Admission

On This Page

Admission to MSN Program

All applicants to the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program must meet the general admission requirements for graduate study at the University of North Alabama (see General Regulations and Procedures). All required application materials must be submitted by the published deadline.

In addition to UNA’s graduate admission requirements, applicants to the MSN program must meet the following criteria:

  1. A completed application to the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions (ACONHP) graduate program (available online at https://www.una.edu/graduate/ 
  2. A cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on the transcript from the BSN degree-granting institution transcript.
  3. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from a professionally accredited nursing program in the United States.
  4. A written statement of professional goals, including how graduate education will support the achievement of those goals.
  5. A current, unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license. Applicants with restrictions, reprimands, or participation in any disciplinary alternative program are not eligible for admission.
  6. Clinical nursing experience is preferred but not required.
  7. Completion of a criminal background check and drug screen.

Track-Specific Requirements

Applicants to the Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner tracks must also submit a minimum of two completed recommendation forms.

Conditional Admission – Leadership and Teaching-Learning Tracks

Applicants to the Leadership and Teaching-Learning tracks may be considered for conditional admission if they partially meet the admission criteria. Conditionally admitted students must have at least one year of full-time clinical experience as a registered nurse. To continue in the program, conditionally admitted students must earn a GPA of 3.0 or higher after the first nine credit hours. Students who fall below a 3.0 GPA after nine hours will not be permitted to continue in the program.

International Applicants

International students must meet all University and ACONHP graduate admission requirements. In addition, they must achieve a minimum score of 550 on the paper-based TOEFL or 213 on the computer-based TOEFL.

Admission Review and Selection

All applications are reviewed by the graduate nursing administration and/or faculty. Admission decisions are made by the ACONHP graduate administration and/or faculty. Admission to the MSN program is competitive, and meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance.

Post-Master's Certificate Admission

Applicants currently meeting UNA’s graduate admission requirements and the specific criteria for a post-master's certificate may apply for enrollment in one of the Graduate Certificate Programs offered by ACONHP. Students may enroll only in the courses required for the certificate. Admission is competitive, and meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee acceptance.

Admission to DNP Program

All applicants to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program must meet the general admission requirements for graduate study at the University of North Alabama (see Admission to Graduate Studies). All required application materials must be submitted by the published deadline.

In addition to UNA’s graduate admission requirements, applicants to the DNP program must meet the following criteria:

  1. A completed application to the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions (ACONHP) graduate program (available online at https://www.una.edu/graduate/)
  2. A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from a professionally accredited nursing program in the United States, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher from the degree-granting institution.
  3. A current professional resume.
  4. Two letters of recommendation from academic or professional colleagues who can evaluate the applicant’s accomplishments, leadership potential, contributions to healthcare, and overall readiness for doctoral study.
  5. A current national certification as an advanced practice nurse is required for applicants to the Advanced Practice track.
  6. A current, unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license. Applicants with restrictions, reprimands, or participation in any disciplinary alternative program are not eligible for admission.
  7. Submission of a professional statement outlining a proposed Doctor of Nursing Practice project. The statement should include a brief review of relevant literature and a discussion of a potential evidence-based project. The proposed topic should align with the applicant’s desired track, address a change that directly or indirectly impacts healthcare, and focus on a systems or population level issue. The statement must be formatted according to APA guidelines, limited to one written page with a second page for references.
  8. Completion of a criminal background check and drug screen.

Readmission

Students who desire reinstatement to the graduate nursing program must write a letter of petition to the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions (ACONHP). The letter is to be sent to the Chair of the ACONHP Graduate Programs and must include any extenuating circumstances that may have contributed to the failure to be successful in the previous attempt in the MSN program. The letter must also include a detailed plan for successfully completing the program, including specific strategies to ensure success.

After the graduate faculty and chair review the requests for readmission, recommendations are made to the Dean of the ACONHP who will notify students of the decision(s). Readmitted students must follow any recommendations or stipulations proposed by the dean and faculty as conditions for readmission.

Unclassified Students

Students who wish to take courses without enrolling in the MSN program of study may take a maximum of six hours as an unclassified (non-degree seeking) student with permission from the director/chair of the MSN Program. Students must complete the MSN application form and have transcripts sent to UNA. Permission will be granted only if space is available in the requested course(s). Students must be enrolled in the MSN program in order to take more than six hours.

No assurance is given that credit earned while in unclassified status may subsequently be applied to the MSN degree program or be transferable to another institution. Satisfactory completion of MSN courses while in unclassified status does not assure the student of admission to the MSN program.

Transfer Credit

See Special Regulations in the General Regulations and Procedures section of the catalog. Any course submitted for transfer credit will undergo evaluation by the graduate nursing faculty who will determine the granting of transfer credit. The maximum number of transfer hours is six and only grades of B or above will receive transfer credit.