The School of Nursing offers a program of study leading to the master of science in nursing (MSN) degree. The major areas of study available in advanced practice nursing are family nurse practitioner (FNP), pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP), neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP), and women?s health nurse practitioner (WHNP). The school also offers post-master?s programs in these areas for those who already hold an MSN. The programs are offered at the university?s main campus in Morgantown and at the Charleston Division. Courses are offered via web-based modalities in real time. Courses are scheduled in the late afternoon at times convenient for working students and may require that students attend special sessions in Morgantown or Charleston. Dates of the special sessions are made available in advance so that students can plan their schedules in order to attend.

The master?s program offers a curriculum that allows students to enroll on a part-time or full-time basis. Graduate students are strongly recommended to limit their credit load if they are also involved in full-time work. Students employed in full-time work should enroll for no more than six hours of master?s-level coursework in any one term. Throughout the curriculum, students are guided in the process of self-development aimed at pursuing excellence in scholarly and professional endeavors. The program allows flexibility within the basic curricular structure through the individualization of learning experiences. The pattern and duration of the student?s study plan is determined in consultation with a faculty advisor and is based upon the student?s background and goals. The forty-four credit program can be completed in five semesters (including a summer session) of full-time study. The average full-time load is nine to twelve credit hours per semester. Part-time options are also available.

Graduates meet all requirements to sit for the national certification examination in their major area of family nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse practitioner, neonatal nurse practitioner, women?s health nurse practitioner, or nursing leadership. 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.

MSN Advanced Practice

All students seeking the Advanced Practice MSN will be enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Online Program (BSN-DNP). All students will be awarded a Master's Degree in Nursing after completing the required 48 hours of coursework. At that time, students will have the ability to sit for the advanced practice certification in the focus areas of either FNP or PNP. Students may then continue on to acquire the DNP degree for an additional 15 credits, or may exit the program once receiving the MSN degree. Please review more information under the Doctor of Nursing Practice Online Program.

MSN Executive Focus/MBA Dual Degree Program

The School of Nursing, together with the School of Business, offers a program of study leading to the dual degree of master of science in nursing MSN (Executive Focus), and master of business administration MBA. This program is predominantly online in both synchronous and asynchronous formats. It includes three 3-4 day residencies to enhance experiential learning and understanding of the curriculum content. Students take courses from both the MSN and MBA program concurrently, allowing assimilation of advanced business management concepts into the nursing administration role.

The MSN Executive Focus major is offered only to students enrolled in the dual MSN/MBA degree. It is not offered as a ?stand-alone? major. The combined MSN/MBA curriculum meets the Essentials of Master?s Education in Nursing, the American Organization of Nurse Executive Competencies, and the expectations of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Throughout the curriculum, students are guided in the process of self-development aimed at pursuing excellence in scholarly and professional endeavors.

The 67 credit hour program can be completed in eight semesters of full time study, including summer sessions. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for Nurse Executive, Advanced certification (ANCC) or the Certification in Executive Nursing Practice (AONE) exams after having held a nursing administration position for at least 2 years.