Samford University

Samford University, founded in 1841, is a private, non-profit institution that provides a quality education in a Christian environment; preparing caring, competent and compassionate graduates.

In 1922, the Birmingham Baptist Hospital School of Nursing was founded. There was a large need for nurses and the Birmingham Baptist Association has been successful filling the gap. In 1968, the name was changed to the Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing and became accredited by the National League for Nursing.

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

This is a full-time undergraduate degree program for those who are starting as a Freshman.

Admission Requirements (Incoming Freshman – not all inclusive)

• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Minimum composite ACT score of 21 or a minimum composite SAT score of 1000; scores may be no more than five years old

Admission Requirements (Transfer Students - not all inclusive)

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Minimum science GPA of 2.3 on a 4.0 scale in all required college courses (anatomy, physiology, Microbiology, Chemistry) or to be considered for conditional admission, a student must have a 2.3 in two of the four required courses. Additionally, a 2.3 or higher must be maintained to progress into nursing courses
• All science courses must have been completed within the last five years

Second Degree BSN

This is an option for students who have other bachelor degrees outside of nursing. This is a self-paced course that most students take while working and having family obligations.

Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)

• Minimum baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing from an accredited institution at the time the degree was awarded
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 in courses required for prior bachelor degree(s)
• Minimum science GPA of 2.3 in all required college courses
• All required science courses within the last five years
• No ACT or SAT scores required

Veterans' BSN

This program is perfect for the discharged veteran who has previous healthcare training in the military. The program is a hybrid program and awards the student a BSN in the end, but focuses on building upon their military healthcare experience.

Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)

• Successful completion of all required science courses within the last 10 years 
• Video interview
• No ACT or SAT scores are needed
• If applying for the accelerated or second degree pathway, a minimum of a baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing from an accredited institution

Graduate

• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Health Systems Administration
• Nurse Anesthesia
• RN to DNP
• Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice

Family Nurse Practitioner - BSN to DNP

The family nurse practitioner prepares the nurse to deliver care to the family from infants through geriatrics. After completion of the program, the nurse will sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) certification examination(s). The family nurse practitioner national certification exam pass rates are consistently at or near 100%. Courses are taught online with only three visits needed on campus.

Nurse Anesthesia Transition to DNP

In May of 2018, the nurse anesthesia program transitioned to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. It consists of a 36-month, 94-credit course of study that awards a DNP. After completion of the program, the nurse will be prepared to sit for the nurse anesthesia national certification examination. Upon receiving certification, the CRNA will be prepared to work as a nurse anesthetist with a full scope of practice.

Admission Requirements for Nurse Anesthesia (not all inclusive)

• Unencumbered licensure as an RN
• BSN from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program
• Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
• On-campus interview
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) within the past five years
• The Miller Analogy Test (MAT) is not accepted 
• At least one year of full-time critical care experience as an RN which may include Cardiac Care Unit, Cardiovascular Recovery, Medical ICU, Neuro ICU, Neonatal ICU, Surgical ICU, Burn ICU, Trauma ICU and/or Pediatric ICU
• Three letters of reference from 1) current or previous professor; 2) work supervisor; and 3) professional colleague RN to DNP

Doctoral Program For Associate Degree Nurses

Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing offers an RN-DNP program where no BSN or MSN degrees are awarded. The School of nursing accepts those with an Associate of Science in Nursing degree or a hospital/school Diploma.

Pathways

• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Health Systems Administration

There are five bridge courses that are in the RN to DNP program. Successful completion of all five bridge courses must be accomplished in order to progress to the DNP core courses. Full-time students can complete the RN-DNP program in 12 semesters.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (Post-Master's)

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program prepares nurses to become advanced in their clinical skills, take part in interdisciplinary team-work, and critically think during the most complex situations. They also focus on healthcare policy. The DNP program can be completed at a full-time status in one year and two years at a part time status, via online format.

Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master's degree in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

The Nurse Anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).

Samford University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Rankings

US News & World Report (2019)

• #4 in Regional Universities South
• #2 in Best Colleges for Veterans
• #25 in Best Value Schools
• #7 in Most Innovative Schools
• #78 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Master's
• #58 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice
• #51 (tie) in Nursing-Anesthesia

NICHE (2019)

Forbes (2018-2019)

• #199 Top Colleges
• #138 in Private Colleges
• #41 in the South

College Factual (2018-2019)

• #9 Best Colleges for the Money in Alabama
• #223 Best Colleges for the Money

The Princeton Review listed Samford University in their Best Southeastern listings (2018-2019).

Samford University is the highest ranked university in the state of Alabama according to Kiplinger (2018-2019).

MONEY Magazine ranked Samford University #604 Best Colleges For Your Money (2018-2019).