Nursing: Direct Entry (M.S.)

The Direct Entry Master’s in Nursing Program is a full-time, five-semester, program of study designed for non­-RN students who hold a B.S. or B.A. or higher degree in a field other than nursing and desire a career changes into the nursing profession. This program will prepare you for a career as a Registered Nurse providing direct patient care and the ability to manage and solve complex patient problems in a range of healthcare settings. The curriculum begins in January and includes two summer sessions. You’ll be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination after your fourth semester which is necessary for licensure as a Registered Nurse.

Students graduate as an advanced generalist with a master of science (MS) degree in nursing. This program offers the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) track.  The CNL is a role in the field of nursing designed to provide master's-­prepared, point-of-care nurse leaders with the ability to manage and solve complex patient problems within a systems framework. and upon passing certification examination, as a clinical nurse leader (CNL). Students take the CNL certification examination in their final semester.  Students complete a clinical immersion experience in clinical nursing leadership, which includes 300 clinical hours. 
Students are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN after completing a total of 57 credits of accelerated study. Students conclude their CNL master's preparation with a clinical nurse leader capstone course, which includes a project and 200 clinical hours and take the CNL certification examination in the final semester.

Admission Requirements

A grade point average of 3.0 or better is suggested. Previous course work and professional experience is taken into consideration. Experience in health care is not required.  Prerequisite courses include Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II with lab, Microbiology at the cellular level, and Statistics with a grade of B or better.   Students who have not completed all prerequisite courses at the time of application may be admitted with the stipulation that all prerequisite courses are completed with a B or better prior to starting the program. 

Knowledge of the basic processes and methods of research is necessary for students entering the DEMN program. While many undergraduate programs include a research methods course, if a student does not have a background in research, he or she should enroll in an introductory research course or introductory nursing research textbooks may be used as self­-study resources prior to matriculation in the DEMN program.

Three letters of recommendation are required.  Professional references should be substantial, one academic reference is highly recommended. Letters of recommendation from family or friends are not acceptable.

Degree Requirements

Students complete 63 total credits.

Clinical Hours: 860*

*

Clinical hours are completed through the following required courses: NURS 813C, NURS 826C, NURS 827C, NURS 831C,NURS 952C, and NURS 958

Accelerated Master's Overview

Accelerated Master’s programs offer qualified University of New Hampshire undergraduate students the opportunity to begin graduate coursework in select graduate programs while completing a bachelor’s degree. Accelerated master's programs are designed to provide students with an efficient and cost-effective pathway to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree or graduate certificate, enhancing career opportunities and long-term earning potential. 

Accelerated Master's Highlights

• Begin studying advanced topics while an undergraduate student with the opportunity to complete a master’s degree or graduate certificate early.
• Master’s degree program students: Earn up to 12* graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor’s degree. This coursework will count as dual-credit toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
• Graduate certificate program students: Earn up to 8* graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor’s degree. This coursework will count as dual-credit toward both the bachelor’s degree and the graduate certificate.
• Students complete the bachelor’s degree, and then officially matriculate into the master’s or graduate certificate program to complete the remaining required graduate-level coursework.

*Some exceptions apply. 

Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements

• A minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA is required.*
• A minimum of 90 undergraduate credits must be completed prior to enrolling in graduate (800-level) courses.
• Streamlined Graduate School Application (two letters of recommendation; most standardized tests and application fee are waived).*

*Some exceptions apply.

Accelerated Master's Requirements

• Students must attend a mandatory orientation session.
• Students must submit a special registration form each semester for dual-credit courses and note any DegreeWorks exceptions.
• Students may defer graduate matriculation for up to one year after earning their bachelor’s degree in most programs.
• See the Accelerated Master’s Catalog Policy and Accelerated Master’s Website for additional information and a list of programs. Note that some programs have additional requirements (e.g. higher-grade expectations) compared to the general policy.

