Nursing Graduate Pathway

Saint Louis University's Nursing Graduate Pathway program prepares students to enter the next semester of the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing degree program. Upon successfully completing the graduate pathway program and meeting SLU's requirements for matriculation, students may enter the next semester of graduate study.

Program Entry Requirements

One-semester (Accelerated) Pathway

  • Master's degree in nursing from a program accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or master's degree in a related field with 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • Current résumé
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Professional goal statement
  • Language requirement (one of the following):
    • TOEFL 75 (17 in reading and writing)
    • IELTS 6.0 (6.0 in reading and writing) 
    • PTEA 50
    • Duolingo 105

Two-semester (Standard) Pathway

  • Master's degree in nursing from a program accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or master's degree in a related field with 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • Current résumé
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Professional goal statement
  • Language requirement (one of the following):
    • TOEFL 70 (13 in reading and writing)
    • IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in reading and writing)
    • PTEA 48
    • Duolingo 95
    • Completion of Academic English Level 4
  1. Students will be able to execute a variety of verbal tasks in academic settings using English that can be understood by those unaccustomed to non-native speakers.
  2. Students will be able to execute a variety of written tasks in academic settings using English that can be understood by those unaccustomed to non-native writers.
  3. Students will be able to apply a process-driven approach to completing verbal and written academic assignments in multiple disciplines and modes.
  4. Students will be able to deploy reflective and self-regulated learning strategies.

One-semester (Accelerated) Pathway

Required Courses
EAP 4200Advanced Reading and Writing as Researchers for International Graduate Students3
EAP 4250Advanced Listening and Speaking for International Graduate Students II2
NURS 6800Theory Development in Nursing and Healthcare3
NURS 6813Knowledge Development in Nursing3
Total Credits11

Two-semester (Standard) Pathway

Required Courses
EAP 4100Introduction to Reading and Writing for International Graduate Students I3
EAP 4150Listening and Speaking for International Graduate Students I2
EAP 4200Advanced Reading and Writing as Researchers for International Graduate Students3
EAP 4250Advanced Listening and Speaking for International Graduate Students II2
NURS 6800Theory Development in Nursing and Healthcare3
NURS 6809Advanced Quantitative Methods in Nursing and Healthcare Research3
NURS 6810Qualitative Methods in Nursing and Health Research3
NURS 6813Knowledge Development in Nursing3
Total Credits22

Continuation Standards

  • Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
  • Grade of B or better in courses counting toward degree
  • No C-/D/F/W/I/P/NP/S/U grades

Progression Requirements

  • Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
  • Grade of B or better in courses counting toward degree
  • No C-/D/F/W/I/P/NP/S/U grades
  • Successful completion of program portfolio 

This roadmap is just one example of a semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. There are other plans students can and do take. The plan of study for each particular student is established in consultation with each student’s academic advisor; this roadmap does not replace academic advising appointments.

Roadmap notes:

  • This Roadmap assumes full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
  • Courses/Milestones marked with an “!” are critical and must be completed in the semester listed in the Roadmap to ensure a timely graduation.
  • Course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

One-semester (Accelerated) Pathway

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
EAP 4200 Advanced Reading and Writing as Researchers for International Graduate Students 3
EAP 4250 Advanced Listening and Speaking for International Graduate Students II 2
NURS 6800 Theory Development in Nursing and Healthcare 3
NURS 6813 Knowledge Development in Nursing 3
 Credits11
 Total Credits11

Two-semester (Standard) Pathway

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
EAP 4100 Introduction to Reading and Writing for International Graduate Students I 3
EAP 4150 Listening and Speaking for International Graduate Students I 2
NURS 6800 Theory Development in Nursing and Healthcare 3
NURS 6813 Knowledge Development in Nursing 3
 Credits11
Spring
EAP 4200 Advanced Reading and Writing as Researchers for International Graduate Students 3
EAP 4250 Advanced Listening and Speaking for International Graduate Students II 2
NURS 6809 Advanced Quantitative Methods in Nursing and Healthcare Research 3
NURS 6810 Qualitative Methods in Nursing and Health Research 3
 Credits11
 Total Credits22