Thomas University Nursing School Review

Thomas University in southern Georgia, which began as Birdwood College in the 1950s, averaged fourteen students per graduating class until the 1970s. Since the 70s, the school has expanded rapidly, but it still focuses on maintaining small classes (the student to faculty ratio is ten to one). It serves mainly commuters and online students, but has some on-campus residential facilities as well. The university offers about twenty programs, including bachelor degrees, master’s degrees, and certificates. Five of these programs are in nursing, making Thomas University (TU) an excellent option for nurses who wish to advance in the nursing profession.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN-BSN

Thomas University does not offer a way for a student with no previous nursing education or experience to enter the nursing field, but it does offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree to Registered Nurses (RN) who hold an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree or a diploma in nursing. The program is set up so that RNs can continue working throughout the 15 months of study. The classes meet once a week on campus for a half-day, and students complete the remainder of the work online. Students must complete 120 credit hours to receive the BSN degree, but typically students who hold an ASN have already fulfilled most of the core requirements/prerequisites, and are also eligible to receive credit for thirty-six credits toward the nursing classes. The RN to BSN program is offered on Thomas University’s main campus in Thomasville, as well as at the satellite campuses in Moultrie, GA and Tallahassee, FL. A highlight of the program is a study abroad opportunity in China, through the university’s partners Wenzhou Medical College and Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The RN-BSN program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, and approved by both the Georgia Board of Nursing and the Florida Department of Education Commission for Independent Education.

Master of Science in Nursing

Working RNs who are willing to commit to twenty months of study can earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from Thomas University. As with the RN to BSN program, classes meet once a week for a half-day at the Thomasville campus (program is not available at the satellite campuses) and the rest of the work takes place online. The program consists of 24 credit hours of core classes, which focus on theoretical topics such as healthcare policies/theories, leadership in healthcare, and healthcare management strategies. After completing these core classes, the student can opt for a twelve-credit concentration in either nursing education or a twelve-credit concentration in nursing administration.

 

Master of Science in Nursing and Master of Business Administration

Thomas University has an unusual program for Registered Nurses who are interested in becoming leaders in healthcare settings and implementing and directing healthcare policies. RNs can earn a dual degree through the MSN-MBA program. It is open to RNs who hold either a BSN, MSN, or MBA, although the amount of classes required varies depending on the incoming student’s previous education. In total, not counting credits that transfer, the program requires fifty-four credits. This program is available on the main campus in Thomasville and, like the other nursing programs, is hybrid in format. Classes take place onsite and online, allowing the nurse to continue working full time while studying.

Graduate Certificates

RNs with a BSN are eligible to get a graduate certificate without going through the entire MSN program. While MSN students need to take twenty-four credit hours of core classes in addition to twelve hours of specialization in nursing education or nursing administration, graduate-certificate students can simply take the twelve credit hours in either nursing education or nursing administration. While these programs don’t confer a degree, they do provide RNs with the necessary information and foundation to move into education or administration in their field. The graduate certificates are offered on the Thomasville campus, and delivered in a hybrid format.

Contact:
Thomas University
1501 Millpond Road
Thomasville, GA 31792

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