Virginia MSN Programs
Eastern Mennonite University: RN to MSN Program Review
Eastern Mennonite University, 1200 Park Rd., Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) is a private university established in 1917. Originally established as a Bible academy, the university is affiliated with the Mennonite Church. In addition to the main campus in Harrisonburg, Virginia, an additional campus is located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. About 1,500 students are enrolled at Eastern Mennonite University.
An online Master of Science in Nursing program is offered at Eastern Mennonite University. Students can choose from a concentration in Leadership and Management or Leadership/School Nursing. The masters in nursing program can be completed in approximately 2 years. The MSN program is designed for working nurses who need flexibility to maintain familial and professional commitments. The RN to MSN program can be completed on a part or full time plan of study. Nurses can complete most of their clinical requirements in their place of employment.
In order to apply to the nursing masters program, applicants should have a bachelors degree in nursing from an accredited program earned with a 3.0 or above grade point average. An RN license and approximately one year of full time nursing experience is required prior to applying for the program. In addition to the application, students should also submit two recommendation letters and transcripts from previous program. Though the MSN program is mostly delivered online, students are required to come to campus for orientation.
George Mason University: RN to MSN Program Review
George Mason University
4400 University Dr
Fairfax, VA 22030
George Mason University is a public university established in 1957. The university has been independent since 1972, but was originally established as a satellite campus of the University of Virginia. The university was named for George Mason, a statesman from Virginia. Approximately 33,000 students are enrolled at George Mason University.
The following academic concentrations are offered in the nursing masters program at George Mason University:
Nursing Administration
Nurse Educator
Family Nurse Practitioner
Adult Nurse Practitioner
In addition to the traditional nursing masters program, the RN to MSN program is for nurses with an associate’s degree or diploma. In order to be admitted to the nursing masters program, applicants should have at least one to two years of nursing experience and be a graduate of a CCNE or NLNAC accredited program. Prior to enrolling in the nursing masters degree program, students are required to take a bridge course.
Applicants to the nursing masters degree program should have a bachelors degree with a 3.0 or above from an accredited university. A personal statement, two letters of recommendation and an essay are also required for admission to the MSN program. Applicants to the nurse practitioner program should have a prerequisite course in health assessment. Nurse Practitioner applicants should also have at least one year of experience and may be required to take the Graduate Record Exam.
Hampton University: RN to MSN Program Review
Hampton University
100 E Queen St
Hampton, VA 23668
Hampton University is an HBCU (Historically Black College University) founded in 1868. The university was originally founded as a primary/secondary school and also served Native Americans.
The nursing masters degree program at Hampton University is offered in the following areas of specialization:
Family Nurse Practitioner
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Administration
Education
Nurses in the Administration or Education program choose among the following specialties: Advanced Adult Nursing, Community Health Nursing, Community Mental Health/Psychiatric Nursing. The RN to MSN programs are campus-based. The MSN program is offered on a full or part-time plan of study. In order to earn the MSN degree, students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 during the course of the program.
Entrance requirements to the RN to MSN program include a BSN from an accredited program earned with a 2.7 or above GPA. MSN applicants are required to take the Graduate Record Exam and must have a writing score of 4.0 or verbal score of 450. In addition to the MSN application, two letters of recommendation and a personal essay should be submitted. Prerequisite courses in statistics and physical assessment are required. Prior to beginning the clinical practicum component of the nursing masters program, applicants should have at least one year of experience as a nurse.
James Madison University: RN to MSN Program Review
James Madison University
800 S Main St
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
James Madison University was established in 1908. The university was originally founded as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg. Today James Madison University is a public research institution that serves more than 19,500 students.
James Madison University offers the following concentrations in the nursing masters degree program:
Clinical Nurse Leader (38 credits)
Nurse Administrator (38 credits)
Nurse Midwifery (41 credits)
Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (46 credits)
Family Nurse Practitioner (49 credits)
MSN/MBA (Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Business Administration) joint degree program
The Nurse Midwifery program is offered in conjunction with Shenandoah University. MSN students can enroll in the program on a full or part time plan of study. Though the RN to MSN program is not delivered entirely online, several courses are offered in a hybrid format. MSN Classes in the course meet once weekly.
