Eligibility & Admission

Application Deadlines

Second MSN - FNP or PMHNP

Fall 2025

  • Deadline: May 1, 2025
  • Classes Start: August 26, 2026

Spring 2026

  • Deadline: August 1, 2025
  • Classes Start: January 13, 2026
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Eligibility

The online Second Master’s Degree program is designed for the Registered Nurse who has already earned a Master’s of Science degree in Nursing but desires additional preparation in another specialty area.

Prerequisite – A master’s degree with a major in nursing from a regionally accredited nursing program.

PLEASE NOTE: We are only accepting into the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner Track students from the following states WA, ID, OR, MT, CA, NV, UT, AK, WY and AZ. 

Application Requirements

If documents have been generated using artificial intelligence (AI), your application may be denied.

Complete the Online Application

Official Transcripts

Submit one official transcript from each college or university attended.

  • If your cumulative GPA falls below a 3.0 please include an explanation of GPA statement.
  • If you previously attended Gonzaga or are a current student, please note that GU transcripts are ordered by your admissions counselor on your behalf.

Official Transcripts can be mailed or emailed to:

Graduate Admissions Operations
AD Box 102
502 E. Boone Avenue
Spokane, WA 99258-0068
gradtranscripts@gonzaga.edu

Two Recommendations

Your two references will be contacted directly by us via email with directions for submitting their letters of recommendation and evaluation checklist on your behalf.

  • One recommendation must be your immediate supervisor, who is the individual who completes your yearly performance evaluations and is able to evaluate professional practice, leadership, interpersonal skills, communication, critical thinking, and judgment.
  • The other recommendation should be from professional colleagues or past professor who can evaluate your professional practice, leadership, interpersonal skills, communication, critical thinking, and judgment.
  • Recommendations from family members or friends are not accepted.

Statement of Purpose

Submit a 500-1000 word essay that is well written, organized, and includes the following:

  • Interest in the Second Masters program and specific option, and what you hope to gain from the degree
  • Professional goals and experiences
  • Personal and professional strengths
  • Why you are interested in attending Gonzaga University

Current Resume or Professional Curriculum Vitae

Provide an updated professional resume or curriculum vitae.

Current RN License

Provide proof of registered nurse license from a program accredited by CCNE, NLNAC, ACEN, CNEA.  (Screenshot acceptable)

Syllabi (strongly encouraged)

At the end of the degree program, most students sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) certification exam.  The ANCC Board is now asking those who want to sit for the ANCC certification exam to prove they have taken the following coursework and that the courses taken meet the content requirements for LACE:

  • advanced physical assessment
  • advanced pathophysiology
  • advanced pharmacology

Due to these requirements and to ensure our graduates can sit for the ANCC certification exam, we are strongly encouraging applicants to submit syllabi from the courses listed above for faculty review. If the course title of the syllabus is not exact as the courses listed above, please submit syllabi from courses that closely correspond to those listed.

If you cannot provide this information by the time your application is reviewed, and you are offered admission,  you will be required to take these courses at Gonzaga. More information about this can be found in our FAQs.

Syllabi and the acknowledgement of these requirements should be uploaded via your Applicant Status Portal.

Transfer Credits

You are able to petition to transfer between 6 and 9 credits from an accredited MSN program, depending on the track you choose. 

Transferring of credits is subject to approval from faculty and the Registrar's Office.

Military-Connected Students and Veterans

  • Currently, all active-duty military members must have permission/approval from an Education Services Officer (ESO), Military Counselor, or the Military Service prior to applying.
  • For more information on how to apply for the GI Bill and related benefits, please visit the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs How to Apply page.
  • Visit Gonzaga’s Military & Veteran Students for more information regarding benefits and student support

Questions?
Contact: 

Meg Martens
Application Specialist
Call or Text: (509) 313-6243
Email: martens@gonzaga.edu

Program information is subject to change.