Master of Nursing at East Carolina University
    Go to East Carolina University

    Master of Nursing at East Carolina University

    East Carolina University
    East Carolina University
    United States of America
    United States of America, Greenville
    Master of Nursing at East Carolina University

    Study Nursing at East Carolina University, a Master degree offered at its main campus in Greenville , United States of America. This Full Time program is delivered on campus in English and takes approximately 2 years to complete. Students benefit from a structured learning experience designed to build both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. The next intake is scheduled for August 21, 2027.

    About Master of Nursing

    Do you have a passion for helping others, saving lives, and promoting health? Do you desire to teach others or develop leadership skills?

    The College of Nursing at East Carolina University offers a master of science in nursing degree with specialty concentrations in clinical nurse specialist, nursing leadership, nursing education, neonatal nurse practitioner, nurse midwifery, and nurse anesthesia. Post-master's certificate options are also available.

    The master of science in nursing program prepares graduates for advanced practice nursing and for leadership roles in a variety of community based or acute care provider agencies. The MSN program offers seven concentrations:

    Part-time study is available. Certificate programs are available for post-master's study in selected areas.

    The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036; phone 202-887-6791.

    The nurse midwifery concentration is also accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) formerly called the American College of Nurse-Midwives, Division of Accreditation, 8403 Colesville Road, Suite 1550, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone 240-485-1802, fax 240-485-1818.

    The nurse anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, 222 South Prospect Avenue, Park Ridge, IL 60068; telephone 847-692-7050.

    • Department Website
    • College Website
    • How Do I Apply
    • Apply Now

    Program Coordinator: Shannon Baker Powell (3185 Health Sciences Building; 252-744-6406; [email protected])

    The Nursing, MSN program prepares graduates for advanced practice nursing and for leadership roles in a variety of community based or acute care provider agencies. The program offers seven concentrations.

    Contact Information by Program Area:

    Part-time study is available. Certificate programs are available for post-master's study in selected areas.

    The post-graduate Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Certificate, MSN, and DNP programs at East Carolina University College of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

    The nurse-midwifery concentration is also accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME), 8403 Colesville Road, Suite 1803, Silver Spring, MD 20910-6374; phone 240-485-1803; email [email protected]; website www.midwife.org/acme.

    Admission

    Admission to the Nursing, MSN program requires the student to meet the minimum admission requirements for graduate study as established by the university and the following requirements established by the College of Nursing.

    The College of Nursing may allow nondegree graduate students to be enrolled in Nursing, MSN core courses as space permits. A student with interest in taking nursing graduate courses prior to applying or being accepted into a graduate nursing program should apply to the ECU Graduate School as a nondegree student. Once accepted as a nondegree student, the student may request registration from the core concentration director. Acceptance as a nondegree student and completion of core courses does not imply acceptance into any nursing graduate program.

    Applicants for the nurse-midwifery concentration, in addition to the general admission criteria, must have one year of hospital RN experience (labor and delivery preferred), demonstrate a commitment to practice with under-served populations, and must have at least one reference from a health care provider knowledgeable about the applicant's nursing practice. Midwifery applications for the Nursing, MSN program are only accepted in the fall for spring enrollment. 

    Applicants for the adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist concentration, in addition to the general admission criteria, must have one year of current practice experience and must have at least one of the three references from a health care provider knowledgeable about the applicant's nursing practice.

    Completed applications for the adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist concentration will be considered for fall and spring admission.

    Applications for the neonatal clinical nurse specialist concentration, in addition to the general admission criteria, must have two years of current practice experience and provide one of the three references from a health care provider knowledgeable about the applicant's nursing practice.

    Applicants for the neonatal nurse practitioner concentration, in addition to the general admission criteria, must have the equivalent of 2 years of full-time clinical practice experience (within the last 5 years) as a registered nurse (RN) in the care of critically ill neonates or infants in critical care inpatient settings is required before a student begins clinical courses. Students may enroll in preclinical courses while obtaining the necessary practice experience and may be required to provide a third reference from a health care provider knowledgeable about the student's nursing practice while practice experience is accrued.

