Graduate Admission
Requirements & Deadlines

Graduate students will be considered for admission to the University of St. Francis after completing the following admission requirements. Please take a look at what your program requires so you can prepare yourself for the application process and be one step closer to getting enrolled… and getting the degree!

If you are an international graduate student, click here for specific requirements.

With questions about requirements, contact admissions@stfrancis.edu.

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Helpful Links

Important Graduate Admission Deadlines

APPLICATIONS
Applications for most graduate programs are due one week before the start of each eight-week module. USF observes six modules per year.

FINANCIAL AID
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opens October 1, 2025 and the priority deadline is March 1, 2026.

OTHER DEADLINES
Other deadlines may apply depending on your chosen program. Connect with your Admissions Counselor to be sure you are aware of all deadlines.

Core Admission Requirements

Graduate students will be considered for admission to the University of St. Francis after completing the following admission requirements, as well as those outlined for each specific program. All admission requirements are subject to final approval by the dean of the appropriate college. 

  • Application with application fee
  • Official transcripts documenting the appropriate undergraduate degree and prerequisites from a regionally accredited institution. Unofficial transcripts are permitted for your application, but official transcripts will be required before registering for classes. 

Additional Requirements by Program

Master’s Degree Requirements

  • Unofficial transcripts documenting an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • Verification of an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, unless noted otherwise
  • Students without an undergraduate business degree may be required to complete an entrance exam and/or leveling courses, depending upon undergraduate coursework

Visit the Business Administration (MBA) program page HERE.

Visit the Educational Leadership – Principal Endorsement (M.S.) program page HERE.

Visit the Educational Leadership – Teacher Leader Endorsement (M.S.) program page HERE.

  • Unofficial transcripts documenting the appropriate undergraduate degree and prerequisites from a regionally accredited institution
  • Verification of an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale in an approved program area, and no more than nine (9) credit hours of general education or content area course deficiencies
  • No more than nine credit hours of general education or content area course deficiencies
  • Personal Essay
  • One (1) Letter of Recommendation from a Professional Supervisor
  • Interview

Visit the Elementary Education with Professional Educator License (M.Ed.) program page HERE.

  • Unofficial transcripts documenting an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • Verification of an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, unless noted otherwise
  • Work Verification & Commitment Form, confirming 2 (two) years of full-time employment in the health care field (or permission from the academic department)
  • Students without an undergraduate business degree may be required to complete an entrance exam and/or leveling courses, depending upon undergraduate coursework

Visit the Health Administration (M.S.) program page HERE.

  • Unofficial transcripts documenting an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • Verification of an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, unless noted otherwise
  • Students without an undergraduate business degree may be required to complete an entrance exam and/or leveling courses, depending upon undergraduate coursework

Visit the Management (M.S.) program page HERE.

  • Unofficial transcripts documenting the appropriate undergraduate degree and prerequisites from a regionally accredited institution
  • Verification of an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale in an approved program area, and no more than nine (9) credit hours of general education or content area course deficiencies
  • No more than nine credit hours of general education or content area course deficiencies
  • Personal Essay
  • One (1) Letter of Recommendation from a Professional Supervisor
  • Interview

Visit the Middle Grades Education with Professional Educator License (M.Ed.) program page HERE.

  • Graduate GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale (may consider candidates with lower GPAs, minimum of 2.75, on a case-by-case basis—address the low GPA in your Personal Statement)
  • Current licensure as a registered nurse
  • Personal Statement (Note: This is submitted using the “Graduate Admission Essay” form. Type a written statement in which the topics for your chosen specialty track are addressed. This essay will be reviewed as an academic writing sample for MSN admission and will be reviewed for content, writing style, and grammar. It will be used as one of the criteria along with other application requirements.)
  • Two (2) Professional References
  • Current Resume
  • Satisfactory completion of baccalaureate level courses with a minimum grade of C is required in Physical Assessment and Nursing Research and are prerequisites to NURS 625 Advanced Health Assessment and NURS 607 Applied Statistics for Healthcare 
  • Satisfactory completion of a 3 credit hour undergraduate introductory statistics course is required as a prerequisite to NURS 607 Applied Statistics for Healthcare 

Prior to registration for the second semester (by the end of week 8 of first semester enrollment), MSN and post-master’s certificate students are required to submit or complete the following: 

