NYU Nursing Requirements (2026): Prerequisites + GPA

NYU nursing requirements are fairly similar across the programs but with some notable variations.

Let’s examine the requirements for each of the NYU nursing programs below.

NYU Traditional 4-year BS in Nursing Requirements:

• You need to meet the following prerequisites:

  • English: Four years with a heavy emphasis on writing.

  • Mathematics: Three or four years.

  • Laboratory Sciences: Three or four years.

  • Social Studies: Three or four years.

  • Foreign Language: Three or four years.

• Complete the Common Application Online.

• There’s a nonrefundable $80.00 Application Fee. (Note: You can request for an application fee.)

• Standardized Test Scores are still optional, but if you choose to submit:

  • You can choose to submit either SAT or ACT scores.

  • For reference, in the fall of 2022:

    • The average SAT score for NYU first-year students was 1,520.

    • The average ACT score for NYU first-year students was 34.

• Atleast one letter of recommendation should be submitted via the Common App or emailed directly to NYU admissions.

NYU Transfer BS in Nursing Requirements

1. Admission Eligibility:

• No prerequisites are required for admission as a transfer student from a 2-year or 4-year accredited institution.

• A student can be admitted with up to 64 college credits.

• Completion of any college credits is required at the time of matriculation.

• You must demonstrate strong overall academic performance.

2. Coursework Requirements:

• Upon admission, all liberal arts and science prerequisites must be completed before beginning the nursing coursework.

• Although not mandatory, these courses can be taken at a 2- or 4-year institution before applying to the program.

• Make sure to review the list of liberal arts and science courses; they can be taken at NYU upon admission or at any regionally accredited school before admission, ensuring eligibility for transfer credit.

• All courses must have been undertaken less than ten years prior to matriculation.

• Your transfer courses must have a letter grade of C or above and at least 3 semester credit hours.

3. Application Process:

• Submit an official high school transcript with the graduation date. If possessing a GED, submit the certificate along with scores.

• Provide official college transcript(s) in a sealed envelope from each attended institution before the application deadline.

• An $80 non-refundable application fee is required. You can request for a fee waiver.

• Respond to the two essay questions located under the “Questions” section in the Common Application.

• One recommendation letter from an academic professor is required (maximum of two).

  • If you’ve been out of school for over a year, a professional letter of recommendation can be submitted in place of an academic one. The letter should highlight your maturity, intellectual potential, and motivation for a nursing career.

• Standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) are mandatory if you have completed less than 32 college credits at the application time.

NYU Second Degree BS in Nursing Transfer (Non-Accelerated) Requirements

1. Academic Eligibility:

• You must have completed a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.

• You must demonstrate strong overall academic performance.

2. Coursework Requirements:

• Completion of the following prerequisites (excluding specific science courses, as they will be covered in the program):

  • Human Anatomy & Physiology I and Human Anatomy & Physiology II OR one semester of Human Anatomy and one semester of Human Physiology

  • Chemistry with Lab (at least four credits).

  • Microbiology

  • Nutrition

  • Statistics

  • Developmental Psychology Across the Lifespan

• If all 7 prerequisites are completed, consider applying for the Accelerated 15-Month program.

3. Application Process:

• Submit official college transcripts.

• An $80 non-refundable application fee. Fee waivers can be requested.

• Provide one full-length essay (up to 400 words or 2500 characters) located under the “Questions” section in the Common Application.

• One to two letters of recommendation, either professional or academic, are recommended but not mandatory. The letter should address your maturity, intellectual potential, and motivation for a nursing career.

• Standardized test scores are neither required nor considered.

NYU Accelerated BS in Nursing Requirements:

1. Academic Eligibility:

• You must have completed a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.

• You must demonstrate strong overall academic performance.

2. Coursework Requirements:

• Completion of the following prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better:

  • Nutrition

  • Chemistry (with lab)

  • Statistics

  • Anatomy and Physiology (I and II)

  • Microbiology

  • Developmental Psychology

3. Application Process:

• Submit official college transcripts from each institution attended.

• An $80 non-refundable application fee. (Fee waivers can be requested.)

• Provide one full-length essay (up to 400 words or 2500 characters) located under the “Questions” section in the Common Application.

• One to two letters of recommendation, either professional or academic, are recommended but not mandatory. These should comment on your maturity, intellectual potential, and motivation for a nursing career.

• Standardized test scores are neither required nor considered.

NYU MS in Nursing Requirements

1. Basic Qualifications:

• A BS in nursing or BS/BA in a non-nursing field coupled with an associate’s degree in nursing.

• Minimum GPA of 3.0.

• Completion of a basic statistics course and a basic research course at the undergraduate level.

2. Clinical Experience:

• One year of full-time clinical experience as an RN is required before entering the specialty courses of the nursing master’s program.

3. Specialty-Specific Requirements:

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care: Minimum of 1 year of clinical nursing experience at the time of application.

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care: 1 year of clinical nursing experience with adults and older adults at the time of application. Critical care experience is preferred.

