University of Southern Mississippi

Nursing Programs

• $31,724 In-State Undergraduate Tuition*
• $25,300 In-State Graduate Tuition*

• Program
  Format
  Tuition
  Score
• Clinical Nurse Leader CNL - BSN to DNP
  Online Program
  $18,700 In-State Tuition
  4.0 Program Score
• Family Nurse Practitioner FNP - MSN to DNP
  Hybrid Program
  $24,200 In-State Tuition
  4.1 Program Score
• Family Nurse Practitioner FNP - BSN to DNP
  Hybrid Program
  $39,050 In-State Tuition
  4.1 Program Score
• Family Nurse Practitioner FNP - MSN to Post Grad Certificate
  Hybrid Program
  $14,300 In-State Tuition
  4.4 Program Score
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner PMHNP - BSN to DNP
  Online Program
  $40,150 In-State Tuition
  4.1 Program Score
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner PMHNP - MSN to Post Grad Certificate
  Online Program
  $15,400 In-State Tuition
  4.3 Program Score
• RN to BSN
  Online Program
  $12,360 In-State Tuition
  4.1 Program Score
• Traditional BSN
  On-Campus Program
  $51,088 In-State Tuition
  4.1 Program Score

Sister Mary Remigius led a group of visionary thinking diploma program faculty to respond to the American Nurses Association position statement (1965) that nursing education should be placed under the auspices of degree granting institutions and in 1967, The University of Southern Mississippi College of Nursing was established.

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

The BSN program is the program to lead a prospective student to a nursing degree at an undergraduate level. The program consists of 59 credit hours of non-nursing prerequisite courses and 69 credit hours of upper division nursing courses for a total of 128 credits.

Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)

1. Minimum ACT 21 or above
2. Kaplan Nursing Admission (BSN only)
3. 2.5 GPA or above non-nursing prerequisite courses
4. Current CPR certification, physical exam, immunizations
5. Criminal background check

Veterans' Bachelor of Science in Nursing (VBSN)

The VBSN Pathway is a pathway dedicated to former and active duty service Army or Air Force medics or Navy corpsmen members. Each student has a different path and program requirements are based on past medical education and training.

Requirements (not all inclusive)

1. Be admitted to Southern Miss as a nursing undergraduate and to the Military/Veterans BSN Pathway (VBSN) at the College of Nursing (students must have USM Gulf Coast campus as their home campus)
2. Documented medical training education/practice
3. Healthcare specialist rating while serving in the military and if a veteran, be discharged within the last 3 years (within 5 years for those who have been employed in a civilian healthcare role)
4. If a veteran, provide a DD Form 214 "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty" showing proof of health specialist rating
5. Minimum national composite ACT score 21 or above
6. GPA of at least 2.5 or above in non-nursing prerequisite courses

Graduate

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) online program is designed to help prepare nurses to advance their practice as primary care providers in family (FNP) and mental health (PMHNP) care settings.

Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)

1. BSN from an institution accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (formerly NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
2. GRE including score of 3.0 or higher on the analytical section
3. Nurse practitioner program applicants: one year clinical experience as an RN
4. 3.0 or higher GPA in undergraduate nursing courses
5. Statistics
6. Current, unrestricted Mississippi RN license
7. Current CPR
8. Proof of a recent health examination
9. Three letters of reference
10. Criminal background check/drug screening

Post Graduate Certificate

Those who are accepted and enter the nurse practitioner track must complete graduate level courses in advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology and advanced health assessment for nurse practitioners.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)

1. Graduate from BSN or MSN program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
2. Minimum 3.0 GPA for the most recent nursing degree
3. GRE (verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing sections and an analytical writing score of 3.0)
4. Unencumbered RN license to practice in the state in which the student will perform clinical activities
5. Curriculum vitae/professional résumé
6. Three letters of reference
7. Interview (face-to-face or via telephone)
8. Current CPR certification, criminal background check, hepatitis, Tdap, and MMR immunizations, and TB test or titer
9. Advanced graduate statistics course achieving a grade of B or higher within the past 5 years

Nurse Anesthesia Program (NAP)

Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)

1. BSN or MSN from a fully accredited, National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
2. Cumulative undergraduate GPA 3.0 or better
3. GRE (verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing sections) within the past five years - analytical score at least 3.0
4. Currently working full time as a licensed RN in an area of intensive care nursing for at least one year - preferably 2 years
5. Graduate statistics course grade or B or better unless applicant already holds an MSN
6. Current, unencumbered Mississippi RN license
7. Current ACLS, PALS, BLS, CCRN
8. Personal interview with Admissions Committee (if invited)
9. Proof of immunization against hepatitis B and MMR, recent health examination, and TB skin test yearly
10. Criminal background check/drug screening

Leadership in Nursing – BSN to DNP

The curriculum for the program focuses on a variety of areas including, but not limited to:  ethics, health care law, politics, management, population health, and epidemiology.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The Post-Masters track consists of 48 credit hours in a minimum of 24-30 months of full-time study. The BSN to PhD track requires 60 credit hours through a minimum of 36-42 months of full-time study. Full-time and part-time study tracks are available.

Rankings

US News & World Report (2019)

• #230-#301 in National Universities
• #59 (tie) in Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs
• #93 (tie) in Best Online Bachelor's Programs
• #56 (tie) in Best Online Bachelor's Programs for Veterans
• #111 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Master's
• #123 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice
• #106 (tie) in Nursing-Anesthesia

Accreditation

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited the BSN, MSN, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.

The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) accredited the Nurse Anesthesia Program.

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