Admission to James Madison University’s MSN program is competitive. In order to be accepted to the program, applicants should have a GPA of 2.8 or above. Provisional admission may be offered to applicants with a lower GPA. Additional admission requirements include a baccalaureate degree in nursing or another field and current nursing license. Applicants should complete a prerequisite course in statistics and health assessment with a minimum “C” grade. Scores for the Miller Analogies Test or Graduate Record Exam are required for admission consideration.
Jefferson College of Health Sciences: RN to MSN Program Review
Jefferson College of Health Sciences
101 Elm Ave SE
Roanoke, VA 24013
Jefferson College of Health Sciences is a private college with degree programs in nursing and allied health. The college is located in the Downtown Area of Roanoke. The college was established in 1982.
Jefferson College of Health Sciences offers a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited nursing masters degree program. Students can choose from a Nursing Systems Management or Nurse Clinician Educator specialization. The RN to MSN program is offered on a full or part time plan of study. The program is offered in a flexible blended format, which requires students to come to campus at most four times during the nursing masters program. Students who take the MSN course full time can complete it in two years of study.
Admission to the masters in nursing program is available for nurses with a bachelors degree in a field other than nursing, in addition to RNs with a BSN. Nurses without a BSN will be required two to three classes to fulfill requirements to pursue nursing masters coursework. Applicants to the Master of Science in nursing program should have a bachelors degree earned with a 3.0 or above GPA. Statistics is the only required prerequisite and should be completed with a “C” grade or above. Three letters of recommendation and scores for the Miller Analogies Test are required.
Liberty University: RN to MSN Program Review
Liberty University
1971 University Blvd
Lynchburg, VA 24502
Liberty University is a private Christian university established in 1971. More than 80,000 students participate in Liberty University’s online degree programs in addition to the 10,000+ residential students enrolled on the campus.
Liberty University offers an online nursing masters degree program with two concentrations, Nurse Educator or Nurse Administrator. The MSN program requires 42 credits of study. Nurses with previous graduate coursework may transfer up to 6 credits. Graduates of the nursing program are prepared to work in clinical settings or as an educator in an undergraduate nursing education program. Students must complete the required clinical practicum experience within the United States. The RN to MSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
In general, the nursing masters program accepts nurses with a BSN and GPA of 3.0 or above. Students with a bachelors degree in a non-nursing area may apply to the nursing masters program. If accepted, all prerequisite courses must be completed before or during the first year of study. Statistics and health assessment are prerequisite courses for graduate nursing classes, and do not have to be completed for admission purposes. In addition to an RN license, applicants should have at least one year of experience as a Registered Nurse.
Marymount University: RN to MSN Program Review
Marymount University
2807 N Glebe Rd
Arlington, VA 22207
Marymount University is a private Catholic University. The post-secondary institution was established in 1950 by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary. More than 3,500 students from 40 states are enrolled at Marymount University. The main campus is based in Arlington with additional campuses in Arlington and Reston, the Ballston Center and Reston Center respectively.
An MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program is offered at Marymount University. The nursing masters degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Upon completion of the RN to MSN program, nurses can take the FNP certification exam offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. The degree program requires 42 credits of study. Students will complete clinical practicum experiences in several area hospitals and also private practice offices.
Applicants to the Master of Science in Nursing program should have a bachelors degree earned with a minimum 3.0 grade point average. Before beginning clinical coursework, applicants should have RN licenses in Virginia, Washington D.C. and Maryland. Prior to commencing clinical practicum experiences, applicants should have at least two years of full-time nursing experience. Two letters of recommendation, including at least one from a former supervisor is required. A personal statement is also required.
Old Dominion University: RN to MSN Program Review
Old Dominion University
5115 Hampton Blvd
Norfolk, VA 23529
Old Dominion University is a public research university was originally established as an affiliate of the College of William and Mary. The university was founded in 1930.Old Dominion University has operated independently since 1962.