    Applicants may take core courses while gaining the required RN experience for admission into selected concentrations.

    Completed applications will be considered as they are received, with the exception of adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist, neonatal nurse practitioner, nurse anesthesia, and nurse-midwifery.

    Applicants for the nursing education, health systems leadership, and adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist concentrations must have a minimum of one year RN experience prior to enrolling in specialty courses.

    Applicants for the health systems leadership concentration, in addition to the general admission criteria, must provide a third reference from a health care provider knowledgeable about the applicant's nursing practice.

    Applicants for the psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner concentration, in addition to the general admission criteria, must have psychiatric nursing experience and one of the three references must be a nurse practitioner.

    For application deadlines, please visit the College of Nursing website. 

    • a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited program
    • a minimum GPA of 2.7 in undergraduate studies and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in nursing major
    • currently hold a nonrestricted license to practice as a registered nurse (RN) in North Carolina or a NCSBN compact state
    • a statement describing the applicant's interest in graduate study, career goals, and the Nursing, MSN relationship to those goals
    • two or three professional references (see concentration-specific requirements)
    • a personal or digitally recorded interview with the graduate faculty
    • a current resume is required for the nurse-midwifery application
      Program Prerequisites

      A course in statistics with a grade of C or higher and basic computer skills with both applications software and the Internet are prerequisites for all concentrations. 

        Graduate Student Progression Procedure

        Students are required to earn a grade of "B" or above in the courses listed below. A student earning a grade below a "B" in any of these courses will have his/her program of study terminated.

          Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist

          NURS 6959, NURS 6960, NURS 6961, NURS 6962, NURS 6989,  NURS 6993 

            Health Systems Leadership

            NURS 6977, NURS 6978, NURS 6993 

              Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist

              NURS 6417, NURS 6418, NURS 6419, NURS 6420, NURS 6422, NURS 6959, NURS 6960, NURS 6961, NURS 6962, NURS 6993 

                Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

                NURS 6417, NURS 6418, NURS 6419, NURS 6420, NURS 6421, NURS 6422, NURS 6423, NURS 6424, NURS 6425, NURS 6993

                  Nurse Midwifery

                  NURS 6112, NURS 6113, NURS 6115, NURS 6116, NURS 6117, NURS 6119, NURS 6993

                    Nursing Education

                    NURS 6903, NURS 6904, NURS 6905, NURS 6908, NURS 6909, NURS 6993

                      Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

                      NURS 6993, NURS 7501, NURS 7502, NURS 7503, NURS 7510, NURS 7511, NURS 7520, NURS 7521, NURS 7530, NURS 7531 

                      Degree Requirements

                      Depending upon the concentration area chosen within the degree program, the Nursing, MSN requires 37-69 s.h. as follows. Concentrations are clustered as administrative, clinical, and education.

                        Administrative:

                        Health Systems Leadership - 38 s.h.

                          Clinical:
                          • adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist - 43 s.h.
                          • neonatal clinical nurse specialist - 43 s.h.
                          • neonatal nurse practitioner - 42 s.h.
                          • nurse midwifery - 53 s.h.
                          • psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner - 47 s.h.
                            Education:
                            • Nursing Education - 37 s.h.
                              Requirements:
                                1. Common core - 13 s.h.
                                • NURS 6080 - Theory for the Practice of Advanced Nursing
                                • NURS 6081 - Research for the Practice of Advanced Nursing
                                • NURS 6082 - Influencing Healthcare Quality, Safety, and Policy
                                • NURS 6083 - Healthcare, Finance, and Economics
                                • NURS 6993 - Advanced Nursing Synthesis
                                2. Cluster core - 8-20 s.h.

                                (Choose appropriate cluster for concentration.)

