cases. Students must also be familiar with using e-mail. Some student presentations will be done using Microsoft Power Point. While new students do not need this skill on admission, applicants will benefit from familiarizing themselves with this computer program.

Since the computer skills required to navigate and complete our curriculum are not difficult, beginners do very well with some focused skill training. We recommend that applicants find a personal computer mentor, or complete the basic software tutorials prior to beginning the program. All students will need an Internet Service Provider (ISP) prior to registration and will be given a Western University e-mail account during registration.

Question 9: Will I be on campus at anytime during the program?
Yes. In addition to the pre-program orientation, students attend two seminar weekends per semester. Students are expected to validate their learning through oral presentations, skill demonstration, testing and clinical presentations. Students attend lectures and are able to meet with faculty, fellow students and prepare for group assignments. Classes usually begin on Friday morning and end on Sunday.

Question 10: Will I have any kind of training before starting the program?
Yes! During the summer prior to beginning your first semester, you will attend a pre-program consisting of a course called "Communication and Information Management" (CGN 5000). This course orients you to the web-based format of all subsequent online courses. During the pre-program, your computer skills will be assessed and computer skill training sessions will be conducted. Instruction will include critical skills such as how to post comments on a discussion board, submit a paper on-line in APA format with references, access Internet resources, and use electronic logs of your clinical hours.

Question 11: Once a student, if I ask a question about the coursework, how quickly can I expect a response?
Our standard is that a response will occur within 72 hours. Faculty are available via phone and e-mail to clarify any questions.

Question 12: As an MSN student, how will my progress be assessed?
All courses require scholarly papers, case studies, presentations, and group participation for problem solving or research. While knowledge is considered the foundation of decision-making, knowledge alone does not assure correlation understanding. Thus, through problem-based learning exercises, online clinical cases, oral presentations, and interactive topical discussions, nursing faculty are able to measure and monitor the acquisition of knowledge, values, self-reflection, and ethical decision making. You must achieve at least a B (80 percent) in each didactic course in order to receive credit.

Question 13: Can I work and attend graduate school at the same time?
Yes. You are encouraged to continue working in your RN role. Students in the MSN Completion Program are able to work full time if they choose while working on their graduate degree. Students who work full time have been very successful in our program. A strong support system (at work and at home) and good organizational skills are helpful.

Question 14: After I graduate do I have to take a standardized exam before beginning to practice?
No, not for practice in most states. See your state's Board of Nursing for specific requirements.

Question 15: How can I learn more about your graduate nursing programs?
There are a number of ways to learn more about us. You've taken the first step by coming to our website! For further information or to request an application packet, please call (909) 469-5335 or contact us by e-mail.

Question 16: How can I learn more about the financial aid available to me?
For more information regarding tuition, financial aid and scholarships, please visit the financing my education web page.

Question 17: Can I talk to a faculty member about the curriculum?
Sure! Feel free to contact the MSN/FNP Director Diana Lithgow, PhD, FNP-C, MSN by email at dlithgow@westernu.edu.

Question 18: Do you have any information sessions on campus?
We do not offer information sessions for the MSN Completion program. For your convenience, the MSN/FNP information session has been captured in this PowerPoint presentation which will provide information including career trends, program options and design, curriculum and the admissions process. If you have any additional questions, please contact Diana Lithgow, PhD, FNP-C, MSN by email at dlithgow@westernu.edu