Graduate Programs in Nursing

General Information

For the MN program

The MN program prepares nurses to fulfil advanced nursing roles in diverse settings, including education roles in academic and clinical settings, formal leadership and management roles, emerging roles in health care organizations, and preparation for advanced research training. The program creates opportunities to develop advanced knowledge and skills that support inquiry and research to address issues in  health care and nursing practice. Both course-based and thesis-based study options provide a solid foundation for pursuing a PhD in Nursing.

Effective September 2025, all successful applicants to nurse practitioner studies will be admitted to the Master of Nurse Practitioner Practice degree.

For the MNPP program

The Master of Nurse Practitioner Practice (MNPP) degree is a clinical graduate program that prepares registered nurses for advanced clinical practice in the role of a Nurse Practitioner (NP). Program completion is required for eligibility to write a nurse practitioner licensing exam for entry-to-practice as a Nurse Practitioner in Canada in either the All Ages All Settings or Neonatal category of practice. The program offers preparation in advanced clinical knowledge for assessment, intervention, and clinical management across the lifespan, with diverse populations and in a variety of practice settings (acute, primary, and community).

The MNPP degree expands upon registered nurse competencies, developing advanced understanding of pathophysiology of disease, diagnosis and management of medical conditions, and enhanced primary care prevention and screening. Graduates integrate nursing knowledge and health evidence to inform decisions related to clinical practice, policy development, educational approaches, leadership within clinical settings, and quality improvement and research.

For the PhD program

The PhD (Nursing) program is designed to educate for excellence in the development and testing of nursing knowledge and research-based nursing practice. The number and types of courses included in the program will vary according to the individual needs of the student.

The Graduate Embedded Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Nursing Education is recognition of the completion of three specific graduate level courses in teaching and learning. This certificate is provided to those students who, upon fulfillment of the requirements for either the Master of Nursing or PhD (Nursing) Program, have focused on the practice of teaching and completed the three graduate level teaching and learning courses. Preferably, students will declare an intention to receive the Graduate Embedded Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Nursing Education at the beginning of their graduate program.

Entrance Requirements

For the Master of Nursing, the Faculty’s minimum admission requirements are:

• an undergraduate degree in Nursing with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent institution.  The admission GPA will be calculated on the last 60 units of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.
• An undergraduate course in both statistics and research methods or evidence informed practice, with a minimum grade of B (or equivalent), preferably completed within the past six years.
• Students applying to the advanced clinical focus (Nurse Practitioner) stream must provide evidence of 4500 hours of registered nursing practice, appropriate to the program category (i.e. Adult, Neonate, or Family/All Ages), at the time of application. Applicants must be licensed as a Registered Nurse in a Canadian nursing regulatory jurisdiction.
• Where applicable, applicants must provide proof of English Language Proficiency (refer to English Language Requirement). Any one of the following is acceptable:
  • A TOEFL score of at least 97 (internet-based) with the following minimum scores on each of the individual skill areas: Listening-27, Reading-21, Writing-27, Speaking-23, or equivalent;
  • an IELTS overall score of 7.0 with the following minimum scores: Listening-7.5, Reading-6.5, Writing-7.0, Speaking-7.0, Overall-7.0;
  • A Duolingo overall score of 130 with no subscore below 120.

The requirement for a test of English Language Proficiency (ELP) will be waived for applicants who are currently licensed as an RN with a Canadian nursing regulator.

• Canadian Indigenous History and Contemporary Context Requirement
  • To attend to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action, the Faculty of Nursing requires all incoming graduate students to be familiar with Canadian Indigenous history and contemporary context, which are essential to nursing. After
    admission, but prior to beginning any nursing masters or PhD program, incoming students must complete the U of A Indigenous Canada Massive Open Online Course (MOOC).
  • This is a 12-module, non-credit course. Students can choose to either formally register and receive a certificate of completion, or they can take it free-of-charge.
  • A screenshot with evidence of completing the course must be submitted to the Faculty of Nursing Graduate Office prior to attending the first course of the degree.
  • Completion of a previous course can be used to fulfill this requirement. If a student has completed a similar course, they can submit the course outline and evidence of completion for review by the Faculty of Nursing Graduate Office.

