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Pepperdine | College of Health Science
MAR
13

Graduate School Open House
March 13, 2026 | 10 AM-1PM PST
@ Drescher Graduate Campus (Malibu)

Register

Graduate School / Doctorate Preparation

Earning your undergraduate degree is a massive achievement, but for many in healthcare, it is just the beginning. Whether you are looking to become a specialized Nurse Practitioner, a Nurse Anesthetist, or an SLP Clinical Specialist, graduate school allows you to increase your autonomy, salary potential, and impact on patient outcomes.

Nursing Graduate Pathways (Post-BSN)

Nurses with a BSN have several "bridge" options to advance their careers. Most programs require at least one to two years of bedside experience before applying.

  • MSN (Master of Science in Nursing): The traditional path to becoming a Nurse Practitioner (FNP, PMHNP), Nurse Educator, or Nurse Administrator.
  • DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice): A clinical doctorate focused on leadership and translating research into practice. Many BSN-to-DNP programs allow you to skip a separate Master's degree.
  • CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist): Requires a doctoral degree (DNAP or DNP) and intensive ICU experience.
  • Ph.D. in Nursing: Focused on research and academia rather than direct clinical practice.

SLP Doctorate Pathways (Post-MS)

Since a Master's is the entry-level requirement for SLPs, graduates from Pepperdine’s MS-SLP Program can enter the field right away. If you wish to continue your education, consider earning a Doctorate.

  • SLPD (Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology): A professional doctorate for clinicians who want to specialize in a specific area (like swallowing or neurogenics) or move into clinical management.
  • Ph.D. in Communication Sciences: For those interested in becoming professors or lead researchers in the field.

Graduate School Application Timeline

  • Junior Year / Early Senior Year: Research programs and check for specific prerequisites (e.g., specific Physics or Chemistry requirements for SLP/Nursing).
  • The Summer Before Applying: Take the GRE (if required) and begin drafting your Statement of Purpose.
  • The Fall of Senior Year: Request Letters of Recommendation from clinical faculty and supervisors.
    December – February: Submit applications. Most healthcare grad programs have winter deadlines.

Pro-Tips for a Competitive Application

  • Clinical Hours Matter: Even for grad school, your undergraduate clinical rotations are "experience." Be ready to discuss specific patient populations.Research Experience: If you have the chance to assist a faculty member with research at Pepperdine, take it. It is a major "green flag" for doctoral programs.
  • Shadowing: For SLPs especially, continuing to shadow different settings (NICU, Schools, Stroke Rehab) shows a commitment to the breadth of the field.
  • Certifications: Adding certifications like ACLS (for Nurses) or LaxVox/LSVT (for SLPs) to your resume before applying shows you are already invested in advanced practice.