As stated in the ETSU Graduate Catalog, an applicant seeking admission to the School of Graduate Studies must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution. In addition, the following materials must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies before an applicant will be considered for admission:

• Payment of required non-refundable application fee.
• A completed application form.
• An official transcript of all previous undergraduate and graduate course work.
• A completed personal essay form.

(For additional information concerning graduate admission of international students and other graduate admission policies, the applicant should review the ETSU Graduate Catalog.)
In addition to the admission requirements from the School of Graduate Studies, the College of Nursing requires the following:

• A Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
• A "B" average in the nursing major (3.00 on a 4.00 scale).
• Submission of Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores. Effective with applications to the Spring 2009 semester, applicants with a 3.2 or above cumulative GPA, as reported by their BSN institution, will not be required to submit Graduate Record Exam scores.
• Licensure in the United States as a registered nurse and eligibility for licensure in Tennessee.

Documentation of the above requirements must be included with the application materials and submitted to the School of Graduate Studies. Three (3) professional references should be included in the application packet (forms for this purpose are provided in the application). Applicants are encouraged to request references from individuals who can best assess one's potential for graduate study (e.g. previous nursing faculty, other master's prepared nurses).

Factors given consideration in the admission decision include the following:

• Grade point average (GPA).
• Level of GRE performance
• Professional work experience.
• Demonstration of professional commitment through continuing education.
• Professional honors and awards.
• Writing ability.
• Demonstrated interest in primary care in rural setting.
• References which document potential for the academic program.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to address their accomplishments in these areas in their essay and by submitting a resume directly to the College of Nursing.
Admission Procedure:

• Application forms and general information concerning the graduate program are obtained from the School of Graduate Studies by writing:
  
  East Tennessee State University
  School of Graduate Studies
  P.O. Box 70720
  Johnson City, TN 37614-0720
  
  
• All application materials should be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies by February 1 prior to the semester in which the applicant plans to enroll for graduate study. Application materials submitted become the property of the university and cannot be returned to the applicant or forwarded to another institution.
• All completed applications submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, will be forwarded to the College of Nursing. The College of Nursing Graduate Admissions Committee will review and act upon all applications by mid-April.