Admission

Admission Criteria

Doctor of Clinical Nutrition

For the Post-Baccalaureate DCN program, admission is open to students who have completed a bachelor’s degree with a 3.00 GPA or better in any discipline with required prerequisite courses or students who earned a baccalaureate degree in nutrition/dietetics and have received a verification statement.  Students who have not completed prerequisite courses prior to submitting their application will be considered for program admission as long as all prerequisite courses are completed with a grade of “C” or higher prior to the onset of the DCN courses.

Prerequisite Courses

  • 1 semester of general chemistry and lab
  • 1 semester of organic chemistry and lab
  • 1 semester of biochemistry
  • 1 semester of microbiology and lab
  • 2 semesters of anatomy and physiology and lab
  • Introduction to Nutrition 
  • Food Science

For the Post-RDN DCN program, admission is open to students who are registered Dietitian Nutritionists with or without a master’s degree. Credit for prior learning and experience will be evaluated.

This program cannot currently accept international students seeking to study on the F visa.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Applicants for the BSN-DNP at Fairfield must hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a regionally accredited college or university (or the international equivalent) with a grade point average of 3.00 or higher overall and in the nursing major.

Applicants for the Post Master's DNP programs must hold a master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university (or the international equivalent), with a grade point average of 3.20 or higher overall. Advanced Practice candidates must be eligible for APRN licensure in the state of Connecticut. Applications are reviewed by the Graduate Admission Committee.

Nurse Anesthesia (DNP)

Nurse Anesthesia applicants must meet the following requirements before applications will be processed:

  • A baccalaureate degree in nursing from a regionally accredited college or university (or the international equivalent). 
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.20 with a science GPA of 3.20.
  • Current active, unencumbered Registered Nurse license to practice in the United States at the time of application. A Connecticut RN license and a NY RN license will be required upon admission. Applicants to the Austin, TX campus will be required to submit an active Texas RN license upon admission.
  • A minimum of one year's experience as a RN in a critical care setting is required; ER does not fulfill this criterion. The one year of critical care experience must be current.
  • Current ACLS, BCLS, and PALS certification (must be maintained while in the program). Please note the program only accepts certifications from the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross. No other certification programs will be accepted.
  • CCRN certification is required.
  • Shadowing experience is required. Applicants must demonstrate a minimum of 8 hours of CRNA shadowing experiences.

PREREQUISITE COURSES

  • Two semesters of biology with labs (anatomy and physiology meets the biology requirement)
  • One semester of chemistry with lab
  • One semester of microbiology with lab
  • One semester of college math (statistics will fulfill the math requirement)

Prerequisites must be completed with a grade of B- or above within the past 15 year period (5-7 years is preferred.) One prerequisite course is acceptable from AP credits or an early college course. All prerequisite coursework must be completed prior to the application deadline.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Individuals may apply to the graduate program to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing degree. Applicants for a master's degree must hold a bachelor's degree in nursing from a regionally accredited college or university (or the international equivalent) with a quality point average of 3.00 overall and in the nursing major. All applicants must have a current active, unencumbered RN license. Once accepted/fully matriculated, all Nurse Practitioner/Nursing Leadership students licensed in another state must provide a copy of current Connecticut RN licensure. RN applicants who have a non-nursing bachelor's degree will be considered on an individual basis and will be required to complete a bridge program of three prerequisite courses (NURS 2270 Health Assessment, NURS 3310 Foundations of Research for Evidence Based Practice, and NURS 4330 Population Health) to be eligible for the MSN program. NURS 3310 must be taken at Fairfield University. The other two bridge courses taken outside of the Egan School must produce an official transcript and complete syllabus to be approved by the adult program director. The course(s) can be no more than 5 years old.

Accelerated Master’s Entry to Practice Nursing

Admission to the program will be competitively offered to students who hold a baccalaureate degree in any discipline from an accredited four–year college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.30 or better. Applicants must have completed the required pre-requisite courses prior to admission.

