The Master of Science in Nursing offers baccalaureate prepared nurses the opportunity to earn a master’s degree. The program offers a curriculum that allows students to enroll on a part- or full-time basis. Our current specialty track prepares students to certify as family nurse practitioners.
The program is offered fully online. The 46-credit hour MSN degree offers courses offered via a variety of web-based modalities, both in asynchronous and synchronous distance education formats.
FNP track graduates are prepared to offer care at the advanced practice level to a variety of populations and settings and are able to carry out all activities encompassed in the scope of practice of an advanced practice FNP.
Learn more about our MSN Program Outcomes and MSN Required Courses.
Additional information can also be found in our Student Handbook.
Full- and part-time progression plan information is available for our FNP program. Graduates of the FNP track meet all requirements to take the national certification examination (from either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners or AANP) in their major area. They are prepared to offer care at the advanced practice level to a variety of populations and settings and are able to carry out all activities encompassed in the scope of practice of an advanced practice FNP.
All nursing course work is offered online via online technology. Computer skills are required of all students, and access to adequate computing equipment is required. Please view WVU's Recommendations for minimum computer requirements.
We ask that students actively collaborate with faculty in identifying preceptors for clinical practicum courses. Over the course of the final fall and spring semesters, students will need at least 570 direct clinical practice hours supervised by an advanced practice provider or physician who meets criteria and is approved by faculty.
Students will provide care for individuals and families across the lifespan experiencing acute and chronic health issues. The preponderance of clinical hours will be spent in a primary care clinic setting. Clinical experiences will incorporate healthcare considerations of social determinants of health as well as inclusion of health promotion and preventative care guidance. Students will utilize evidence-based practice and collaboration with other health professionals to optimize patient health outcomes.
Due to potential preceptor limitations, students may have to travel out of their local areas to their clinical sites and are required to provide their own reliable transportation.
Universities offering distance education must abide by the laws of each state in which students are placed for their practicum experience. There are several states at this time that may not allow WVU nursing students to participate in a practicum experience, and therefore a site placement cannot be guaranteed. A State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) must be in place to allow a WVU nursing student to participate in clinicals. Visit WVU Online to determine if your state has been approved for clinical placements or request information below.
Our Student Services staff will be glad to answer your questions in person or by phone/e-mail. Please fill out the information request form via WVU Online and someone will be in touch.
It means everything to me to be able to give back to the community I grew up in. I have three children that I want them to be able to, if they want to stay there, to feel like they can stay there and be successful. And a big part of that was the degrees that I ended up getting online through West Virginia University.
