---
title: MS in Nursing (MSN) | Southern Adventist University
description: Explore Southern's Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. Learn with expert faculty and achieve success with high job placement rates.
---

# Master of Science in Nursing

 

 Request More Information

#### Quick Links

- [Program Emphasis](https://adc.e.southern.edu/master-of-science-in-nursing#overview)
- [Admissions](https://adc.e.southern.edu/master-of-science-in-nursing#admission)
- [Course Guides](https://adc.e.southern.edu/master-of-science-in-nursing#resources)
- [Contact Us](https://adc.e.southern.edu/master-of-science-in-nursing#rmi-form)

#### Graduates of Southern’s MSN program have a strong record of job placement in their chosen fields and excellent certification-exam pass rates. With employment for MSN-prepared nurses projected to grow significantly over the next decade, you’ll be well prepared for future opportunities.

## MS in Nursing Program Details

![A smiling male nurse in blue scrubs shakes hands with an elderly patient, creating a warm and caring atmosphere in a bright hospital room.](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Images/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Pages%20Photo%20Bank/MSN/MSN%20photo%205.jpeg?width=2000&name=MSN%20photo%205.jpeg)

Classes meet on Tuesdays to accommodate students who are combining work, home, and school. Full-time and part-time enrollment options can be customized to fit your life.

Any student wishing to complete clinical experiences outside the State of TN must verify that State is a member of [NC-SARA](https://nc-sara.org/guide/state-authorization-guide) and seek permission from that State Board of Nursing. Clinical placements in some States may not be able to be accommodated due to specific State Board of Nursing regulations.

### MSN Emphases 

We have five areas of emphasis to choose from: 

- Acute Care—Adult/Gerontology NP (AGACNP)
- Primary Care—Adult/Gerontology NP (AGPCNP)
- Nurse Educator (Online)
- Primary Care—Family NP
- \*Primary Care—Psychiatric Mental Health NP (Online)
  
  \*Available to United States residents only

### Visit the [School of Nursing's Graduate Catalog](https://www.southern.edu/catalog/graduate.html#/departments/810)

 

![Female doctor with a stethoscope around her neck smiling at a female patient in a medical office, both sitting.](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Images/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Pages%20Photo%20Bank/MSN/MSN%20photo%207.jpeg?width=2000&name=MSN%20photo%207.jpeg)

## Applying to Southern’s MSN

![Female healthcare worker in scrubs and a mask putting on blue gloves in a hospital room.](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Images/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Pages%20Photo%20Bank/MSN/MSN%20photo%202.jpeg?width=2000&height=1333&name=MSN%20photo%202.jpeg "Female healthcare worker in scrubs and a mask putting on blue gloves in a hospital room.")

### MSN Eligibility and Prerequisites

- **Bachelor's degree**:  A bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited program
- **GPA requirement**:  A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0
- **Course in statistics**:  An undergraduate or graduate course in statistics (3 credit hours)
- **Licensure**:  Current RN licensure in the state or country of practice
- **Work experience**:  A minimum of two years (4,000 hours) of current nursing experience
- **Acute-care emphases**: Applicants should have substantive experience in critical care or a related area and submit documentation of critical-care skill set with application.

### Application deadlines

All application steps are to be fully completed by the dates listed.

Scroll Horizontally ->

#### Term

#### U.S. Residents

#### International

Fall

July 1

May 1

Winter

October 1

August 1

### How to Apply

Submit a graduate application (with non-refundable fee of $40) 

 Transcripts

Submit official college and university transcripts. Many institutions subscribe to the convenient transcript-request service at [National Student Clearinghouse](https://tsorder.studentclearinghouse.org/school/select?_afrRedirect=2128488693326846), or you may also contact your institution directly. Have your transcripts sent to the Graduate Studies office (gradtranscripts@southern.edu). If you earned your prerequisite degree at Southern, you do not need to complete this step.

 Recommendations

Submit three recommendation forms (completed by work supervisors or professors). This should be done as part of the online application process.

 Written Statement

Submit a statement describing your purpose and goals for pursuing this degree. Your statement should be thoughtfully written to demonstrate your writing skills. It should be submitted through your [Application Status Page.](https://gradadmissions.e.southern.edu/apply/status)

 Resume

Submit your current resumé through your [Application Status Page](https://gradadmissions.e.southern.edu/apply/status).

