Graduate Nursing Overview

Advance your career and scope of practice—and earning potential—with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree or certificate. Gain the credentials that will allow you to practice in all healthcare settings with the greatest employment potential.

Housed in the Wellstar College of Health & Human Services on Kennesaw State’s Kennesaw, Ga., campus, the graduate degrees and certificates reflect the close community ties with a variety of first-class healthcare agencies; thus, a heavy emphasis is placed upon precepted clinical experiences—allowing our students to gain valuable real-world training and skills.

MSN PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Get Your MSN Questions Answered at Our Next Info Session

Learn what you need to know about KSU’s graduate nursing program options at our next virtual information session. Whether you're interested in advancing your career with a Master's degree, pursuing a specialized track or certificate, or exploring research and leadership opportunities, we have a convenient and affordable program option for you. Sign up today.

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 7:30 p.m.

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The Wellstar School of Nursing at Kennesaw State offers the following graduate programs:

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Overall MSN

  • Not at this time
  • Applications open in the fall. The Priority Deadline is January 15. The regular admissions deadline is April 28. Applicants may be considered after April 30 if space is still available in a cohort. New Students begin classes in the fall.
  • Nine semester credits or fifteen quarter credits from an accredited program or college may be transferred with approval by the Associate Program Director.
  • Holds are often related to incomplete health requirements. Check with the Registrar.
  • The Graduate College website provides the most up-to-date information. The Wellstar School of Nursing does have a federal grant for the Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP), specifically for those studying nursing education. Questions about the NFLP can be emailed to graduatenursing@kennesaw.edu.
  • The Graduate College website has many resources to help.
  • Yes. Those who are interested should view the resources available from the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

Family Nurse Practitioner

  • One year of full-time practice as a professional nurse is required before beginning classes in August.
  • Classes meet online or in a hybrid format with a maximum of one weekend a month in on-campus classes and labs.
  • It may not always be possible to work full time while enrolled. The flexibility of your schedule, work responsibilities, and personal commitments should be considered. Each person must make this determination for themselves.
  • Students complete our program in only five semesters if they attend full-time, thus making the program one of the shortest in Georgia.
  • Yes, the part-time option takes eight semesters to complete.

Leadership in Nursing: Nursing Administration and Transformational Leadership

  • There is no requirement to come to campus. There is a required online orientation session.
  • No, the program is primarily asynchronous. Any scheduled virtual sessions for face-to-face content will be posted at the beginning of each semester.
  • A total of 360 practicum hours are required. NURS 7880 is offered in the spring and requires 90 hours. NURS 7881 is offered in the summer and requires 90 hours. Fall semester brings NURS 7882, which requires 135 hours. NURS 6151 includes a practicum assignment of 45 hours.
  • Yes, if an appropriately prepared preceptor is available. Assistance is available to find a preceptor outside of your organization if desired.
  • No, with program coordinator approval, it is possible to meet course objectives working with a nurse leader with an alternative schedule.

Leadership in Nursing: Nursing Education Leadership in a Digital World

  • While most newly graduated baccalaureate nurses have positions following graduation, work experience is not a requirement for admission.
  • Working full-time while being a full-time graduate student is challenging. A great deal depends on how flexible your work schedule is. Many students find that it is not possible to work and study full-time simultaneously and opt to study with us via our part-time option. This is a decision each student must make for themselves.
  • Yes. The part-time option spreads coursework over seven semesters. This contrasts with the full-time student completing coursework in four semesters. Courses are typically offered only once a year.
  • Most of our courses in nursing education are hybrid. These courses meet once monthly in-person with the remaining aspects of the course being asynchronous online content.
  • Each summer, we publish the weekends classes will meet for the coming academic year. Students receive a copy of the schedule in their admissions packet. Face-to-face classes are held in the Prillaman Health Sciences building on the Kennesaw campus, typically on Friday evening and/or Saturday, once monthly.
  • Yes. A specific opportunity available to nursing education students is the Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP). For more information, please view the information below or contact graduatenursing@kennesaw.edu.
  • No. The preceptors for the practicum aspect of the education track are selected with the student’s input and faculty determination of the needs of the student and the program.

Nurse Faculty Loan Program

The Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) is available to all graduate students pursuing a career as nurse educators. Up to 85% of the total amount borrowed can be forgiven if the educator teaches four years full-time (in academia, precepting, or as a nurse educator in a clinical setting) after graduating. Since the program is a federal program, educators are not limited to any one state for employment. These funds are available on a first come, first served basis.

Please see the following links for further information: