University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Visit University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

UNC Chapel Hill Nursing is a pioneer in North Carolina nursing education. Established in 1789, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill offers a variety of leading nursing programs. UNC Chapel Hill was the first in the state to introduce key nursing degrees, including the baccalaureate program, master's degree, nurse practitioner program, and PhD in nursing.

Discover University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Allnurses Nursing School Ranking: A+

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public, non-profit National University offering 4 year or higher degrees.

  • Accreditations: CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education)
  • Available Formats: Hybrid, On-campus, and Online options available.
  • Tuition (books/fees not included):
    • Undergraduate: $26,280 (average)
    • Graduate: $41,974

University Statistics

  • Acceptance Rate: 19%
  • Graduation Rate: 91%
  • NCLEX BS Pass Rate: 97.4%

Contact Info

College data is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Education. For a detailed understanding of how institutions are evaluated, please review our Rankings Methodology. The displayed tuition figure represents an average cost across all nursing programs featured below. NCLEX pass rates retrieved from the institution's (State) Board of Nursing.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Nursing Programs

  • Accelerated BSN

  • On-Campus BSN Program
  • $17,520 In-State Tuition
  • 60 Credits
  • 16 Months
  • 3.00 GPA Required

  • Clinical Nurse Leader CNL

  • Online BSN to MSN Program
  • $34,023 In-State Tuition
  • 33 Credits
  • 16 Months
  • 2.75 GPA Required
  • 420 Clincal Hours

  • Family Nurse Practitioner FNP

  • Online MSN to Post Grad Certificate Program
  • $21,651 In-State Tuition
  • 21 Credits
  • 24 Months
  • 3.00 GPA Required
  • 450 Clincal Hours

  • Nurse Educator

  • Online Post Grad Certificate Program
  • $12,600 In-State Tuition
  • 9 Credits
  • 12 Months

  • Traditional BSN

  • On-Campus BSN Program
  • $35,040 In-State Tuition
  • 120 Credits
  • 48 Months
  • 2.80 GPA Required

Student Demographics

  • 20 Average Age
  • 39% Men
  • 61% Women
  • 0% Veterans
  • 75% White
  • 5% Hispanic
  • 18% Black
  • 3% Asian
  • 20,556 Undergraduate Students
  • 11,553 Graduate Students

Academic 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 Program

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 Programs

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 Midwife (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.

History

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

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