                                  Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist - 12 s.h.
                                  • NURS 6050 - Human Physiology and Pathophysiology for Advanced Nursing Practice
                                  • NURS 6208 - Concepts of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention for Advanced Nursing Practice
                                  • NURS 6610 - Health Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice
                                  • NURS 6611 - Clinical Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice
                                  Health Systems Leadership - 8 s.h.
                                  • NURS 6971 - Health Policy, Law, and Ethical Decision Making
                                  • NURS 6973 - Contemporary Issues in Human Relations
                                  • NURS 6974 - Financial Management and Decision-making in Nursing Leadership
                                  Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist - 12 s.h.
                                  • NURS 6208 - Concepts of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention for Advanced Nursing Practice
                                  • NURS 6417 - Developmental Physiology for Advanced Practice Nurses Across the Lifespan
                                  • NURS 6418 - Health Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice Across the Lifespan
                                  • NURS 6419 - Clinical Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice Across the Lifespan
                                  Neonatal Nurse Practitioner - 9 s.h.
                                  • NURS 6417 - Developmental Physiology for Advanced Practice Nurses Across the Lifespan
                                  • NURS 6418 - Health Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice Across the Lifespan
                                  • NURS 6419 - Clinical Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice Across the Lifespan
                                  Nurse Midwifery - 9 s.h.
                                  • NURS 6050 - Human Physiology and Pathophysiology for Advanced Nursing Practice
                                  • NURS 6610 - Health Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice
                                  • NURS 6611 - Clinical Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice
                                  Nursing Education - 9 s.h.
                                  • NURS 6050 - Human Physiology and Pathophysiology for Advanced Nursing Practice
                                  • NURS 6610 - Health Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice
                                  • NURS 6611 - Clinical Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice
                                  Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - 12 s.h.
                                  • NURS 6050 - Human Physiology and Pathophysiology for Advanced Nursing Practice
                                  • NURS 6208 - Concepts of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention for Advanced Nursing Practice
                                  • NURS 6610 - Health Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice
                                  • NURS 6611 - Clinical Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice
                                3. Concentration area - 15-36 s.h.

                                (Choose one area.)

