Accredited
Hybrid
On-campus
Online
Public
BSN DNP MSN RN-to-MSN Entry-Level BSN MSN-to-DNP MSN to PhD CNL NP PhD BSN-to-PhD Accelerated BSN Post-grad Certificate Other
- Accreditations CCNE
- Location(s) North Carolina
- Telephone 1-919-966-4260
- Request Information
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill is a public institution that was founded in 1789. The School of Nursing at UNC-Chapel Hill has been the role model for "firsts" in North Carolina including:
1950 - First in North Carolina to offer a four-year baccalaureate nursing degree
1955 - First in North Carolina to offer a nursing master's degree
1964 - First in North Carolina to start continuing education for nurses
1970 - First in North Carolina to offer a nurse practitioner program
1989 - First in North Carolina to offer a PhD in nursing
February 2021 Donation
"UNC School of Nursing received a $6.8 million donation to fund scholarships and treatment education programs. UNC received the money from the Helene Fuld Health Trust, a charitable trust that supports the health and education of nursing students. This contribution marks the largest private donation in the school's history.
The school will use the money to help fund scholarships for nursing students and contribute to the project of renewing Carrington Hall, Dean of the School of Nursing Nena Peragallo Montano said.
The fund serves two purposes: $6.3 million of the fund will go to the Helene Fuld Health Trust Quality and Safety Education Center, and half a million will go to scholarships for accelerated Bachelors of Science in Nursing students, Peragallo Montano said."
Academic Nursing Programs
Bachelor of Science in Nursing - traditional BSN
Accelerated BSN - for those with non-nursing bachelor's degrees
Hillman Scholars Nursing Innovation - joint BSN and PhD program
Master of Science in Nursing - MSN with advanced practice and healthcare systems specialties
Post-MSN option - in advanced practice specialties
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD program in nursing science
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Undergraduate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The School of Nursing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill provides a bachelor of science in nursing program for students who want to become registered nurses. The courses are based upon the knowledge, skill, and understanding necessary to function effectively in all areas of professional nursing.
There are two options for students who want a BSN degree:
Four-year option that includes two years pre-nursing/general courses and then two years in the School of Nursing or for the student who has earned a bachelor's degree plus pre-requisites.
Those who have a previous bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing has an accelerated option available, the ABSN.
Graduate
Currently, two Post-Master's Certificate programs are offered: Health Care Systems and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Programs are only available on campus but offer a hybrid-learning curriculum. The curriculum offers specific knowledge and practice opportunities in the advanced practice nursing specialization(s).
Clinical practice sites are in central North Carolina although some locations may be a 1.5-2 hour drive away.
Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification examinations associated with their specialty area of practice.
Master of Science in Nursing
Entry pathways: BSN to MSN and RN to MSN (full-time study with limited availability for part-time study).
The MSN program builds upon the student's baccalaureate nursing education and professional experience. In the end, the graduate will be prepared for a position in leadership.
Program options
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (includes an Oncology option)
Family Nurse Practitioner
Administration
Clinical Nurse Leader
Education
Informatics
Outcomes Management
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate
Currently, the Post-master's track offerings respond to the increased need for health care system specialists and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners in rural and underserved areas in North Carolina.
Upon program completion, graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification examinations for the specialty chosen. This includes:
Informatics
Nursing Leadership
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Entry pathways - BSN to DNP (full-time study only) and MSN to DNP (full- or part-time study)
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program will prepare the nurse for the highest level of professional nursing practice. The focus of the program is to prepare graduates for leadership roles with a focus on administration and health policy.
BSN to DNP
All BSN to DNP students will take a full-time, 3-year in length program that includes 66 to 75 credit hours depending on the student's designated area of advanced practice preparation. Those hours will include 1000 practice hours, required coursework for advanced practice, leadership, practice-based inquiry, and completion of a DNP Project.
BSN to DNP program options
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner with an Oncology option
Family Nurse Practitioner
Administration
Informatics
Outcomes Management
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
MSN to DNP Pathway
The MSN to DNP pathway is for nurses who are already master's-prepared Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN). APRNs interested may include:
- Nurse Practitioner (NP)
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
- Certified Nurse Midwive (CNM)
- Nurse Administrators
- Informaticists
- Outcome Managers
MSN to DNP students who take the full time credit load will be required to complete 37 to 41 credit hours, approximately 500 residency hours, and the completion of an evidence-based practice project (DNP Project).
All DNP students, including MSN to DNP students, are required to complete a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate practice hours.
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
The Doctoral Admissions Committee will only accept and review completed applications that contain all required materials. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure the entire application is received by the posted deadline.
There are two enrolling options for PhD students for a full- or part-time study. Full-time usually takes 9 credit hours per semester. Those students who are not supported by the T32 funding and employed by the University may work no more than 50 percent (20 hrs/week) while enrolled in the program. Students who are supported by the T32 funding may only work 10 more hours per week.
Part-time students take three to six credits per semester and may work while in the course.
Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education
This program is a 9-credit hour program that prepares graduate students to teach within the hospital, community or school setting. Registered nurses (RNs) who are enrolled as graduate or postgraduate students at UNC-CH School of Nursing are eligible. The length of program is one calendar year to complete.
Rankings
US News & World Report (2018-2019)
- #30 (tie) in National Universities
- #10 (tie) in Best Colleges for Veterans
- #8 in Best Value Schools
- #5 (tie) in Top Public Schools
- #5 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Master's
- #9 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice
- #9 (tie) in Nurse Practitioner: Psychiatric / Mental Health, Across the Lifespan
- #12 (tie) in Nurse Practitioner: Family Programs
- #4 in Nursing Administration Programs
- #32 (tie) in Best Global Universities
Forbes (2019)
- #47 Top Colleges
- #9 in Public Colleges
- #29 in Research Universities
- #8 in the South
- #19 America's Best Value Colleges
- #40 America's Best Employers
NICHE (2019)
- Best Big Colleges in America #6
- Top Public Universities in America #7
- Best Colleges for Nursing in America #19
- Best Colleges in America #44
- Colleges with the Best Academics in America #52
- Colleges with the Best Professors in America #55
- Best Value Colleges in America #80
- Most Liberal Colleges in America #289
- Best College Locations in America #355
- Most Diverse Colleges in America #450
- Top Public Universities in North Carolina #1
- Best Big Colleges in North Carolina #1
- Best Colleges in North Carolina #2
- Best Colleges for Nursing in North Carolina #2
- Best Value Colleges in North Carolina #3
- Colleges with the Best Professors in North Carolina #3
- Colleges with the Best Academics in North Carolina #4
- Most Liberal Colleges in North Carolina #8
- Best College Locations in North Carolina #10
- Best Colleges in Raleigh Area #2
- Best Value Colleges in Raleigh Area #2
Ranked 9th in the 2016 QS Top Universities World Ranking of Colleges of Nursing.
Ranked #58 in MONEY'S Best Colleges For Your Money (2018-2019).
Ranked 80th in the world in the QS World University Rankings® 2018.
Accreditation and Approval
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited the School of Nursing through 2021. The DNP program has been accredited by CCNE through June 30, 2020.
The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The Nursing programs are approved by the NC BON.
