Nursing, M.S.N.
School of Nursing
The WVU School of Nursing offers baccalaureate-prepared nurses the opportunity to earn a master's degree with flexible part-time or full-time options. Specialize in the Family Nurse Practitioner track and gain the skills necessary for advanced practice certification. Throughout the curriculum, you'll be guided in self-development, pursuing excellence in scholarly and professional endeavors.
Cost:
$843 ($1,915 non-resident) / Cost per credit hour *
Courses and Credits:
15 Courses / 47 Credits
Duration:
Two to three years / 16-week terms
Dates:
Next Start: August 18, 2026 Admission Terms: Fall
Learning Format:
Online asynchronous and synchronous, low residency
Program Overview
Advance Your Nursing Career with Confidence
If you are interested in pursuing a master’s degree in nursing and are looking for a reputable program that offers a range of specializations and flexible learning options, the WVU Master’s Degree in Nursing is worth considering. Graduates of the WVU Master’s Degree in Nursing are well-prepared to advance their careers in nursing and make a positive impact in the healthcare field. They are highly sought after by employers and are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to provide high-quality care to patients and their families.
- FNP Specialization: Prepare to sit for advanced practice certification and deliver comprehensive care across the lifespan.
- Flexible Learning Options: Choose full-time or part-time study with web-based courses offered in both synchronous and asynchronous formats.
- Customizable Study Plans: Work with a faculty advisor to tailor your academic journey based on your background and career goals.
- Career-Ready Curriculum: Complete 47 credits over five semesters (full-time) with a focus on evidence-based practice and professional development.
- High Demand, High Impact: Join a network of graduates who are highly sought after by employers and making a difference in healthcare settings nationwide.
"Be courageous enough to take that first step forward and trust that you are worthy of what awaits you on the other side."
Stephanie Lusk
Master of Science In Nursing
Curriculum
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree that provides the skills necessary to sit for advanced practice certification. The major area of study is Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). Throughout the curriculum, students are guided in the process of self-development aimed at pursuing excellence in scholarly and professional endeavors. Flexibility within the basic curricular structure is achieved through the individualization of learning experiences and students may complete the program over a longer duration. The pattern and duration of the student’s plan of study is determined in consultation with a faculty advisor and is based upon the student’s background and goals.
There will be two separate in-person requirements:
- Students enrolled in the
NSG 705 Advanced Assessment course will be required to come to either
the Morgantown or Charleston campus for a practice session prior to their Physical
Assessment Practicum. The practice session will be held in April of the first
spring semester of the program.
- Students enrolled in
NSG 715 Experiential Learning are required to come to the Morgantown
campus for two days in July of the first summer semester of the program. This
course is comprised of competency-based testing, simulation, additional assessment
demonstrations, and hands-on skills practice.
Additional information for all in-person requirements will be provided upon admission.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of the program, the graduate will be able to:
- Integrate theories and evidence based on the art and science of nursing knowledge, as well as other disciplines, to make clinical decisions in the delivery of advanced practice nursing care.
- Formulate and communicate compassionate, ethical, evidenced-based individualized plans of care in consideration of social determinants of health.
- Collaborate with interprofessional teams and other stakeholders to formulate initiatives, influence heath policies, and improve advanced practice nursing health care delivery and health outcomes for individuals and populations.
- Disseminate evidence-based recommendations to improve advanced practice nursing health care delivery and patient outcomes for diverse patients.
- Evaluate advanced nursing practice healthcare delivery for the purpose of quality improvement, improved patient outcomes, reduction of risks to patients and providers, and reduced fragmentation of care.
- Coordinate healthcare system resources to provide safe, quality, inclusive, equitable advanced practice nursing care.
- Utilize technologies to provide evidence-based advanced practice nursing care, gather data to drive clinical decision-making, and deliver healthcare services in accordance with ethical and professional standards.
- Model behaviors that reflect nursing values, accountability, collaborative leadership, and ethical principles in advanced nursing practice.
- Participate in activities and self-reflection that foster compassionate self-care, resilience, well-being, lifelong learning, and leadership development as an advanced practice nurse.
