“Georgetown’s clinical faculty and standards are second to none. The CNL program’s clinical hours far exceed national standards, which gave me a feeling of familiarity in the clinical environment. Faculty also provided excellent simulation experiences, even at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
— Niila Witikko (G’20), Clinical Nurse Leader Program alumna, trauma intensive care unit registered nurse
About the Program
The Clinical Nurse Leader Master of Science Program is a 24-month direct-entry master’s degree program for nursing that prepares non-BSN students for clinical careers. While at Georgetown, CNL students learn from expert faculty and have the opportunity to refine clinical skills in the O’Neill Family Foundation Clinical Simulation Center. Georgetown’s nursing programs are recognized by the National League for Nursing as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education. Students are prepared for NCLEX-RN licensure, as well as certification as clinical nurse leaders.
Program Features
- Designed for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher in a field other than nursing
- Clinical experience begins in the first semester, with over 900 total clinical hours in a variety of clinical settings (view a list of primary clinical sites)
- Expert clinician faculty with real-world experience
- State-of-the-art O’Neill Family Foundation Clinical Simulation Center
- Final semester immersion (350 hours) in the CNL role
- Graduates are prepared to complete the national nursing licensure examination (NCLEX-RN) and the AACN CNL certification exam; NCLEX-RN pass rates are typically 93-100%
Student Experience
Program Admissions
Application Deadlines
Early Deadline – January 15
Final Deadline – April 1
Virtual Events
Upcoming CNL Prospective Student Webinars
Register now to attend an upcoming CNL Prospective Student Webinar!
Past Webinar Recordings
Applicant Questions
Questions concerning the admissions process should be directed to Mrs. Denise Hall at denise.hall@georgetown.edu
Application Requirements
- Online Application ($90 nonrefundable fee) via the Graduate School of Arts & Science.
- Academic statement of purpose that addresses the following questions: What was your reason for choosing nursing as a career? How will the CNL role help you to achieve your short and long-term career goals? Do you have any additional information that you would like the admissions committee to know about you that has not been previously considered in the application?
- Transcripts: Applicants are required to upload to the application system copies of official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended. Visit this How to Apply page for additional details and FAQs. Applicants who receive an offer of admission will be required at that time to submit official transcripts for verification prior to enrolling. If an offer of admission is granted and accepted, admitted students will be required to submit final official transcripts from all institutions where post-secondary coursework has been completed and other institutions as designated in their admissions letter, sent directly to gradtranscripts@georgetown.edu. The preferred method is by secure electronic transcript delivery to gradtranscripts@georgetown.edu, if offered by your institution. Official hard copy transcripts may also be mailed to Georgetown University, Office of Graduate Admissions, Car Barn Suite 207, 3520 Prospect Street N.W., Washington, DC 20057-1005
- WES Evaluations are a required submission for all transcripts from outside of the U.S. using the WES course-by-course evaluation option.
- Proof of English language proficiency is required unless the applicant received a bachelor’s degree or advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in the U.S. or from a university where English is the primary language of instruction. The TOEFL score report with a minimum score of 100 (internet test) is required. The mailing code is 5244 and must be submitted by the application deadline.
- Two official letters of recommendation: One academic and one professional recommendation are required.
- An up-to-date resume or CV is a required submission within the online application.
- Online video interview submission
- Seven prerequisite courses listed in the application guide must be successfully completed by July 1 before your intended matriculation date. You may still apply with some prerequisites in progress, provided all seven will be complete by July 1 before your intended matriculation date. Two of these seven prerequisite courses, Human Anatomy & Physiology I and Human Anatomy & Physiology II, are offered online with synchronous and asynchronous content and are open to all non-degree students pursuing a health-based education who need to fulfill prerequisites for nursing or other health professions. View information about these courses.
- No standardized test submissions are required. If you wish to send a GRE score as a supplementary document, the mailing code is 5244.
For Current Students
Schedule a meeting with your academic dean or visit our student resources page for academic calendars and other information.
