University of North Carolina at Charlotte Nursing School Review

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC, UNC Charlotte) is a public research university located in the city of Charlotte. It is a large university with over 25,000 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs. There are 90 bachelor’s degree programs, 62 master’s degree programs, and 19 doctoral programs offered at this university. The University of North Carolina-Charlotte is known for facilitating more small businesses than any other learning institution in the country. It is the fastest growing university in the state as well. The campus is situated on 1,000 acres and is only two hours from the mountains and three hours from the Atlantic Ocean.

Nursing Programs

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) RN to BSN

Professional Registered Nurses (RNs) who have an associate’s degree in nursing or a diploma in nursing may complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. Before entering the BSN program, students must complete all prerequisites, general education, and foreign language course requirements. Once these are finished, the RN to BSN curriculum requires 30 credits. This is usually completed in one year of full-time studies. There are two ways to complete the BSN, which are through distance education or through the on-campus program. Applicants must have at least a 2.0 grade point average in their previous college level studies and they must maintain at least a grade of C in their prerequisite courses at the university.

Applicants have the option of testing out of the foreign language requirement, or if an applicant has studied the same language for at least three years in high school, he or she may be exempt from this requirement. Applicants must first apply to the university and then to the School of Nursing. When 120 credits have been completed, students may apply for graduation and receive a BSN.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing—Upper Division Nursing Major

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is a four-year program that includes all of the courses required for a bachelor’s degree at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte in addition to specific nursing courses and clinical experience. At the completion of the program, graduates take the NCLEX-RN exam to become licensed as Registered Nurses (RNs). In this program, students complete the general education requirements at the lower level and the nursing courses once they are accepted into the nursing program upper level. Applicants enter the program as pre-nursing students. Graduates are trained to work in many different healthcare environments, including hospitals, clinics, doctor’s offices, and others. Some students decide to continue their education by pursuing a master’s degree in nursing.

Applicants to the pre-nursing program who are transfer or students who have changed their major must have a grade point average of 3.0 in their previous university work. Acceptance into the pre-nursing program does not automatically mean that a student is accepted into the nursing program. Applicants are expected to have an average of at least B in the prerequisite courses. In addition, applicants must be listed in the North Carolina Nurse Aide Registry as a Nurse Aid before beginning coursework in the upper division. Students must have a grade point average of at least 3.0 in the prerequisite courses as well. The degree requires 124 credits before graduation.

MSN – Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN program at the university prepares RNs for a career as a Family Nurse Practitioner. These healthcare professionals are primary care providers for the entire family, from infants to the elderly. Students must take the MSN core courses as well as the specialty courses related to this concentration. At the completion of the program, the graduate may sit for the certification exam to be permitted to practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Students must complete 46 credits, and this usually takes 27 months if the student is working on a full-time basis or 39 months for part-time studies. Applicants must have current licensure as an RN, and must have completed a BSN.

Applicants with degrees in other fields are considered, but they must first complete courses from the RN-BSN program. In addition, satisfactory scores from the GRE or MAT are required. Applicants should also have an overall grade point average of 3.0 in the last 60 credits that they have completed. One year’s experience as a professional RN is also required. Applicants must also be computer literate. The program requires 600 hours of supervised clinical experience, and only one C is allowed. Students must earn all B’s to progress in the program.

Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Anesthesia

Students working on their Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) may choose to specialize in the Nurse Anesthesia concentration. This program requires 27 months of full-time study, and applicants must have an unrestricted license as an RN in North Carolina. A BSN is also required. Applicants must also take the GRE or MAT and have satisfactory scores on these tests. A grade point average of at least 3.0 on all college work after high school is also required. In addition, applicants must have at least 18 months of full-time critical care experience with adult patients. Graduates take the national exam to become licensed as Nurse Anesthetists.

Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Administrator

This concentration of Nurse Administrator in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program prepares nurses to work as department managers in hospitals and other health care facilities. Some graduates with this degree work in health departments or in nursing schools. After completing 36 credits in 27 months of part-time online study, students take the certification exam in Nursing Administration or Nursing Administration Advanced. Applicants must have satisfactory GRE or MAT scores, an unrestricted license as a RN, and a BSN degree. Those who wish to enter this field but have a baccalaureate degree in another area may also apply for the program, and the required nursing courses will be built into their curriculum. Also, one year of nursing experience is preferred, and applicants must be computer literate.

