Master of Science in Nursing

With an MSN online, your career opportunities will be significantly enhanced. From teaching the nursing leaders of tomorrow to influencing healthcare legislation, the University of North Alabama will work with you to elevate your career to leadership, teaching, family nurse practitioner and more. A Master’s in Nursing program online is just the beginning to a career that will allow you to dream bigger.

As a post-baccalaureate degree program, UNA’s online MSN program options consist of four tracks: Nursing in Teaching-Learning Environments, Nursing Leadership in Organizational Environments, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Learn more about our online MSN programs below:

 

  • Family Nurse Practitioner Track

    • Students in the Family Nurse Practitioner option will receive educational preparation that will enable them to provide patient-family centered, evidence-based health care for individuals across the lifespan. Upon graduation, students will be eligible to sit for national certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner. The program does include clinical requirements, and students may participate in the identification of appropriate clinical sites and clinical preceptors, as they are familiar with their geographic location. Students are required to attend two on-campus intensives at our new, state-of-the-art Harrison Hall and Simulation Laboratory.
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Practitioner Track

    • Students in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) option will receive educational preparation that will enable them to provide mental health care across the life span. Upon graduation, students will be eligible to sit for national certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. The program does include clinical requirements, and students may participate in the identification of appropriate clinical sites and clinical preceptors, as they are familiar with their geographic location. Students are required to attend two on-campus intensives at our new, state-of-the-art Harrison Hall and Simulation Laboratory.
  • Leadership Track

    • A master's in nursing leadership will prepare you to function at an advanced level in the health care environment regarding politics and legislation, budgeting and economics, and leadership and management, such that these nurses may positively impact the management aspects of nursing and health care in society. The program does include clinical requirements, and students may participate in the identification of appropriate clinical sites and clinical preceptors, as they are familiar with their geographic location.
  • Teaching/Learning Track

    • A master's in nursing education will equip registered nurses with tools that will enable them to facilitate the education of nursing students, health care clients, and health care colleagues. Will qualify graduates to serve as a faculty member in an institution of higher learning and serve as an educator in the clinical environment. Program allows students to select a clinical area of interest (adult health, women’s health, pediatrics, etc.). The program does include clinical requirements, and students may participate in the identification of appropriate clinical sites and clinical preceptors, as they are familiar with their geographic location.
time

Time to Complete:
Variable
12-24 months full-time 16-30 months part-time (excludes NP)

modality

Modality Offered:
Online

credientials

Credentials:
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Why North Alabama?

Experience an unmatched education for your future in nursing. UNA's master’s in nursing professors bring real-world experience to the classroom, which serves as the foundation for our programs. If you’re ready to earn your master’s in nursing online, you will benefit from their hands-on patient stories and real-world examples—approaching health care with a new lens.

With a diverse student body and seasoned faculty, the University of North Alabama offers flexible course schedules, competitive pricing, and a highly reputable education that fits your life. As a leader in nursing education since 1973, UNA prepares you to demonstrate knowledge, competencies, and skills in advanced nursing practices that ensure quality care and ethical decision-making.

Master of Science in Nursing Curriculum

Required Component 15
NU 502
Health Policy, Social Issues, & Theory (3)
NU 508
Advanced Health Assessment (3)
NU 509
Diversity, Ethics, Health Promotion, & Informatics in Patient-Centered Care (3)
NU 607
Advanced Clinical Pathophysiology (3)
NU 614
Advanced Nursing Pharmacology (3)
Track Specific Component 26
NU 615
Evidence Based Practice and Research (3)
NU 640
Intro to Family Nurse Practitioner (3)
NU 641
Family Nurse Practitioner I (4)1
NU 642
Family Nurse Practitioner II (4)1
NU 643
Family Nurse Practitioner III (4)1
NU 644
Family Nurse Practitioner IV (4)1
NU 645
Family Nurse Practitioner V (4)1
Total Hours 41

Clinical focus varies per clinical course.

  • NU 641, NU 642, and NU 643: primary care in the adult and geriatric population.
  • NU 644: care of female patients across the wellness-illness continuum.
  • NU 645: pediatric population (infants, children, and adolescents).

Clinical Requirements

Students may participate in the identification of individuals to serve as clinical preceptors, as they are familiar with their geographical area. Students must hold a current, unencumbered registered nurse license in the US state in which they plan to complete their clinical hours. Additionally, students must fulfill all other clinical documentation requirements, including:

  • Physical examination (completed within the previous calendar year)
  • Proof of required immunizations or titers
  • Current tuberculosis screening
  • Proof of BLS for Healthcare Providers
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Criminal background check (updated annually)
  • Negative urine drug screen
  • OSHA/HIPPA training
  • Proof of liability insurance with student nurse practitioner student coverage
The clinical experience must be independent of the student’s employment setting. A clinical affiliation agreement with the facility must be on file prior to the student beginning clinicals. All clinical documentation must have been submitted and approved at least 8 weeks prior to beginning clinical rotations. Students not meeting all clinical requirements will be withdrawn from the registered clinical course (NU 641 - NU 645).

