M.S. in Nursing
20-month, full time, in-person program
The M.S.N. program prepares those who have already earned a bachelor's degree in another field for general practice in acute care, community-based and other settings with diverse populations. Graduates earn an M.S. in nursing and are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam for licensure to practice as a registered nurse. Graduates are also guaranteed admission to additional graduate degrees and certificates at the School of Nursing.
- Leadership opportunities: A master's degree makes future nursing leadership roles more attainable
- Curriculum alignment: Build on your prior education and experiences with a program designed around the new American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials
- Experience team-based health care training: Collaborate across VCU’s health sciences campus and train at the Magnet-designated VCU Medical Center
Program Details
In the M.S.N. program, you’ll build strong clinical reasoning, physical assessment and technical skills through hands-on experience in diverse settings. Students will have the opportunity to complete their clinical hours in various locations, such as a large urban medical center, community health settings, rehabilitation facilities, outpatient clinics and rural hospitals. Graduates will be prepared to deliver high-quality care to individuals and families across the lifespan.
In order to be admitted to the M.S.N. program, students must:
- Be eligible for readmission or in good standing at the last college or university attended.
- Submit a completed application, including all required materials, to the School of Nursing
- Hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing from a regionally accredited college or university (international students with a bachelor's degree may be eligible for this program - email vcu_nurse@vcu.edu for more information). Applicants who have not yet completed a bachelor’s degree may apply, but must earn the degree prior to matriculation.
- Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0.
- Present no grades lower than C- in any prerequisite or collateral course (anatomy, physiology and microbiology courses must be taken within 10 years of starting the nursing program)
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| BIOL 205: Basic Human Anatomy* | 4 |
| BIOL 217: Principles of Nutrition | 3 |
| BIOL 209 and BIOZ 209: Medical Microbiology and Medical Microbiology Laboratory or BIOL 303 and BIOZ 303: Microbiology and Microbiology Laboratory | 4-5 |
| PHIS 206 and PHIZ 206: Human Physiology and Human Physiology Laboratory | 4 |
| PSYC 304: Life Span Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| STAT 208: Statistical Thinking or STAT 210: Basic Practice of Statistics or STAT 212: Concepts of Statistics | 3 |
* Applicants attending colleges or universities which offer anatomy and physiology as a combined two-semester course must complete the entire course sequence prior to starting the nursing program. One semester of a combined anatomy and physiology course will not transfer, nor can one semester of a combined anatomy and physiology course be used in conjunction with a stand-alone anatomy or physiology course to fulfill this requirement.
The VCU School of Nursing does not accept transfer credits from other nursing programs.
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| NURS 523: Fundamental Nursing Concepts | 3 |
| NURS 524: Applied Practice: Health Assessment Across the Lifespan and Fundamental Nursing Concepts | 3 |
| NURS 535: Population Health, Prevention, and Wellness Across the Lifespan | 4 |
| NURS 536: Applied Practice: Population Health, Prevention, and Wellness Across the Lifespan | 2 |
| NURS 547: Chronic Care Concepts Across the Lifespan | 4 |
| NURS 548: Applied Practice: Chronic Care Concepts Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURS 550: Acute Care Concepts Across the Lifespan | 4 |
| NURS 551: Applied Practice: Acute Care Concepts Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURS 624: Roles and Responsibilities of the Professional Nurse | 2 |
| NURS 625: Integration of Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for Nursing Practice I | 4 |
| NURS 626: Integration of Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for Nursing Practice II | 4 |
| NURS 633: Integration of Applied Health Assessment Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURS 634: Application of Evidence-Based Practice in Health Care | 3 |
| NURS 647: Nursing Informatics and Data Utilization | 3 |
| NURS 648: Emerging Trends in Nursing Leadership | 3 |
| NURS 649: Senior Synthesis for Direct Entry Students | 5 |
| NURS 650: Transition to Practice | 3 |
| * Additional major requirements | |
| IPEC 501: Foundations of Interprofessional Practice | 1 |
| IPEC 502: Interprofessional Quality Improvement and Patient Safety | 1 |
| IPEC 560: Interprofessional Collaborative Care for Older Adults | 1 |
| Total | 59 |
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| NURS 523: Fundamental Nursing Concepts | 3 |
