Required Courses   v Admissions Criteria   v   Application Process

The post-graduate program requires a minimum of 17 credit hours.  The program prepares the master’s level nurse to sit for national certification examinations as a family nurse practitioner.

To be considered for admission, the applicant must have a master’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better and an unrestricted RN license in at least one state.  Students in the post-master’s program must maintain a 3.0 GPA and receive satisfactory clinical ratings to progress. 

Each student program will be individualized, based on their education and experiential background.  Prerequisites for the four required clinical courses in the program are evidence of competence in the following areas:  advanced physiology/pathophysiology, applied therapeutics (pharmacology), and physical examination skills.  The four required courses for post-master’s certification as a family nurse practitioner are: 

All students in this program will complete a minimum of 600 supervised clinical hours.

The post-graduate adult psychiatric and mental health nursing certificate program requires 24 credit hours. The program prepares nurse practitioners to sit for the national certification examination as a Clinical Specialist in Adult Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing or Adult Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. To be considered for admission, the applicant must have a master’s degree as a Nurse Practitioner from a nationally accredited program with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better and an unrestricted R.N. license in at least one state. Students in the post-master’s program must maintain a 3.0 GPA and receive satisfactory clinical ratings to progress. Prerequisites to registration for the seven required courses in the program are evidence of competence in the following three areas: advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and physical examination skills.

The seven required courses for post-master’s certification as an adult psychiatric and mental health nurse are:

All students in the program will complete a minimum of 500 hours of supervised clinical experience.

Admissions Criteria

The following criteria must be met for regular admission to graduate study in the School of Nursing. 

1.  Satisfy WVU requirements for admission to graduate study.
2. Cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale on all college work.
3. An acceptable score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
4. A current, unrestricted RN license in at least one state.
5. Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from a nationally accredited school.
6. Three credits of undergraduate statistics acceptable for transfer with a grade C or better.
7. A completed health assessment course, including physical examination skills, with a grade of B or better and acceptable for transfer.
8. Three (3) letters of reference.
9. An Essay describing professional goals (limited to two (2) typewritten, double-spaced pages).

The parameters used for review of applicants include:  a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, a record of academic achievement, GRE scores, an essay on career goals, and recommendations.  Once admitted, the student is assigned to a faculty advisor who provides guidance in curriculum and other academic matters.  Enrollment in nursing courses is based on readiness, availability of space and other essential resources.

Application Process

The application process should be completed by June 1.  The beginning sequence of courses in the MSN program starts in the fall semester, only.  Applicants for graduate study need to complete application forms and return them to the appropriate offices by the deadline. 

The School of Nursing application can be obtained by contacting: