Cleveland State University

Cleveland State University's Master of Science in Nursing program is based on the principles of population health and is designed to prepare graduates with advanced knowledge, competencies, and skills in the nursing care of populations (aggregates). The graduate will have in-depth skills in population assessment, demography, epidemiological assessment and data analysis, evaluation of research, survey research, data projections, cost-benefit analysis, and the ability to apply nursing theory, population theory, ethics, cultural awareness, and political strategies to design, implement, and evaluate population health programs.

Students may select from four tracks available: clinical nurse leader, forensic nursing, nursing education, or specialized population, according to their interests and professional goals. In keeping with the rules and regulations of the Ohio Nurse Practice Act, the program does not prepare nurse practitioners or clinical nurse specialists; graduates are not eligible to apply for a certificate of authority in the State of Ohio.

The School of Nursing is a member of the Council of Baccalaureate and Higher Degree Programs, and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The graduate program in Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Admission Requirements

• Application Form

• Application Fee
• Undergraduate Transcripts
  • Minimum 3.00 Undergraduate GPA 
• Two Professional Letters of Recommendation
• Essay 
  • Submit a 2-3 page essay identifying your population of interest; how to you plan to use your MSN degree to enhance your professional growth and development; and skills you hope to acquire during the program
• Resume
• Students applying to the program must hold a valid, active license as an RN in the United States, a baccalaureate degree in Nursing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, and have completed an undergraduate or graduate-level statistics course.

-International students are required to have met at least one of the following English language proficiency requirements:

• TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based): 78 (including at least 20 in reading, 21 in listening, 17 in writing, and 20 in speaking)
• TOEFL PBT (Paper-Based): 550
• IELTS: 6.0 and at least 5.0 in each section
• PTE (Pearson’s Test of English): 50
• iTEP: 5.0

Admission Deadlines

All applications must be submitted and complete on the following application deadline dates:

• Domestic Students
  • Rolling
• International Students
  • Fall Semester – May 15th
  • Spring Semester – October 15h
  • Summer Semester – March 15th

Career Outcomes

• The Clinical Nurse Leader oversees the lateral integration of care for a distinct group of patients and may actively provide direct patient care in complex situations. The CNL puts evidence-based practice into action to ensure that patients benefit from the latest innovations in care delivery. 

• The Clinical Forensic Nurse track prepares students for a wide range of positions, including: legal nurse consultant, death investigator, correctional nurse, psychiatric nurse, and clinical forensic nurse. 
• The Nursing Education Track helps graduates practice in specializated areas listed including: clinical and didactic faculty at the undergraduate and graduate level, staff development specialists in some of the nation’s most prestigious health care systems, and community-based health promotion and education programs.
• The Specialized Populations track prepares graduates to identify, plan, deliver and evaluate the health care needs of individuals with similar health alternations, diseases, or disabilities. 
• These are some of the local companies that are hiring CSU grads: Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, Cuyahoga County, FrontLine Service, Lake Hospital System, Lake Health, and The Metro Health System.