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International Transcripts & Coursework

Applications & Transcript Evaluation for Applicants with International Coursework

Applicants to our RN-BSN, Second Degree BSN, MSN, and DNP need to have all international transcripts evaluated by World Education Services (WES).

Please refer to the table below for degree equivalency requirements.

Program of Study Degree needed to apply
RN-BSN An equivalent to a US Associates Degree in Nursing (2-year degree)
Second Degree BSN An equivalent to a US Bachelor's degree (4-year degree)
MSN An equivalent to a US Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (4-year degree)
MSN (Post Master's certificate) An equivalent to a US Master’s Degree in Nursing
Post-Masters DNP An equivalent to a US Master’s Degree in Nursing

If WES has evaluated your degree as equivalent to one of the above, you can apply to our program by clicking the link to our NursingCAS application.

Applications

NursingCAS: The Gessner College of Nursing participates in the Nursing College Application Service (NursingCAS), a centralized application service for multiple nursing degree programs. Applicants applying for Spring or Fall will apply through NursingCAS.

International Transcript Evaluation

The College of Nursing will only accept and begin the international transcript evaluation process after an applicant has submitted WES results and the application through NursingCAS. Requests for international coursework evaluations must be submitted by August 1 for Second Degree BSN and April 1 for RN to BSN, MSN and DNP Fall admissions.

Many factors contribute to the timely completion of the course evaluation process; the process can take a few weeks to several months.

International Transcript Evaluation Vendor

World Education Services (WES), Inc.: You can request electronic WES evaluations directly through the NursingCAS application. Click Order WES Evaluation after listing your foreign school(s) in the Colleges Attended section in NursingCAS. Once WES completes your evaluation, they will send it to NursingCAS electronically. NursingCAS also accepts paper WES evaluations sent via mail.

If you send International transcripts by mail, use the following address:

NursingCAS Transcript Processing Center
PO Box 9201
Watertown, MA 02471

International applicants can also send international transcripts to the following street address:

NursingCAS Transcript Processing Center
c/o Liaison International
311 Arsenal Street, Suite 15
Watertown MA 02472

NursingCAS is not responsible for any materials lost in the mail. Express or certified mail does not guarantee faster processing or receipt at NursingCAS.

TOEFL

The official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores or official International English Testing Service (IELTS) scores, when applicable. Minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 89 for the College of Nursing (this is different than the University requirement). This test is waived only for graduates of U.S. universities or universities in countries in which the native language is English. The University of Houston institution code for the TOEFL is 6870.

Timeline for International Course Evaluation

Many factors contribute to the timely completion of the course evaluation process; the process can take a few weeks to several months. Applicants are encouraged to submit required items immediately after the NursingCAS application has been verified.

The Gessner College of Nursing strongly encourages applicants to enroll in approved prerequisite coursework until you have learned if the international coursework you have submitted has been approved.

Enrolling in approved prerequisite courses is the only way to guarantee that you will fulfill your prerequisites as required.

Advising

Advisors cannot evaluate international transcripts. All international transcript evaluations are done by WES only.

Students are encouraged to meet with a College of Nursing advisor.

For Information Session dates and times, please visit the Information Sessions page.