Master of Science in Nursing – Community Public Health Nursing

This MSN program prepares RNs for a career in public health nursing. Graduates work in public health departments, industries, schools, and other community-based agencies. The program requires the completion of 38 credits that can be completed in 36 months of part-time studies. Admission requirements are satisfactory scores on either the GRE or MAT, an unrestricted license as an RN, and a BSN from an accredited university. If the degree is not in nursing, the required courses are built into the curriculum. A grade point average of 3.0 is preferred, as is one year’s professional experience as an RN.

RN/MSN Early Entry Program

The Registered Nurse to Master of Science in Nursing Early Entry Program is designed for outstanding students who want to pursue a MSN. Applicants must meet all of the requirements for admission to both the RN to BSN program plus the graduate program that is chosen. The MSN specialty areas available in this program are Family Nurse Practitioner, an on-campus program, Community Public Health Nursing, a distance education program, Nurse Educator, a distance education program, and Nurse Administrator, a distance education program. These concentrations require 36 to 46 graduate credits, depending on the specialty. All coursework in the RN to BSN program must be completed except for 10 hours of graduate credit that count for both the BSN and MSN. Students must maintain a 3.0 in all graduate courses.

Master of Science in Nursing — Nurse Educator

This program prepares RNs to teach student nurses and to work as a Nurse Educator. Graduates with two years of full-time teaching experience will qualify to take the certification exam for Nurse Educators. Students must complete 39 credits that may be completed in 30 months of part-time study. Applicants to the program must have an unrestricted RN license and a BSN degree or other baccalaureate degree. If the applicant’s degree is in another field, the nursing courses required for licensure are built into their curriculum. In addition, satisfactory scores on the GRE or MAT are required. Applicants are expected to have a 3.0 average in their college level work, and it is desirable that they have at least one year’s experience as a professional nurse. Applicants must also be computer literate.

Certificates

Graduate Certificate – Nursing Administrator – Distance Education

This program is designed for RNs with a BSN and for RNs with master’s degrees. The program requires four specialty courses in nursing administration that equal 12 credits. The certificate takes one year of part-time study to complete. Applicants must have a current unrestricted license as an RN in North Carolina, a BSN, and three letters of recommendation.

Post Master’s Certificate in Advanced Practice Registered Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner

This program requires 21 credits to earn a certificate in advanced practice nursing. RNs with a MSN will be prepared to enter advanced practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner. All courses must be completed within four years and a minimum grade point average of 3.0 must be attained. Family Nurse Practitioner graduates work in primary care practices, community based clinics, public health departments and in other healthcare settings. The program can be completed in two years. Admission requirements include a MSN, licensure as a RN in North Carolina, satisfactory GRE or MAT score, and certain prerequisite course completion within the past three years. Students spend a minimum of 600 hours of supervised clinical experience as a Nurse Practitioner student, and they must maintain a B or better to progress in the program.

Graduate Certificate – Nurse Educator – Distance Education

This program is designed for nurses with a BSN or MSN. It consists of four courses or 12 credits that can be completed in one year. Applicants must have an unrestricted nursing license in North Carolina and they must have three letters of professional recommendation. Graduates receive a certificate after passing the national exam.

Graduate Certificate in Community Health

This program is designed for students who want to work in community or public health. After completing the program, graduates take the exam leading to certification in this area. There are 15 credits required for this program, including six core courses, three restricted electives, and two other elective courses.

Post Master’s Certificate in Nurse Anesthesia

This program is designed for RNs who have completed a MSN who want a career as a Nurse Anesthetist. The program requires 27 months of full-time study. Applicants must have an unrestricted license as an RN in North Carolina, a MSN and BSN, satisfactory GRE score, and a grade point average of 3.0 for all undergraduate work. Other requirements are that applicants are expected to have 18 months of full-time critical care experience with adults. Graduates from the program take the national exam for certification as a Nurse Anesthetist.

Contact:
University of North Carolina-Charlotte
9201 University City Blvd.,
Charlotte, North Carolina 28223-0001
(704) 687-8622