ADMISSIONS
College of Health Professions admissions requirements.
Admissions to our online College of Health Professions degree programs.
All of the degrees offered by WGU’s College of Health Professions focus on mastery of the skills and knowledge that are essential to success in this vital and high-demand field. Below are admissions requirements specific to College of Health Professions programs that are in addition to WGU’s general admissions requirements.
Special requirements by program:
B.S. Health Information Management
Possess a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Demonstrate IT, healthcare, or business experience either through one of the following:
- Option 1: An associate’s degree from a CAHIIM-accredited health information technology program (A.S. or A.A.S. acceptable).
- Option 2: An associate’s degree in information technology or equivalent (A.S. or A.A.S. acceptable).
- Option 3: An associate’s degree from an allied health program (A.S or A.A.S. acceptable).
- Option 4: An associate’s degree in business administration (A.S or A.A.S. acceptable).
- Option 5: Transferable certifications earned within the last five years.
- Option 6: A résumé showing three years of information technology work experience or strategic business management experience or one year of healthcare-related work experience or a healthcare-related certification (e.g., medical assistant, EMT, paramedic).
B.S. in Nursing
- Must possess an associate’s degree or diploma in nursing.
- Must possess a current, unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license.
- Must submit a resume and be actively working as an RN at the time of application and enrollment.
- Must submit to a criminal background check through American Databank. California residents are also required to provide proof of current immunizations. Additional fees apply.
M.S. in Nursing Education, Informatics, or Leadership & Management (BSN to MSN Option)
- Must possess a bachelor of science in nursing degree (BSN).
- Must possess a current, unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license.
- Must submit a resume and be actively working as an RN at the time of application and enrollment.
- Must submit to a criminal background check through American Databank. California residents are also required to provide proof of current immunizations. Additional fees apply.
M.S. in Nursing Education, Informatics, Leadership & Management (RN to MSN Option)
- Must possess an associate’s degree or diploma in nursing.
- Must possess a current, unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license.
- Must submit a resume and be actively working as an RN at the time of application and enrollment.
- Must submit to a criminal background check through American Databank. California residents are also required to provide proof of current immunizations. Additional fees apply.
Master of Health Leadership
Submit a transcript verifying receipt of your bachelor’s degree from a recognized, accredited institution.
Demonstrate healthcare experience through at least one of the following methods:
- A bachelor's degree and recent leadership experience in healthcare or a healthcare-related field, including nursing, policy, legal, military, pharmaceutical, biomedical, or related healthcare associated industry.
- A bachelor's degree and a clinical graduate degree (M.D., Pharm.D, MSW, etc.).
Special requirements for the B.S. Nursing (Prelicensure) program:
Enrollment requirements:
Applicants must have a minimum of a 2.5 GPA in the required nursing sciences to be considered for enrollment into the pre-nursing program. Successful completion of a nursing program admission exam is required prior to enrollment. Enrollment in the university and in the pre-nursing term does not guarantee acceptance into the clinical nursing program. Applicants are required to submit and/or complete the following items:
- Take and pass the ATI TEAS Exam with a minimum total score of 60% and a reading subtest score of at least 60. Click here to learn more about the ATI TEAS Exam.
- Submit a professional resume.
- Submit a letter of intent.
- Submit one professional letter of recommendation.
- Submit official transcripts from all previous institutions that show completion of required prerequisites.
Note: Preference will be given to those individuals with a prior college degree. All prerequisites must be complete before an application for enrollment can be considered. Applicants who are not native speakers of English are required to take appropriate tests of language proficiency.
Clinical admissions requirements:
Enrollment into the Pre-Nursing Curriculum and admission into the Clinical Nursing Program is competitive. Students must first be accepted and enrolled into the Pre-Nursing Curriculum. Students who are successful in the Pre-Nursing Curriculum will be allowed to apply for admission for the Clinical Nursing Program. Enrollment in the Pre-Nursing Curriculum is not a guarantee for admission into the Clinical Nursing Program. You must be at least 18 years of age before beginning the application process or participating in clinical experiences. Students enrolled in the Pre-Nursing Curriculum must successfully pass the Foundations in Nursing Skills performance exam during the pre-nursing term in order to be considered for admission.
Approximately 60 days after enrollment into the Pre-Nursing Curriculum, if you qualify, you must apply for admission into the Clinical Nursing Program. To be considered for admission, the following support documentation must be provided by you as part of the application process:
- Proof of health insurance†.
- Proof of successfully passing of a criminal background check*.
- Proof of successfully passing a urine drug test*.
- Proof of a current immunization record and current negative TB test. Click here to see what immunizations are required of you.
- Proof of meeting the specific physical requirements in accordance with the core performance standards of the nursing profession.
- Participation in an interview with an admissions committee comprised of two or three committee members including the State Director of Nursing or designee.