Prerequisite Courses

  • Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab
  • General Chemistry for Health Science and General Chemistry for Health Science Lab
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Elements of Microbiology & Elements of Microbiology Lab
  • Statistics

Master of Science in Healthcare Administration (MHA) and Master of Public Health (MPH)

Admission to this online program is open to students who have completed a bachelor's degree in any discipline. A quality grade point average of 3.0 or higher is preferred.

Application Deadlines

Clinical Nutrition (DCN): August 1

Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN and DNP): July 1

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN and DNP): July 1

Nurse Anesthesia (DNP): August 1

Nurse Midwifery (DNP): July 1

Post-Master's DNP: Rolling admission until full

Nursing Leadership (MSN): Rolling admission until full

Master's Entry to Practice Nursing (MSN): Rolling admission until full

Healthcare Administration (MS): Rolling admission until full

Public Health (MPH): Rolling admission until full

MSN/ MBA: Rolling admission until full

Admission Procedures

For all Master and Doctoral programs (except for Nurse Anesthesia)

Applications are reviewed by the Graduate Admission Committee. Students seeking admission must complete and submit the following online:

  1. A completed application. Apply online.
  2. A non-refundable application fee.
  3. A professional resume.
  4. A personal statement. Personal statement prompts and requirements vary by program. Please contact the Office of Graduate Admission at gradadmis@fairfield.edu for further information.
  5. All official transcripts from each college and university attended, including all transfer credits that contributed to your baccalaureate degree as well as all transcripts documenting any prerequisite coursework completed or in progress.  Send all transcripts to the Office of Graduate Admission. Electronic transcripts are preferred and should be sent by email. All international transcripts must be evaluated by an approved evaluating service which can be found on our website.
  6. Two professional letters of recommendation, completed online and accompanied by the University online recommendation forms.
  7. For all MSN/ DNP programs: Copy of current active, unencumbered RN license; licensure to practice in the state of Connecticut will be required upon admission (applicants completing a program at our Austin, TX campus will be required to be licensed in the state of Texas upon admission).
  8. For the midwifery program, a minimum of one year's work experience as an RN (preferably in women's health) is required.

Additionally, applicants to our post-master's DNP programs must submit:

  1. Copy of current active, unencumbered APRN license and certificate of national certification in the advanced specialty.
  2. Documentation of the number of supervised clinical hours completed in previous MSN program (up to 600 documented hours of supervision in an MSN program can be used to fulfill the 1,000 practicum/ immersion hours required for the DNP.

Nurse Anesthesia Program

Applications are reviewed by the Graduate Admission Committee. Students seeking admission must submit the following by August 1 for the following summer cohort:

  1.  A completed and verified application in NursingCAS.
  2. The following supplemental materials must be sent to NursingCAS:
    1. ​A professional resume or CV.
    2. All official transcripts from each previously attended college or university. All international transcripts must be evaluated by an approved evaluating service which can be found on our website.
    3. Two recommendations, including one from your current supervisor and one other from an individual who can assess your clinical expertise in an acute care setting.
    4. A three page, double-spaced personal statement stating your career goals and future contributions to the profession of nurse anesthesia.
    5. Copy of current active, unencumbered RN license; licensure to practice in the state of Connecticut or Texas will be required upon admission.
    6. ACLS, BCLS, and PALS certifications
    7. CCRN certification
    8. Documentation of 8 hours of CRNA shadowing experience.

Admission Policies for Students Admitted to On-Campus Programs

Background Check, Drug screening, and Licensing

All graduate students in Egan School for on-campus programs are required to have a background check and drug screening completed prior to the start of the graduate program. In addition, once accepted/fully matriculated, all graduate nursing students licensed in another state must provide a copy of current active, unencumbered Connecticut RN license.

Bridge Courses

For admitted MSN or DNP students who possess a non-nursing Bachelor’s degree and an Associate Degree in Nursing, the following policy applies effective Spring 2021:

  1. All students must complete the following courses (or their equivalent) with a grade of B or better, prior to enrolling for the first DNP/MSN courses:
  2. Student must take NURS 3310 Foundations of Research for Evidence Based Practice at Fairfield University.
  3. If a student wants to take a bridge course outside of the Egan School, they must produce an official transcript along with a complete syllabus of the course, and it must be approved by the adult program director. The course can be no more than five years old.
  4. All students must meet with the adult program director to register for the bridge courses. 

