Master of Science in Nursing

Program Overview

UVM’s Master of Science (MS) in Nursing offers 100% online coursework designed to fit seamlessly into your professional and personal life. The program provides the flexibility to advance your education while building on your existing knowledge, clinical experience, and professional goals.

Focused on real-world application, the curriculum prepares nurses with advanced knowledge and skills that are directly relevant to today’s evolving healthcare environment. In addition to core coursework, students complete 9 credits of elective study that can be tailored to their individual interests and career aspirations. These credits may be used to develop advanced knowledge in a focused content area or to complete an existing UVM Graduate Micro-Certificate (MGC), allowing students to enhance their expertise, strengthen their professional credentials, and support their career advancement.Apply Now

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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 nursing professionals are needed more than ever, our rigorous curriculum emphasizes core nursing competencies and advanced concepts essential to contemporary practice. Students develop expertise in integrated clinical assessment, advanced pharmacology, pathophysiology, planetary health, healthcare quality and safety, and compassionate, patient-centered care.

Through a curriculum grounded in scholarship, evidence-based practice, ethical decision-making, resilience, quality improvement, and systems thinking, graduates are prepared to lead, innovate, and address the complex healthcare challenges facing individuals, communities, and populations. The program equips nurses with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to improve health outcomes, advance nursing practice, and make a meaningful impact in an evolving healthcare landscape.

View a sample plan of study and current curriculum requirements (PDF)

Please note that curriculum requirements, course offerings, and plans of study are subject to change. Students should work closely with their academic advisor to ensure timely progression through the program and to stay informed of any updates.

Students enrolled in fewer than 6 credits per semester may experience changes to their financial aid eligibility. Because financial aid packages vary based on individual circumstances, students are responsible for understanding the requirements and implications of their specific financial aid award. Questions regarding aid eligibility should be directed to Student Financial Services.

Deadlines

Program applications are due June 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 Basic Physical Assessment and 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.