Alcorn State University Nursing School Review

Alcorn State University (ASU); a historically Black university was the first to be supported by the US government. Its history dates back to 1871 and is named after James Alcorn, a former reformist and governor in Mississippi. This public co-ed institution of higher learning was the first school to admit African American students into its programs. The university has a main campus at Claiborne and a satellite campus in Natchez, which is home to the school of nursing.  In collaboration with Hinds Community College; which too is a historically black school, some courses are offered there.

Nursing Programs at Alcorn State University

Nursing at Alcorn State University is offered at the satellite campus-Natchez.  Programs range from an associate degree to graduate nursing programs. The Associate program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. The Bachelor and graduate programs are accredited the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The baccalaureate and the master programs have two career pathway options each to choose from.

Associate Nursing Degree

The university has nursing programs starting from the associate degree level. This option of nursing entry allows eligible candidates to choose from two tracks towards earning the associate degree. In the first option, new entry level nursing students can apply to the ADN generic program which requires 70 credits to complete. Secondly, licensed practical nurses who hold current Mississippi licensure can apply for advanced standing for the ADN where they receive 18 credits for their licenses. Completion leads to eligibility to write the NCLEX-RN exam to become registered nurses.

Baccalaureate Degree Nursing

  • BSN- Traditional

In this level too, two nursing tracks lead to the award of Bachelor of Science in nursing degrees. The first option is for those wishing to get into nursing at the BSN entry level. Students require 55 general and prerequisite courses which can be taken prior to admission into the university from the online Mississippi Virtual Community College.  The other 69 nursing major courses are then completed at Alcorn University though all courses including the former can be completed at the university which leads to eligibility to write the NLCLEX-RN exam.

  • RN to BSN (online program)

On the other hand, students can choose the online completion program. Students take 39 nursing major credits and 55 general education and prerequisites credits. The remaining credits needed for the BSN are transferred from the diploma or associate degree.

Graduate Nursing at Alcorn State University

Four master level advanced practice nursing tracks are offered at Alcorn State University School of nursing. The four programs are namely:

  • Family Nurse practitioner
  • Nurse Educator
  • Geriatric Nurse Practitioner
  • Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

The two first tracks are offered directly by the school of nursing and have curriculum designed by Alcorn State University. The last two; Geriatric and Mental health tracks are offered through Mississippi Education Consortium for Specialized Advanced Practice Nursing. However, all course requirements can be meet at Alcorn. For master prepared nurses, there are two post-master certificate programs namely:

  • Post- Mater Certificate Option (Family Nurse Practitioner)
  • Post- Mater Certificate Option (Nurse Educator)

Contact:
Alcorn State University
1000 ASU Drive, Alcorn State,
MS 39096