Nursing

M.S.N. Program

Admission to the Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, Nurse Manager, and Joint M.S.N./M.B.A Tracks

Applications for the M.S.N. degree program are considered on a competitive basis by the School of Nursing; thus, applicants’ admission profiles are evaluated according to stated admission criteria. The applicant will be considered for admission to Samford University and the School of Nursing graduate program upon submission of the following required material:

Completion of application through www.nursingcas.org. For complete admission instructions, visit www.samford.edu/nursing.
Completed the Supplemental Application form for the M.S.N. program, found at www.samford.edu/nursing/supplemental-application-forms.aspx.
Current unencumbered license as a registered nurse.
Bachelor of science in nursing degree from a NLN or CCNE accredited program.
One undergraduate course in nursing research with a grade of C (2.00) or better.
One undergraduate health assessment course with a grade of C (2.00) or better (for FNP students only).
Cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
Minimum MAT or GRE score within the last 5 years.
1. MAT: 402
2. Old test: Combined score (verbal and quantitative): 970; Analytical writing: 4.0
3. New test: Verbal: 153; Quantitative: 144; Analytical 4.0
4. The MAT or GRE is waived if the applicant has a cumulative GPA of 3.20 overall or a 3.20 GPA of the last 60 hours taken. Post-graduate applicants (applicants who have successfully completed a graduate program) with a 3.00 or above are also waived.
International applicants or American citizens who learned English as a second language must score at least 550 (paper), 213 (computer), or 80 (Internet) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
Computer proficiency.
Video conference interview.

Conditional Admission

A student who is admitted conditionally must complete the first nine credits of the required Graduate Nursing Curriculum at Samford University with a “B” (3.00) or better in each course attempted. Failure to meet the requirement as stated will prevent progression in the School of Nursing Graduate Program.

Academic Policy and Progression

Transfer Credit

Graduate students are permitted to transfer a maximum of twelve hours of graduate credit from an accredited college or university. To do so, students should complete a course substitution form and attach a copy of the syllabus. Transfer credits will be evaluated by the appropriate course coordinator for applicability to the graduate program.

Progression Policies

In order to progress in the graduate program in the School of Nursing, the student must:

Have a completed Health Data Record (with all required immunizations) updated annually and on file in University Health Services and the School of Nursing.
Document and keep current the following requirements:
1. Personal health insurance
2. BLS certification
Adhere to the Code of Ethical/Professional Conduct as specified in this catalog.
Possess a current unencumbered registered nursing license.
Submit to random drug testing and criminal background check.
Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher throughout the program. If the cumulative GPA falls below a 3.00 the student will be placed on “academic probation.” To be removed from academic probation, a student’s cumulative GPA must be at least 3.00 after the completion of twelve additional credits.
Have a 3.00 cumulative GPA to graduate.
Meet track and department-specific policies.

Dismissal/Termination Policy

The graduate student will be dismissed from the school if:

The cumulative GPA remains below 3.00 after the completion of twelve additional credits after being placed on academic probation.
The cumulative GPA falls below 3.00 after completion of twelve credits if admitted on conditional status.
An unacceptable grade is earned, as defined in the syllabus of that course, for a second time in any course.
An unacceptable grade is earned, as defined in the syllabus of that course, in two or more courses.
The Code of Ethical/Professional Conduct is not adhered to, as specified in the School of Nursing section of this catalog.

Program Interruptions

Students who need more than five years to complete the program, may petition the School of Nursing graduate program to request an additional year for completion (a total of six years for completion).

Readmissions

All students who have been dismissed must reapply and will be considered for conditional admission on a case by case basis.

RN TO M.S.N. Option

The School of Nursing offers the master of science in nursing (M.S.N.) degree through a nontraditional pathway. The program provides the experienced registered nurse (RN) who holds an associate of science in nursing degree or hospital diploma an opportunity to earn a master’s degree within one program of study.

In the RN to M.S.N. option, the graduate does not earn a bachelor’s degree. Should an individual not complete the requirements for the M.S.N., whether for personal or academic reasons, no B.S.N. is awarded nor is academic credit transferred to the B.S.N. program.

The RN to M.S.N. option consists of five bridge courses and the M.S.N. curriculum. The bridge courses (NURG 500 , NURG 501 , NURG 502 , NURG 503 , and NURG 504 ) can be completed in two semesters and must be completed prior to progressing to the M.S.N. core courses. When taken full time and in sequence, the length of the RN to M.S.N. option is approximately seven semesters, or two years. General education courses may be completed at another college or university and then transferred to Samford University prior to enrolling in the RN to M.S.N. option.

Admission Criteria

Applications for the RN to M.S.N. degree program are considered on a competitive basis by the School of Nursing; thus, applicants’ admission profiles are evaluated according to stated admission criteria. The applicant will be considered for admission to Samford University and the School of Nursing graduate program upon submission of the following required materials:

Completion of application through www.nursingcas.org. For complete admission instructions, visit www.samford.edu/nursing.
Complete the Supplemental Application form for the RN to M.S.N. program, found at www.samford.edu/nursing/supplemental-application-forms.aspx.
Current unencumbered license as a registered nurse.
Associate of science in nursing from an NLN or CCNE accredited program.
Cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
Minimum MAT or GRE score within the last 5 years.
1. MAT: 402
2. Old test: Combined score (verbal and quantitative): 970; Analytical writing: 4.0
3. New test: Verbal: 153; Quantitative: 144; Analytical 4.0
4. The MAT or GRE is waived if the applicant has a cumulative GPA of 3.20 overall or a 3.20 GPA of the last 60 hours taken. Post-graduate applicants (applicants who have successfully completed a graduate program) with a 3.00 or above are also waived.
International applicants or American citizens who learned English as a second language must score at least 550 (paper), 213 (computer), or 80 (Internet) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
Completion of general education requirements before program begins.
Computer proficiency.
Video conference interview.

Conditional Admission

RN to M.S.N. Progression Policies

Have a completed Health Data Record (with all required immunizations) updated annually and on file in University Health Services and the School of Nursing.
Adhere to all Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing policies and procedures, as well as the Code of Ethical/Professional Conduct.
Make a grade of B (3.00) or better in each RN to M.S.N. bridge course.

Programs

Major

Master

Doctorate

Requirements

RN to M.S.N. Option

Courses

Nursing - Undergraduate

Nursing - Graduate/Doctoral

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