Master of Science in Nursing

Program Overview

UVM’s M.S. in Nursing offers 100% online coursework that fits seamlessly into your life. Whether you choose to study part-time or full-time, you'll have the flexibility to advance at your own pace while building on your existing knowledge and skills. Our program is designed to accommodate full-time practice while completing the master's degree.

With a focus on real-world application, you'll gain expertise relevant to today's fast-paced healthcare landscape. Plus, the option to earn a micro-certificate will help you stand out when pursuing new opportunities. 

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Accreditation

The Baccalaureate degree program in nursing, Master’s of Science 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, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. The Office of Professional Regulation in the Vermont Secretary of State's office governs Vermont licensure requirements.

Curriculum

In a world where skilled professionals are needed more than ever, our rigorous curriculum focuses on core nursing competencies and essential topics like integrated clinical assessment, pharmacology, pathophysiology, planetary health, and compassionate care. By honing your clinical skills and exploring advanced concepts, including ethical considerations, resilience building, and evidence-based practice, you’ll graduate equipped to tackle complex societal challenges head-on.

Master’s core curriculum – full time approach

Fall (11 credits)

• GRNS 6300: Advanced Concepts in Health Assessment, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology (5 credits)
• STAT 5000: Biostatistics (3 credits)
• GRNS 6210: Professional Role Development (3 credits)

Spring (6 credits)

• GRNS 6301: Research, Quality Improvement Methods & Evidenced Based Practice (3 credits)
• GRNS 6302: Quality and Informatics in Healthcare (3 credits)

Summer 

• GRNS 6240: Nursing Theory 2 (3 credits)
• GRNS 6303: Compassionate Care for Nurses [if not taken in PL year]
• 2mCGS/Intensive cognate (3 credits)

Fall (7-10 credits)

• GRNS 6590: Master's Project and Thesis Seminar 1
• GRNS 6304: Planetary Health for the Health Care Provider (3 credits)
• GRNS 6391: Master's Thesis Research (3 credits)
• mCGS/Intensive cognate (3 credits)

Comprehensive Exam

Spring (9 credits)

• GRNS 6391: Master's Thesis Research OR GRNS 6392: Master's Project (3 credits)
• GRNS 6305: Transformational Leadership in Nursing (3 credits)
• mCGS/Intensive cognate (3 credits)
• Micro Certificate Concentration (mCGS) or Cognate Intensive (9 credits)

Total Credits: 38-41

Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 throughout the master’s program.

Deadlines

Program applications are due March 30.

Admissions

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) or higher
• College GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Three letters of recommendation
• Personal statement
• Resume or CV
• Pre-requisite course work with GPA 3.0 or higher in Anatomy and Physiology I/II, Microbiology, Nutrition, undergraduate-level Statistics 

International students are eligible to receive an I-20 immigration document to participate in this program. However, whether a student has Vermont RN licensure or not to begin the program, UVM is unable to authorize students for nursing employment experiences while in the program as off-campus authorization (CPT) would not be possible because of the curricular structure of our program. While limited on-campus work would be possible, the UVM Medical Center is not an on-campus employment location, so students should expect not to have any paid nursing opportunities if they come to the program as an F-1 student. Post-Graduate OPT would be an option for students completing the program. This program is not on the STEM Designated list and thus not eligible for OPT beyond one year. Further questions can be directed to internationalstudents@uvm.edu.

New York Applicants: Due to requirements of the New York Office of the Professions, UVM is restricted from offering clinical placements for licensure programs in the state of New York. Therefore, students from the state of New York or any other state may enroll in the MSN/FNP or FNP/DNP, but MAY NOT complete any clinical preceptorships in the state of New York. If students from the state of New York or any other state enroll in these programs, it is with the understanding that all clinical hours MUST be accrued in a state other than New York.

Outcomes

Students in the master’s program will learn to:

1. Integrate conceptual and analytic skills into nursing practice to improve patient health
2. Design, manage, and evaluate comprehensive person-centered care using best practices.
3. Analyze data to improve the health of individual and aggregate populations through collaborative efforts with academic practice and community-based partnerships.
4. Synthesize, translate, apply, and disseminate theoretical and scientific knowledge to promote high-quality, safe, and effective care.
5. Integrate scholarship, research, and analytic methods to lead evidence-based practice changes to ensure the highest level of quality and safety within organizational systems.
6. Lead and collaborate with interprofessional teams to enhance healthcare delivery and improve health outcomes.
7. Optimize safe, cost-effective, and equitable care through coordination of resources within complex health systems.
8. Evaluate information systems and emerging technologies to optimize ethical and safe patient care to improve health outcomes and care delivery.
9. Use professional practice to reduce health disparities, encourage cultural sensitivity and promote access to quality care while advocating for social justice and equity locally, nationally, and globally.

Costs and Funding

Financial assistance is available through scholarships and research/teaching assistant positions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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 M.S. in nursing or M.S.N. programs for non-nursing majors? How does this program compare to other M.S. in nursing or M.S.N. programs for non-nursing majors? Few present the opportunity to earn an advanced nursing degree with specialization through micro-credentialing or other areas (education, public health, health and wellness coaching) outside of traditional nursing foci. 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.