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MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING

Aug. 16, 2023

Next Start Date

14

Courses Required

$743

Cost Per Credit Hour
($1,679 For Non-Residents)

46

Total Credit Hours

Online Courses

Learning Formats

Offer Advanced Level Nursing Care

The Master of Science in Nursing program, offered by the WVU School of Nursing, offers baccalaureate-prepared nurses the opportunity to earn a master's degree with part-time or full-time curriculum options. Current programs include master’s degrees in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner or Family Nurse Practitioner specialty tracks. The 46-credit hour degree provides the skills necessary to sit for advanced practice certification. Throughout the curriculum, students are guided in the process of self-development aimed at pursuing excellence in scholarly and professional endeavors.

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The MSN program offers a curriculum that allows students to enroll on a part-time or full-time basis. The 46-credit program can be completed in five semesters (including a summer session) of full-time study (average of nine to twelve credit hours per semester).

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.


Young nursing student standing over a dummy in a hospital bed.

The program tracks are offered online by faculty at the WVU Health Sciences Center (HSC) at our Morgantown and Charleston campuses. Graduates meet all requirements to sit for the national certification examination in their major area of study, family nurse practitioner or pediatric nurse practitioner. They are prepared to offer care at the advanced practice level to select populations and are able to perform all activities encompassed in the traditional scope of practice.

Note: It is a strong recommendation by the University and the School of Nursing that graduate students limit their credit load if they are also involved in full-time work. Full-time work and studies may negatively affect the student’s ability to succeed academically.

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Master of Science in Nursing Admission Requirements

  • Hold a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree from a nationally accredited nursing program and regionally accredited college or university.
  • An overall GPA on all college work attempted of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • A minimum overall nursing GPA of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Completion of 3 credits of undergraduate applied statistics (i.e. STAT 211) with a minimum grade of a C or better.
  • Completion of 3 credits of health assessment with a grade of C or better.
  • Have an active, unrestricted RN license in at least one state at the time of application.

To be considered, applicants will be required to meet all WVU admission requirements in addition to program-specific admission criteria.

Any student who has been dismissed from the West Virginia University School of Nursing will not be readmitted to the program.

Apply To WVU

The application period for the Fall term opens on October 1 and closes on January 1. Applications are reviewed in March for the cohort that begins the following Fall term. Applicants will be notified of admissions decisions in April. Completed applications received after the priority deadline on January 1 and received prior to July 1 will only be reviewed if space remains available in the program.

Application Process

  • Complete the online application
  • Pay graduate application fee
  • Submit current curriculum vita or resume
  • Submit professional goals statement. View the guidelines on writing the essay.

Complete Application Checklist

Once the WVU application has been completed, you must complete and submit the Application Checklist, a tool designed to ensure you have submitted all required information for your application to be considered complete.

Request Official Transcripts from All Colleges and Universities Attended

  1. 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.
  2. Alternatively, sealed, untampered, physical official transcripts can be sent directly to:

    WVU Graduate Admissions
    P.O. Box 6510
    Morgantown, WV 26506-6510

  3. 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).

Admission Process for the MSN Program

The Graduate Admissions Committee will meet in early March to review all qualified applicants. Decisions will be emailed to students by the first week of April. Acceptance is dependent upon space available in the programs, and the most qualified applicants are accepted. Students will be evaluated based on the following:

  • Nursing GPA
  • Work Experience
  • Professional Writing Statement Score
  • Overall GPA

Major Code: 8646

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Student Spotlight

Learn more about student experiences in the Master of Science in Nursing program.

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Stephanie Lusk

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Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid

WVU provides a comprehensive approach to helping you finance your education. Learn more by visiting the Student Financial Services website.

Students are encouraged to:

  • File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form by the March 1 deadline to determine their eligibility for federal and state funds as well as scholarships. WVU’s FAFSA Code is 003827; and
  • Check with your employer to see if they provide financial support for earning your graduate degree.

Master of Science in Nursing total degree cost: $39,480 – Residents, $77,234 - Non-Residents

Credits Resident Tuition Non-Resident Tuition
1 $743 $1,679
3 $2,229 $5,037
6 $4,458 $10,074
9 $6,687 $15,111

Courses and Curriculum


A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required
A minimum grade of C- is required in all courses

Core Courses

Course Title Credit Hours
NSG 622 Theory and Disciplined Reasoning 3
NSG 623 Advanced Practice Role & Interprofessional Collaboration 3
NSG 625 Statistics 3
NSG 626 Lifespan Health Promotion 3
NSG 627 Evidence Based Practice 3
NSG 628 Leadership/Policy/Ethics 3
NSG 706 Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NSG 709 Health Care Informatics 3

Required Area of Emphasis (select one of the following):

Course
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)

Total Hours: 46

Your future in Nursing

The West Virginia University School of Nursing offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree that provides the skills necessary to sit for advanced practice certification. The major areas of study are Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP). Throughout the curriculum, students are guided in the process of self-development aimed at pursuing excellence in scholarly and professional endeavors. Courses are offered via web-based modalities using synchronous and asynchronous formats. The MSN program offers a curriculum that allows students to enroll on a part-time or full-time basis. The 46-credit program can be completed in five semesters (including a summer session) of full-time study (average of nine to twelve credit hours per semester)*. 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.

The Benefits to Choosing the WVU Master of Science in Nursing

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.

Career outlook for those with Master of Science in Nursing

The employment outlook for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners is highly optimistic, with a projected growth rate of 40 percent from 2021 to 2031, significantly faster than the average for all occupations. On average, approximately 30,200 job opportunities are predicted each year over the next decade for these professions. A significant portion of these openings will stem from the need to replace workers who leave their current positions for other occupations or retire from the labor force.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the future look like for those with Master of Science in Nursing?

With demand growing faster than the average for all occupations, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners can plan to work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, physicians' offices, and clinics. Most advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) work full time.

How long will it take me to complete a Master of Science in Nursing degree?

The 46-credit program can be completed in five semesters (including a summer session) of full-time study (average of nine to twelve credit hours per semester). 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.

What are important skills for a Master of Science in Nursing degree?

Students pursuing this advanced degree should possess the following: communication skills, critical-thinking skills, be detail-oriented, resourceful and compassionate.

Will I need any other licenses, certifications, and registrations?

States’ requirements for APRNs vary. In general, APRNs must have a registered nursing license, complete an accredited graduate-level program, pass a national certification exam, and have an APRN license. Details are available from each state’s board of nursing.

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