Master of Nursing

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Below are the answers to some of the frequently asked questions related to the Master of Nursing program here at Ryerson University.

• How is the program organized?
• Can I apply if I am in the progress of completing my BScN?
• Do you have a January intake?
• What are the application requirements and deadlines?
• How can I receive information on the application process?
• How long does it take to complete the program?
• Full-time versus Part-time?
• What is the cost of the program?
• What is a realistic workload while completing the program?
• Is it possible to enroll as an unclassified student and take courses?
• I graduated from my Baccalaureate quite a while ago. Must I find two professors who taught me to be my referees?
• What are my upgrading options if I do not meet the minimum academic requirement for admission consideration?
  

How is the program organized?

• If you apply to Ryerson and are offered admission, you are required to attend seminars/classes face-to-face at Ryerson.
• The MN Course and Thesis Stream programs are not distance-delivery programs.
• Meeting minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you will be accepted into the MN Program; admission seats are limited.
• We offer both a full-time and part-time option for students enrolled in the course-based Master of Nursing Program
• Applicants admitted into the Thesis Stream are required to enrol as full-time students only
  

Can I apply if I am in the progress of completing my BScN?

• Candidates that are in the last year of their Baccalaureate are encouraged to apply if they meet the minimum academic requirements. Successful applicants will be given a conditional acceptance, on the understanding that they will provide final transcripts upon completion of their Baccalaureate program.
  

Do you have a January Intake?

• Admission consideration for the Master of Nursing program is for a September start date only. Deferrals are not permitted and we currently do NOT accept applications for a January admission consideration.
  

What are the application requirements and deadlines?

• For the course-based option, the minimum academic entry requirements are a bachelor of nursing degree with an overall B standing in your undergraduate degree and, in addition, at least a B+ in the final two years or last twenty graded courses. It is expected that the candidate will have obtained good academic standing in non-nursing as well as nursing subjects.
• For the thesis-based option, the applicant must have obtained a minimum overall B+ standing in their undergraduate degree and, in addition, at least an A- in the final two years or last twenty graded courses. It is expected that the candidate will have obtained strong academic performance in research-related courses.
• Should you require more information please refer to the Master of Nursing website. You can do this by going to the web address http://www.ryerson.ca/graduate/programs/nursing/, click on Prospective Students and then select the appropriate program.

How can I receive information on the application process for Ryerson’s Master of Nursing Program?

• General Information regarding the Master of Nursing program, including tuition and fees, application deadlines, the admission requirements, as well as the Guide to Completing the Master of Nursing Application document can be found online under the Prospective Students section of the Master of Nursing website.
  

How long does it take to complete the program?

• There are three options offered that lead to a Master of Nursing degree: (1) Thesis option, (ii) Course-based option, and (III) Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner option. The Thesis option must be taken on a full time basis and will normally require two years to complete. The Course-based option can be completed on either a full time or part time basis. Full time students are required to complete the course-based option over 5 terms while part time students have a maximum of three years. For the combined Master of Nursing/Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner option, full-time students have a maximum of two years to complete the program while part-time students must complete all program requirements within four years.
  

Full-Time Versus Part-Time Status

• A full-time master of nursing student enrolled in the Course-based option is one who registers as such and enrolls in a minimum of two courses per term. A part-time master of nursing student is one who is registered in one course per term and is not classified as full-time.
• Students enrolled in the Thesis-based option are classified as full-time and their status does not depend on the number of courses taken in a term or a year.
• Please note that for the course-based and thesis-based options, concurrent enrollment in both the practicum and seminar courses is a program requirement.
• For the Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner option of the Master of Nursing program, students can enroll either on a full-time or part-time basis. Full-time students have a maximum of two years to complete the program while part-time students must complete all program requirements within four years.
• Only full-time students are eligible for internal funding.
  

What is the cost of the program?

• Tuition fees for the Master of Nursing Program are the same for full-time and part-time students. Fees are course-based and are therefore calculated on the number of courses that you take per term. When referring to the MN section of the SGS Fees website to determine your fees, keep in mind that one unit is equal to one course, two units is equal to two courses, etc.
• Fees for the Master of Nursing can be found at the School of Graduate Studies fees website.
  

What is a realistic workload while completing the program?

• The Master of Nursing is an intense program. Each course requires 10 to 15 hours per week per course of time to review the course material and complete assignments. You need to consider how you will balance work, family, social, and academic responsibilities, and how much of your time you can realistically devote to studying.
• Generally, students report that they are most successful if time is negotiated with their employer, such as: a) taking the time off when classes and assignments are scheduled, and/or b) having at least one or two days off each week for academic study in addition to class time. Students who elect to complete the Master of Nursing program on a full-time basis without working enjoy the program more, and find the experience less stressful.
  

Is it possible to enroll as an unclassified student and take a course(s) before being admitted or starting the Master’s program?

• We do not permit access to MN courses prior to admission or enrollment in the Master of Nursing program.
  

I am considering applying to the course-based option of the Master of Nursing program but I graduated from my Baccalaureate quite a while ago. For my Academic Reference, must I find a professor who taught me while I was enrolled in my Baccalaureate program?

• Two Letters of Recommendation are required for each application. One of the two required references must be an Academic Letter of Recommendation (e.g., a professor/lecturer who taught you during your previous degree and who can speak to your academic abilities).
• The second Letter of Recommendation may be submitted by a professional (non-academic) referee. This reference should come from a supervisor who is familiar with your professional accomplishments (e.g., leadership, contribution to nursing, involvement in professional organizations).
• The candidate has the option of substituting the Professional Recommendation with a second Academic Letter of Recommendation.
• For those applicants that completed their undergraduate education more than five years ago, the Academic Letter of Recommendation may be substituted by a second Letter of Recommendation submitted by a professional referee.
  

What are my upgrading options if I do not meet the minimum academic requirement for admission consideration into the Master of Nursing program?

• Individuals wishing to apply to the Master of Nursing program must have obtained a minimum overall B standing in their undergraduate degree. When the minimum academic admission requirement is not satisfied, the candidate’s application will be deemed “Ineligilble” for admission consideration.
• Currently the program does not recognize nor does it facilitate any pre-entry program upgrading of undergraduate course work that the candidate may have taken after completion of their undergraduate degree.
  

Prospective students are encouraged to attend one of the Master of Nursing information sessions. These sessions are sponsored by the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing and are held on campus beginning in October. Please continue to check the website periodically for updates!