We are excited to introduce our Prelicensure Entry-Level MSN program, designed for aspiring nurses ready to embark on their professional journey.
Program overview
UNCG’s Prelicensure Entry-Level MSN is considered a Direct Master’s Entry program by the NC Board of Nursing. This option is available for qualified students who have previously earned a baccalaureate degree, or higher, in disciplines and areas that are non-nursing, who are not Registered Nurses, and who are interested in pursuing an MSN degree and being eligible to take the National Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to obtain a Registered Nurse license. This is a 24-month program.
Applications will open June 1, 2026. Final deadline for January 2027 admission is October 1, 2026. Priority deadline, which includes consideration for scholarships, is September 1, 2026. Final deadline for August 2027 admission is May 15, 2027, with a priority deadline of April 15, 2027, to be considered for scholarships.
Accelerated Pathway: Our program offers an accelerated pathway to earning your MSN degree, allowing you to enter the nursing profession more quickly and efficiently.
Mentorship and Peer Support: Receive guidance from the Prelicensure Entry-Level Concentration Coordinator and access peer support opportunities to foster student success.
Develop Leadership Skills: Acquire skills crucial for future nurse leadership roles, empowering you for success in your career trajectory.
Career Opportunities: Graduates of our Prelicensure Entry-Level MSN program are well-prepared for entry-level nursing positions in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and community health organizations.
Pathway to Advanced Practice: Upon graduation, you’ll have the foundation to pursue advanced practice nursing roles or further your education with a post-master’s certificate or doctoral degree.
National Recognition: The MSN program is ranked No. 14 nationally in the U.S. News & World Report listing of “Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs.”
PROGRAM DETAILS
Previously earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution with a GPA of 2.70 or greater. Priority will be given to students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. OR Completion of a bachelor’s that is equivalent to a U.S. degree from an international college or university recognized and approved by the Ministry of Education or Commission responsible for higher education in the country where the degree is earned.
Must be a non-nurse.
Prerequisite courses must be completed prior to enrolling in the M.S.N. Prelicensure Entry-Level Concentration.
Applicants must apply to UNCG and meet all the University’s requirements.
Prerequisite courses may be repeated only one time. However, no more than two of the above prerequisite courses may be repeated to earn the minimum grade of C or above.
Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English Language Proficiency (ELP).
Applicants who are unable to demonstrate English proficiency may apply for conditional admission and earn their proficiency through Interlink International Institutes.
Applicants must apply through the Graduate School online portal.
Prerequisites for Admission
Applicants holding a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing and who wish to apply to the Prelicensure Entry-Level Concentration must complete the following prerequisite courses or their equivalent prior to enrollment, with a grade of C or better. Only two prerequisite courses may be remaining and in progress at the time of application submission.
*KIN 291 Clinical Human Anatomy and KIN 291L Clinical Human Anatomy Laboratory can be accepted in place ofBIO 271and BIO 271L.
**KIN 292 Clinical Human Physiology and KIN 292L Clinical Human Physiology Laboratory can be accepted in place ofBIO 271and BIO 271L.
Please refer to the current University Catalog for information about prerequisites for BIO 271, BIO 277, and BIO 280.
Applications will open July 1, 2026.
Final deadline for January 2027 admission is September 15, 2026.
Priority deadline, which includes consideration for scholarships, is September 1, 2026.
Final deadline for August 2027 admission is May 15, 2027, with a priority deadline of April 15, 2027, to be considered for scholarships.
Applicants must submit an application to the Graduate School online portal with the appropriate application fee.
Applications must include:
Completion of the Community Standards and Campus Safety Questionnaire. The UNC System requires all applicants to answer questions regarding community standards.
Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
A list of three academic and/or professional references.
A curriculum vitae or resume that contains your educational degrees and work, employment history, membership or offices in organizations, and community service activities.
A personal statement must be attached to your application.
In 300 words or fewer, reflect on your decision to pursue nursing as a second-degree student. Describe what draws you to the profession, how you are prepared for the demands of an accelerated graduate nursing program, and any additional information that will help the admissions committee understand your academic background.
The priority application and final application deadlines will be announced annually.
Acceptance to the program will be contingent on grades received on any courses that are in progress during the semester prior to the start of the program. No more than two courses may be in progress prior to the start of the program.
All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to enrolling in the Prelicensure Entry-Level concentration program.
Acknowledgement of acceptance from applicants with an intent to enroll will be required no later than 15 days from the date of acceptance letters.
All applicants must meet the technical standards required of all nursing students as stated in the University Catalog.
Students must have reliable internet access and other resources that support online learning, such as a laptop and basic computer literacy. Examples of software applications that will be used include Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Microsoft Teams. The courses will be delivered using a Learning Management System.
Students should not be employed during this program. This intensive program is full- time, requires full-time dedication, and may require students to attend clinical experiences at nontraditional days and times. Flexibility is needed for clinical rotations that may be held during days, nights, and/or weekends.
Contact hours for each semester are normally 35-40 hours per week.
