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, or RN to BS to MS program in the Clinical Nurse Leader track three times a year. All application materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the deadline.

Entry Semester Application Opens Application Deadline
Spring May 1 Sept. 15
Summer Oct. 1 Jan. 15
Fall Feb. 1 April 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

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

Connect With Us

Interested in a master's in leadership program? Connect with us to learn about the benefits of earning your master's from the University of Rochester.

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