Nursing (MSN)
Admissions Policies—MSN/School of Nursing
Criteria for Admission to the Master of Science in Nursing
A holistic review process is used when considering applications for admission to the master's program. The holistic review considers multiple criteria for admissions, including the applicant's professional career goals, academic capabilities, GPA, work experience, leadership and community engagement.
The University of Louisville School of Nursing participates in Nursing's Centralized Application Service (NursingCAS), which provides you with an online application. NursingCAS collects and processes your application documents and verifies your transcripts. The School of Nursing will receive your application information from NursingCAS and use it to make admission decisions.
To be considered for admission to the Master of Science in Nursing program, the following items must be submitted:
To the Graduate School
Completed Graduate Admissions Application including a reduced application fee.
- Official transcripts representing all college coursework. BSN degree must be from a regionally accredited institution and a CCNE-, ACEN- or NLN-accredited nursing program. Recommended undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale. If applicable, recommended graduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on 4.0 scale.
- Applicants who have attended a college or university outside the United States are also required to submit a course-by-course evaluation of their transcript through World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE). Please note that transcript evaluations can sometimes take several weeks.
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak of academic and/or professional nursing capabilities and potential. Recommendation should be requested from former faculty, current or immediate past employers, or other nursing/health professionals. Recommendations must be completed within the last year.
- Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
- Verification of unencumbered RN license from a US state board of nursing (Prior to clinicals a RN license in the state of Kentucky or a compact state is required).
- Responses to all questions asked on the NursingCAS application.
- Students for whom English is not their primary language must show Proof of English Proficiency.
Additional requirements for acute care specialties:
- Neonatal specialty: Minimum of one year of RN clinical experience in a Level III or Level IV NICU prior to admission. All NNP applicants must have the equivalent of two years of full-time RN clinical experience within the last five years in Level III and/or Level IV NICU inpatient setting before beginning clinical courses
- Adult-Gerontology Acute: One year of RN experience in the ICU or one year of RN experience in any area and a commitment to complete one year of RN clinical practice in the ICU prior to beginning clinical courses. Applicants that do not have one year of RN experience at the point of application, but will complete one year before beginning clinical courses, will satisfy the work requirement.
- Pediatric Acute Care: One year of RN experience in an acute care setting or one year of RN experience in any area and a commitment to complete one year of RN clinical practice in an acute care setting prior to beginning clinical courses. Applicants that do not have one year of RN experience at the point of application, but will complete one year before beginning clinical courses, will satisfy the work requirement.
- Master of Science in Nursing - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing - Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Master of Science in Nursing - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses Required for Specialties | ||
| NURS 607 | Foundational Concepts of Evidence Based Practice | 3 |
| NURS 643 | Quality and Safety in Advanced Practice Nursing | 2 |
| NURS 657 | Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Culturally Diverse and Vulnerable Populations. | 3 |
| NURS 740 | Advanced Pharmacology (Not required for Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Specialty) | 3 |
| NURS 741 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 4 |
| NURS 742 | Advanced Physical Assessment (Not required for Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Specialty) | 3 |
| NURS 749 | The Business of Healthcare | 2 |
| NURS 807 | The Professional Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse | 3 |
| NURS 840 | Clinical Seminar I | 1 |
| NURS 841 | Clinical Seminar II | 1 |
| NURS 842 | (84 clinical hours) 2 | 1 |
| NURS 726 | Clinical Practicum for the MSN NP I (168 clinical hours) 1 | 2 |
| NURS 727 | Clinical Practicum for the MSN NP II (168 clinical hours) 1 | 2 |
| NURS 728 | Clinical Practicum for the MSN NP III (168 clinical hours) 1 | 2 |
| NURS 729 | Clinical Practicum for the MSN NP IV (168 clinical hours) 1 | 2 |
| Minimum Total Hours | 34 | |
Minimum clinical hour requirements:
A minimum of 672 patient care clinical hours (8 credit hours) is required for all specialties with the exception of the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP). The NNP requires a minimum of 756 patient care clinical hours or 9 credit hours. One (1) credit hour equals 84 clinical contact hours. Students complete and additional 84 hours of professional role clinical.
