Frequently Asked Questions

Our accelerated Master of Science in Nursing Program offers a 12-month pathway to practice as a registered nurse (RN) for those with a previous degree in a non-nursing field.

Those who:

• Have at least a bachelor's degree (non-nursing degrees)
• Have complete all pre-requisite courses with at least a grade of “C” in each course. Up to two (2) pre-requisite courses may be pending at the time of application. All pre-requisites must be completed with at least a grade of “C” in each course before the start of nursing courses.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in all previously attempted/completed courses.

12 months

• Completed application.
• Transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities, even if a degree was not granted.
• Current resume or curriculum vita.
• Written statement of purpose for graduate study.
• Two letters of recommendation (personal/professional) attesting to the applicant’s readiness for accelerated graduate education in nursing.
• Personal interview and/or standardized assessments.

• Pre-requisite courses (subject to approval by faculty adviser) include:
• Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
• Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab
• Microbiology with Lab
• Select one: Introductory Logic, Introductory Philosophy, or Chemistry I with Lab
• Nutrition
• Introductory Statistics
• Select one: Developmental Psychology, Human Growth & Development

• In almost all cases, graduate or professional students are considered independent students for the purposes of completing the FAFSA form. This means they generally are not required to provide parent information.

Contact Lynda Gist, (601) 484-0134 or lgist@meridian.msstate.edu,  for more information about financial aid. 

Due to the fast pace and intensity of the program, working while enrolled is generally not recommended.

1 faculty member to 6 students

It is a full-time plan of study across three terms. The curriculum builds on prior education and incorporates prelicensure content and curriculum on advanced nursing concepts of leadership, quality improvement, interprofessional teamwork, population health and policy, and evidenced-based clinical judgment. Feedback from our clinical partners led to the inclusion of these advanced nursing concepts as a focus of the program.

• Classes meet face-to-face and use a team-based learning format, facilitated by a faculty content expert.
• Students can expect to begin supervised direct patient care in the first term of the program.
• Clinical learning experiences occur in acute-care hospitals, specialty facilities, community-based practices, and simulation labs.

No. Courses are taught in a face-to-face format employing team-based and competency development assessment, through simulation, clinical experiences, and practice labs.

Due to the unique nature of the AMSN plan of study, the nursing program does not accept transfer credit from other programs of study for nursing.

• The Learning Center at MSU provides tutoring and other tools to support student success.
• The Writing Center offers support for writing, including assignments and papers.
• The University Library web page enables access to electronic resources, the book collection, electronic reserves, subject guides, online tutorials, reference help, and much more.
• The Career Center helps identify obstacles and teach strategies to determine students’ next steps toward their career goals.

• For student health services, MSU administration has an agreement with a local hospital system to accept the university insurance and accept comparable rates for care provided through the student health center on the Starkville campus. 

• Mental health services at Weems Community Mental Health Center at no cost to the student.

• MSU Nursing offers the only graduate entry into nursing pre-licensure program in Mississippi.
• Belonging is a central value to the learning environment at MSU Nursing. We strive to provide an individualized educational experience while balancing the rigor and clinical intensity required of accelerated graduate education. This nursing program adopts a Team-Based Learning (TBL) approach that stands out through its emphasis on personal and collective accountability, repetitive demonstration of decision-making, and real-time collaboration. In TBL sessions, students showcase clinical judgment, receive immediate feedback, and work collaboratively to enhance decision-making skills. Outside of class, students engage in self-directed learning to build foundational knowledge, which is tested at the beginning of TBL sessions.
• Classroom sessions are characterized by case-based or simulated patient care experiences, providing students with opportunities to apply their knowledge. The educational model aims to swiftly transition students from acquiring knowledge to its practical application and eventual competency. This involves a continuous cycle of demonstration, feedback, evaluation, and correction.
• The first term follows a boot camp style, delivering content through an immersive, condensed course format. Subsequently, the remainder of the term is dedicated to application-level learning experiences. Simulated clinical experiences, including the use of Standardized Patients, are integrated early and consistently to support competency-based evaluation. This approach ensures that students not only grasp theoretical concepts but also develop and demonstrate practical skills in a supportive and interactive learning environment.

Applicants whose native language is not English and/or who have completed their tertiary education primarily outside of the United States must submit official scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), as evidence of English language proficiency.