Frequently Asked Questions
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
Are scholarships available for initial licensure BSN programs?
The Office of Admissions directs all scholarships for students enrolled in the traditional nursing program. For students enrolled in the BSNA track, CampusRN offers scholarship opportunities:
Scholarship Nursing
CampusRN has $15,000 in Scholarships Available to Nursing & Allied Health Students.
How long will it take me to complete the BSN degree?
It depends upon the track selected (traditional, LPN-BSN, Accelerated BSN), the number of courses that are transferred, and the number of prerequisites needed to enter the nursing curriculum. Typically, the student spends 1-2 semesters in completing the prerequisites prior to entering the 12-month accelerated nursing curriculum.
Do you have any programs that are taught fully online?
The nursing curriculum for the RN-BSN and MSN - Nursing Education and MSN - Nursing Administration are tracks that are taught fully online after attending a 2-day orientation.
Do you have a part-time program?
For registered nurses that want to complete the RN-BSN, the student has the option of part-time or full-time. Typically, the student takes 6 credit hours per semester. For the other BSN degree options, there are no part-time opportunities.
How do I know what classes will transfer from another college or university?
Once you have officially applied and official transcripts have been received, the Registrar will evaluate your transcripts for transfer credit. The Registrar will mail you a letter detailing transfer credit.
How do I obtain advanced placement and credit by examination?
Advanced placement and credit by examination for various courses can be obtained by reviewing the Undergraduate Academic Catalogue (pp.37-38) or contacting Ms. Cindy Shirley at 731-661-5487 or cshirley@uu.edu for the Jackson Campus or 901-759-0029 Ext. 101 for the Germantown campus.
I finished my initial nursing education 10 to 15 years ago. Do I have to retake any courses?
If you are a practicing registered nurse, you will receive transfer credit for previous academic achievements.
If I am applying for initial licensure in one of the BSN degree tracks, how old can my anatomy and physiology courses be?
IA&P I and II must be four hours each with lab and must be taken within five years of the start date of nursing classes.
Do you have financial aid?
Yes, the Federal Stafford Loan is available through the Office of Financial Aid. This is a government supported student loan and must be repaid at the end of your education. You must be enrolled in at least 6 hours during the fall, spring, or summer terms to gain financial aid. There is no Stafford Loan support for the winter term, but financial assistance may be obtained through alternative loans.
What is the tuition cost of your program?
Traditional and LPN-BSN tracks - see tuition cost through Office of Admissions; Accelerated track - 440.00 per credit hour for 2010 entering class. The tuition rate is locked for students in the Accelerated track. RN-BSN - $360 per credit hour 2009-2010 academic year.
What do I need to do to get started?
Go to Application process and print the BSN application, transcript, and reference forms. Once completed submit the documents with a $50.00 application fee to the address noted on the application. The Nursing Admissions coordinator will then follow up with you. If you have questions, you may call Mrs. Edie Whitman at 731-661-5538 or ewhitman@uu.edu.
Master of Science in Nursing Program
What are class days and times for MSN Program (not including Nurse Anesthesia students)?
Didactic classes throughout the semesters are held on Thursdays. The clinical requirements may be fulfilled on other days of the week depending on the student's arrangement with the clinical agency.
The MSN in Education and Administration will be fully online with clinical experiences scheduled at the student's preference.
Can I work during the program (not including Nurse Anesthesia students)?
Most students work at least part-time during the program.
Is the GRE required for admission to the MSN Program?
The GRE is NOT required for the Master of Science in Nursing Program
Do you have financial aid?
Yes, the Federal Stafford Loan is available through the Office of Financial Aid. This is a government supported student loan and must be repaid at the end of your education. You must be enrolled in at least 6 hours during the fall, spring, or summer terms to gain financial aid. There is no Stafford Loan support for the winter term, but may be obtained through alternative loans. For the nurse anesthesia students, it is strongly encouraged that certified or noncertified alternative loans are obtained. These may be obtained through the Office of Financial Aid.
I have tuition assistance available through my employer. How does this work?
A Tuition Reimbursement form is available through the Coordinator of Graduate Programs on the Germantown Campus or through Dean's office on the Jackson Campus.
What is the tuition cost of your program?