The nursing masters degree program at Old Dominion University is delivered in a blended format, with students completing coursework both on campus and online. Applications are accepted annually in the fall from domestic and international applicants. The nursing masters degree program offers the following specialties:
Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist/Educator
Family Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Anesthesia
Nurse Administrator
Nurse Midwifery
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Students in the nursing masters program can also participate in the Graduate Nursing Student Association. Scholarships are available for nursing students at Old Dominion University. The Nurse Administrator program is delivered online.
To apply to the MSN program, applicants should submit scores for the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE), a personal essay one letter of recommendation from a professor and two letters of recommendation from former employers. Students are required to submit an application to Old Dominion University and a supplemental application in their specific concentration in the nursing program to apply for admission. Most RN to MSN programs are offered on a full or part time plan of study.
Shenandoah University: RN to MSN Program Review
Shenandoah University
1460 University Dr
Winchester, VA 22601
Shenandoah University is a private university based in Winchester. The post-secondary institution was established in 1875. Shenandoah University maintains an affiliation with the United Methodist Church. More than 4,000 students are enrolled at the university representing more than 40 states and 20 countries. In addition to the main campus in Winchester, additional campus buildings are located in downtown Winchester.
Both traditional masters degree programs and an RN to MSN program are offered at Shenandoah University. Nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Students in the MSN program can choose from the following specializations:
Family Nurse Practitioner
Health Systems Management
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Midwifery
Through the Midwifery and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Initiatives, nurses from other institutions complete coursework at Shenandoah University and earn their degree from their home nursing school. The RN to MSN program is for nurses without a Bachelor of Science in nursing.
Entrance requirements into the nursing masters program include a BSN from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or CCNE. Applicants with degrees from a nursing program that is not accredited will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. An undergraduate GPA of 2.8 or above is required for admission to the nursing masters degree program. Prerequisite courses should be completed with a grade of “C” or better and include community nursing, statistics and health assessment.
Three letters of recommendation and a comprehensive BCLS certification are also required for admission to the MSN program.
University of Virginia: RN to MSN Program Review
University of Virginia
1400 University Ave
Charlottesville, VA 22903
The University of Virginia was established in 1819. The university was founded in large part due to the assistance and planning of former U.S. President Thomas Jefferson. The University of Virginia was named the second best public university in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
The University of Virginia offers a Master of Science in nursing degree program in the following specializations:
Adult Gerontology Acute Care (Clinical Nurse Specialist or Nurse Practitioner)
Clinical Nurse Leader
Family Nurse Practitioner
Health Systems Management
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practice Program (CNS or NP)
Public Health Nursing Leadership
Public Health Nursing Leadership combination with Family or Pediatric NP
In addition to the nursing masters programs for RNs, the Master’s Entry Clinical Nurse Leader program is for college graduates without prior nursing education or experience. The Public Health Nursing Leadership program is completed primarily online, though students are required to go to campus twice each term.
General admission requirements for the nursing masters degree program include a bachelors degree in nursing with a 3.0 or above Grade Point Average. Three letters of recommendation and a resume should also be submitted along with the application. A prerequisite course in statistics is also required for admission to the nursing masters degree program. There are additional entrance requirements for international students and nurses applying to certain specialties.
Virginia Commonwealth University: RN to MS Program Review
Virginia Commonwealth University
1111 W Broad St
Richmond, VA 23220
Virginia Commonwealth University was founded as an affiliate campus of Hampden-Sydney College in 1838. The university has two primary campuses in Richmond, the MCV and Monroe Park campuses. Originally called the Medical College of Virginia, the institution became Virginia Commonwealth University in 1968 following its merger with another college.
The following concentrations are offered in the nursing masters degree program at Virginia Commonwealth University:
Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Family Nurse Practitioner
Nursing Administration and Leadership
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
The nursing programs at Virginia Commonwealth University were ranked in the nation’s top ten percent by U.S News & World Report. The RN to MSN programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. In addition to a traditional masters track, an RN to MS program is also offered.
Nurses should have an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) or diploma from a NLNAC-accredited institution if applying to the RN to MS program. Applicants to the general nursing masters degree program should have a bachelors degree in nursing from a NLNAC or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)-accredited program. An undergraduate GPA of 2.7 or above is required to apply to the nursing masters program. In addition to a prerequisite course in statistics, applicants are required to take the Graduate Record Exam if their GPA is below 3.25.
