Nurse greatly.

Ready to get your Master of Science in Nursing, or beyond? Explore the two perfect paths Averett School of Nursing offers to help you get there.

We offer two new blended online and on-campus focus areas — our new MSN degree program with FNP focus, along with one of the only ENP Post-Graduate Certificate programs in the country.

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MSN PROGRAM ADMISSIONS

Admission to the Graduate Nursing Program:

The graduate nursing faculty approve admission to the graduate nursing program. The following criteria must be met to be considered as an applicant:

MSN Degree/Family Nurse Practitioner Admission Criteria:

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a CCNE, ACEN, CNEA or NLNAC accredited program.
  • Undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Official transcripts from all institutions where college-level work was performed must be sent from the institution to Averett University.
  • Verification of current unencumbered licensure to practice nursing as a Registered Nurse within the United States. Must be licensed in the state where clinical hours will be obtained. Licensure in another state may be required in order to complete clinical hours (i.e. NC, VA).
  • Submit three academic and/or professional recommendations (ex: supervisor, colleague, professor) who can evaluate your potential for success in a Graduate Program. Recommendations from family members or friends will not be accepted.
  • Personal Goals Statement: A personal statement explaining your professional goals for the next 3-5 years and why you want to become a nurse practitioner is required and should not exceed 500 words.  The statement should be more informative than “a desire to help others”.
  • Applicants to the MSN Nurse Practitioner Program must have at least 1000 hours of direct contact and/or care for patients within the year prior to admission. Applicants who have less than 1000 hours of direct patient care may be admitted by permission from the Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs. **RN’s who have earned a BSN from Averett University are exempt from this requirement.
  • Three or more credits in college-level statistics with grade of “C” or better.
  • Current CPR and BLS certification required
  • Students who do not speak English as their first and primary language must submit satisfactory scores from one of the following prior to admission to the university:
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). For graduate students, a score of at least 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 79 (internet-based) is required for regular academic admission.
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS). For undergraduate students, a score of at least 6.0 is required; for graduate students, a score of at least 6.5 is required.
  • Applicants who completed their basic nursing education in another country must provide an official evaluation of transcripts from this evaluation service: World Education Services
  • An onsite interview with the Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs and Faculty. Applicants who reside more than 100 miles from Averett University may interview via a synchronous, virtual format.

The following criteria may also be considered when making admission decisions: individual grades in relevant undergraduate/graduate college coursework, communication skills, and relevant personal/professional experiences.

Post-Graduate Emergency Nurse Practitioner Admission Criteria:

Currently we are not taking applications for the ENP certification, but welcome applications for this certification starting in May, 2025.

  • Actively Certified FNP
  • Graduation from a CCNE, ACEN, CNEA or NLNAC accredited MSN program.
  • Must hold an unencumbered RN and/or APRN license in the state in which clinical hours will be obtained. Licensure in another state may be required in order to complete clinical hours (NC, VA).
  • Official transcripts from all degree-granting institutions.
  • Three professional references from individuals who can address the applicant’s practice as an RN/APRN (ex. colleague, supervisor, collaborative physician). References from family members or friends will not be accepted.
  • Professional Resume.
  • Personal Goals Statement: A personal statement explaining your professional goals for the next 3-5 years should be submitted and be 500 words or less. The statement should also address how your Post-Graduate Certificate will impact your current practice.
  • Current BLS, ACLS and PALS certifications required
  • An onsite interview with the Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs, Director of NP Programs and/or Faculty. Those who reside more than 100 miles from Averett University may interview via a synchronous, virtual format.

The following criteria may also be considered when making admission decisions: individual grades in relevant undergraduate/graduate college coursework, communication skills, and relevant personal/professional experiences.

NOTE: Applicants who intend to pursue a Post-Graduate Certificate for Emergency Nurse Practitioner and are not currently Family Nurse Practitioners must complete course work for Family NP prior to the Emergency NP course work.

Post-Graduate Family Nurse Practitioner Admission Criteria:

  • Graduation from a CCNE, ACEN, CNEA or NLNAC accredited MSN program.
  • Must hold an unencumbered RN and/or APRN license in the state in which clinical hours will be obtained. Licensure in another state may be required in order to complete clinical hours (NC, VA).
  • Official transcripts from all degree-granting institutions.
  • Three professional references from individuals who can address the applicant’s practice as an RN/APRN (ex. colleague, supervisor, collaborative physician). References from family members or friends will not be accepted.
  • Professional Resume.
  • Personal Goals Statement: A personal statement explaining your professional goals for the next 3-5 years should be submitted and be 500 words or less. The statement should also address how your Post-Graduate Certificate will impact your current practice.
  • Current BLS certifications required
  • An onsite interview with the Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs, Director of NP Programs and/or Faculty. Those who reside more than 100 miles from Averett University may interview via a synchronous, virtual format.

The following criteria may also be considered when making admission decisions: individual grades in relevant undergraduate/graduate college coursework, communication skills, and relevant personal/professional experiences.

Post-Graduate Emergency Nurse Practitioner Admission Requirements:

Currently we are not taking applications for the ENP certification, but welcome applications for this certification starting in May, 2025.

Upon acceptance into the Graduate Nursing Program, the following admission requirements must be completed:

  • Completion of health appraisal form
  • BLS certification
  • ACLS, PALS certification for ENP courses
  • PPD skin test or xray
  • Flu vaccination
  • MMR vaccine or immunity
  • Varicella vaccine or demonstration of immunity
  • Hepatitis B vaccination series or waiver
  • Tdap must be within 5 years
  • 12-panel drug screen urine
  • Proof of current health insurance
  • Criminal background check

Progression in the Graduate Nursing Program

Progression is monitored by the Assistant Dean and the AUSON faculty.  Students must meet the following requirements to maintain continuous progression/enrollment in the nursing major:

  • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above and achieve a B- or better in all Graduate Nursing courses.
  • Students are required to achieve a “P” in the clinical component of courses which require clinical hours.
  • Criminal background check remains satisfactory per relevant State Board regulations.
  • All nursing licenses must remain unencumbered while enrolled in the Graduate Nursing Program.
  • Satisfactorily meet both didactic and clinical elements of each clinical course.
  • If a student fails the clinical component of a course requiring clinical hours, s/he will be administratively removed from that course.
  • Continued health clearance.
  • Continued negative drug screen
  • Current CPR certification. Other certifications such as ACLS, PALS must remain current while in ENP clinical courses.

Failure to meet any of these requirements may result in academic probation or dismissal from the Graduate Program.

Clinical Requirements

  • ENP students are required to complete 500 hours of clinical work – all clinical experiences are arranged for you.
  • FNP students are required to complete 700 hours of clinical work – all clinical experiences are arranged for you.
  • Annual criminal background checks and drug screens are required

RESOURCES

MSN and Post-Graduate Certificate Plans of Study

Click Here to view sample plans of study

Course Descriptions

Click Here to view the graduate nursing course descriptions.