- NSG 622: Theoretical Foundations and Disciplined Reasoning for Advanced Nursing Practice, 3 credit hours
- NSG 623: Foundations of the Nurse Practitioner Role and Interprofessional Practice, 3 credit hours
- NSG 625: Statistics for Advanced Nursing Practice 3 credit hours
- NSG 626: Advanced Practice Nursing Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Across the Lifespan, 3 credit hours
- NSG 627: Evidence Based Practice Quality Improvement, 3 credit hours
- NSG 628: Leadership/Policy/Ethics, 3 credit hours
- NSG 701: Advanced Pharmacology, 3 credit hours
- NSG 706: Advanced Pathophysiology, 3 credit hours
- NSG 709: Informatics & Healthcare Technologies, 3 credit hours
- NSG 715-NP: NP Experiential Learning, 1 credit hours
- NSG 701: Advanced Pharmacology, 3 credit hours
- NSG 705: Advanced Lifespan Health Assessment, 3 credit hours
- NSG 712: Primary Care of Families I, 3 credit hours
- NSG 714: Primary Care of Families II, 3 credit hours
- NSG 720: FNP Primary Care Practicum I, 5 credit hours
- NSG 721: FNP Primary Care Practicum II, 5 credit hours
Video: Program Overview
Learn more about the benefits and features of the MSN-FNP program offered by the WVU School of Nursing.
Admissions Requirements and Eligibility
- A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from a nationally accredited nursing
program and regionally accredited institution.
- An overall GPA on all college work attempted of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Provisional admission may be considered if the overall GPA is 2.75-2.99 depending upon space available and other qualifications.
- A minimum overall nursing GPA of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- An active, unrestricted RN license in at least one state at the time of application.
- Transfer students must provide a letter of good standing from the Nursing program
in which currently enrolled or left incomplete.
To be considered, applicants will be required to meet all WVU admission requirements in addition to program-specific admission criteria.
Note: Any student who has been dismissed from the West Virginia University School of Nursing or any other nursing program may be considered for readmission if the dismissal was academic and was followed by successful completion of an additional degree. Any student who has withdrawn from the WVU School of Nursing program may be considered for readmission. Students may apply for readmission in accordance with the following guidelines and criteria but must follow the standard admission procedures. Students must meet all original admission requirements.
Admissions Process and How to Apply
Apply to WVU
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until July 1 for a Fall term start date. Acceptance is dependent upon space available in the program.
- Click on the How to Apply button below.
- Please select the following options on the New Application screen:
- Type of Student: Masters
- Which Program: Nursing MSN
- On the Supplemental Materials screen, you will upload the following:
- Current curriculum vita or current resume
Request Official Transcripts from All Colleges and Universities Attended
Request an official transcript of records from each college or university attended.
- It is preferred that official transcripts be sent via an online, secure service such as eScrip-Safe, National Student Clearinghouse, or Parchment to graduateadmissions@mail.wvu.edu.
- Alternatively, sealed, untampered, physical official transcripts can be sent directly to: WVU Graduate Admissions, P.O. Box 6510, Morgantown, WV 26506-6510.
- Applicants who completed prior education outside of the U.S. must have their transcripts evaluated by World Education Services (WES). Please request a "course-by-course" International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP).
Acceptance
Candidates for admission are evaluated on the entire admission packet. The WVU School of Nursing accepts new MSN students on a rolling admission basis and will review all qualified applications based on admission criteria. Acceptance is dependent upon space available in the program with the most qualified applicants being accepted at the time of review. Decisions will be emailed to students. Accepted students will receive information regarding orientation and course registration. Students will be evaluated based on the following:
- Nursing GPA
- Work Experience
- Overall GPA
Please note that full-time and part-time placements are based on space availability. The most qualified applicants will receive priority for full-time placements. Class size and progression plans may be limited based on available faculty resources and space.
Enrollment in nursing courses is based upon readiness, availability of space and other essential resources.
Clinical rotations with approved preceptors in the final year of your program must be arranged with course faculty. Due to potential preceptor limitations, students may have to travel out of their local areas to their clinical sites and are required to provide their own reliable transportation.
In programs with limited capacity and competitive admissions, the most qualified students are selected among those that meet the minimum requirements. Students who want to appeal the Undergraduate or Graduate Admissions Committee decision as unfair, arbitrary, or capricious may contact the director of Admissions and Enrollment for the School of Nursing. The request will be forwarded to the program director for consideration, and the student will receive detailed information regarding the formal appeal process.
Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid
- File the application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the June deadline to determine eligibility for funding and scholarships.
- Inquire with your employer about potential financial support for continuing your education.
Connect with Our Team
Jessica Carr Online Admissions Coach
(304) 293-6841 Jessica.Carr1@mail.wvu.edu
Explore Profile Schedule Chat
Careers and Employment
Graduates of the WVU Master’s Degree in Nursing are well-prepared to advance their careers and make a positive impact in the healthcare field. They are highly sought after by employers and are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to provide high-quality care to patients and their families.
Career Paths
- Nurse Anesthetists
- Nurse Midwives
- Nurse Practitioners