 Interview

Schedule a faculty interview after completing your Graduate application from your [Application Status Page.](https://gradadmissions.e.southern.edu/apply/status)

 International Applicants

 Applicants who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States are considered international students and must meet [additional requirements for admission.](https://www.southern.edu/graduatestudies/graduate-international-requirements.html)

[![International Student Admission Requirements](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/9251334/a30f584f-4331-470b-88bf-c287b06825df.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/9251334/a30f584f-4331-470b-88bf-c287b06825df)

![A woman with curly hair working on a laptop in a bright office space.](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Images/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Pages%20Photo%20Bank/MSN/MSN%20photo%204.jpeg?width=2000&name=MSN%20photo%204.jpeg)

###  I’ve Been Admitted to the RN to MSN Program! Next Steps: 

Before enrolling, we will need acceptable documentation of these items. Upload them through your Application Status Page.

- Personal Health Assessment and Physical Exam [Download form](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Page%20Assets/SON.personal-health-physical-exam.pdf)
- Criminal background check [Download Form](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Page%20Assets/SON.background-check.pdf)
- Medical-information disclosure consent [Download Form](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Page%20Assets/SON.medical-info-disclosure-drug-consent.pdf)
- Drug-Screen
- Current health information and immunizations [Download Form](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Page%20Assets/SON.health-info-immunizations.pdf)
- CPR/BLS certification from the American Heart Association
- **Current Nursing License**

## Nursing Student Spotlight

Don't just take our word for it—hear directly from our nursing students and alumni about their experiences with Southern and how it helped their nursing careers.

#### ![Diana Taylor](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Diana%20Taylor.png?width=768&height=998&name=Diana%20Taylor.png)

#### Diana Taylor

BSN to DNP, Acute Care

[Read More](https://learn.e.southern.edu/en-us/gs/blog/nursing/student-spotlight-diana-taylor?hsLang=en)

#### ![Julie McBride-1](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Julie%20McBride-1.png?width=995&height=910&name=Julie%20McBride-1.png)

#### Julie McBride

BSN to DNP, Psychiactric Mental Health

[Read More](https://learn.e.southern.edu/en-us/gs/blog/nursing/student-spotlight-julie-mcbride?hsLang=en)

#### ![Julie McKinney](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Julie%20McKinney.png?width=1096&height=1308&name=Julie%20McKinney.png)

#### Julie McKinney

BSN to DNP, Lifestyle Medicine and Family Practice

[Read More](https://learn.e.southern.edu/en-us/gs/blog/nursing/student-spotlight-julie-mckinney?hsLang=en)

## Resources for Getting Your Master’s in Nursing at Southern

## MSN

Choose your area of interest.

- Acute Care—Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Educator
- Primary Care—Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

## M.S. Nursing Course Guides

### Acute Care—Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

[See the course list](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/2025%20Course%20Guides/Nursing/2025.MSN-Acute%20AGNP-Courses.pdf?hsLang=en)

![Acute Care Adult Ger Nurse Practitioner](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Course%20Guides/%5BGS%5D%20MS%20in%20Nursing/Acute%20Care%20Adult%20Ger%20Nurse%20Practitioner.png)

## M.S. Nursing Course Guides

### Nurse Educator

[See the course list](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/2025%20Course%20Guides/Nursing/2025.MSN-Educator-Courses.pdf?hsLang=en)

![Nurse Educator](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Course%20Guides/%5BGS%5D%20MS%20in%20Nursing/Nurse%20Educator.png)

## M.S. Nursing Course Guides

### Primary Care—Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

[See the course list](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/2025%20Course%20Guides/Nursing/2025.MSN-Primary%20AGNP-Courses.pdf?hsLang=en)

![Primary Care Adult Ger NP](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Course%20Guides/%5BGS%5D%20MS%20in%20Nursing/Primary%20Care%20Adult%20Ger%20NP.png)

## M.S. Nursing Course Guides

### Family Nurse Practitioner

[See the course list](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/2025%20Course%20Guides/Nursing/2025.MSN-FNP-Courses.pdf?hsLang=en)

![Primary Care Family NP](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Course%20Guides/%5BGS%5D%20MS%20in%20Nursing/Primary%20Care%20Family%20NP.png)

## M.S. Nursing Course Guides

### Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

[See the course list](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/2025%20Course%20Guides/Nursing/2025.MSN-PMHNP-Courses.pdf?hsLang=en)

![DNP Primary Care—Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner](https://adc.e.southern.edu/hubfs/%5BGS%5D%20Program%20Course%20Guides/%5BGS%5D%20DNP/DNP%20Primary%20Care%E2%80%94Psychiatric%20Mental%20Health%20Nurse%20Practitioner.png)

## Faculty

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## Request More Information

Want to learn more about the education programs at Southern? Just fill out the form to receive additional program resources and insights.

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