The tuition rate for the MSN - NP tracks is $435.00 per credit hour for entering fall 2009 students. MSN - Nursing Education and Nursing Administration is $410.00 per credit hour for entering fall 2009 students. Nurse Anesthesia track is $700.00 per credit hour for entering 2010 students. The tuition rates for the various tracks are locked once you enter the cohort of the educational track.
What do I need to do to get started?
Go to Application process and print the MSN application, transcript, and reference forms. Once completed submit the documents with a $50.00 application fee to the address noted on the application. The Nursing Admissions coordinator will then follow up with you. If you have questions, you may call Mrs. Edie Whitman at 731-661-5538 or ewhitman@uu.edu.
Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
Must I have a BSN or MSN to apply to the DNP Program?
Because there are several educational paths in becoming a registered nurse with specialization in a graduate area, you do not have to have a BSN or MSN degree to apply to the DNP Program. You must be a registered nurse and earned a bachelor and master degree, but not specifically a BSN or MSN.
If you lack the BSN or MSN degree, your earned bachelor's and master's degrees transcripts along with your clinical experience will be examined to determine if any pre-requisites or co-requisites will be necessary for your DNP Program of study. If selected for any interview for the DNP Program, this area will be discussed during the interview.
What is the delivery method of the DNP Program?
The DNP students will be required to attend campus for four 1-week sessions per year with an intensive online format through Blackboard, the educational platform for the University. The online format will be delivered as an asynchronous format, but with the opportunity to reach the course professor without difficulty.
Where will I complete my clinical fellowships for the DNP Program?
Your clinical fellowships will be completed in an institution that is agreeable between you, the institution, and your faculty chair. Depending on your current clinical practice environment and the objectives you want to accomplish in completing the clinical fellowships, the clinical experiences may be obtained in your current practice environment or in another institution. It is expected that you will fulfill these requirements near your current residence.
Can I gain certification as an advance practice nurse while being a student in the DNP Program?
The DNP Program is considered a post-master's program. Therefore, you must demonstrate evidence of advance practice certification in nurse anesthesia or nurse practitioner if applying for one of these tracks. Consideration for the Executive Leadership track does not require prior certification because this is not considered an advance practice nurse role according to CCNE (nurse anesthesia, nurse practitioner, midwifery, and clinical nurse specialist are considered advance practice roles) or the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
Is the DNP Program a full-time program?
The DNP Program is considered a full-time program. The Program is not currently being offered as a part-time program. It is expected that 20-25 students will be selected per cohort that progresses in a full-time fashion.
Can I work while enrolled in the DNP Program?
It is not the intent of the DNP student to stop working during enrollment in the DNP Program. The program will be intense and each student will have their individual approach to being successful in the DNP Program. The faculty and staff are here to assist you in promoting your successful completion of the program. The four 1-week sessions on campus per year will consume your weeks of vacation provided by your employer.
Is the GRE or another entrance exam required for application to the DNP Program?
There is no standardized entrance exam required for application to the DNP Program. Please see the admission criteria on the back of the curriculum schema that supports your specialty area of choice.
Do you have financial aid?
Yes, the Federal Stafford Loan is available through the Office of Financial Aid. This is a government supported student loan and must be repaid at the end of your education. You must be enrolled in at least 6 hours during the fall, spring, or summer terms to gain financial aid.
I have tuition assistance available through my employer. How does this work?
A Tuition Reimbursement Form that you can submit to your employer may be obtained through the Dean's office on the Jackson Campus. Please send an email to Tim Smith, PhD, CRNA, APN at tsmith@uu.edu or call 731.661.5029.
What is the tuition cost of your program?
The tuition rate for the DNP Program is 750.00 per hour for the class entering fall 2009. The tuition rate is the same for in-state or out-of-state students. The tuition rate is locked while enrolled as a student in the Program.
What do I need to do to get started?
Go to Application process and print the DNP application, transcript, and reference forms. Once completed submit the documents with a $50.00 application fee to the address noted on the application. The Nursing Admissions coordinator will then follow up with you. If you have questions, you may call Mrs. Edie Whitman, Nursing Admissions Coordinator at 731-661-5538 or ewhitman@uu.edu.