The James Madison University School of Nursing offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree with concentrations offered as:
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
Nurse Administrator (NA)
The James Madison University School of Nursing also offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree in conjunction with Shenandoah University with options in:
Nurse Midwifery (NMW)
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
This program is designed to be completed in 2 years. Summer courses are not required for the CNL and NA concentrations; summer courses are required for all other concentrations and options.
Licensure and Certification
The Family Nurse Practitioner and Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner concentrations meet the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Please refer to the JMU Professional Licensure Program Status by Jurisdiction Index to determine if this JMU program meets the educational requirements specified by the associated licensing or certification agency in the state or territory in which you are located and other states and territories. Requirements vary by state and are subject to change. The information provided is current as of the review date indicated in the table.
The Post Graduate Nurse Midwifery Certificate and the Post Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate are awarded by Shenandoah University. Please contact the programs to determine in which U.S. states and territories the program meets the educational requirements for certification.
Admission Information
To be considered for admission to the M.S.N. program prospective students must:
After completing the Graduate School application, download a screen shot of your application fee receipt and save it as a PDF file, then upload to NURSINGCAS as directed in the instructions outlined in the following step.
Apply to NURSINGCAS (Clinical Nurse Leader and Nursing Administrator concentrations only).
Submit all required documents.
Do not submit these within the JMU Graduate School application.
Hold a current unrestricted Registered Nurse license.
Be admitted to The Graduate School.
Hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) or a baccalaureate degree in another field with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 (3.0 NP concentrations/Nurse Midwifery applicants only)
Have relevant professional clinical experience.
Have taken undergraduate courses in statistics with a minimum grade of "C".
Provide evidence of personal and professional qualifications in the form of two (2) professional recommendations.
Complete an interview upon request.
Have health documentation and CPR certification.
Foreign school graduates: Pass CGFNS Exam, R.N. License, TOEFL (Paper: 570 or higher; Electronic: 88 or higher).
* A transcript analysis will be completed on all students who have an associate degree in nursing (ADN) from an accredited nursing program and an undergraduate baccalaureate degree in another field to determine any gaps in meeting the Essentials of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. During this transcript review, the plan of study may include up to 11 extra credits.
Application Deadline
Applications are due on March 15 for fall admission and November 1 for spring admission for the CNL and NA concentrations. Nurse Practitioner applications are due on January 6. Applications submitted after the January 6 deadline may be considered based on merit and availability in the program. Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Midwifery program applicant interviews will be held in January. Full- and part-time students will enter the NP/NMW programs in the summer or fall semester of each year.
Application Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation criteria include previous academic and scholarly work, professional experience, professional references, and a personal and professional goal statement and its relationship to the mission of the School of Nursing. Professional references will be reviewed, and an interview may be required.
Degree Requirements
Course List
Code
Title
Credits
M.S.N. Core Courses
All M.S.N. students complete the following core courses:
The FNP (or Family/Across the Lifespan) concentration requires a total of 49 credits. The FNP concentration meets the competencies outlined by the National Organization of the Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Students complete 780 contact practicum hours.
NP Practicum III (Repeatable; students must earn a total of five credit hours) (300 practicum hours)
5
Subtotal
28
Total Credits
49
Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) Concentration
The AGPCNP concentration requires 46 credits. The AGPCNP concentration meets the competencies outlined by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Students complete 780 contact practicum hours.
NP Practicum III (Repeatable; students must earn a total of five credit hours) (300 practicum hours)
5
Subtotal
25
Total Credits
46
Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Concentration
The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) concentration is one of two leadership options. Applicants to the CNL concentration who have a BSN must complete 38 credit hours of study. A transcript analysis will be completed on all students who have an associate degree in nursing (ADN) from an accredited nursing program and an undergraduate baccalaureate degree in another field to determine any gaps in meeting the Essentials of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. During this transcript review, the plan of study may include up to 11 extra credits. Students are admitted for full-time or part-time study.
The CNL option is designed to meet the competencies established by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). CNL students are required to complete 500 practicum hours. The CNL concentration prepares nurses to establish leadership in providing direct clinical care, and graduates of the CNL program are eligible to take the CNL certification examination offered by the Commission on Nurse Certification.
Clinical Nurse Leader Practicum II (Repeatable. Must be taken for four credit hours for a total of 250 practicum hours.)
4
Subtotal
17
Total Credits
38
Nurse Administrator (NA) Concentration
The Nurse Administrator (NA) concentration is one of two leadership options. Applicants to the NA concentration who have a BSN must complete a total of 32 credit hours of study. A transcript analysis will be completed on all students who have an associate degree in nursing (ADN) from an accredited nursing program and an undergraduate baccalaureate degree in another field to determine any gaps in meeting the Essentials of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. During this transcript review, the plan of study may include up to 11 extra credits. Students are admitted for full-time or part-time study.
The NA curriculum requires a student to complete 480 practicum hours and is designed to meet the competencies established by the American Organization of Nurse Leaders (AONL). The NA option prepares graduates to assume management positions within healthcare organizations.
Nursing Administration Practicum II (Repeatable. Must be taken for four credit hours for a total of 240 practicum hours.)
4
Graduate Electives
3
Subtotal
20
Total Credits
41
Options Offered in Conjunction with Shenandoah University
Nurse Midwifery (NMW) Option
The Nurse Midwifery option is offered in conjunction with Shenandoah University. Students complete the first year of study (22 credits) at James Madison University, and the second year of study at Shenandoah University (26 credits). The JMU credits may be taken part-time or full-time. The second year of nurse midwifery courses is taken in full-time study at Shenandoah University. Student will graduate with a degree from James Madison University and a Post Graduate Certificate in Nurse Midwifery from Shenandoah University.
Students who receive a Post Graduate Certificate in Midwifery will be eligible to take the national certification examination from the American Midwifery Certification Board to become certified nurse-midwives.
Courses Taken at JMU
In addition to 21 credit hours of nursing core courses, students will take the following course at JMU:
Students take 26 credit hours at Shenandoah University. Refer to Shenandoah University's Graduate Catalog for most recent information on their course listing for the NMW Post Masters Certificate.
Core and Option Total: 48 Credit Hours
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Option
The Psychiatric Mental Health option is offered in conjunction with Shenandoah University. Students complete the first year of study (22 credit hours) at James Madison University, and the second year of study at Shenandoah University (29 credit hours). The JMU credits may be taken part-time or full-time. The second year of psychiatric mental health courses is taken in full-time study at Shenandoah University. Student will graduate with a degree from James Madison University and a Post Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health from Shenandoah University.
Students who receive a Post Graduate Certificate in PMHNP will be eligible to take the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner certification examination given by the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Courses Taken at JMU
In addition to 21 credit hours of nursing core courses, students will take the following course at JMU:
Students take 29 credit hours at Shenandoah University. Refer to Shenandoah University's Graduate Catalog for current information on their course listing for the PMHNP Post Masters Certificate.