The Faculty of Nursing also requires the following application documents:

• Three letters of reference (2 academic and 1 clinical), all written in English;
• A completed MN Applicant Background Information Document, available on the Faculty of Nursing website.

For the Post MN, the Faculty’s minimum admission requirements are:

• A master of Nursing degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent institution. The admission GPA will be calculated on the last 60 units of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.
• Evidence of 4500 hours of registered nursing practice, appropriate to the program category (i.e. Adult, Neonate, or Family/All Ages), at the time of application.
• Applicants must be licensed as a Registered Nurse in a Canadian nursing regulatory jurisdiction.
• Canadian Indigenous History and Contemporary Context Requirement
  • To attend to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action, the Faculty of Nursing requires all incoming graduate students to be familiar with Canadian Indigenous history and contemporary context, which are essential to nursing. After admission, but prior to beginning any nursing masters or PhD program, incoming students must complete the U of A Indigenous Canada Massive Open Online Course (MOOC).
  • This is a 12-module, non-credit certificate course. Students can choose to either formally register and receive a certificate, or they can take it free-of-charge.
  • A screenshot with evidence of completing the course must be submitted to the Faculty of Nursing Graduate Office prior to attending the first course of the degree.
  • Completion of a previous course can be used to fulfill this requirement. If a student has completed a similar course, they can submit the course outline and evidence of completion for review by the Faculty of Nursing Graduate Office.

The Faculty of Nursing also requires the following application documents:

• Two clinical letters of reference, all written in English, attesting to the applicant’s clinical practice in the specific ANP area of interest.
• A completed Post MN Applicant Background Information Document, available on the Faculty of Nursing website.

For the MNPP (students beginning in Sept 2026), the Faculty’s minimum admission requirements are:

• An undergraduate degree in Nursing with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent institution. The admission GPA will be calculated on the last 60 units of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.
• An undergraduate course in both statistics and research methods or evidence informed practice, with a minimum grade of B (or equivalent), preferably completed within the past six years.
• Evidence of 4500 hours of registered nurse practice prior to entering the program.
  • For applicants to the All Ages All Settings (AAAS) specialization, previous practice should include populations diverse in age (adults and children) and setting of care (ideally in both acute and community settings).
  • For applicants to the Neonatal (NNP) specialization, required hours must be primarily in neonatal intensive care settings.
• Applicants must be licensed as a Registered Nurse in a Canadian nursing regulatory jurisdiction, and their 4500 registered nurse practice hours must have been recognized as valid within the Canadian context by a Canadian regulator.
• The requirement for a test of English Language Proficiency (ELP) will be waived for applicants who are currently licensed as an RN with a Canadian nursing regulator.
• Canadian Indigenous History and Contemporary Context Requirement
  • To attend to theTruth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action, the Faculty of Nursing requires all incoming graduate students to be familiar with Canadian Indigenous history and contemporary context, which are essential to nursing. After admission, but prior to beginning any nursing masters or PhD program, incoming students must complete the UofA Indigenous Canada Massive Open Online Course (MOOC).
  • This is a 12-module, non-credit course. Students can choose to either formally register and receive a certificate of completion, or they can take it free-of-charge.
  • A screenshot with evidence of completing the course must be submitted to the Faculty of Nursing Graduate Office prior to attending the first course of the degree.
  • Completion of a previous course can be used to fulfill this requirement. If a student has completed a similar course, they can submit the course outline and evidence of completion for review by the Faculty of Nursing Graduate Office.

The Faculty of Nursing also requires the following application documents:

• Three letters of reference (2 clinical and 1 academic), all written in English
• Acompleted MNPP Applicant Background Information Document, available on the Faculty of Nursing website

Course Exemptions for Post-Master’s Applicants

At the discretion of the Faculty of Nursing, previous graduates of Master of Nursing or Master of Nursing Science programs may be admitted to the MNPP program, with course exemptions for up to ⅓ of the total credits for the MNPP program. On a case-by-case basis, the Faculty will assess courses to be recognized based on the applicability of previous coursework, the grade achieved, and the currency (normally within the previous 6 years).