Master of Science in Nursing - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Academic Plan Code(s): NURSMSNAAG
The patient population of the adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner practice includes the entire spectrum of adults including adolescents, adults and aging adults. Acute care nurse practitioners work in the intensive care unit (ICU), progressive care unit (PCU), other hospital units and specialty provider's offices.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||
| NURS 754 | Clinical Reasoning in Advanced Practice Nursing | 1 |
| NURS 776 | Procedures and Diagnostics for the Acute Care NP I | 1 |
| NURS 777 | The Adult/Gerontology Acute Care NP Role | 1 |
| NURS 779 | Diagnosis & Management in Acute Care I | 4 |
| NURS 780 | Procedures and Diagnostics for the Acute Care NP II | 2 |
| NURS 781 | Diagnosis & Management in Acute Care II | 3 |
| NURS 783 | Diagnosis & Management in Acute Care III | 1 |
| NURS 792 | Pharmacology for the Acute Care APRN | 1 |
| Minimum Total Hours | 14 | |
Master of Science in Nursing - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Academic Plan Code(s): NURSMSNAGP
The patient population of the adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner practice includes the entire spectrum of the adults including adolescents, adults and aging adults. An Adult-Gero NP could work in the following settings: internal medicine offices; health clinics; a specialty office; hospital rehab or a hospice unit; long term care facility; fast-track ER or adult urgent care facility.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||
| NURS 753 | Adolescent Well Child Theory | 1 |
| NURS 754 | Clinical Reasoning in Advanced Practice Nursing | 1 |
| NURS 755 | Diagnosis and Management of Adult Health in Primary Care | 4 |
| NURS 756 | Procedures & Diagnostics for Adult Health | 1 |
| NURS 757 | Diagnosis and Management of Women's Health in Primary Care | 2 |
| NURS 758 | Diagnosis and Management of Mental Health in Primary Care | 2 |
| NURS 759 | Diagnosis and Management of the Older Adult in Primary Care | 3 |
| Minimum Total Hours | 14 | |
Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner
Academic Plan Code(s): NURSMSNFNP
The family nurse practitioner (FNP) is prepared to care for individuals and families across the lifespan. A family NP could work in the following settings: health clinic, adult or pediatric primary care office, inpatient rehab or hospice unit, a school, fast-track ER or urgent care facility.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||
| NURS 754 | Clinical Reasoning in Advanced Practice Nursing | 1 |
| NURS 755 | Diagnosis and Management of Adult Health in Primary Care | 4 |
| NURS 756 | Procedures & Diagnostics for Adult Health | 1 |
| NURS 757 | Diagnosis and Management of Women's Health in Primary Care | 2 |
| NURS 758 | Diagnosis and Management of Mental Health in Primary Care | 2 |
| NURS 759 | Diagnosis and Management of the Older Adult in Primary Care | 3 |
| NURS 761 | Pediatric & Adolescent Well Child Theory | 2 |
| NURS 762 | Diagnosis & Management of Pediatrics in Primary Care | 2 |
| Minimum Total Hours | 17 | |
Master of Science in Nursing - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Academic Plan Code(s): NURSMSNNNP
Neonatal nurse practitioners (NNP) provide health care to neonate, infants, and children through 2 years of age. The NNP role includes the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illness in neonate.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||
| NURS 763 | Advanced Neonatal Physiology & Pathophysiology I | 3 |
| NURS 764 | Neonatal Diagnostic Reasoning I | 1 |
| NURS 765 | Advance Neonatal Physiology & Pathophysiology II | 3 |
| NURS 766 | Neonatal Diagnostic Reasoning II | 1 |
| NURS 784 | Advanced Neonatal Pharmacology | 3 |
| NURS 785 | Advanced Neonatal Assessment | 3 |
| NURS 786 | Human Embryology and Genetics | 3 |
| NURS 844 | Advanced Practice Care: Birth up to 2 years of age | 2 |
| NURS 767 | Neonatal Residency I (252 clinical hours) 1 | 3 |
| NURS 768 | Neonatal Residency II (252 clinical hours) 1 | 3 |
| NURS 769 | Neonatal Residency III (252 clinical hours) 1 | 3 |
| Minimum Total Hours | 28 | |
Master of Science in Nursing - Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Academic Plan Code(s): NURSMSNPAC
Pediatric acute care nurse practitioners (PACNP) are prepared to provide advanced nursing care to meet the needs of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults with complex, acute, critical, and chronic health conditions.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 754 | Clinical Reasoning in Advanced Practice Nursing | 1 |
| NURS 761 | Pediatric & Adolescent Well Child Theory | 2 |
| NURS 762 | Diagnosis & Management of Pediatrics in Primary Care | 2 |
| NURS 800 | Pathophysiology for Pediatric Acute Care | 1 |
| NURS 801 | Pharmacology for Pediatric Acute Care | 1 |
| NURS 802 | Procedures for Pediatric Acute Care | 1 |
| NURS 803 | Diagnosis and Management for Pediatric Acute Care I: Special Needs in Chronic Illness | 3 |
| NURS 804 | Diagnosis and Management for Pediatric Acute Care II: Acute Illness | 2 |
| NURS 805 | Diagnosis and Management for Pediatric Acute Care III: Critical Illness | 3 |
| NURS 806 | The Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Role | 1 |
| Minimum Total Hours | 17 | |
Master of Science in Nursing - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Academic Plan Code(s): NURSMSNPSY
Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNP) focus on individuals across the lifespan, families, and populations across the lifespan at risk for developing and/or having a diagnosis of psychiatric disorders or mental health problems. This includes assessment, diagnosis, and management of mental health and psychiatric disorders across the lifespan.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||
| NURS 770 | Adv. Psychiatric Assessment of Psychopathology and Clinical Interviewing Across the Lifespan | 2 |
| NURS 771 | Foundations of Individual and Group Psychotherapy for the Adv. Practice Psychiatric Mental Health NP | 2 |
| NURS 772 | Psychopharmacology | 2 |
| NURS 773 | Diagnosis and Management of Children and Adolescents in Adv. Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 774 | Diagnosis and Management of Adults in Advanced Practice Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 775 | Diagnosis and Management of Special Populations in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing | 2 |
| NURS 794 | The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Role | 2 |
| Minimum Total Hours | 16 | |
- 1
This course contains population specific patient care clinical hours. These hours should be considered direct patient care clinical hours.
- 2
This course contains 84 advanced practice professional role clinical hours. These hours should not be considered as direct patient care.
Master of Science in Nursing graduates from the UofL School of Nursing are prepared to apply for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) certification in their population track upon graduation; however, educational preparation does not guarantee professional licensure. If you have questions regarding Kentucky APRN licensure, please contact the Kentucky Board of Nursing (https://kbn.ky.gov/Pages/advanced-practice-registered-nurse.aspx). For APRN licensure questions in other states, please contact the respective state board of nursing (https://ncsbn.org/contact-bon.htm).