† Note: Student malpractice insurance will be provided by WGU at no cost to you.
* Note: Starred items are required to be completed no sooner than 90 days prior to beginning the clinical portions of this program.
Application and acceptance into the program is based on available clinical space, successful completion of all pre-nursing term course requirements, and numerical ranking of the above items, including a WGU pre-nursing term mentor recommendation.
Immunizations required for admissions:
Pre-nursing students will required to submit evidence of all of the below to be considered for admission to the nursing program.
- Tetanus/Diphtheria and Pertussis vaccination
- Measles vaccination or Titer
- Mumps vaccination or Titer
- Rubella vaccination or Titer
- Varicella Zoster vaccination or Titer
- Hepatitis B vaccination or Titer
- TB testing
- Seasonal flu vaccination
- H1N1 flu vaccination or signed declination form)
Examples of physical requirements for nurses:
It is necessary to have the ability to:
- Walk the equivalent of five miles per day
- Reach above shoulder level
- Hear tape recorded transcription and emergency monitors
- Distinguish colors
- Adapt to shift work
- Grip
- Sit for periods of time
- Climb stairs
- Stand for long periods of time
- Lift 50 pounds
- Perform CPR
Notice to interested students:
If you are looking to become an RN and live within these states, this program is for you. Available in California, Texas, Florida, Indiana, and Utah—WGU has partnerships with healthcare employers who provide practice sites and clinical coaches to help teach and inspire you on your path to becoming a nurse.
Admissions into the B.S. Nursing (Prelicensure) program is open to aspiring nurses in these select areas who have completed all prerequisites as outlined below. Enrollment into this program is conducted in two phases of admissions: Pre-Nursing Curriculum and the Clinical Nursing Program.
* Florida students please note: Licensed by the Commission for Independent Education. Additional information regarding this institution may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1414, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400, toll-free number (888) 224-6684.
We can help you make an informed decision.
The first step toward change can be the hardest—we get it. Your "welcoming committee" at WGU's made up of Enrollment Counselors, Admissions Specialist, and faculty members. Your initial interactions at WGU will be guided by an Enrollment Counselor who specializes in the programs you're interested in.
Your Enrollment Counselor is ready with a much help as you may need:
- Get your cost and admission criteria questions answered
- Assess WGU's fit with our career goals.
- Get started toward enrollment!
Steps and deadlines for enrollment into a Health Professions program.
Below is the list of steps and their respective deadlines required for enrollment in an online healthcare or nursing degree program. Please note that at the present time, WGU is accepting applications only from individuals living in the United States.
The exceptions are U.S. active-duty military personnel and their families at overseas installations and individuals living in Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
International Applicants
Unfortunately, we have discovered we cannot always guarantee that the educational experience for students living outside the United States will meet our high standards for quality and convenience. It is our expectation that these problems will be solved in future years. An Enrollment Counselor has more information about which areas are eligible to submit applications.
1. Apply for admission and pay the application fee.
You may apply for admission at any time once you’re ready. The application fee is $65. You can pay online using a credit card or by mailing a check or money order. You must pay the application fee for your application to be fully processed.
2. Send in your official transcripts.
Transcripts of your prior college experience are required if you are seeking transfer credit or if you are looking to enroll into a graduate program. You should submit official copies of your transcripts by the 1st of the month prior to your intended start date for evaluation (or confirmation of receipt of a bachelor’s degree).
Submit by mail or email:
Western Governors University
ATTN: Transcripts Department
4001 South 700 East, Suite 300
Salt Lake City, UT 84107-2533
3. Complete the readiness assessment.
The WGU Readiness Assessment is a three-part online test designed to determine your likelihood of success at WGU. This assessment is required for admission into the B.S. Health Information Management program (except for applicants who already possess an associate’s degree or an associate of applied science degree in one of the following: Health Information Technology, Health Information Management, Health Information System Technology, Health Information System Management, or Medical Record Technology.) The Readiness Assessment is not required for admission into any WGU nursing program. Your Enrollment Counselor can answer questions regarding this assessment.
4. Complete the Financial Aid application process.
If you intend to use federal financial aid to cover your tuition expenses, you will need to complete WGU’s financial aid application process and be certified as eligible to receive aid no later than the 22nd of the month prior to your intended start date. An Enrollment Counselor can answer any questions you may have about the financial aid process.
5. Complete your intake interview.
The Intake Interview is a 20- to 30-minute telephone interview that finalizes your enrollment and officially sets your program start date. This call is conducted by your Enrollment Counselor to ensure that you have accurate and appropriate expectations of WGU and of your program. This step must be completed by the enrollment deadline (generally the 15th of the month prior to your start date).
6. Make tuition payment arrangements.
Tuition payment arrangements must be made by the 22nd of the month prior to your start date.
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