Open primary navigation menu
Mobile Dropdown Button

Graduate Student FAQs

What is the difference between the Undergraduate College’s Office of Admission and the College of Professional and Graduate Studies?
The Undergraduate College’s Office of Admission works with students applying to undergraduate degree programs at the Riverdale campus, while our Professional and Graduate team supports adult, professional, and graduate students.

Is there an application fee for all graduate programs?
None of our graduate or professional programs require an application fee.

What time do graduate nursing courses begin and when are they offered?
They begin around 4 or 5 PM and usually run Monday through Thursday.

Do I have to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing to apply to the MS in Nursing program?
Yes, you must have a current RN license and you must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Does Mount Saint Vincent require any prerequisites for the MS in Nursing program?
Yes, all applicants must have completed statistics and nursing research.

What is the minimum GPA required for admission into the graduate programs?
Mount Saint Vincent requires an overall GPA of 3.0.

What is the deadline for admission?
The TESOL program has an August 1 deadline. The deadline for the MS in Nursing program is July 1 for the Fall semester and December 15 for the Spring semester. Both MS in Education Dual Certification programs have a May 1 deadline.

Where should I send my application materials?
All application materials and supporting documents should be sent to the College of Professional and Graduate Studies at Mount Saint Vincent.

Can I email my letters of recommendation?
Yes, the letters of recommendation can be emailed, faxed, or mailed but must be on letterhead.

Are there any special admission requirements for international students?
Students applying to Mount Saint Vincent’s academic programs must include in their application proof of a sufficient mastery of English, both oral and written, at a level appropriate for academic studies at a U.S. college or university.

This requirement may be met by providing the University of Mount Saint Vincent with an official score on the TOEFL exam, IELTS exam, or SAT exam.  Unless otherwise specified in the degree program of your choice, the minimum acceptable score on the IELTS is 6.0 and TOEFL is 550.

Applicants whose scores are below these minimum requirements, but otherwise fulfill all of the other requirements for admission, may be granted “conditional admission” into a program of undergraduate studies at the University of Mount Saint Vincent. Students who have been granted conditional admission must successfully complete a program of English Language training before enrolling in academic coursework. This English Language Training (ESL) program is offered on the Riverdale campus through the College’s partner, the ELS Language Centers. A student’s language skills are assessed on entry to the program and the student is placed in the appropriate level of English Language study. The length of time required for reaching a satisfactory level of competency varies with each student, and the level on which the student was placed after assessment.

Students enrolled in an English language training program will reside on campus, attend language training classes full-time, and are provided with full room and board. ESL training is structured as a series of intensive one-month modules and are offered year-round.