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Accelerated Master of Science in Nursing Policies

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission into the MSN or MSN/MBA program, the applicant must submit the following:

  1. Current USA RN license without restrictions
  2. Official transcript indicating a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree was earned at an accredited college or university
  3. Official transcripts of all other undergraduate and graduate coursework
  4. Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
  5. Current resume or curriculum vitae
  6. Two letters of recommendation
  7. Narrative statement of career goals and how the program will enable achievement of those goals
  8. Validation of completion of an undergraduate statistics course (can be taken during degree program if necessary to meet requirement)

Students must begin the program within one year of notification of admission. Application materials remain active for one year following submission and inactive applications are shredded after one year.

If a student fails to meet the requirements for admission, he or she may appeal the decision in writing to the Director of the Graduate Nursing Programs. Admission may be offered to those applicants who have less than a 3.00 GPA, but demonstrate strong work experience and the potential to succeed in the program. Upon completion of four courses, the student’s record will be reviewed. All students must meet progression standards in order to continue in the program. If a student fails to meet the requirements for progression, he or she may appeal the decision in writing to the Director of the GPS Graduate Nursing Programs.

Graduate Non-degree Students

With the approval of the Director of the MSN Program, students are permitted to enroll in a maximum of four courses (12 credits) without declaring a degree.

Financial Aid

Financial aid information may be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid. Student loans are available to students taking a minimum of six semester hours. For the purposes of the graduate nursing programs, a full-time student is considered to be anyone enrolled in a minimum of nine semester hours.

Transfer Credits

Transfer credit is granted in a manner consistent with University policy. Each course is individually reviewed by the Registrar in consultation with Director of the Graduate Nursing Programs and/or members of related University disciplines for judgment concerning transfer of credits. When transfer credit is evaluated, only those courses that fulfill the degree requirements for the MSN degree will apply. Other credits may transfer to the University, but they will not be applied to the nursing curriculum.

Waynesburg University will accept a maximum of nine credit hours with grades of B- or above in transfer from an accredited nursing program. The credits must have been earned within seven years of application to the program.

Progression

All MSN students are required to have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher (on a 4.00 scale) to be eligible to receive a master’s degree from Waynesburg University. Admission and progression GPAs are not rounded. To remain in good standing and progress through the curriculum, a student may receive no more than one grade of C or lower during the curriculum, and students may repeat a course only once.

Students’ academic performance will be reviewed at the end of each 8-week session. If the student receives a grade of C or lower, a letter of warning will be sent to remind the student of the academic progression policy and standards. If the student’s cumulative GPA falls below 3.00, the student will be placed on probation, and must raise the GPA to 3.00 or higher by the completion of the next 6 credits.

Withdrawal

Students wishing to withdraw voluntarily from the program must make an appointment to discuss the matter with the Director of the MSN program and then write a letter verifying the withdrawal. The date of the receipt of the letter becomes the official date of withdrawal from the program. Students must also follow the University policy regarding withdrawal from the University. Non-attendance does not constitute official withdrawal from the program.

Dismissal

An MSN student will be dismissed from the program if the student receives more than one grade of C or lower, is unable to successfully complete a course with a grade of B- or higher after repeating the course one time, or is unable to achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher following completion of the next six credits after being placed on probation. Additionally, if the faculty finds that a student does not meet standards considered necessary for successful performance as a professional nurse, the student will be dismissed. These standards include, but are not limited to, level of achievement, health, and personal conduct.

Reinstatement

Students who withdraw from the MSN program must apply for readmission in a matter consistent with University policy. Students who have been admitted and then withdraw from MSN program must show evidence of a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher at the time of leaving the program, and must submit a written letter to the MSN Program Director requesting reinstatement. Students who do not enroll in a course for one calendar year will be placed on inactive status, and must request reactivation in writing to the Director of the MSN Program to return to active status.

Graduation Requirements

Nursing students are eligible for graduation with a Master of Science in Nursing degree upon completion of all nursing and University requirements with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher. All credits for each concentration must be completed within 7 years from initial program enrollment. Students must complete at least 27 credits at Waynesburg University. Students in the MSN Administration and Education concentrations must complete 30 credits; MSN Informatics students must complete 30 credits; MSN dual concentration students must complete 42 credits; and MSN/ MBA students must complete 54 credits. For the MSN/MBA degree, all curriculum and degree requirements for each degree must be met with the MSN/MBA degree conferred at one time upon completion of all fifty-four credits.

Explanation of Semester Hours, Grades of Scholarship, and Grade Points for Graduate and Professional Studies Accelerated Master of Nursing Program

Grade   Grade Points per Semester Hour
A (Excellent) 4.00
A- (Excellent) 3.70
B+ (Above Average) 3.30
B (Above Average) 3.00
B- (Above Average) 2.70
C+ (Average) 2.30
C (Average) 2.00*
F (Failure) 0.00
I (Incomplete) 0.00
W (Withdrew) 0.00
WF (Withdrew Failing) 0.00
WP (Withdrew Passing) 0.00
NG (No Grade) 0.00
P (Passing) 0.00
AU (Audit) 0.00
TR (Transfer) 0.00

* Grades below C do not earn credit, and are not awarded. If a student does not earn a C or above, the course must be repeated; students are limited to repeating one (1) course total.