TTUHSC School of Nursng
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Graduate Programs

RN to MSN Leadership in Nursing Education
Application Requirements and Deadlines

Application deadline for Fall is March 15.

To apply to the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Nursing Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), you must complete the following two steps in the application process:

  • First, apply within the Nursing Centralized Application Service (NursingCAS) at the following link: NursingCAS Application Portal (Available January 1, 2012)
  • Second, complete the supplemental information required to be submitted through the TTUHSC Merlin system at the following link: Merlin Application Access
Primary steps to successfully completing the application process:
  • Review the NursingCAS website for an overview about the NursingCAS application process: http://nursingcas.org
  • View the online video about how to complete and submit your application though NursingCAS: http://www.screencast.com/t/TYbelPyAD
  • Create a NursingCAS account and begin your application. You will receive a NursingCAS ID# via e-mail to be used when completing the TTUHSC Merlin supplemental application
  • Complete the NursingCAS application and pay the $45 application fee
  • Please note: You may only apply to one MSN program. You must select the specialty track for which you want to apply from the following options:
    • Family Nurse Practitioner
    • Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
    • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
    • Nurse Midwifery
    • Nursing Administration
    • Nursing Education
    • RN-MSN Nursing Education (for applicants with an Associate Degree in Nursing)
    (Applicants to the Post-Masters Nurse Practitioner programs will follow this same application process.)
  • Submit three letters of recommendation through the NursingCAS system.
  • Mail the transcript request form provided in the NursingCAS application to all schools attended. Texas Tech University students must send the request form to Texas Tech University, as TTUHSC will not do this for you. All transcripts are to be mailed from the schools to NursingCAS only
  • Complete the TTUHSC Merlin supplemental application:
    • Click "Start Session" on the bottom of Merlin application page
    • Complete the Oath of Residency and pay the $40 application fee
    • Complete the Personal Statement
    • Complete the Resume Template
A complete application includes the following:
  • NursingCAS application
  • Official transcript for the BSN degree plus transcripts for undergraduate research and statistics course if not included on the BSN transcript (Note: all transcripts must be from regionally accredited colleges or universities with nursing program accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC))
  • Verification of completion of BSN Program for MSN applicants
  • Supplemental TTUHSC Merlin Application: Oath of Residency, Personal Statement, Resume, and application fee
  • Letters of References (3)
  • Verification of Texas RN License
  • BLS certification (MSN applicants)
  • Appropriate documentation, i.e. TOEFL score, if an international student
Please note the following important points:
  • Review the School of Nursing Catalog for important information about MSN admission requirements and sample degree plans: http://www.ttuhsc.edu/son/catalog.aspx
  • Review the "Tips for Successful Applicants" as you begin the application process.
  • It is your responsibility to make sure that your application is complete and submitted in both NursingCAS and the TTUHSC Merlin System.
  • Consideration for admission is only given to applicants with complete applications, meaning ALL application materials must be submitted and received by the application deadline.
  • For questions about your NursingCAS application, please contact the NursingCAS Support Team at 617-612-2880 or nursingcasinfo@nursingcas.org.
  • For questions about your Merlin application, contact the following MSN Program Coordinators:

Completed applications are processed by the Graduate Program Office and forwarded to the Department Chair and Graduate Program Committee for consideration. Each applicant is notified in writing of the admission decision. You should receive notification of your admission status within 8 weeks of the submission deadline.