Graduate / doctoral admissions with WGU degrees

[TheCommuter]

A frequently asked question on this forum is, "Will other schools accept a degree from WGU?" Multiple of our very own Allnurses.com members, such as meanmaryjean and Murse901, have posted their experiences on being accepted into graduate and/or doctoral degree programs after having attended WGU.

I earned an online BSN degree from WGU in March 2015. A few days ago I received conditional acceptance into the MSN degree program at Eastern New Mexico University. I am due to start graduate studies in nursing education this fall.

While some schools will not consider WGU graduates due to the pass/fail competency-based grading, many others will accept us with open arms. So, the answer to "Will other schools accept a WGU degree?" is "Many of them will." Your mileage may vary.

Good luck to everyone!

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

Thank you both!

[Chief NP, MSN, RN, APN, APRN, NP]

That's good to know. I plan on starting the DNP with Maryville University(AGNP) once I complete the MSN administration with WGU

[passionflower, BSN, MSN, RN]

I feel everyone who was accepted to another school after WGU should post the school and we should make the topic a sticky.

[benegesserit]

Just keep in mind that some people may not want to post the specific program they got into for privacy reasons. "I got into an MSN program with XYZ focus at a state university" is still useful info even without knowing the specific school.

[Murse901, MSN, RN]

The best answer to the question at hand is: "Ask your prospective school". Some schools will tell you that a WGU degree is not competitive due to the GPA being considered a 3.0, others will say it's not an issue. Many schools look at your work experience more than your academic experience. YMMVMV (your mileage may very much vary).

I was accepted to both Maryville University and the University of Memphis' FNP programs. I ended up going with U of M, and ultimately changed my major to nursing leadership after racking up 36 hours in the FNP program with a 3.8 GPA, because I'm just a glutton for punishment.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Circling back to this thread, I eventually was accepted into two DNP programs (Touro Nevada and ChathamUniveristy Pittsburg) AND a post-MSN CNS program (University of Southern Indiana). In February of 2016, I completed requirements at Touro w/ a 3.95 GPA.

[passionflower, BSN, MSN, RN]

Thank you for sharing. So much misinformation out there. Again I think we should make this a sticky because inevitably this question comes up