  • Criminal background check—must be completed upon admission 
  • 10-panel drug screen—must be completed upon admission 
  • Current and active RN license & APRN license (if applicable)
  • Current CPR certification 
  • Immunizations: Td within the last ten years (substitution of 1-time Tdap dose for Td booster), MMR (2 dosages/titer), Varicella (2 dosages/titer), and Hepatitis B (3 dosages/titer), and annual seasonal Influenza vaccine
  • An initial 2-step TB Status or Quantiferon Gold within past six months. For a positive TB test, documented negative chest x-ray and yearly screening by a physician or nurse practitioner 
  • Completed student profile, medical history, & certificate of immunity (located in CastleBranch package)
  • Completion of HIPAA and OSHA modules accessible on stfrancis.edu/lcon

Visit the Nursing (MSN) program page HERE.

Visit the Reading (M.S.) program page HERE.

  • Unofficial transcripts documenting the appropriate undergraduate degree and prerequisites from a regionally accredited institution
  • Verification of an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale in an approved program area, and no more than nine (9) credit hours of general education or content area course deficiencies
  • No more than nine credit hours of general education or content area course deficiencies
  • Personal Essay
  • One (1) Letter of Recommendation from a Professional Supervisor
  • Interview

Visit the Secondary Education with Professional Educator License (M.Ed.) program page HERE.

Visit the Social Work (MSW) program page HERE.

  • Unofficial transcripts documenting the appropriate undergraduate degree and prerequisites from a regionally accredited institution
  • Verification of an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale in an approved program area, and no more than nine (9) credit hours of general education or content area course deficiencies
  • No more than nine credit hours of general education or content area course deficiencies
  • Personal Essay
  • One (1) Letter of Recommendation from a Professional Supervisor
  • Interview

Visit the Special Education Professional Educator License (M.Ed.) program page HERE.

  • Unofficial transcripts documenting an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • Verification of an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, unless noted otherwise
  • Students without an undergraduate business degree may be required to complete an entrance exam and/or leveling courses, depending upon undergraduate coursework

Visit the Talent Development (M.S.) program page HERE.

  • Unofficial transcripts documenting the appropriate undergraduate degree and prerequisites from a regionally accredited institution
  • Verification of an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
  • Illinois Professional Educator License
  • Essay
  • One (1) Letter of Recommendation from Supervisor

Visit the Teaching & Learning (M.S.) program page HERE.

  • Unofficial transcripts documenting the appropriate undergraduate degree and prerequisites from a regionally accredited institution
  • Verification of an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale in an approved program area, and no more than nine (9) credit hours of general education or content area course deficiencies
  • No more than nine credit hours of general education or content area course deficiencies
  • Personal Essay
  • One (1) Letter of Recommendation from a Professional Supervisor
  • Interview

Visit the Visual Arts with Professional Educator License (M.Ed.) program page HERE.

Graduate students seeking to earn a second master’s degree (i.e. a second Master of Science degree) in a discipline closely related to that of their first USF master’s degree will be allowed to apply some of the credit earned in the first program toward the requirements in the second program. The University of St. Francis has an obligation to ensure that each of its degrees reflect a significant immersion of the individual in a relevant, concentration course of study. To this end, a student may not apply more than 12 credits from the first degree to the credit required for the second degree. Decisions related to the number of hours allowed are determined upon individual program requirements. Interested individuals must formally apply and be accepted for admission to the second graduate program.

Additionally, any specific requirements beyond coursework in the second program (e.g., comprehensive exams, field experience, internships, or a thesis) must be completed to earn the second degree.

Doctoral Degree Requirements

Post-graduate students will be considered for admission to the University of St. Francis after completing the following admission requirements. All admission requirements are subject to final approval by the appropriate leader of the College of Education. 

  • Resume
  • Letter of application
  • Official transcripts for undergraduate and graduate degrees obtained from a regionally accredited institution(s) or from an ISBE-approved transcript evaluation provider 
  • Verification of a graduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale 
  • ISBE General Administrative or Principal endorsement or equivalent from another state (Superintendent concentration only); if only a Teaching PEL is held, an advanced practicegraduate degree must be represented in transcripts (not initial licensure M.Ed.). 
  • Letter of Recommendation
      • Superintendent applicants, submit one from current superintendent.
      • Leadership, Learning & Stewardship applicants, submit one from current supervisor.
      • Principal applicants, submit one from a principal.
  • Case Study (Note: This is submitted using the “Graduate Admission Essay” form.) 
  • Interview with program faculty 
  • Applicants may request that transfer credit from an accredited doctoral program approved by the Illinois State Board of Education be accepted 

Visit the Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) program page HERE.