Indigenous Applicants 

The Faculty of Nursing is committed to the recruitment, retention, and graduation of Indigenous students. The Faculty has prioritized admission of Indigenous applicants who meet the minimum entrance requirements and who indicate on their application that they wish to be considered with an equity, diversity and Indigeneity lens. All Indigenous applicants who meet the academic eligibility requirements will be recommended for admission. Any Indigenous applicant with questions about the capacity to meet the MNPP program requirements within a specific geographical area should contact the Faculty of Nursing Graduate Office.

For the PhD in Nursing, the Faculty’s minimum admission requirements are:

• a Master’s degree in Nursing with an admission GPA of at least 3.5 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution. The admission GPA will be calculated on the last 60 units of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework. Students who do not hold the equivalent to this degree may be admitted and required to undertake additional course work in nursing theory, practice and/or research.
• Graduate qualitative and quantitative (with some statistics) research courses, or one graduate course in statistics and one in research methods (or equivalent), with a final grade of B or higher.
• Completion of an interview with the prospective supervisor and/or Graduate Admission Committee.
• Where applicable, applicants must provide proof of English Language Proficiency (refer to English Language Requirement). Any one of the following is acceptable:
  • A TOEFL score of at least 97 (internet-based) with the following minimum scores on each of the individual skill areas: Listening-27, Reading-21, Writing-27, Speaking-23, or equivalent;
  • an IELTS overall score of 7.0 with the following minimum scores: Listening-7.5, Reading-6.5, Writing-7.0, Speaking-7.0, Overall-7.0;
  • A Duolingo overall score of 130 with no subscore below 120.

The requirement for a test of English Language Proficiency (ELP) will be waived for applicants who are currently licensed as an RN with a Canadian nursing regulator.

• Canadian Indigenous History and Contemporary Context Requirement
  • To attend to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action, the Faculty of Nursing requires all incoming graduate students to be familiar with Canadian Indigenous history and contemporary context, which are essential to nursing. After admission, but prior to beginning any nursing masters or PhD program, incoming students must complete the U of A Indigenous Canada Massive Open Online Course (MOOC).
  • This is a 12-module, non-credit course. Students can choose to either formally register and receive a certificate of completion, or they can take it free-of-charge.
  • A screenshot with evidence of completing the course must be submitted to the Faculty of Nursing Graduate Office prior to attending the first course of the degree.
  • Completion of a previous course can be used to fulfill this requirement. If a student has completed a similar course, they can submit the course outline and evidence of completion for review by the Faculty of Nursing Graduate Office.

The Faculty of Nursing also requires the following application documents:

• Three letters of reference from academics and professionals knowledgeable about the applicant’s academic and professional capabilities, all written in English. One of the reference letters must be from the proposed supervisor or co-supervisor(s).
• Current curriculum vitae.
• A sample of written scholarly work, preferably a work in which the applicant is the sole or primary author.
• A completed “Background Information on PhD Applicant” form, available on the Faculty of Nursing website, that clearly outlines the applicant’s academic, research and professional plans/expectations including: (a) Career Plans; (b) Research; (c) PhD Program Plan / Supervisory Expectations; (d) Name of Potential PhD Program/Dissertation Supervisor; (e) Awards/Financial Assistance applied for, if applicable.

The Fast-track to PhD allows for outstanding MN Candidates who have successfully completed coursework in the MN program to request a change of program category to the PhD program without completing the MN degree. Additional research experience may be required within the PhD program for students selecting this option. See the Graduate Program Manual 7.2 Change of Category and see the Nursing website for the Fast-track to PhD process.

Financial Assistance

Information regarding graduate assistantships and other forms of financial assistance will be supplied upon request.

Graduate Program Requirements

Master’s Programs

• Master of Nursing
    
• Master of Nursing with a specialization in Aging (Nursing)
    
• Master of Nurse Practitioner Practice (Effective July 2026)
    

Doctoral Programs

• Doctor of Philosophy (Nursing)
    

Certificates

• Graduate Embedded Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Nursing Education
    

Graduate Courses

Course offerings vary from term to term depending upon student enrolment and availability of suitable instructors. A current listing is available on Bear Tracks.

Graduate courses can be found in Course Listings , under the subject heading Nursing (NURS).