                                  Administrative - 17 s.h.
                                    Health Systems Leadership - 17 s.h.
                                    • NURS 6977 - Nursing Leadership Practicum I
                                    • NURS 6978 - Nursing Leadership Practicum II
                                    • NURS 6983 - Theoretical and Operational Perspectives for Systems Leadership
                                    • NURS 6984 - Informatics for Advanced Nursing Practice
                                    • NURS 6988 - Population Health Leadership
                                  Clinical - 18-36 s.h.
                                    Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist - 18 s.h.
                                    • NURS 6959 - Clinical Nurse Specialist Theory and Role Development
                                    • NURS 6960 - Clinical Nurse Specialist Practicum I
                                    • NURS 6961 - Clinical Nurse Specialist Practicum II
                                    • NURS 6962 - Clinical Nurse Specialist Practicum III
                                    • NURS 6989 - Clinical Practice for the CNS Across the Adult Lifespan
                                    • 3 s.h. elective clinical specialty courses
                                    • 3 s.h. elective clinical specialty courses
                                    Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist - 18 s.h.
                                    • NURS 6420 - Advanced Neonatal Nursing: Research and Theory I
                                    • NURS 6422 - Advanced Neonatal Nursing: Research and Theory II
                                    • NURS 6959 - Clinical Nurse Specialist Theory and Role Development
                                    • NURS 6960 - Clinical Nurse Specialist Practicum I
                                    • NURS 6961 - Clinical Nurse Specialist Practicum II
                                    • NURS 6962 - Clinical Nurse Specialist Practicum III
                                    Neonatal Nurse Practitioner - 20 s.h.
                                    • NURS 6420 - Advanced Neonatal Nursing: Research and Theory I
                                    • NURS 6421 - Advanced Neonatal Nursing Practicum I
                                    • NURS 6422 - Advanced Neonatal Nursing: Research and Theory II
                                    • NURS 6423 - Advanced Neonatal Nursing Practicum II
                                    • NURS 6424 - Advanced Neonatal Nursing: Research and Theory III
                                    • NURS 6425 - Advanced Neonatal Nursing Practicum III
                                    Nurse Midwifery - 31 s.h.
                                    • NURS 6109 - Introductory Nurse Midwifery Professional Roles and Issues
                                    • NURS 6110 - Reproductive Physiology
                                    • NURS 6112 - Nurse Midwifery Management: Well Women Care
                                    • NURS 6113 - Nurse Midwifery Management: Antepartal Care
                                    • NURS 6115 - Nurse Midwifery Management: Intrapartal Care
                                    • NURS 6116 - Nurse Midwifery Management: Postpartal Care and Neonatal Care
                                    • NURS 6117 - Nurse Midwifery Management: Integration Practicum
                                    • NURS 6118 - Integration of Nurse Midwifery Professional Roles and Issues
                                    • NURS 6119 - Nurse Midwifery Management: Introduction to Primary Care for Well Women
                                      • Students in the nurse-midwifery concentration who have no labor and delivery experience are required to take an independent study with a clinical rotation in labor and delivery, in addition to required courses.
                                      Nursing Education - 15 s.h.
                                      • NURS 6903 - Curriculum Development in Nursing
                                      • NURS 6904 - Educational Concepts, Theories, and Strategies in Nursing
                                      • NURS 6905 - Nursing Education Role Practicum I
                                      • NURS 6909 - Evaluation in Nursing Education
                                      • 3 s.h. elective or cognate
                                      • 3 s.h. elective or cognate
                                        • Students in the nursing education concentration who have limited teaching experience may be required to take the following course, in addition to required courses.
                                        • NURS 6908 - Nursing Education Role Practicum II
                                      Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - 22 s.h.
                                      • NURS 7501 - Neuroscience and Psychopharmacology in Advanced Nursing Practice
                                      • NURS 7502 - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Role Development
                                      • NURS 7503 - Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders Across the Lifespan in Advanced Provider Practice
                                      • NURS 7510 - Psychotherapeutic Interventions and Treatment of Couples, Families and Groups in Advanced Nursing Practice
                                      • NURS 7511 - Advanced Nursing Practice Practicum and Supervision with Couples, Families and Groups
                                      • NURS 7520 - Diagnosis, Disease Management and Psychotherapeutic Treatment of Adults and Older Adults in Advanced Nursing Practice
                                      • NURS 7521 - Advanced Nursing Practice Practicum and Supervision with Adults and Older Adults
                                      • NURS 7530 - Diagnosis, Disease Management and Psychotherapeutic Treatment in Children, Families and Special Populations
                                      • NURS 7531 - Advanced Nursing Practice Practicum and Supervision in Children, Families and Special Populations
                                Comprehensive Assessment Requirement

                                All ECU graduate programs require students to successfully complete a comprehensive assessment. A comprehensive examination is required for graduation for all MSN degree-seeking students.

                                For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.

                                Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of Nursing at East Carolina University

                                Entry Requirements

                                In order to be considered for admission, international graduate applicants follow the same steps as a U.S. applicant with a few exceptions as identified in Red font. Step by step instructions are identified below:

                                • Complete the ECU Online Graduate School Application: One application fee and one set of supporting documents should be submitted for each program of study applying to.
                                • Pay the Application Fee: Payment will be made through the self-service portal prior to submission of the application. The payment portal accepts debit or credit card only.
                                • Provide Foreign Transcript Evaluation: 

                                An official course by course credential evaluation of all foreign transcripts indicating that, at minimum, the US equivalent of a bachelor’s degree has been awarded by an accredited college or university is required.