Computer Literacy

Basic computer literacy is expected of all graduate students in the Egan School. The Academic Computing division of the university supports Microsoft products (Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint), which are used throughout the curriculum.

Basic computer literacy is defined as the ability to use:

  • Word processing software to create, edit, save, print, send attachments, and manipulate document files.
  • Presentation software to design, show, and print a presentation using text and graphics.
  • Email to send, receive, and print electronic mail messages; send, receive and open attachments. (All students must utilize their @student.fairfield.edu Gmail account.)
  • Internet navigation to investigate research topics using search engines.
  • Spreadsheets to organize data in a worksheet, create formulas, use functions, copy and paste formulas and functions, and format cells.

Having access to a computer system with the above capabilities is essential for successful completion of the program. Nurse Anesthesia students must have a laptop computer for class. There are several computer labs on campus. Labs are equipped with e-mail and word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software. Printers are available to students in the computer labs.

All students must communicate via their University Gmail account. All University notices, mail, etc. will be sent through my.Fairfield, and it is recommended that students check their e-mail at least once a day for any mail/notices.

Computer literacy skills are not taught as part of the graduate curriculum. Students not proficient in their use should inform a faculty member, who will help them locate resources from which they may obtain the requisite skills.

Mandatory Immunizations

Connecticut State law requires each full-time or matriculated student to provide proof of immunity or screening against measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), meningitis and tuberculosis. Certain exemptions based on age and housing status apply. Matriculating students are defined as those enrolled in a degree seeking program or an in-person certificate program. More detailed information on the required immunizations and how to submit the required documentation is available online at www.fairfield.edu/immunization. Although compliance with University immunization requirements is not required to complete an application, you must provide proof of immunity/screening prior to course registration. Please note, students who are enrolling in 100% online programs with no intention of coming to campus may be exempt from providing immunization records. Please consult the Student Health Center to determine what documentation may be required as an online student. Questions may be directed to the Student Health Center: 203-254-4000 x2241 or email health@fairfield.edu .

International Students

International applicants must provide an official course-by-course evaluation for all coursework completed outside the US. Evaluations must be completed by an approved evaluator (found on our website) recognized by NACES. All international students whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by taking and submitting test scores from one of the following exams: TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE Academic. Scores must be sent directly from the testing agency. Fairfield University's ETS code is 3390. English language test score requirements can be viewed on our website. English language testing may be waived for those international students who have earned an undergraduate or graduate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university. International applications must also provide a certificate of finances (evidence of adequate financial resources in U.S. dollars). A blank pdf affidavit of financial support document will be provided by the office of Global Fairfield to be completed, along with a list of acceptable financial certificates.  All supporting credentials must be submitted at least three months prior to the intended start date.

Students with Disabilities

Fairfield University is committed to providing qualified students with disabilities an equal opportunity to access the benefits, rights, and privileges of its services, programs, and activities in an accessible setting. Furthermore, in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Connecticut laws, the University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified students to reduce the impact of disabilities on academic functioning or upon other major life activities. It is important to note that the University will not alter the essential elements of its courses or programs.

If a student with a disability would like to be considered for accommodation(s), they must identify themselves to the Office of Accessibility, located in the Academic Commons on the main floor of the DiMenna-Nyselius Library, and complete the interactive request process for accommodations. Instructions for how to initiate the accommodation request process are located on our website. Students can also email ooa@fairfield.edu to start the accommodation request process. This process should be done prior to the start of the academic semester and is strictly voluntary. However, if a student with a disability chooses not to self-identify and provide the necessary documentation to the Office of Accessibility, accommodations need not be provided and are not retroactive. All information concerning disabilities is confidential and will be shared only with a student's permission. For more information regarding accommodations and the registration process, please email, or call 203-254-4000 x2615.