Admissions Requirements

Clarkson College is selective and meeting all criteria for admission does not guarantee admission. Qualified applicants are admitted without regard to national or ethnic origin, gender, age, marital status, religion, race, color, sexual orientation, or creed or disability in the administration of its educational policies, financial aid or other school administered programs.  

English Proficiency

Required of all applicants: Student must meet one of the following: 

  • Official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score (minimum of 100 total score on the TOEFL iBT, minimum of 250 total score Computer-based TOEFL, or minimum of 600 total score on the paper-based TOEFL or score of 60 on the updated pBT)
  • Official IELTS (The International English Language Testing System) total score of 7.5.
  • ACT English score of 20 or higher
  • Graduation from an accredited U.S. high school or equivalent (GED)
  • Associate’s or higher level degree from an accredited U.S. college or university
  • An active, unencumbered United States LPN, RN, PTA, or ARRT license. Additional licensures can be evaluated on an as needed basis.

Undergraduate Degree

Applications are reviewed based on the following criteria:

  • 2.5 Cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • 2.5 Cumulative GPA for math and science courses
  • Proof of graduation from an accredited U.S. high school or equivalent

Undergraduate applicants are not required to submit an ACT, SAT or other standardized test score for admission to Clarkson College. We require some form of standardized testing from students who attend a high school outside the United States. Please visit the International Admissions page for details.

Additional admission requirements:

  • Students who have completed the GED are reviewed with a score of 500 or above on each of the five GED tests. 
  • Students who have been home schooled must provide a copy of the letter from the state that confirms that the supervisor of their home school education has filed with the Department of Education regarding the home schooling of the student in addition to a copy of their home school transcript.
  • All transcripts from high school and post-secondary institutions will be evaluated for “D”s, “F”s, no pass, withdrawals, and withdrawal fails. 
  • International nurse applicants are also required to submit documentation of successful achievement of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) qualifying examination.
  • Applicants must be in good standing from previous institution(s) attended.

Undergraduate Application Materials Required for Degree-Seeking Students:

  • Undergraduate application and application fee.
  • Transcripts: Official transcripts are required from high school and all post-secondary institutions attended or currently attending. Post-secondary institutions include college and universities, professional, technical and business schools regardless of whether or not credit was earned. Transcripts from all institutions outside the U.S. must be official, translated to English, and credentialed.
  • Complete a typed 2-3 page motivational essay OR program specific application questions/essay.

Additional admission requirements for the following programs:

  • Physical Therapist Assistant Associate’s and Bachelor’s degree options – PTA program-specific application packet.
  • Radiography – Radiography program-specific application packet.
  • Traditional BSN – BSN program-specific application packet. Active status on a nurse aide registry.  Applications may be reviewed for acceptance with proof of intent to complete a nurse aide course. 
  • Medical Imaging – Copy of current American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) card.
  • Medical 3D Printing Specialist Certificate Copy of current American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) card and six months of experience in CT/MRI/CI/VI or a similar field or concurrently with an MI externship in CT, MR, CI, or VI or a health science professional in an applicable field.>
  • LPN-BSN – A current unencumbered LPN license in the U.S., its territories or protectorates. License must be effective in the state where clinical experiences will occur.
  • RN to BSN – A current unencumbered state RN license (and APRN license, if applicable) in the U.S., its territories, or protectorates. License must be effective in the state where clinical or residency experiences will occur.

Graduate Degree

Applications are reviewed based on the following criteria:

  • 3.0 Cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale

Students entering the graduate program options are reviewed based on the following application materials and requirements:

  • Graduate application for admission and application fee.
  • Official transcripts are required from all post-secondary institutions attended or currently attending. Post-secondary institutions include colleges and universities, professional, technical, and business schools regardless of whether or not credit was earned. Transcripts from all institutions outside the U.S. must be official, translated to English and credentialed.
  • Current resume or curriculum vitae
    • For MSN options: Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited institution and from a nursing program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
    • For Post-Graduate nursing options: Master of Science in Nursing or higher from an accredited institution and from a nursing program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
    • For BSN to DNP options: Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited institution and from a nursing program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
    • For Post-Masters DNP: Master of Science in Nursing or higher from an accredited institution and from a nursing program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). 

Additional admission requirements for the following programs:

Master of Science in Nursing

  • A current unencumbered RN license (and APRN license, if applicable) in the U.S., its territories, or protectorates. License must be effective in the state where clinical or residency experiences will occur.
  • Scholarly essay
  • Graduate Nursing packet

Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate

  • Minimum graduate cumulative college 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • A current unencumbered RN license (and APRN license, if applicable) in the U.S., its territories, or protectorates. License must be effective in the state where clinical or residency experiences will occur.
  • Scholarly essay
  • Graduate Nursing packet

Master in Healthcare Administration

  • Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution for HCA. Master’s degree or higher from an accredited institution for post-master’s certificate.
  • Two professional recommendations using the Graduate Professional Reference Forms
  • Scholarly essay

BSN to DNP-Nurse Practitioner

  • Minimum cumulative college 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • A current unencumbered RN license (and APRN license, if applicable) in the U.S., its territories, or protectorates. License must be effective in the state where clinical or residency experiences will occur.

Additional Required Application Materials:

  • Copy of RN license
  • Scholarly essay
  • Graduate Nursing packet

Post-Master’s DNP

  • Minimum cumulative college 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale from Master’s degree or higher
  • A current unencumbered RN and APRN license in the U.S., its territories, or protectorates. Licenses must be effective in the state where clinical or residency experiences will occur. 

Prerequisite coursework: 

  • Graduate-level Statistics (can also be taken within first year of program)

Additional Required Application Materials:

  • Copy of APRN license
  • Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
  • Scholarly essay
  • Graduate Nursing packet

BSN to DNP - Nurse Anesthesia

  • Minimum cumulative college 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale for prerequisite coursework
  • One year of full-time critical care experience or its part-time equivalent
  • A current, unencumbered RN license (and APRN license, if applicable) in the U.S., its territories, or protectorates. License must be effective in the state where clinical experiences will occur.
  • Applicant must have achieved or be actively involved in the process of achieving a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited program. BSN must be complete by start of term.

Required Application Materials:

  • Clinical Care Coordinator/Shift Supervisor reference
  • Nursing Unit Director/Manager reference
  • Copy of RN/APRN license
  • Core Performance Standards form
  • Critical Care Skills form
  • Personal statement
  • Curriculum vitae

Prerequisite coursework: 

  • Scholarly Writing
  • Graduate-level Statistics

Interview: Required, if selected

Doctor in Healthcare Education and Leadership

  • One year minimum work experience, preferably in the health care field
  • Master’s degree or higher from an accredited institution
  • A formal Master’s degree-level scholarly paper written by the applicant

Post-Graduate Certificate in Leadership

  • Master’s degree or higher from an accredited institution