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CNL Eligibility & Admissions Requirements

How to apply to the Clinical Nurse Leader Master's program at the University of Rochester.

The University of Rochester School of Nursing uses a comprehensive, holistic review process during which each application receives individual consideration. We seek applicants:

  • who clearly understand the Clinical Nurse Leader role
  • who are motivated and prepared to pursue this program of study with a focus on leadership and performance improvement
  • who are committed to upholding the values of the school and the profession

Application Deadlines

Apply to the master's, advanced certificate program or RN to BS to MS program in the Clinical Nurse Leader track three times a year. All application materials must be received by midnight of the deadline.

Fall Semester Spring Semester Summer Semester

April 15

Sept. 15 Jan. 15

Program Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the Clinical Nurse Leader Master's program:

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 from your most recent relevant degree
  • RN licensure from New York State
  • One year of clinical experience
  • Statistics course with a grade of C or above
  • English language proficiency

Application Requirements

To complete an application for the Clinical Nurse Leader program, create an account and complete all sections of the application. Submit the following materials by uploading to your application before the deadline:

  • Official transcripts from all schools attended
  • Two letters of recommendation from academic or professional references
  • Current resume or CV
  • TOEFL, IELTS, or DET scores for applicants who are non-native English speakers

Short Answer Prompts

As part of the application for the Clinical Nurse Leader programs (master's, advanced certificate and RN to BS to MS), you must also answer several questions (each with a 200-word limit). The prompts for short-answer questions have been listed here for reference.

  1. Please explain why this is the right degree, the right time, and/or the right program based on your strengths & needs.

  2. Please describe a leadership experience where you facilitated an outcome of teamwork and collaboration.

  3. Please describe an experience in which your leadership skills positively influenced a clinical or work-related situation.

  4. Please describe a professional experience that reinforced you are on the “right” career path.

  5. Please describe your understanding of diversity, equity, and/or inclusion?. Describe ways you have ensured equity and inclusion happens in your work environment.

  6. Please explain how you envision this leadership program assisting you to attain your leadership goals.

Learn more about how to complete the application and upload these materials.


Application Review Process

Once you complete your application, you may receive a follow-up email to schedule an interview with members of our Admissions Review Committee. We look forward to reviewing your application!


Start your application

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