Other Student Categories

Non-Degree Students

An applicant with basic preparation in nursing may apply to register as a non-degree student for up to 6 credit hours for MSN or DNP and up to 9 credit hours for PhD. After your application is received and approved, you will receive further instructions via e-mail on how to register via the Student Information System (SIS).

For those wishing to take PhD courses, the applicant must obtain written permission from the faculty teaching the course and the PhD Program Director in the FPB School of Nursing.  For the PhD program, select School of Graduate Studies - Non-Degree. Contact the Graduate Studies Office at 216-368-4390.

For MSN or DNP courses, the applicant must first submit our online application, and receive permission from the appropriate program director, before enrolling in the course.  Clinical courses required for the MSN program may not be taken as a non-degree student.

For the MN prerequisite course, the applicant must first submit our online​ non-degree (pre-MN)​ application. The Program Director will review and grant permission for students who want to enroll in this course.

Continuation of this status is at the discretion of FPB's administrative officer. Status as a non-degree student does not imply acceptance into FPB. If the non-degree student applies for admission to FPB, coursework completed as a non-degree student will be evaluated on an individual basis for its applicability to degree requirements within the time frame for the degree.

International Students

International students are welcome to apply to any educational program. All prospective students must meet the admission requirements for the program that they select. English translations of transcripts are required. It is recommended that applications be submitted 9 to 12 months prior to the desired date of enrollment. 

Each applicant for graduate programs must document the ability to speak, read, and write English as evidenced by satisfactory performance on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is also accepted.

Test information can be obtained at: www.toefl.org and www.ielts.org

Students whose native language is English are exempt. For those whose native language is not English, the minimum acceptable scores are:


Additional requirements for international students:

  • International students must present evidence of adequate financial resources to meet the expenses of full-time study as well as travel to and from Cleveland. Financial assistance from FPB is limited. Each student will need a sponsor who will provide full financial support. Each sponsor is required to document their ability to support the student, including costs of tuition and fees, room and meals, books, incidentals, and travel expenses. Review additional information for International Student Services.
  • For the MSN and post-graduate certificate programs, prospective students must be eligible for licensure as a registered nurse (RN) before enrollment. To obtain RN licensure, the student can either 1) obtain licensure in a state other than Ohio and apply for reciprocity in Ohio, or 2) sit for the licensure examination (NCLEX-RN) in Ohio. For information on how to become licensed in any state, you must obtain information from the specific state where you wish to become licensed. For the individual addresses of each State Board of Nursing, go to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing website and then go to “Boards of Nursing.”
  • Review additional information regarding Important First Steps after acceptance.

Students may also write to:

National Council of State Boards of Nursing
111 East Wacker Dr.
Suite 2900
Chicago, IL 60601-4277
Telephone: 312.525.3600

Once admitted to FPB, an application form for a student visa will be sent to the student. Upon enrollment at the university, the student must subscribe to the Student Medical Insurance Plan or have proof of other medical insurance coverage.