University of North Carolina at Charlotte

The four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree was authorized by Charlotte College on April 17, 1964. The college became UNC Charlotte and the Department of Nursing became the College of Nursing in 1965. By 2000, the School of Nursing became the first school organized within a college at UNC Charlotte.

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

The pre-licensure BSN curriculum is for the novice student.

The 4-year, BSN program of study prepares the graduate for generalist practice in nursing and is completed allowing the graduate to sit for the national licensing exam (NCLEX) to become eligible for state licensure as a registered nurse (RN).

RN to BSN

The RN to BSN completion program is designed for the current associate degree or diploma-prepared RN.

RN to BSN curriculum can be completed within one calendar year and is 31 hours in length.

Admission (not all inclusive)

• Current unencumbered RN license
• GPA 2.0 or better in all college courses which are eligible for transfer to UNC Charlotte
• At least a 'C' in all required nursing prerequisites
• Additional consideration is given to students with a previous bachelor's or master's degree, previous UNC Charlotte course credit, and current work experience as an RN

Graduate

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Specialty Tracks

Nurse Administrator - The program meets the educational requirements for the ANCC certification in Nursing Administration or Nursing Administration Advanced (CNAA). There are 36 credit hours for the program that can be completed within 27 months of part-time online study.  

Nurse Educator - Graduates that are prepared with two years of full-time teaching experience are eligible to take the NLN certification exam for Nurse Educators. There are 39 credit hours that can be completed in 30 months within a part-time study.

Community Public Health Nursing - After graduation, individuals will meet the educational requirements for the exam leading to board certification by the ANCC as an Advanced Public Health Nurse.

Admission (not all inclusive)

• Current unrestricted licensure as RN
• Current license in North Carolina or a compact state or the state identified by faculty for clinical practice before enrollment OR Graduation from a post-secondary level Nursing Program
• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited university; BSN from nationally accredited program preferred
• Overall GPA of 3.0 in the last degree earned is preferred
• Statistics course with a grade of 'C'or better
• Statement of purpose
• Three letters of recommendation
• One year of professional nursing practice is recommended

Nurse Anesthesia

This MSN specialty concentration in Nurse Anesthesia is offered in partnership with Carolinas Medical Center. This full-time course of study is 27 months in length.

Admission (not all inclusive)

• Current unrestricted RN license
• Current license in North Carolina or a compact state or the state identified by faculty for clinical practice before enrollment
• BSN from an accredited nursing program
• GRE minimum combined score of 293 verbal & quantitative sections is recommended (MAT scores are not accepted)
• GPA of 3.0 for all undergraduate work after high school
• GPA of 3.0 for all basic undergraduate science courses taken since high school
• Undergraduate statistics course with a grade of 'C' or better
• Statement of purpose
• Three letters of recommendation
• Minimum of 18 months of current full time critical care experience with adult patients
• Current certification in BLS, ACLS, and PALS
• Invitation for an interview
• Acceptable Critical Care Experience includes: Intensive Care Unit, Coronary Care Unit, Trauma Intensive Care Unit, Neuro Intensive Care Unit, Surgical Intensive Care Unit, and Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit
• Experience not acceptable includes: Flight Team, Emergency Room, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Post Anesthesia Care Unit, and Operating Room

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) - After successful completion, graduates will be eligible to take the ANCC or the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Certification Corporation examination for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners. The Capstone Project is required for the program. This program is designed for full-time and many of the classes are held in the late afternoon or evening. A minimum of 600 hours of supervised clinical experience.

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Across the Lifespan - The FNP program can be completed in 27 months of full-time, campus-based study. After graduating, individuals will be qualified to sit for exams leading to board certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner by the AANCC and/or the AANP. This program specialty requires a Capstone project.

Admission FNP and AGACNP (not all inclusive)

• Unencumbered RN license in North Carolina
• Baccalaureate degree from accredited university
• Overall GPA of 3.0 in the last degree earned
• Undergraduate statistics course with a grade of 'C' or better
• Statement of purpose
• Three letters of recommendation
• One year of experience as a professional nurse

Post-Master's Certificates

The School offers two types of Certificates: a post master's certificate and a graduate certificate. 

Nurse Anesthesia Post Master's

Students must hold an MSN from an accredited program. Within 27 months, the full-time course of study plan can be completed.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

The Dual DNP program is full-time with students enrolling in 8-9 credit hours/semester. Part time Option is available on a limited basis. This program is a hybrid program designed to prepare nurses for leadership in clinical practice. The Dual DNP program can be completed in as little as five semesters.

Admission (not all inclusive)

• MSN in an advanced nursing practice specialty from nationally accredited program
• Overall GPA of at least 3.5 in the MSN program
• Current RN licensure in the U.S. with eligibility for NC licensure
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurses evidence of current national certification and meet the state requirements for practice in their state of licensure
• Essay
• Resume/curriculum vitae
• Three professional recommendations
• Evidence of 500 supervised clinical hours

Accreditation and Approval

The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master's degree in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at University of North Carolina at Charlotte are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

UNC Charlotte is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

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

The undergraduate nursing programs are approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing.

NCLEX Pass Rates

• 95% - 2018
• 89% - (as of March 2019)

Rankings

US News & World Report (2019 - 2020)

• #194 (tie) in National Universities
• #106 (tie) in Top Public Schools
• #37 (tie) in Best Online Bachelor's Programs
• #62 in Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs
• #74 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Master's
• #92 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice
• #36 (tie) in Nursing-Anesthesia

NICHE (2019)

Forbes (2019)

• #480 Top Colleges
• #166 in Public Colleges
• #193 in Research Universities
• #102 in the South
• #234 America's Best Value Colleges

UNC Charlotte ranked #2 in 2018 Best Nursing Schools in North Carolina by College Factual.

MONEY Magazine ranked UNC Charlotte #400 Best Colleges For Your Money (2018).

The UNC Nursing program ranked #106 in the United States and in Top 5 in North Carolina for 2017 by Best Nursing Colleges.