| NURS 524: Applied Practice: Health Assessment Across the Lifespan and Fundamental Nursing Concepts | 3 |
| NURS 624: Roles and Responsibilities of the Professional Nurse | 2 |
| NURS 625: Integration of Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for Nursing Practice I | 4 |
| NURS 633: Integration of Applied Health Assessment Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| Term Hours | 15 |
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| NURS 535: Population Health, Prevention, and Wellness Across the Lifespan | 4 |
| NURS 536: Applied Practice: Population Health, Prevention, and Wellness Across the Lifespan | 2 |
| NURS 626: Integration of Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for Nursing Practice II | 4 |
| NURS 634: Application of Evidence-Based Practice in Health Care | 3 |
| IPEC 502: Interprofessional Quality Improvement and Patient Safety | 1 |
| Term Hours | 14 |
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| NURS 547: Chronic Care Concepts Across the Lifespan | 4 |
| NURS 548: Applied Practice: Chronic Care Concepts Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURS 647: Nursing Informatics and Data Utilization | 3 |
| Term Hours | 10 |
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| NURS 550: Acute Care Concepts Across the Lifespan | 4 |
| NURS 551: Applied Practice: Acute Care Concepts Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURS 648: Emerging Trends in Nursing Leadership | 3 |
| IPEC 501: Foundations of Interprofessional Practice | 1 |
| Term Hours | 11 |
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| NURS 649: Senior Synthesis for Direct Entry Students | 5 |
| NURS 650: Transition to Practice | 3 |
| IPEC 560: Interprofessional Collaborative Care for Older Adults | 1 |
| Term Hours | 9 |
Total Hours: 59
Students enrolled in the M.S.N. program will have the opportunity to also pursue one of two graduate certificates—health care innovation and health care quality. Each certificate is 12 credit hours that are completed in addition to required courses during the five semester plan of study. Students who complete these certificates can transfer up to 12 credit hours to their D.N.P. program if they choose to attend the VCU School of Nursing D.N.P. program. More information about these certificates will be coming soon.
Application Info
| Application Opens | Application Closes | Regular Decision Notification |
|---|---|---|
| March 30, 2026 | May 15, 2026* | May 29, 2026 |
* In order to be reviewed for admission, all components of the application (transcripts, references, etc.) must be delivered and verified by the deadline. Incomplete applications after the deadline will not be reviewed for the fall semester start.
Complete the following:
- NursingCAS application ($85 fee)
Submit the following materials with your application: - Official transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation
- Proof of English proficiency (if applicable)
- CAS Residency Form ($75 fee)
This fee is waived for current VCU students.
The form will be emailed to you after submitting your NursingCAS application.
We're here to help! Contact us at vcu_nurse@vcu.edu with your admissions questions.
Review the functional and technical standards required for participation in the academic programs of the School of Nursing.
Prospective students with a conviction showing on their criminal history record may not be eligible to participate in clinical experiences at selected sites. This may impact the student’s ability to successfully complete program requirements. Applicants with a criminal history record are advised to review eligibility and licensure requirements for states in which they may seek employment (see Virginia eligibility requirements).
Information Sessions
Register at one of the links below to attend a virtual info session or in-person open house.
Financial Info
Use the following links to understand what your attendance costs will be and how aid and scholarships can help make your degree affordable.
Frequently Asked Questions
This program is for anyone who has completed a bachelor’s degree and the required prerequisites.
This program is fully in-person on VCU’s MCV health sciences campus. Clinicals are typically in the greater Richmond area.
No, this program is only offered with a full-time plan of study.
Nursing school is a full-time job with up to 40 hours a week dedicated to lectures, clinicals and studying. Some students work part-time, but this requires efficient time management and a flexible work schedule.
No, prerequisites must be completed prior to starting the program, not prior to applying.
Students are required to provide their own transportation. Students without a car may be able to access clinical sites via public transportation and carpooling with classmates.
Graduates of this program will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam and become registered nurses.
Many health care leadership roles require a graduate degree. This degree will make leadership positions more attainable in your future career.