Master of Science in Nursing

Available online and on the Jackson, Hendersonville, and Memphis Campuses

Mission Statement

The mission of the Master of Science in Nursing programs is to connect Christian faith and the professional practice of nursing that is excellence-driven, Christ-centered, people-focused, and future directed within the scope of their practice as determined by education, licensure, and specialty certification.

MSN Expected Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate of the master’s nursing program will be able to:

Incorporate theory and research in advanced nursing practice.
Assume leadership roles in one’s specialty area of nursing to promote health and well being of persons in an intercultural world.
Demonstrate competency in the provision of evidence-based practice in the selected nursing specialty.
Integrate knowledge of healthcare economics and policy into the delivery of cost effective, ethically responsible nursing care.
Manage health care information utilizing available technology to influence nursing practice and improve health care outcomes.
Promote the nursing profession by executing the role with competence, responsibility, and integrity, and maintaining current and emerging professional standards.
Collaborate with other disciplines to advocate for improved access, quality, and cost-effective health care.

The Cohort Approach and Calendar

I the fall semester of each year the MSN Program accepts students in the Nurse Education, Nurse Administration, and Nurse Practitioner tracks. Groups pursue the degree as a cohort. This model emphasizes group cohesion, cooperation, and interactive support. Within semesters, some courses are offered in an accelerated, 7-8 week format.

Each cohort is presented its unique calendar for the complete program. Current MSN calendars are available at www.uu.edu/msn.

Program Admission Requirements for All Tracks

Admission to the program will be based on competitive selection from the pool of applicants who meet the following admission requirements:

Completed application with application fee of $50.
Completion of an ACEN or CCNE* accredited and state approved nursing program according to track specific options. Applicants with a previously earned Bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing must complete or show evidence of completion of the designated courses for the specific track or program.
Students dismissed from a graduate nursing program for academic, clinical, or behavioral reasons will not be admitted to Union University’s Graduate Nursing Program. Students who have been enrolled in another program and withdrew or are still enrolled in good standing must have a letter from the program director or Dean stating that they are in good standing or withdrew while in good standing in order to be considered for admission to Union University’s Graduate Nursing Program.
Last 60 hours cumulative GPA 3.0 on 4.0 scale (minimum).

Calculation of GPA for the last 60 hours will occur as follows:
- The grades used to calculate the 60 hours GPA will be the most recent, and exactly 60 hours will be included in the calculation. If a partial semester must be utilized, the course with the highest grade will be chosen, and the number of hours needed will be multiplied by the grade. For example, if 2 hours are needed to complete the 60, and the applicant has a 3 hour course in which they earned an A, 8 points will be added (2 x 4 = 8).
- If an applicant re-took a course, the higher grade will be used in the calculation; the lower grade will not count in the calculation at all.
- Plus and minus grades will be considered as standard A, B, C, etc. For example, an A+ and an A- will both be a assigned 4 quality points per credit hour.
The last 60 credits and pre-requisite courses cannot be transferred in as pass/fail.
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions must be submitted directly through NursingCAS. Please do not send transcripts for non-traditional nursing programs to Undergraduate or Graduate Admissions. Transcripts must be received by NursingCAS in a sealed envelope from all previous academic institutions attended. Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions must be sent to: NursingCAS, P.O. Box 9201, Watertown, MA 02471.
Proof of current unencumbered RN licensure in state of residence and eligible for licensure as an RN in Tennessee.
Interview may be required.
Applicants from a country where the native language is not English may be required to show proof of English proficiency with scores no lower than 80 on the TOEFL iBT (computerized). In addition, students must provide WES evaluations of transcripts or another NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) approved agency.
Three letters of professional/academic reference specifying the applicant’s capabilities for graduate study. One letter of reference must be from the applicant’s current supervisor.
Completion of undergraduate statistics course.
Cleared criminal background check.
Clean drug screen.

Additional requirements for the Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator tracks include a Science GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale, defined as Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2, and Statistics is preferred.

Applicants are required to submit the following:

Statement of professional goals to include (limit to 2 pages):
- Why you wish to become a Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, or Nurse Administrator/Leader
- What you plan to do with this degree, including long term goals
- How you have prepared for success in this program
Curriculum Vitae

Students admitted to the program must have and maintain while in the program:

Current CPR certification
Evidence of Hepatitis B, MMR, and tetanus vaccination (TDaP unless TD within the past 2 years)
Proof of 2 Varicella vaccinations or positive antibody titer (If titer is negative, student must repeat the 2 vaccine series.)
Freedom from tuberculosis as evidenced by a negative PPD, negative QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus, or negative chest x-ray.
Health insurance

Admissions Criteria for the MSN-FNP/PMHNP Tracks

It is the policy of the graduate program of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Union University that all students applying for admissions meet the criteria as stated below:

1. Have an unencumbered Tennessee or compact state RN licensure at the time of the application deadline.

2. Completion of the Nursing CAS application process, and other supplemental applications, which will include:

a. 3 references (1 professional colleague, 1 professor, 1 supervisor)

b. Personal Statement

c. Official transcript(s)

3. Completion of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, from an ACEN or CCNE* accredited, and state approved nursing program

4. The last 60 credits and pre-requisite courses cannot be transferred in as pass/fail.

5. Last 60 hours GPA 3.0

6. If you are not a U.S. citizen, an international application must be completed and submitted with the graduate supplemental application.

a. All international transcripts must be evaluated by an accredited evaluating agency found at the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services’ website: naces.org

b. All international students must hold a permanent residence visa for acceptance to the MSN-NP program.

