American Sentinel College of Nursing & Health Sciences Admissions Requirements

Applicants to the nursing and healthcare programs must submit the following:

• A completed application.
• Driver’s license or state-issued ID.  The driver’s licenses or state-issued IDs of the students seeking enrollment in any of the nurse practitioner specializations must match the state indicated on the application showing residence in an approved state.
• A copy of the applicant’s active and unencumbered United States RN license.  If the applicant does not hold an unencumbered United States RN license, they may submit a Validation of Licensure Report that shows evidence they have the appropriate authorization to practice as a professional registered nurse in the geographic area in which they work. CGFNS International is an agency that can provide acceptable documentation. This may vary by program or specialization.
• Official transcripts from each post-secondary institution(s) attended. Prior nursing education must be from a state board approved school of nursing, hospital school of nursing, or an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree nursing program accredited by an agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or the United States Department of Education. The institution(s) must send the transcripts directly to Post University.
• Applicants may submit unofficial copies for evaluation and acceptance. However, they must contain proof of minimum degree conferral or completion and minimum grade point average (GPA). If the unofficial transcript does not have completion or conferral status, the applicant must also provide a copy of their diploma. The Registrar’s Office must receive official copies of transcripts with degree conferral or completion date and minimum GPA by the end of the first 8-week term. If the applicant fails to submit such official documents on time, they cannot start future courses until the receipt of official transcripts, and subsequently withdrawn for failing to provide them.
• Official copies of transcripts with degree conferral date, transfer credit, and minimum GPA must be received by the Registrar’s Office after initial registration into a SIMPath semester. If the applicant fails to submit such official documents on time, they will be disallowed from registering for any additional SIMPath courses until the official transcripts are received. 

The chart below lists the prelicensure or degree(s) GPA requirements for admission into each program of study.

In addition to the items above, applicants to all nursing and healthcare programs except for the Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing and RN-BSN/MSN programs, single courses, or digital credentials must submit a résumé, curriculum vitae, or list of professional accomplishments.

Applicants with a cumulative grade point average less than the minimum requirements above; must provide:

• One letter of recommendation required, two suggested.
• Resume, curriculum vitae, or list of professional accomplishments.
• Submit a personal 300-word statement discussing in separate paragraphs how each of the three items below apply to the applicant and their potential career in the medical field:
  • Why this program is a good fit for the applicant’s interests and academic goals.
  • The applicant’s plans for balancing work, school, and life include information like using a calendar/schedule carving out specific time, etc., or other strategies the applicant will use to manage their life’s activities.
  • The applicant’s future career goals and how the program will help you achieve these goals.
• Permission from the Dean or Dean’s designee.

Applicants Educated Outside the United States

Please note that applicants educated outside the United States will need to provide an Academic Report from a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member organization, Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc.(AICE) member organization, The Association for International Credential Evaluation Professionals (TAICEP) member organization, or the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) certificate stating that the nursing education the applicant received meets the GPA requirements as noted in the table above and that the education is comparable to that obtained by a graduate of a United States nursing school. To receive transfer credits for courses from institutions outside the United States, the applicant must provide an approved NACES, AICE, TAICEP or CGFNS course-by-course academic evaluation report.  Submission of this report must be at the time of evaluation for consideration of the transfer credits.

Program Specific Requirements

Early Admission to the Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science Nursing Program (RN to BSN) or Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing/Master of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN/MSN)

Early admission to the Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science Nursing Program (RN to BSN) or Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing/Master of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN/MSN) is for applicants currently enrolled in an associate degree and diploma nursing programs seeking to begin the program before passing the NCLEX-RN^® Exam and within six months of anticipated graduation date.  The following are the requirements for admission into the early admission program:

• Enroll within six months of an anticipated graduation date from an associate degree or diploma in nursing program and maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA. Submit an unofficial transcript reflecting a 2.0 GPA in the current associate degree program.
• Have not yet taken the NCLEX-RN^® Exam.
• Submit a professional statement including plans to take the NCLEX-RN®  Exam and plan for success in the RN to BSN program.

With the Dean’s or their designee’s approval, applicants will receive admittance to an Early Admissions Bachelor of Science Nursing Non-Degree Seeking enrollment. Students admitted under this policy may take only one course at a time and may earn a maximum of six credits (BSN405 and BSN410). After completing the non-degree seeking enrollment, students must apply for the RN to Bachelor of Science Nursing program after completing an associate of science nursing or diploma nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN^® Exam.  Students who fail to meet the associate degree or diploma and NCLEX requirements are not eligible to continue into the RN to Bachelor of Science Nursing program.

Additional Doctoral Program Considerations

If the master’s degree requirement for admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is in a discipline other than nursing, the applicant receives consideration for entrance into program in the Executive Leadership or Informatics Leadership Specializations only using one of two options that appear below.  Both options require completion of 400 hours of post-baccalaureate practice hours in addition to the 600 practice hours required to complete the DNP degree.

Option A – Students earn an MSN degree upon completion of all MSN requirements.

The applicant’s graduate degree transcripts will receive an evaluation to determine any deficiencies against the MSN program.  Any deficiencies will result in the creation of a degree plan that includes courses required for the MSN program that did not receive transfer credit. Examples of these courses include:

• N512 Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
• N515PE Research Design (3 credits)
• N521 Advanced Pharmacology (3 credits)
• N522PE Advanced Physical Assessment (3 credits)

In addition to the courses above, students must complete 400 practice hours.

Upon successful completion of 36 credit hours (minimum 18 credits in residence and 18 additional graduate-level transfer credits) students receive a MSN and admittance into the DNP program.

Students in this option have successfully completed 1000 post-baccalaureate practice hours when they receive their DNP degree.

Option B – Students do not earn an MSN degree upon completion of all DNP program Executive Leadership or Informatics Specialization requirements.

Applicants must complete a three-course bridge program and 400 practice hours:

• N501PE MSN Role Development (3 credits)
• N505PE Theoretical Foundations (3 credits)
• N515PE Research Design (3 credits)

Applicants must complete the bridge courses and the 400 practice hours before registering for N740PE DNP Project I. Students enter a Practicum Workroom, which supports their completion of the required 400 practice hours. Additional fees apply to completion of these practicum hours.

Upon completion of the bridge courses and all requirements of the DNP program, students receive a DNP degree. Students in this option have successfully completed 1000 post-baccalaureate practice hours before they receive their DNP degree.