Post-graduate students will be considered for admission to the University of St. Francis after completing the following admission requirements. All admission requirements are subject to final approval by the dean of the college. 

  • Application and application fee 
  • Statement of Goals (Note: This is submitted using the Graduate Admission Essay Form. Statement of Goals describes personal and professional goals related to the applicant’s area of specialization and addresses a potential practice inquiry to plan scholarly work in the program of study. The Leach College of Nursing Graduate Admission Committee reviews applicants’ statements to recognize the applicant’s goals, motivations, visions, and preparedness for the DNP program by reviewing the following items that should be addressed in the statement:
        • Personal and professional goals and expectations of how the DNP program at the University of St. Francis can help achieve the goals. 
        • Professional experiences in research/quality improvement projects 
        • Identified healthcare issues or needs related to a specific population at the organizational level. 
        • Visions, as a DNP-prepared nurse, to improve healthcare outcomes of a specific population at the state or national level. 
        • Academic strengths and areas to improve for success as a DNP student. 
        • Expected challenges in the DNP program of study and strategies for achieving the goals in the DNP program.
  •  Official transcripts documenting the appropriate graduate degree and prerequisites from a regionally accredited institution 
  •  Verification of a graduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale 
  •  Two (2) Professional References from either a professional colleague or a former college/university nursing professor who can attest to academic and clinical acumen, with a statement about the applicant’s potential to successfully complete a doctor of nursing practice program. 
  • Current and active RN license & APRN license (if applicable) 
  • Current professional resume 
  • International students must graduate from a nursing program that has undergone comparable review per AACN Essentials of Master’s Education for Advanced Nursing criteria and have transcripts evaluated by approved agency (WES or ECE preferred) 

Prior to beginning their second semester of enrollment, DNP students are required to submit the following: 

  • Criminal background check – must be completed upon admission 
  • 10-panel drug screen – must be completed upon admission 
  • Current CPR certification 
  • Immunizations: Td within the last ten years (substitution of 1-time Tdap dose for Td booster),    MMR (2 dosages/titer), Varicella (2 dosages/titer), and Hepatitis B (3 dosages/titer), and annual seasonal Influenza vaccine 
  • Documentation of 2-step TB status within past six months and annually thereafter. An initial 2-step TB Status or Quantiferon Gold within past six months. For a positive TB test, documented negative chest x-ray and yearly screening by a physician or nurse practitioner 
  • Completed student profile, medical history, & certificate of immunity (located in CastleBranch package) 
  • Completion of HIPAA and OSHA modules, accessible on the following webpage: stfrancis.edu/lcon 

Post-Master’s Certificate Requirements

Visit the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Certificate program page HERE.

Visit the School Social Work Certificate program page HERE.

How to Submit Your Transcripts & Application Materials

Documents can be sent to:
University of St. Francis
Attn: Admissions Processing
500 Wilcox Street
Joliet, IL 60435

Official transcripts can be sent to:
 admtranscripts@stfrancis.edu

Email:
supportingdocs@stfrancis.edu 

motherhouse building with blue sky

Online Learning & You

The University of St. Francis offers more than 120 online courses and serves more than 1,500 student registrations per semester.

Curious to know more about online learning and what it entails? USF prides itself on delivering a practical, real-world curriculum and faculty expertise in a medium proven to be conducive to the needs of working adults. Explore USF’s online learning environment here!

Visit the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Certificate program page HERE.

Visit the School Social Work Certificate program page HERE.

Grad Student Resources

Graduate students will be considered for admission to the University of St. Francis after completing the following admission requirements. If you are an INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE STUDENT, click here for specific requirements.

GRADUATE STUDIES

Graduate Financial Aid

Continuing and adult students are eligible for some aid and scholarships. Review our scholarships page to see what’s available to make financing your education easier.

SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS

Student Life

Graduate students are invited to participate in student life, even if you’re an adult or studying from afar! Learn about the resources USF provides to all students to prepare them for success.

STUDENT LIFE