Master of Science in Nursing Overview

The Wellstar School of Nursing at Kennesaw State University offers three tracks for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). 

Frequently Asked Questions

Overall MSN 

• Do you have an ASN to MSN option?

  Not at this time

• When are the application deadlines?

  Applications open in the fall. The Priority Deadline is January 15. The regular admissions deadline is April 28. Applicants may be considered after April 28 if space is still available in a cohort. New Students begin classes in the fall.

• Is it possible to transfer credits from another program or college?

  Nine semester credits or fifteen quarter credits from an accredited program or college may be transferred with approval by the Associate Program Director.

• I have a hold for registration. What do I need to do?

  Holds are often related to incomplete health requirements. Check with the Registrar.

• What is the tuition? Is financial aid available?

  The Graduate College website provides the most up-to-date information. The Wellstar School of Nursing does have a federal grant for the Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP), specifically for those studying nursing education. Questions about the NFLP can be emailed to graduatenursing@kennesaw.edu.

• It has been a while since my BSN program. Are there resources to help me acclimate to graduate course work?

  The Graduate College website has many resources to help.

• Are there Graduate Teaching Assistant opportunities?

  Yes. Those who are interested should view the resources available from the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

Family Nurse Practitioner

• How much full-time professional nursing experience is required for admission?

  One year of full-time practice as a professional nurse is required before beginning classes in August.

• When do classes meet?

  Classes meet online or in a hybrid format with a maximum of one weekend a month in on-campus classes and labs.

• Is it possible to still work full-time while enrolled?

  It may not always be possible to work full time while enrolled. The flexibility of your schedule, work responsibilities, and personal commitments should be considered. Each person must make this determination for themselves.

• What does it mean that the program is one of the shortest in Georgia?

  Students complete our program in only five semesters if they attend full-time, thus making the program one of the shortest in Georgia.

• Is there a part-time option?

  Yes, the part-time option takes eight semesters to complete.

Leadership in Nursing: Nursing Administration and Transformational Leadership 

• Do I have to come to campus?

  There is no requirement to come to campus. There is a required online orientation session.

• Do I have to be on my computer for class at set times?

  No, the program is primarily asynchronous. Any scheduled virtual sessions for face-to-face content will be posted at the beginning of each semester.

• How many practicum hours are required?

  A total of 360 practicum hours are required. NURS 7880 is offered in the spring and requires 90 hours. NURS 7881 is offered in the summer and requires 90 hours. Fall semester brings NURS 7882, which requires 135 hours. NURS 6151 includes a practicum assignment of 45 hours.

• May I do practicums in my organization?

  Yes, if an appropriately prepared preceptor is available. Assistance is available to find a preceptor outside of your organization if desired.

• Is it required to complete practicum hours during day shift or Monday-Friday?

  No, with program coordinator approval, it is possible to meet course objectives working with a nurse leader with an alternative schedule.

Leadership in Nursing: Nursing Education Leadership in a Digital World 

• How much full-time professional nursing experience is required for admission?

  While most newly graduated baccalaureate nurses have positions following graduation, work experience is not a requirement for admission.

• Is it possible to still work full-time while enrolled?

  Working full-time while being a full-time graduate student is challenging. A great deal depends on how flexible your work schedule is. Many students find that it is not possible to work and study full-time simultaneously and opt to study with us via our part-time option. This is a decision each student must make for themselves.

• Is there a part-time option?

  Yes. The part-time option spreads coursework over seven semesters. This contrasts with the full-time student completing coursework in four semesters. Courses are typically offered only once a year.

• What is a hybrid program like? Are the face-to-face classes conducted in person or online via Microsoft Teams?

  Most of our courses in nursing education are hybrid. These courses meet once monthly in-person with the remaining aspects of the course being asynchronous online content.

• When and where are the face-to-face classes? How do I know which weekends?

  Each summer, we publish the weekends classes will meet for the coming academic year. Students receive a copy of the schedule in their admissions packet. Face-to-face classes are held in the Prillaman Health Sciences building on the Kennesaw campus, typically on Friday evening and/or Saturday, once monthly.

• Is financial aid available?

  Yes. A specific opportunity available to nursing education students is the Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP). For more information, please view the page here or contact graduatenursing@kennesaw.edu.

• Will I have to find my own preceptor for the practicum courses?

  No. The preceptors for the practicum aspect of the education track are selected with the student’s input and faculty determination of the needs of the student and the program.