Combined BS/MS (ETP) Program
Frequently Asked Questions


Am I eligible for the Combined BS/MS (ETP) Program?
If you have a non-nursing baccalaureate degree and have completed the prerequisites, you are eligible for the Combined BS/MS (ETP) Program.


What is the application deadline?
Enrollment in the Combined BS/MS (ETP) Program occurs once per year in late May. Applications must be completed by November 15 of the prior year.  Applicants who apply by November 15 are notified of a decision during February. Applications are only accepted online for this program.


How long is the Combined BS/MS (ETP) Program?
The pre-licensure and specialty study of the Combined BS/MS (ETP) Program take about two and one-half years to complete. Graduates will obtain a master’s degree in nursing and be eligible for state and national professional certification.


What are the prerequisites for the Combined BS/MS (ETP) Program?
An applicant to the Combined BS/MS (ETP) Program ideally has a minimum GPA of 3.0 from an accredited college or university. Individual consideration is given to those applicants who have below a 3.0 GPA.

The following undergraduate courses are required:

Applicants are required to have a satisfactory score the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Applicants are also required to submit three letters of recommendation, a personal goal statement that is congruent with program goals (two pages, double-spaced, 12 pt. font), and a resume/CV.


Can I submit an application with prerequisite courses in progress?
Yes. Applications can be submitted with prerequisite courses in progress, however, they must be completed by the start of classes if accepted into the program.


Can I work while I am in the program?
It is not possible to work during the pre-licensure phase (approximately 12 months).  It is possible to work during the specialty phase.


How large are the clinical groups?
It depends on the rotation. The administration has committed to no more than a 8:1 student/faculty ratio.


What hospitals are used for clinicals?
NewYork-Presbyterian and the Mt. Sinai Health Care System are our two major clinical affiliates. Several other sites in the New York City area are also used.


What constitutes full-time status?


What is the NCLEX Exam?
The NCLEX is the national examination that is required for state licensure as a professional nurse. The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN® exam) is designed to determine if it is safe for you to begin practice as an entry-level nurse. You will receive clearance to take the NCLEX once you have successfully completed requirements for pre-licensure studies in preparation for specialty classes. Passing the NCLEX exam is a prerequisite for the specialty study. Columbia University School of Nursing has one of  the highest 1st time pass rate of any nursing school in the metro New York City area and is in the top 5% of all schools in New York State.


Can I transfer credits?
Please contact the Office of Admissions at (212) 305-5756 for information about transfer credits.


What level CPR certification do I need?
Infant, Child, and Adult


What is housing like at the Medical Center Campus?
Washington Heights, your new neighborhood, has large apartments with comparatively low rents for New York City. The University will send you a list of real estate agencies, names, and phone numbers. Local realtors suggest beginning to search about one and a half months before you intend to sign a lease. For the Medical Center Office of Housing Services, click here: http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/hshousing/

Many of our students begin their Columbia lives in student housing. Those who need housing and are coming from a significant distance may be offered a room in Bard Hall. This is where the medical students are housed. It is a dorm room with a communal kitchen on each floor.

More University housing is available at 154 Haven Avenue. It is composed of studios. Most ETP students who begin at Bard Hall or 154 Haven Avenue find alternative living space by the end of the first term. Some stay in student housing, and enter the housing lottery. Lottery winners are often able to move to The Towers - large high-rise buildings. The Georgian Building (where the School of Nursing administrative offices and some classrooms are located) also offers student housing, but is difficult because housing is limited there.

If you decide to rent your own apartment, you might consider living in Inwood. Inwood is the neighborhood just north of Washington Heights, which is where the Cloisters is located. It's about a thirty-minute walk from campus with buses and subways nearby. The School’s location (near A, C, 1 trains) makes it convenient to get to from all five boroughs and from the New Jersey and New York suburbs, as well as southern Connecticut.


What is the cost of the ETP Program?
Total expenses for the pre-licensure study, can amount to $86-93,000, including all tuition, books, and the cost of living in New York City. However, 98% of our ETP students this year were eligible to receive a scholarship (does not need to be repaid) from the School of Nursing. This is important to note since the pre-licensure study is full-time and outside employment is not possible. The School’s Director of Financial Aid will be able to help and guide you towards our very generous financial aid packages. Information regarding financial aid, including links to funding sources, is available at http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/nursing/stu-svcs/financial-aid/index.html.

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