On Campus Requirement

Students are required to attend two on campus intensives lasting up to three days per visit. Travel, lodging, meals, and all other associated visit costs are the responsibility of the student.

 

Programs of Study:

Spring Admission Fall Admission
Spring FNP Track Fall FNP Track
Spring RN to MSN Bridge Track Fall RN to MSN Bridge Track

Faculty

In our online MSN program, you will learn from dedicated full-time faculty—most holding terminal degrees from leading universities—as you pursue your nursing degree.

View our Nursing Faculty/Staff here.

What can I do with a Master of Science in Nursing?

  • Become a health care leader that showcases a commitment to ensuring quality care in multiple types of organizations.
  • Effectively practice advanced nursing roles in collaborative relationships across diverse disciplines to improve patient and population health outcomes.
  • Demonstrate knowledge, competencies, and skills in advanced nursing practice, teaching, and leadership.

Accreditations

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, and post-graduate APRN certificate program in nursing at the University of North Alabama are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Admissions Requirement

Family Nurse Practitioner Track | Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track:

  • Applicants must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a regionally accredited nursing program in the United States.
  • Send official BSN transcript. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better is required.
  • Prepare a written statement of professional goals and the role of graduate education in achieving those goals.
  • Two letters of recommendation from professionals in academia or industry.
  • Submit proof of your unencumbered registered nursing license in the US state in which you plan to complete clinical rotations. 
  • Submit a resume. Clinical practice is preferred, but not required.
  • Admitted applicants must complete a criminal background and negative drug screen prior to enrollment.

Admission to the MSN-FNP & MSN- PMHNP tracks are competitive. Meeting the minimum admission requirements does NOT guarantee acceptance to the nursing program.

 

Leadership Track:

  • Applicants must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a regionally accredited nursing program in the United States.
  • Send official BSN transcript.
  • Prepare a written statement of professional goals and the role of graduate education in achieving those goals.
  • Submit proof of your unencumbered registered nursing license in the US state in which you plan to complete clinical rotations. Clinical practice is preferred, but not required.
  • Admitted applicants must complete a criminal background and negative drug screen prior to enrollment.

Conditional Admission

Conditional admission may be considered on a case-by-case basis for the applicant who does not fully meet admission requirements. The conditionally admitted student must have three years of full-time experience as a registered nurse.

 

Teaching/Learning Track:

  • Applicants must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a regionally accredited nursing program in the United States.
  • Send official BSN transcript.
  • Prepare a written statement of professional goals and the role of graduate education in achieving those goals.
  • Submit proof of your unencumbered registered nursing license in the US state in which you plan to complete clinical rotations. Clinical practice is preferred, but not required.
  • Admitted applicants must complete a criminal background and negative drug screen prior to enrollment.

Conditional Admission

Conditional admission may be considered on a case-by-case basis for the applicant who does not fully meet admission requirements. The conditionally admitted student must have three years of full-time experience as a registered nurse.

 

Application Deadlines

We recommend that students complete their application for admission at least two to three months prior to their desired enrollment date or deadline (for FNP & PMHNP) in order to have time to submit all documentation.
 
  • Family Nurse Practitioner Track applicants are accepted in the spring and fall semesters only.
    • Spring 2025: Application submitted and completed by August 30, 2024
  • Leadership Track applicants are accepted to begin the program in the fall, spring, and summer semesters.
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track applicants are accepted in the spring and fall semesters only.
    • Spring 2025: Application submitted and completed by August 30, 2024
  • Teaching and Learning Track applicants are accepted to begin the program in the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

Tuition and Aid

Online: $495 per credit hour plus fees.

FNP track specific courses (NU 640, NU 641, NU 642, NU 643, NU 644, and NU 645) also have an additional fee of $320 per course. The overall estimated cost of the MSN FNP track (including tuition, fees, and books) is $20,925.00.

New students enrolled in any online bachelor’s degree, graduate program (online or on-campus), certificate, or micro-credential will automatically qualify and receive a complimentary first course tuition scholarship when enrolled in two or more courses their first semester. Plus, for a limited time, no application fee is required. 

Learn more about additional nursing scholarship opportunities

2023-2024 Tuition

Master of Science in Nursing


Online: $495 per credit hour plus fees for 36-41 hours.

Please note: Currently, we cannot accept students from the following states and regions: Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands and California.

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