• Pediatrics: 1 year of full-time clinical experience as an RN in pediatrics before specialty courses. Additionally, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification is required prior to the first pediatric clinical course.

• Psychiatric-Mental Health: 1 year of full-time clinical experience as an RN in psychiatric mental health at the time of application. Equivalent experience in a psychiatric field, psychology, or a related social science field may be accepted subject to approval.

• Nursing Education: At least 3 years of full-time clinical experience as an RN is required before entering the specialty courses.

4. Licensing:

• A New York State nursing license is required prior to beginning coursework.

• You may apply with an out-of-state license, but if admitted, a New York State RN license must be obtained before coursework begins at NYU Meyers.

5. Documentation:

• Transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended.

• Current resume.

• A personal statement (2-3 pages in length).

• Minimum of 2 letters of recommendation.

• RN license and registration certificate.

6. Application Fee:

• A non-refundable fee of $85.

NYU Advanced Certificate in Nursing Requirements

1. Basic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in nursing.

• Minimum GPA of 3.0.

• Ability to successfully complete the academic and clinical requirements of the advanced certificate programs.

2. Clinical Experience:

• At least 1 year of full-time clinical experience as an RN is required.

• A minimum of 1 year of clinical nursing experience with adults and older adults.

3. Licensing:

• A New York State (NYS) nursing license is required before starting coursework.

• If applying with an out-of-state license, you must obtain the New York State RN license before beginning coursework at NYU Meyers.

4. Documentation:

• Transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended.

• Updated resume.

• Personal statement (2-3 pages in length).

• Minimum of 2 letters of recommendation.

• RN license and registration certificate.

5. Specialization-Specific Requirements:

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP:

  • 1 year of clinical nursing experience is required at the time of application.

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP:

  • 1 year of clinical nursing experience with adults and older adults at the time of application.

  • Critical care experience is preferred.

• Pediatrics Primary Care NP:

  • At least 1 year of full-time clinical experience as an RN in pediatrics is required.

  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification is needed before the first pediatric clinical course.

• Psychiatric-Mental Health NP:

  • 1 year of full-time clinical experience as an RN in psychiatric mental health is required.

  • Equivalent experience in a psychiatric field, psychology, or a related social science field may be substituted for one year of nursing experience, subject to approval.

6. Application Fee:

• A non-refundable fee of $85.

NYU DNP Program Requirements

1. Eligibility depends on the DNP entry path:

a. Post-BS to DNP Requirements:

• You must be an RN with a BS in nursing or an associate’s in nursing with a BA in another field.

• Minimum GPA of 3.5.

• NYS RN license and registration.

• Undergraduate coursework in statistics and research.

• 1 year of full-time RN work experience is preferred.

b. Advanced Standing for NPs and Midwives Requirements:

• MS in nursing.

• Minimum GPA of 3.5.

• NYS NP license in specific specializations (e.g., Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP, Nurse-Midwifery, etc.).

• Graduate coursework in statistics and research.

c. Advanced Certificate to DNP (for nurses with an MS, but not NPs or CNMs):

• MS in nursing.

• Minimum GPA of 3.5.

• NYS RN license and registration.

• Undergraduate coursework in statistics and research.

• One year of full-time RN work experience is preferred.

2. General Application Requirements:

• Submit transcripts from each post-secondary school attended.

• Updated resume.

• Personal statement (2-3 pages in length).

• Minimum of 2 letters of recommendation.

• RN (and NP, if applicable) license and registration certificate. (Applications with out-of-state licenses are accepted, but admitted students need a New York State RN/NP license before starting.)

• Participation in interviews and submission of a written essay.

• A non-refundable application fee of $85.

NYU PhD in Nursing Program Requirements

1. Eligibility based on entry point:

a. Post-BS to PhD:

• A minimum GPA of 3.5 from an NLN or AACN-accredited Bachelor’s program in Nursing.

• Capability to demonstrate professional performance or contribution to nursing (detailed under the “Supplemental Materials” section).

• GRE scores are not mandatory but can be submitted.

b. Post-Master’s entry point:

• A master’s degree in nursing.

• A minimum GPA of 3.0.

• Capability to demonstrate professional performance or contribution to nursing (detailed under the “Supplemental Materials” section).

• GRE scores are not mandatory but can be submitted.

2. General Application Requirements:

• Transcripts from each post-secondary school attended.

• Updated resume.

• Personal statement (2-3 pages).

• A minimum of 3 letters of recommendation.

• RN (and NP, if applicable) license and registration certificate.

• An $85 non-refundable application fee.

3. Supplemental Materials (to demonstrate professional performance/contribution to nursing):

• A list of research, writing/publications (submit a maximum of two papers that best illustrate your ability. If you’re unpublished, submit academic papers or additional recommendation letters).

• A list of involvement in professional organizations or student groups (documentation can be program listings or letters from colleagues).

• A list of honors from professional societies (a duplicate copy of the honor is acceptable).

• If you lack the aforementioned documents, you may select “no” when asked on the application about these supplemental materials.

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