Hybrid Graduate Program for Nursing Leaders and Educators
The University of Mary Washington (UMW) is proud to share that its Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program has received approval from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Program Overview
Designed for working registered nurses, this graduate program prepares professionals for advanced roles in clinical practice, education, and healthcare leadership. Coursework will be delivered fully online to provide flexibility for busy schedules, complemented by in-person clinical practicums developed in partnership with regional healthcare organizations.
With small cohorts, dedicated faculty mentors, and personalized advising, the MSN program offers a supportive and student-centered approach to graduate nursing education. It’s designed for nurses across Virginia—particularly in the greater Fredericksburg region—who are ready to take the next step as primary care providers or nurse educators shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Request Information
Join our interest list to receive updates on program approval, application timelines, and upcoming information sessions.
Choose Your Concentration
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): Focus on advanced nursing practice and primary care.
Nursing Education: Prepare for faculty roles in clinical and academic settings.
Program Structure
Total Credits: 36–46 credit hours, depending on track
- Core Curriculum: 18 credit hours
- Track Specialization: 12–18 credit hours (Nursing Education or Family Nurse Practitioner)
- In-Person Clinical Practicums: 5-9 credit hours with practicum placements provided
- Capstone Course: 1 credit hour
Sample Plans of Study
- Full-Time: Complete in 2 years (including summer terms)
- Part-Time: Complete in 3 years (including summer terms)
Program Coursework
All Master of Science in Nursing students complete the following core courses.
- NURS 520: Professional Transitions and Health Care Advocacy (3 credits)
- NURS 530: Nurse as a Scholar: Evidenced Based Practice & Research (3 credits)
- NURS 550: Population Health in a Global Society (3 credits)
- NURS 560: Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
- NURS 580: Pharmacotherapeutics Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
- NURS 590: Advanced Concepts of Health Assessment (3 credits)
Students selecting the Family Nurse Practitioner track would be required to complete 18 credit hours of coursework in advanced nursing practice and primary care and nine credit hours for a clinical practicum.
- NURS 540: Informatics and Healthcare Technologies (3 credits)
- NURS 605: Health Promotion and Maintenance in Advanced-Practice Family Nursing (2 credits)
- NURS 615: Family Assessment, Theory and Practice (1 credit)
- NURS 630: Advanced-Practice Family Nursing: Primary Care Approaches for Women (3 credits)
- NURS 640: Advanced-Practice Family Nursing: Management of Acute Illnesses (3 credits)
- NURS 650a: Advanced-Practice Family Nursing: Practicum I (2 credits)
- NURS 740: Advanced-Practice Family Nursing: Primary Care Approaches for Children (3 credits)
- NURS 750a: Advanced-Practice Family Nursing: Practicum II (3 credits)
- NURS 760: Advanced-Practice Family Nursing: Management of Chronic Illnesses (3 credits)
- NURS 770: Advanced-Practice Family Nursing: Practicum III (4 credits)
- NURS 790: M.S.N.-FNP Capstone (1 credit)
Students selecting the Nursing Education track would be required to complete 12 credit hours of coursework in curriculum development, assessment, and education technology, and five credit hours for a clinical practicum.
- NURS 612: Innovations in Teaching and Learning (3 credits)
- NURS 621: Curriculum Development and Analysis (3 credits)
- NURS 622: Assessment and Evaluation Strategies in Nursing Education (3 credits)
- NURS 632: Technology in Nursing Education (3 credits)
- NURS 650b: Nursing Educator: Practicum I (2 credits)
- NURS 750b: Seminar in Nursing Education (3 credits)
- NURS 790: Capstone (Nursing Education) (1 credit)
The Master of Science in Nursing at UMW will pursue accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) during the first year. UMW’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing is currently CCNE accredited with the process in place for new applications.
Admissions Requirements
Admissions Requirements for the MSN program at UMW include:
- A current U.S.-issued RN license is required and must be submitted to the program before beginning nursing coursework.
- Have an unencumbered RN license in the state in which the student intends to complete clinical placement;
- Have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a program nationally accredited in nursing, and regionally accredited college or university;
- Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate study;
- To ensure clinical agency requirements are met, proof of current immunizations or immunity, a criminal background check, and a current professional rescuer/BLS CPR card are required before the first clinical agency rotation;
Program Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid
The MSN program follows UMW’s graduate tuition and fees schedule, available on the Student Accounts website. Nursing programs may require additional fees.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
As a public university, UMW provides an exceptional return on investment for graduate students. Our admissions and financial aid teams will help you navigate scholarships, payment plans, and available funding so you can focus on what matters most — your growth as a healthcare professional.
Review UMW’s Financial Aid and Scholarship Information for Graduate Students
Career Outcomes and Employer Partnerships
Graduates of UMW’s MSN program will be prepared for:
- Family Nurse Practitioner Track: Primary care provider roles in hospitals, urgent care, long-term care, and community settings. Eligible to sit for FNP certification and to contribute to improve patient outcomes in their communities.
- Nursing Education Track: Faculty positions in colleges, universities, and clinical facilities. Eligible to sit for Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) certification and to teach at local programs including Germanna Community College or Northern Virginia Community College.
The close-knit network of professionals supporting students in UMW’s MSN program ensures that opportunities are available during the program through practicum placements and beyond the program, as students pursue their nursing careers through their lives after Mary Washington.
Frequently Asked Questions
Students will earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Mary Washington. The program prepares registered nurses for advanced clinical, educational, and leadership roles within today’s evolving healthcare environment.
The MSN program offers two specialization pathways:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Nurse Educator
Each pathway is designed to address critical workforce needs in Virginia and beyond.
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) pathway prepares nurses to provide primary care across the lifespan, including health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis, and management of acute and chronic conditions.
The Nurse Educator pathway prepares nurses to teach and train future nurses and healthcare professionals in academic, clinical, and healthcare organization settings, helping to address the ongoing nursing faculty shortage.
The MSN program is designed for licensed registered nurses (RNs) who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and are seeking career advancement. The program is structured to support working nurses pursuing advanced clinical practice or nursing education roles.
Applicants must hold a BSN from an accredited institution, maintain an active, unencumbered RN license, and meet UMW Graduate School admission requirements. Additional criteria may include a minimum GPA, professional references, and relevant clinical experience, depending on the chosen pathway.
The MSN program is delivered in a hybrid format. Didactic coursework is offered primarily online, while clinical, practicum, and experiential learning components are completed in approved practice or educational settings to ensure hands-on preparation.
Yes. Both pathways include supervised practicum experiences:
- FNP students complete extensive clinical practicum hours in primary care settings.
- Nurse Educator students complete teaching-focused practicums in academic or healthcare education environments.
Clinical and practicum placements are coordinated through UMW’s established regional partnerships, and students are not responsible for securing their own sites.
- FNP graduates are eligible to sit for national Family Nurse Practitioner certification exams and pursue advanced practice licensure in Virginia, subject to state regulations.
- Nurse Educator graduates are prepared for faculty and educational leadership roles and may pursue national nurse educator certification, depending on professional goals.
Program length varies by pathway and enrollment status.
- The Nurse Educator pathway requires 36 credit hours.
- The FNP pathway requires 46 credit hours, including clinical practicums.
Most students complete the program in two to three years through a part-time plan of study designed for working professionals.
The MSN program is competitively priced among Virginia public universities. Students may be eligible for federal financial aid, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance. Detailed tuition and fee information will be available through UMW Graduate Admissions and Financial Aid.
