RN/MSN Early Entry Program

** This program is not currently accepting applications **

Overview

The RN-MSN program is designed for the outstanding student who wants to pursue an accelerated path from an ASN to the MSN. Applicants must meet all admission requirements for the RN to BSN as well as the selected graduate program. A student makes two applications: one directly to the Graduate School with the appropriate fees, and one simultaneously to the RN-BSN program. Tuition rates for courses are based on the academic status of students, not on the undergraduate or graduate level of the course. As soon as students enroll in a graduate course their academic status changes from undergraduate to graduate. This changes the tuition charges from undergraduate to graduate for all courses taken in the remainder of the RN to BSN program as well as the courses in the MSN program.

The following specialties are available to students who wish to apply for the Early Entry Program (see specialty web pages for complete program of study):

• Community Public Health nursing (distance education program)
• Nurse Educator (distance education program)
• Nurse Administrator (distance education program)

Degree Requirements

The MSN specialties that accept RN to MSN applications require completion of 36 to 46 graduate credit hours depending on the specialty. All specialties require a Synthesis project or Thesis. Specific requirements and prerequisites for each specialty are listed online. Specialties are designed to accommodate full time and part time students. Many courses in the FNP program are held in the late afternoon or evening.

Completion of all BSN coursework is required. 10 hours of graduate credit substitutes for 10 hours of undergraduate RN/BSN courses.

Graduate students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in their graduate courses, and may not accumulate more than two “C” grades. Refer to the specific graduate program for additional progression and graduation requirements.

Curriculum

Courses required for the RN/BSN program are listed here. Students will substitute 10 hours of graduate credit of the M.S.N. degree for 10 of undergraduate credit. These 10 hours are identical for each M.S.N. specialty and include:

• NURS 6160 – Research, will be substituted for NURN 4900 – Research
• NURS 6115 – Health Policy and Planning, will be subsituted for NURN 4201 – Information Technology
• NURS 6101 – Theoretical Basis for Nursing Practice, will be substituted for NURN 3103 –
• Concepts of Professional Nursing Science
• One additional graduate course will be substituted for the nursing elective.

Courses required for the M.S.N. program of study can be found at the program websites:

• Community Health Nursing
• Nurse Educator
• Nurse Administrator

RN to MSN students enrolled in the Distance Education programs take the BSN to MSN portion of the curriculum in the following order:

Admission Requirements

General requirements for Master’s students at UNC Charlotte can be found on the Graduate Admissions website. Additional information can be found on our Frequently Asked Questions page.

In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, the following are required for admission to the Early Entry Program for Master of Science in Nursing. Specific requirements for each speciality area are listed under that specialty’s description.

General Requirements:

1. Meets all the criteria for admission to the RN-BSN Program.
2. One year of professional nursing practice is recommended.
3. An essay (statement of purpose) describing the applicant’s experience and objective in undertaking graduate study in the chosen specialty. Refer to chosen specialty for specific guidance.
4. Their program of study will substitute ten credits from the MSN for the BSN program. NURS 6160 will be substituted for NURN 4900 Research in Nursing Practice, NURS 6115 will be substituted for NURN 4201 Information Technology: Applications in Health Care, and NURS 6101 will be substituted for NURN 3103. These credits will apply to both programs.
5. One additional graduate course will be substituted for the nursing elective.
6. Students graduate with a BSN at the end of the stipulated graduate courses, and then a MSN.
7. The Nurse Anesthesia Specialty does not admit Early Entry students.

Application Instructions

Students seeking admission to the RN/MSN early entry program complete two applications simultaneously to both the RN/BSN completion curriculum and to the MSN program specialty of their choice. Application instructions for the RN/BSN program are listed at nursing.charlotte.edu.

Application instructions for the Graduate School are found by clicking here.

Application instructions for the four MSN programs are found on the SON website nursing.charlotte.edu.

• Community Health Nursing
• Nurse Educator
• Nurse Administrator

RN to MSN applications to the Nurse Educator, Nurse Administrator, and Community/Public Health programs are accepted only for the Spring semester. The application deadline is October 1.

Process:

Applications for admission to graduate degree programs are submitted online to the Graduate School.

The University Catalog and other information can be obtained from:
Graduate Admissions
UNC Charlotte, Cato 210
9201 University City Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28223-0001
704‑687‑5503 (phone)
704‑687‑1668 (fax)
Graduate School Website

Contact Information

UNC Charlotte School of Nursing
Associate Director Graduate Nursing Programs and Graduate Admissions Officer
Dr. David Langford, PhD, RN
704-687-7967, drlangfo@uncc.edu

UNC Charlotte Distance Education Office
Program Manager
John McCulley
704-687-0487, jmccul18@uncc.edu
Distande Education Website