Monmouth University Nursing School Review

Monmouth University (MU) was established in 1933 as a 2-year Junior College offering classes in the evening. The college was founded to meet the education needs of students who could not afford to travel out of state for college education. 23 years down the line, the college was granted the status of a 4-year college to award baccalaureate degrees.  In 1995, the college attained university status offering a large range of undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs. This private university is set on strategic locations near New York City, Metro Philadelphia and the Atlantic Ocean Beaches.

Nursing Programs at Monmouth University

Nursing programs at MU are offered at the Marjorie Unterberg K School of Nursing and Health Studies. Quite a large number of undergraduate and graduate programs are offered at the school. At the undergraduate category, the university has an upper division Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) completion program. At graduate level, there are 8 tracks under the Master of Science in nursing (MSN) program, 3 post-BSN nursing certificates and 5 post-master’s nursing certificate programs. 

Registered Nurses (RN) who wish to get a masters degree without completing a BSN can enroll for the RN to MSN Direct Program. A terminal Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program is also available for MSN-prepared graduates.  Registered nurses seeking contact hours can search for suitable courses at the university’s Continuing Education offerings. The school of nursing and the programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the New Jersey Board of Nursing

Nursing (RN to BSN)

The program is designed for registered nurse graduates of associate or diploma programs. Candidates must have valid registered nurses licenses to be allowed to apply. Since all students in the program are admitted as transfer students, some specific guidelines must be followed to receive credits. Nurses from associate programs automatically receive 30 lower-division nursing credits upon acceptance into the BSN. Diploma graduates only receive those credits after completing 9 upper division credits from the BSN curriculum at Monmouth. General education courses may also be challenged for transfer via CLEP, Excelsior College exams or through Monmouth University credit validation system.

The program is quite flexible and is suitable for the working RN. Classes are scheduled to meet one day per week on a 3-hour block but can occasionally extend for an evening session. Most courses are offered on a hybrid format and students can choose between the full time and part time study options. A total of 128 credits must be completed to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree. 60 of these are the upper division BSN requirements and 57 must be completed at Monmouth University.

RN to MSN Direct Program

This direct program is designed to give registered nurses an opportunity to complete Master level education without earning a BSN degree first. Registered nurses from associate or diploma program with valid licensure or eligibility for licensure and at least 2 years work experience are welcome to apply. However, all prerequisites courses for the BSN must be completed before applying to the program. 30 lower division nursing credits and 28 college credits may be transferred from earlier programs.

After acceptance, students take 30 credits which act as graduate courses preparatory coursework. These are meant to cover the nursing basics of the upper division baccalaureate nursing program. Beyond these, students take a further 36 to 45 credits of MSN courses depending on their MSN track of choice. Courses can be completed on a full time or part time basis.

There are 8 MSN specialization tracks to choose from:

  • Nursing – Adult Psychiatric and Mental Health Advanced Practice Nursing (RN to MSN Direct)
  • Nursing – Administration – (RN to MSN Direct)
  • Nursing – Adult Nurse Practitioner (RN to MSN Direct)
  • Nursing – Nursing Education (RN to MSN Direct)
  • Nursing – Forensic Nursing (RN to MSN Direct)
  • Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (RN to MSN Direct)
  • Nursing – School Nursing for Certified School Nurses (RN to MSN Direct)
  • Nursing – School Nursing – Non-Certified School Nurses (RN to MSN Direct)

Master of Science in Nursing

The Master of Science in nursing is for registered nurses with a BSN degree. However, registered nurses with a baccalaureate degree other than nursing may enroll for the MSN Bridge Program to be allowed to take other graduate courses.  Candidates also need to have at least 1 year working experience within the last 2 years. If this is not the case, such candidates must expect to start their clinical practice after completing the first 12 credits of the MSN program.

Most courses are offered fully online but others are offered on hybrid format of online and class room instructions. For the onsite courses, classes are scheduled to meet one day per week. Students can choose from the following 8 MSN specialization tracks offered:

  • Nursing – Adult Psychiatric and Mental Health Advanced Practice Nursing
  • Nursing – Administration
  • Nursing – Adult Nurse Practitioner
  • Nursing – Nursing Education
  • Nursing – Forensic Nursing
  • Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Nursing – School Nursing (Certified & Non-Certified School Nurses)

Certificate Programs in Nursing at Monmouth University

The Marjorie Unterberg K School of Nursing and Health Studies offer 8 nursing certificates for both post-baccalaureate and Post-master’s students:

Post-Baccalaureate Certificates

This category is for registered nurses with a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree and the offers are:

  • School Nursing Non-Instructional
  • School Nursing
  • Forensic Nursing

Post-Master’s Certificates

This are designed for MSN-prepared nurses seeking certification in the following areas:

  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult Psychiatric and Mental Health Advanced Practice Nursing
  • Adult Nurse Practitioner
  • Nurse Administrator
  • Nurse Educator

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

This terminal degree program is meant for registered nurses with a MSN degree and specializations as either nurse practitioner or nurse administrator.  The program accepts student in cohorts every summer semester. The 36 credits coursework is designed to be completed within 2 years of 6 semesters on a part time basis. Courses are offered online with only 3 on-campus weekend class sessions twice per semester.

Continuing Education

Monmouth University is an approved provider of continuing education by the state board of nursing through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Courses are offered on a varied basis either via seminars, workshops or online. Specific course offerings often vary and interested nurses can check frequently for current listings.

Contact:
Monmouth University
400 Cedar Ave, West Long Branch,
NJ 07764