Nursing (Graduate)

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Graduate Programs and Requirements

Degrees
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Nursing
Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN to MSN Option)
Family Nurse Practitioner w/ENP Specialty (MSN) *
Family Nurse Practitioner/Psychiatric Mental Health NP-Lifespan-Dual Focus (MSN) *
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (BSN to MSN Option)

ADN/ASN to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
     Nursing
       Family Nurse Practitioner (ADN/ASN to MSN Option)
       Family Nurse Practitioner w/ENP Specialty (ADN/ASN to MSN Option)  *
  Family Nurse Practitioner/PMH NP-Dual Focus (ADN/ASN to MSN Option) *
       Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (ADN/ASN-MSN Option)

Certificates/Post-Master of Science in Nursing
Emergency Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate (ENP) (CRU)
Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate (CRU)
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate (CRU)

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*These programs are closed to new admits.
NOTE: Students enrolled prior to Summer 2025 should refer to the catalog of their year of enrollment for program information.
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The Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing offers comprehensive, innovative options in a program leading to a master of science in nursing degree (MSN). Graduates are prepared to practice in an advanced role to meet and/or manage health care needs of families across the life span. The graduate will be prepared to practice in a variety of settings with a functional focus in one of the following areas: family nurse practitioner and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.

Through the ADN/ASN to MSN option, the School of Nursing provides experienced registered nurses, who currently hold an associate of science in nursing or a hospital diploma, the opportunity to earn an MSN through a nontraditional path. As in the main MSN program, the same nurse practitioner options are available.

The School of Nursing offers post-graduate certificates in emergency nurse practitioner (ENP), family nurse practitioner (FNP), and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). Students completing the post-graduate options will have fulfilled the educational requirements to be eligible to sit for the corresponding certification examinations.
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*The ADN/ASN and MSN Family Nurse Practitioner w/ENP Specialty and Family Nurse Practitioner/Psychiatric Mental Health NP-Lifespan-Dual Focus programs are closed to new admits.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

MSN Outcomes

All students enrolled in a Post-Graduate Certificate (FNP or PMHNP track) beginning Summer 2025 or after will meet the MSN program outcomes.

Graduates with a master of science in nursing from the Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing will be prepared to

Synthesize knowledge and evidence from nursing and other sciences for use in advanced specialty nursing practice.
Plan evidence-based person-centered care within multiple contexts across the health continuum.
Develop strategies to improve equitable population health outcomes among diverse populations.
Apply scholarship and analytical methods for evidence-based practice to affect optimal health outcomes.
Promote quality of care and culture of safety at individual and system levels.
Collaborate in team-based care, building on core nursing and interprofessional values.
Design innovative system-based solutions to address complex health problems for diverse individuals and populations across settings.
Utilize information systems and technologies for the provision and/or transformation of healthcare delivery and nursing practice.
Model professional nursing values and identity across roles, relationships, and settings.
Participate in activities and self-reflection that promote well-being, resilience and leadership development.

Graduate Program Policies

The following policies apply to students who are enrolled in the nurse practitioner, advanced practice, or nursing administration options.

Admission Requirements

For complete admission requirements and instructions, visit www.samford.edu/nursing.

Academic Policy and Progression

Transfer Credit

Graduate students are permitted to transfer a maximum of 12 graduate credits from a CCNE, CNEA, or an ACEN (formerly NLNAC) 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

For complete progression policy information, please refer to the Graduate Nursing Student Handbook.

Academic Policies

Students who receive a grade below a B in any required or prescribed course or whose cumulative GPA falls below a 3.00 will be placed on academic probation and must:

Repeat any nursing course in which a grade received was below a B and receive a grade of B or better.
Be aware that a required nursing course can only be repeated one time.
Be aware that failure of the same course twice or failure of two separate courses constitutes dismissal from the program

Students who fail to successfully complete a required nursing course within one calendar year of the academic probation notification will be dismissed from the program.

Students must be aware that matters of plagiarism, unethical, unprofessional, or unsafe conduct may result in immediate dismissal from the School of Nursing.

An incomplete grade in one or more courses may result in a plan of study change.

Program Interruptions

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

Readmissions

A student who has been dismissed from the Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing graduate program may apply through the Office of Graduate Student Services for readmission after an intervening period of not less than one semester. The appropriate graduate admission committee will consider such requests for readmission on presentation of substantial evidence of a responsible and successful period of work or study during the intervening period. There is no guarantee, however, that a student will be readmitted. The decision regarding readmission rests with the dean and is based upon the faculty’s evaluation of the likelihood of the applicant’s ability to perform successfully in graduate coursework.

ADN/ASN to MSN Option

NOTE: Students enrolled prior to Summer 2025 should refer to the catalog of their year of enrollment for program information.

The School of Nursing offers the master of science in nursing (MSN) degree through a nontraditional pathway. The program provides the experienced registered nurse 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 ADN/ASN to MSN option, the graduate does not earn a bachelor’s degree. Should an individual not complete the requirements for the MSN, whether for personal or academic reasons, no BSN is awarded nor is academic credit transferred to the BSN program.

The ADN/ASN to MSN option consists of two bridge courses and the MSN curriculum. The bridge courses (NURG 505 and NURG 506 ) must be completed prior to progressing to the MSN core courses. When taken full time and in sequence, the length of the ADN/ASN to MSN option is approximately eight semesters. MSN prerequisite courses may be completed at another college or university and then transferred to Samford University prior to enrolling in the ADN/ASN to MSN option.

Admission Requirements

For complete admission requirements and instructions, visit www.samford.edu/nursing.

ADN/ASN to MSN Progression Policies

For complete progression policy information, please refer to the Graduate Nursing Student Handbook.

Certificates/Post-Graduate

Admission Requirements

For complete admission requirements and instructions, visit www.samford.edu/nursing.

Progression Policies

For complete progression policy information, please refer to the Graduate Nursing Student Handbook.

Programs

Master

Certificate - Graduate

Courses

Nursing - Graduate