                                • Provide Official Transcript(s) & Diploma Copy: A copy of your transcript(s) and diplomas showing a full education history issued in your native language as well as a notarized or certified copy in English must be uploaded to your application.
                                • Provide Evidence of English Proficiency: If English is not your native language and you have not completed at least one year of education (minimum of 18 credit hours) at a United States school, you are required to take a standardized English language exam or complete the ECU Language Academy (ECULA).
                                  • Language Exam Options: The Graduate School accepts either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Duolingo English Test or Pearson Test of English (PTE) and scores must be forwarded to the Graduate School by the testing service. The paper- or computer-based TOEFL exam is accepted by request only.
                                • ECU Language Academy: You may choose to attend the ECU Language Academy instead of taking the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. Also, if you do not obtain the required score on the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE, at least one session of the ECU Language Academy may be required prior to the start of your program. Successful completion of all levels of the ECU Language Academy is required for admission without TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores. More information on the ECU Language Academy, including the ECULA application, is available on the Intensive English Program website. Individual programs may have higher minimum requirements.
                                • Provide Official Standardized Admissions Test Results: If required by the program you’re applying to, please arrange for an official score report to be sent directly to the Graduate School by the testing service (GRE or GMAT). ECU’s institutional code is 5180. ECU does not have departmental codes.
                                • Upload Statement of Purpose: If required by the program you’re applying to, please upload a copy of your personal statement (why you believe you would be a good candidate for the program) to your application. You may want to use resources to help you write a personal statement in English such as this webinar.
                                • Provide Letters of recommendation: If required by the program you’re applying to, please arrange to have LOR’s submitted electronically with the online application. Review your program’s application requirements to determine the number of letters, if any, that they require.
                                • Upload Resume: If required by the program you’re applying to, please upload a copy of your most recent resume to your online application.
                                • Provide Financial information: If/when you are admitted to a graduate program at ECU you will be required to provide certified evidence of financial resources adequate to cover educational costs and living expenses. Documents only need submitted if/when an offer of admission is extended.

                                English Requirements

                                • PTEMin 65
                                • IELTSMin 6.5
                                • TOEFLMin 78

                                Career Opportunities after Completing Master of Nursing

                                Graduates with this degree are successful in many fields and careers, including the following:

                                • Registered Nurses
                                • Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
                                • Health and Human Services

                                Career Opportunities

                                ECU has developed resources to help you learn more about career opportunities and job market outlook. In addition, the websites below provide specific information on careers in the various majors from which students may choose:

                                NC Tower

                                This website provides graphs and tables of in-depth information on employment rates, wages and ongoing higher education enrollment of graduates from the North Carolina Community College System and from the University of North Carolina system schools. NC Tower includes data on former UNC students who are working in roughly 90% of all jobs in North Carolina. This database excludes information for graduates who are:

                                • Self-employed;
                                • Work for the federal government, including the military: or
                                • Work outside of North Carolina.

                                US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook

                                This website also provides in-depth information regarding pay, projected new jobs, required education, growth rate and on-the-job training information on various occupations.

                                Degree-specific internships

                                For information on internship information for specific majors, go to the home page of the department in which the major is located and, as available, find the link to the information on internships in that major.

                                Tuition and Fee Information for Master of Nursing at East Carolina University

                                Application Fee 75

                                How to Apply for Master of Nursing at East Carolina University

                                Thank you for your interest in a graduate program at East Carolina University!

                                Contact information for each program, along with their application deadlines, can be found on the Find Your Program feature.

                                Ready to apply now? Great!

                                • If you have already created an account and/or are applying to multiple programs, please use the same account. After selecting the program of choice, simply login with your credentials.
                                • Use a personal email account (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, AOL) when setting up your ECU application account. Please refrain from creating an account using any ECU associated emails because doing so may prevent you from receiving important email communication from us.
                                Master of Nursing at East Carolina University
                                East Carolina University
                                East Carolina University
                                United States of America

                                United States of America, Greenville

                                WhatsApp student consultation with YouApply