7. Interviews will be conducted at the discretion of the chair of the NP program

*The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, post-graduate APRN certificate program at Union University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education ([http://www.ccneaccreditation.org)

Conditional Admission

Applicants who do not meet the regular admission requirements to the MSN program may be admitted conditionally at the discretion of the MSN Graduate Admissions Committee. Conditional admission will require contractual agreement between the applicant and the Graduate Admissions Committee. The contract will specify the conditions and deadlines that must be met to matriculate to the regular MSN program.

Expedited Admissions Process

For students who qualify for the expedited admissions process from a traditional BSN or BSNA programs to MSN tracks, the following criteria must be met:

Minimum GPA of 3.5 for last 60 hours.
Three reference submissions (one professional colleague, one professor, one clinical supervisor).
Nursing CAS application completion, and Union University supplemental application, which will include:
- Personal Statement
- Official transcript(s) from all post-secondary institutions
Must be in good standing in current/prior program.
Preference given to Union University graduates and students who have shadowing experience with professionals in the field they desire to enter.
Any student who applies for the expedited admissions process and does not meet the criteria would still be allowed to apply as any other applicant.
The NCLEX exam must be successfully completed and an RN license granted by July 1 of the cohort year.

Transfer of Credit

Graduate credit for courses earned at a regionally accredited college or university or at a foreign college or university may be transferred to Union University if the courses are essentially the same as those required in the MSN program. The maximum number of semester hours that may be transferred to Union University and applied to the MSN degree is nine, based upon evaluation of transcripts and/or course syllabi. In order to meet AACN Nursing Essentials, applicants may be required to audit courses at the recommendation of the faculty.

Applicants may take a maximum of two MSN core courses as non-degree seeking students. Enrollment in core nursing courses does not guarantee acceptance into a specific track. No grade less than “B” may be transferred. Courses completed more than five years before beginning the MSN program at Union University will be considered on an individual basis.

Academic Standards, Requirements for Progression, Probation, and Dismissal

Students must maintain an overall B average. After completion of 9 graduate hours at Union University, a graduate student whose cumulative GPA from courses completed at Union University for graduate credit is below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. A student placed on academic probation has one semester to increase his or her cumulative GPA to 3.0 or greater to be removed from a probationary status. If the student fails to increase his or her cumulative GPA to 3.0 or greater during the following semester, the student will be dismissed from the graduate program.

Students will also be dismissed without opportunity for probation if they:

Receive an “F” (i.e., any grade below a “C”) in any course
Receive more than two “C”s in any non-track specific courses.

Students must make a grade of B or higher in all track specific and 700-level courses (excluding pass/fail courses) in order to progress in or graduate from the graduate nursing program. The program faculty recognize that situations may arise which prevent students from successfully matriculating through the program. Students who are concerned about their academic standing should contact their advisor. If it appears the student may not be able to achieve a minimum passing grade in a course they may be encouraged by the appropriate Program Chair to withdraw from the program. This can potentially prevent the student from acquiring an F on their Union University transcript if the dropped class occurs prior to the deadline listed on the academic calendar (“last day to drop a class”). All students who withdraw or who are academically dismissed from the program can reapply for admission. However, readmission is not guaranteed.

Financial Information

Tuition Rates (per credit hour) and Fees

All BSN to MSN Graduate courses	$761
All Post-Graduate Certificate tracks	$761
Application Fee	$50
General Student Fee	$42/credit hr.
Liability Insurance Fee per year	$25
Clinical Tracking System	$100 once
Cap and Gown	Approx. $150
Verified Credentials Drug Screen and Background Check	$161
NUR 600 Lab Fee	$150

Full payment for a term (fall, spring, summer, or other non-regular term) is expected at the time of registration for classes.

Any combination of the following payment is available.

Check, cash, or credit card. The latter is subject to a convenience fee of 2.5%.
Federal Direct loan
Employer reimbursement
FACTS (an electronic monthly draft from a savings or checking account)

Books cost approximately $150 per course.

All financial information is subject to change without notice.

Financial Assistance

Financial aid information for graduate students is available on our website at www.uu.edu/financialaid. Generally, graduate students may be eligible for Federal Direct student loans or private alternative student loans, depending on the program of study and the eligibility of the borrower. Union University is also approved by the Department for Veterans Affairs to offer educational benefits to veterans, reservists, and dependents of veterans who qualify for Veterans Benefits. Any person who qualifies for VA Benefits should check with the Office of Student Financial Planning as soon as possible after acceptance into a graduate program.

Employer Tuition Reimbursement

The student is responsible for providing information to the university regarding his/her employer’s policies for reimbursement.
If the employer reimburses the student directly, the student must pay the university in full at the time of registration.
If the employer provides partial reimbursement directly to the university, the student must pay his/her portion of tuition at the time of registration.
The university will provide any required information to an employer when requested by the student.

Acceptance Deposits

All MSN tracks require a $150 acceptance deposit. These deposits are non-refundable if the student elects not to enroll. Applicants accepted on an “alternative” basis will receive a full refund if status is not changed to “accepted” by the first day of class.

Graduation Requirements

Completion of the course work within each specified track.
A minimum grade point average of 3.0 for the required course of study.
File an application for graduation with the Graduate Nursing Office by the published deadline.
Pay in full the student’s account in the Business Office.
Discharge all other obligations (fines, credentials, fees, etc.) at the University.

Master of Science in Nursing Degree Requirements:

Administration, Education, and Nurse Practitioner Tracks (Family and Psychiatric Mental Health specialties)