To meet the University’s requirement for full-time status, students must enroll in a minimum of 9 graduate credit hours during fall and spring semesters and 6 graduate credit hours in summer semesters.
Students may be required to travel an extended distance to a variety of clinicals sites depending on the location of their clinical experiences. Students must have reliable transportation.
Students must have current American Heart Association Health Care Provider Basic Life Support (AHA BLS) certification, immunizations, and other clinical requirements by the deadlines provided in the admission documents.
A criminal background check is required; information for obtaining this will be provided in the admission documents.
Admission is contingent upon receipt of a satisfactory evaluation of the applicant’s physical and emotional health to provide nursing care. This evaluation form will be sent to students who are admitted to the Prelicensure Entry-Level Concentration program and must be signed by the student’s physician. This is a requirement of the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
Health insurance is required for all students enrolling in 6 or more credit hours each semester.
Explore the specific degree requirements for the Prelicensure Entry-Level MSN in the UNCG catalog.
An entry-level MSN program is designed for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field and wish to pursue a career in nursing. This program provides the necessary education and training to become a registered nurse (RN) and prepares students for advanced nursing roles.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is an undergraduate program that allows students to complete a bachelor’s degree as they prepare to become registered nurses (RNs). Typically, these students are first year college students and/or transfer students. The entry-level MSN program is a graduate program designed for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree and are looking to transition into nursing.
Both programs are graduate nursing programs; however, the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is designed for students who already have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and are looking to further their nursing education. The entry-level MSN program is designed for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in another discipline who want to transition into nursing.
The PELMSN program is designed to be a full-time program to provide comprehensive and immersive training in both coursework and clinical practice. This full-time format is designed to ensure you receive the most thorough preparation for your nursing career.
Upon graduation, you will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam to become a Registered Nurse (RN). Graduates can work in a variety of clinical and nonclinical settings, including hospitals, clinics, community health organizations, and more. Graduates can specialize in emergency room, medical-surgical, community health, critical care, pediatrics, hospice, obstetrics, oncology, and many more nursing specialties! Graduates of the program often fulfill essential roles in the healthcare system such as a travel nurse, flight nurse, public health nurse, telehealth nurse, forensic nurse, staff nurse, research nurse, school nurse, hospice nurse, occupational health nurse, nurse administrator and leader, nurse educator, and home health nurse. Completing your BSN at UNCG School of Nursing ensures that you are prepared to pursue specialized fields and advance your education.
It depends on how long ago the courses were taken and the specific requirements of the School of Nursing. There is no time limitation with prerequisites; however, we recommend that the science courses should be recent (within the last 5-7 years). Check with an advisor for specific guidelines and an individualized transcript review.
The NCLEX pass rate for the program varies year to year. Check the latest statistics on the School of Nursing’s website or contact the Concentration Coordinator for current rates.
For more information, contact Kisha Crouch, program specialist, kacrouch@uncg.edu
Yes, the PELMSN program is 2-years full-time, including two summers.
If the program reaches capacity, qualified applicants may be placed on a waitlist. Students on the waitlist can be notified up until the first day of class if a space becomes available in the program. If a student on the waitlist is not accepted, the student is encouraged to apply during the next admission cycle. Reapplication does not carry over into the next application cycle and does not guarantee admission.
Yes, graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN exam and apply for nursing licensure through the state Board of Nursing to obtain licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN). For more information about the NCLEX-RN, visit the NCSBN NCLEX page. If you are testing in NC, see the detailed information about licensure by examination on the North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON) website. If you are testing outside of the state of NC, check the application requirements early on the applicable Board of Nursing website.
Yes, the PELMSN program is a blended program. Most of the courses are taught face-to-face on campus but there are a few courses that are 100% online.
Clinicals are typically held at various healthcare facilities, including hospitals, clinics, and community health settings in the Triad area. Examples of our clinical partners include Cone Health, Novant Health, Atrium/Advocate Health, Alamance-Burlington School Systems, Guilford County Health Department, Authoracare, Hospice of Rockingham, Hospice of the Piedmont, the surrounding VA Hospitals, UNC Chapel Hill, WakeMed, Duke Health, and many more!
Students who have completed the Entry-Level MSN program are eligible to apply to the DNP Post-Master’s program.
Yes, the clinical experiences from the courses that are part of our Leadership & Management MSN program can be applied towards the required clinical hours for any DNP program, whether at UNCG or any other accredited DNP program.
The U.S. Department of Education requires that all higher education institutions advise students as to whether their curriculum provides them with the eligibility to apply for aprofessional license and /or certification in the state for which they plan to practice.
As such, please review UNC Greensboro’s status by state for the Master of Science in Nursing, Prelicensure Entry Level. You should note whether the program either “meets”, “does not meet”, or if there “has not been a determination” of the program’s status in the state for which you plan to practice. You should contact the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Dr. Yvonne Eaves at ydeaves@uncg.edu, with any questions regarding this data.
