Direct Entry to Master of Science in Nursing Program for Non-Nursing Majors (MEPN)

Program Overview

Holding a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field but passionate about healthcare? The Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing program provides an accelerated route into a nursing career. This rigorous, full-time program builds on your prior undergraduate education to ready you for registered nurse licensure and delivers an advanced nursing education.

Start Working as a Nurse in One Year

After finishing the one-year on-site pre-licensure program and passing the NCLEX-RN exam, you become qualified to work as a Registered Nurse (RN) in Vermont or any state within the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). This qualification enables you to further your career by working and simultaneously pursuing an online master's degree in nursing. The program blends on-site and online learning methods. The first year requires on-site attendance, followed by the option to complete the Master of Science (M.S.) in Nursing degree asynchronously online. 

Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate program at the University of Vermont are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The Master of Nursing program is a new program and as such is currently under review in the accreditation process.  The Office of Professional Regulation in the Vermont Secretary of State's office governs Vermont licensure requirements.

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Concentrations

While earning your master’s in nursing, you'll develop advanced clinical expertise through a combination of lectures, simulation labs, seminars, and experiential learning. As you progress through the program, you’ll choose a specialty area you’re passionate about and earn a master’s micro-certificate, a 9-credit intensive, in an area of interest. Some options include:

• Business Leadership
• Education
• Integrative Health and Wellness Coaching
• Public Health (Epidemiology, Public Health Informatics, Public Health, Health Equity, Global Health, Climate Change and Human Health, Health Services Administration and Health Policy and Law)
• Trauma-Informed Care

You'll graduate with not only a master's degree in nursing, but also specialized expertise in a chosen area of interest, giving you a competitive edge in the job market and the ability to make a greater impact in the healthcare industry.

Curriculum

The first year of the Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing program takes place on-site at the University of Vermont, located in Burlington, Vermont. Students have access to clinical placements within the University of Vermont Health Network in Burlington and across the state. The program requires a one-year commitment to on-campus education, followed by a year of online coursework. The pre-RN licensure year is not a stand-alone program and does not provide a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Students who complete their M.S. degree and successfully complete the NCLEX are eligible to practice in any state.

In the first year, students complete 675 hours of hands-on experience, achieving proficiency in clinical skills that include nursing procedures, clinical decision-making, and nursing concepts. This prelicensure period, totaling 34.25 credits, culminates in taking the NCLEX-RN exam and securing a license to practice in Vermont, concurrent with the pursuit of a two-year master’s degree.

Fall

• Pathophysiology
• Pharmacology
• Professional Nursing Issues
• The Science of Nursing: Across Life I
• Practicum: Adult Lifespan I

Spring

• The Science of Nursing: Children
• The Science of Nursing: Adult Lifespan II
• Practicum: Complex Nursing Care of Adults
• The Science of Nursing: Mental Health
• The Science of Nursing: Gynecological Care & Family

Summer

• Compassionate Care for Nurses
• Practicum: Women and Newborns
• Practicum: Mental Health
• Practicum: Children
• ATI 3-day Intensive NC

In the second year and beyond, students progress through the 38-41 credit master's core curriculum and may earn a micro-certificate or a 9-credit intensive cognate in a specialized field. The program offers a range of options such as public health, education, integrative health, business leadership, and trauma-informed care, aimed at developing specialized skills vital in today's diverse healthcare environment. 

Fall

• Advanced Concepts in Health Assessment, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology
• Biostatistics
• Professional Role Development

Spring

• Research, Quality Improvement Methods & Evidence-Based Practice
• Quality and Informatics in Healthcare

Summer

• Nursing Theory
• Compassionate Care for Nurses [if not taken in prelicensure year]
• mCGS/Intensive cognate

Fall

• Master's Project and Thesis Seminar
• Planetary Health for the Health Care Provider
• Master's Thesis Research
• mCGS/Intensive cognate
• Comprehensive Exam

Spring

• Master's Thesis Research OR Master's Project
• Transformational Leadership in Nursing
• mCGS/Intensive cognate

Deadlines

Priority Deadline: November 15
Final Deadline: April 1

Admissions

Our program offers a pathway to a rewarding and in-demand nursing career for individuals without a nursing background. Applicants are required to have completed undergraduate coursework with at least a 3.0 GPA in Anatomy and Physiology I/II, Microbiology, Nutrition, and Statistics. For those needing prerequisite courses, visit UVM Professional and Continuing Education to explore the Pre-MEPN track for further courses and information.

Have questions before applying?

If you have any questions before starting your application, please reach out to us at cnhsgrad@uvm.edu. Once you begin the application, you will find guidance in the University of Vermont Graduate College application portal. It is not necessary to complete the application in a single session; you have the flexibility to save your progress and return to it at a later time.

Outcomes

Upon completion of UVM's Nursing program, graduates will hold an advanced nursing degree, possess clinical expertise, and have a chosen specialization or micro-certificate that sets them apart in the field.

In 2023, graduates from UVM's nursing program achieved a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN examination, markedly exceeding the national average of 87%.

Costs and Funding

The University of Vermont College of Nursing and Health Sciences (CNHS) is committed to helping competitive applicants lower their cost of attendance through merit-based scholarships. 

All prospective students applying for the Direct-Entry Master of Science in Nursing program will be automatically considered for the MEPN Merit Scholarship based on their application for admission. This scholarship ranges from $10,000 - $20,000 and applies to the first year of the UVM Master of Science in Nursing program for those selected.

Scholarship notification is included with the CNHS letter of acceptance to the program for those selected. This letter follows the initial admissions letter sent by the UVM Graduate College. Scholarships are factored into the overall financial aid offer for those applicants who apply for financial aid. 

Learn more about MEPN tuition and financial aid.

More

Is this a Master’s Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN)?

Yes, the accelerated pathway to earn your M.S. in Nursing is commonly referred to as a Master's Entry Program in Nursing, or MEPN. Students in UVM's direct-entry MEPN program do not earn a degree upon completion of the pre-RN licensure year. The program is designed to allow students to progress directly to the M.S. program of study. Completion of the pre-RN licensure MEPN program allows the student to take the NCLEX in the State of Vermont. This is not necessarily transferable to other states. The pre-RN licensure year is not a stand-alone program and does not provide a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Students who complete their M.S. degree and successfully complete the NCLEX are eligible to practice in any state.

Is this an online direct entry M.S.N. program?

The program blends on-site and online learning methods. The first year requires on-site attendance, followed by the option to complete the Master of Science (M.S.) in Nursing degree online. This degree is on par with an M.S.N. and equips students with a comparable level of expertise, as affirmed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Is this program suitable for me if I already possess a nursing degree and wish to pursue a master’s degree?

This master's program caters to registered nurses with a bachelor's degree who aim to gain advanced specialization in a particular area. It provides a seamless transition to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program for those seeking their terminal degree in nursing practice. We recommend contacting our program advisors to determine if this program aligns with your educational aspirations.

How does this program compare to other direct entry M.S. in nursing or M.S.N. programs for non-nursing majors?

Nearby institutions, like Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and Columbia University, offer routes for those with a non-nursing bachelor's degree to enter the nursing field. Yet, few present the opportunity to earn an advanced nursing degree with specialization through micro-credentialing. Moreover, the M.S. in Nursing program at UVM is more affordable than many Northeastern programs. While numerous institutions confer a Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.), the University of Vermont awards a Master of Science (M.S.) in Nursing, adhering to the university's degree nomenclature. Both an M.S.N. and an M.S. in Nursing are equivalent, guaranteeing the same proficiency level for students, as declared by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.