graduate

Graduate Programs

Nursing Administration

Our graduate program offers a Master of Science Degree with a major in nursing with a specilization in Nursing Administration, with thesis and non-thesis options. This program is designed to expand the knowledge base of registered professional nurses to an advanced practice level. The program will provide theoretical and practical knowledge in the areas of administration, healthcare organizational management and communication, and research and delivery of patient care in a variety of healthcare settings. The goals of the program are to prepare nursing leaders to (1) assume leadership positions in healthcare settings, (2) contribute to the development of nursing knowledge, (3) be accountable for the clinical practice of nursing, (4) manage the patient care aspects of the organization, (5) function as a member of the interdisciplinary team, and (6) pursue doctoral education.

The curriculum evolves from the practical aspects of the nurse administrator role and the recommendations of the Council on Graduate Education for Administration in Nursing. The curriculum is based on a synthesis of research and knowledge of nursing science, business administration, and other related disciplines. The learning process is progressive throughout the curriculum and includes student experience and participation.

Admission Requirements

You may be considered for conditional admission status if you do not meet one or more of the following requirements:

  • Baccalaureate of Science (B.S.) Degree with a major in nursing from an accredited program such as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  • Undergraduate 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • Registered nurse licensure and eligible for Indiana licensure
  • TOEFL examination required for students whose native language is not English
  • Undergraduate research and statistics course within the last five years

Admission Procedures

A Purdue University Graduate Application must be submitted electronically. You should complete the application according to the procedures detailed on cover page of the form and indicate Fort Wayne as the selected campus.

  1. 300-350 word essay which addresses the following topics:
    1. Your reasons for pursuing this graduate degree.
    2. The area of specialization (Adult Nurse Practitioner, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Education, or Nursing Administration) you are applying for.
    3. Your career goals and professional plans.
  2. Two (2) official transcripts from each college/university attended.
  3. Three references utilizing the recommendation for admission form. One of the references must be from a current or former nurse educator and one must be from a current or former nurse supervisor/manager.
  4. One (1) copy of your current resume.
  5. The completed application is to be submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office at Fort Wayne. When all the necessary materials to complete your application file have been received, they will be forwarded to the Nursing Department.
  6. The application will then be submitted to the Department Chairperson for evaluation and recommendation to the Graduate Committee. The application will be reviewed and evaluated by the Graduate Committee of the Nursing Department for acceptance or rejection. If no major professor has been designated, the Graduate Committee will designate a major professor. Each member of the Committee will recommend acceptance or rejection of the candidate. Applicants are notified of official acceptance by the Graduate School of Purdue University.

Application Checklist

You should arrange to have the following sent to:

Graduate Admissions Office
Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne
2101 East Coliseum Blvd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1499

  • Two copies of your essay
  • Two copies of official transcripts from all institutions attended
  • At lease three letters of recommendation
    • One of the references must be from a current or former nurse educator and one must be from a current or former nurse supervisor/manager.

Application Deadlines

Fall - All application materials must be turned in by May 1st for priority admission. Rolling admission continues until classes are filled. No applications will be accepted after July 1 for fall admission into the program.

Post Baccalaureate Admission

Students may enroll as post baccalaureate students and complete up to 12 credit hours by submitting a non degree status application as well as the application for degree enrollment. This is an option for any potential student and the appropriate admission process for students that have missed the graduate admission deadlines.

General Academic Information

Requirements for the Masters Degree

English proficiency requirement: The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language System (IELTS) is required for students whose native language is not English. Applicants must achieve a TOEFL score of 550 or higher on the paper-based test, 213 or higher on the computer- based test. Applicants who take the Internet-based test (TOEFLiBT) must achieve the following minimum test scores, in addition to an overall (combined) score of at least 77: reading, 19; listening, 14; speaking, 18; writing, 18. Applicants taking the IELTS must score at least 6.5 on the academic module.

Selection of a Committee: A student's graduate committee consists of at least three faculty members from the department, and possibly one or more external members.

Submission of a Plan of Study:A tentative plan of study ideally should be drawn up prior to registration for the first semester of graduate work. Students must file a formal plan of study at least two semesters before planning to graduate.

Transfer of Credits: A maximum of 19 hours of graduate credit from another institution may be approved by the student's committee for inclusion in a program of study.

Although students may take courses on other Purdue campuses, at least 51% of the total credit hours used to satisfy degree requirements must be earned in residence on the IPFW campus. Remote televised instruction from a campus is considered to have been obtained from that campus, regardless of the student's physical location.

Credit for courses taken in post baccalaureate status: Students are eligible to include in the program of study no more than twelve hours of graduate credit taken while enrolled as a post baccalaureate residents prior to being admitted to a graduate degree program.

Thesis option student: All thesis students must pass a final oral defense of their thesis work, after the student's thesis committee has approved the completed thesis and before their degree is awarded. The time and format of the examination will be decided and arranged by the student and by the student's thesis committee.

Non-thesis option student: Students registering for a non thesis degree must take NUR 682.

Graduate Nursing Consortium

Through a consortium agreement with the Nursing Programs at the West Lafayette, Fort Wayne and Calumet campuses, a Master of Science with a major in nursing is offered to students in the West Lafayette, Fort Wayne and Calumet areas. The primary purpose of the graduate nursing program is to prepare nurses for advanced practice as nurse administrators, clinical nurse specialists (adult health or critical care), or as family nurse practitioners. Our graduates are capable of assuming diverse leadership roles in clinical practice.

The programs are part of the graduate school of Purdue University.