Nursing: Direct Entry (M.S.) Accelerated Option

Additional Information

The Direct Entry Master's in Nursing Program provides an opportunity for accelerated admission to the graduate program for full time undergraduate UNH students who are not current nursing students and meet admission criteria. Students may apply during their junior year by the posted application deadline. Application review continues until all seats are filled. To be considered, undergraduate students must have completed all major requirements by their final semester of their senior year with an anticipated December degree conferral. Direct entry courses taken during their final semester of their undergraduate program will fulfill elective credits to complete B.A./B.S. degree requirements at UNH. A maximum of 13 credits can be taken by the Accelerated Masters student for dual credit.

A grade point average of 3.2 or better is required. Previous course work is taken into consideration. Prerequisite courses include Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II with lab, Microbiology at the cellular level, and Statistics with a grade of B or better. Students who have not completed all prerequisite courses at the time of application may be admitted with the stipulation that all prerequisite courses are completed with a B or better prior to starting the program. 

Applicants are strongly encouraged to meet with the Direct Entry Masters of Nursing (DEMN) Program Director and their discipline-specific adviser early on in their undergraduate program to plan this course of study.

Program Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the Direct Entry Masters in Nursing program, the student is prepared to:

• Apply knowledge from liberal arts and sciences to deliver safe, competent, and compassionate care to diverse patients, families, and communities (Level I) as well as integrate, translate, and apply knowledge from nursing and other disciplines, to formulate clinical judgment and innovation in nursing practice (Level II).
• Provide holistic, individualized, and evidence-based person and family centered care across the lifespan while advocating for social justice and equity in health care accessibility and quality (Level I) as well as design person-centered care that builds on a scientific body of knowledge focusing on individuals with multiple complicated circumstances, including family and/or important others (Level II).
• Engage in collaborative activities with community partners to advocate for equity and justice to improve health-related social needs and enhance population health (Level I) as well as advocate for healthcare delivery from public health prevention to disease management through collaborative activities for equitable population health outcomes (Level II).
• Utilize scholarly inquiry to inform best practices and compile evidence to address health-related problems across the healthcare system (Level I) as well as disseminate nursing knowledge to improve health care (Level II).
• Apply quality improvement science, to identify safety concerns and engage in risk mitigation strategies to improve patient care outcomes (Level I) as well as integrate established and emerging principles of safety as core nursing values to enhance quality and minimize harm to patients and providers (Level II).
• Collaborate within multidisciplinary care teams, through effective communication and mutual respect, that enhances the quality of healthcare services and their delivery (Level I) as well as lead collaborative care teams to optimize patient outcomes and improve health care experiences (Level II).
• Identify resources, across transitions of care in ever-changing healthcare systems, applying knowledge of cost-effectiveness and health policies to deliver equitable care (Level I) as well as coordinate resources for diverse populations to provide safe, quality, and equitable care (Level II).
• Utilize healthcare technologies and informatics processes to inform the provision of safe and effective care and support meaningful changes in nursing practice (Level I) as well as utilize informatics and communication technologies in developing and delivering optimal healthcare services according to best practice and professional and regulatory standards (Level II).
• Demonstrate a professional nursing identity marked by integrity, curiosity, civility, inclusion, and ethical practice (Level I) as well as cultivate a sustainable professional nursing identity that reflects nursing’s characteristics and values (Level II).
• Participate in self-reflection to foster personal resilience and well-being and embracing lifelong learning to develop nursing expertise (Level I) as well as utilize leadership skills, change theories, and effective decision making in advanced nursing roles in the provision of care.

Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures

The University of New Hampshire offers a number of academic programs designed to lead to professional licensure or certification in New Hampshire. However,  completing a UNH degree/program does not guarantee professional licensure or certification. Eligibility may also depend on factors like years of work experience, professional examinations, passing a background check, and other criteria.

UNH does not guarantee that its professional licensure programs will satisfy the criteria of professional licensure boards in other states. Some states maintain different requirements for professional licensure or certification and requirements can change frequently. Federal regulations require the University to make public disclosure of certain information regarding professional licensure or certification programs, regardless of the modality the program is offered (i.e., in-person or online). The University provides guidance below but recommends students contact their state/territory licensing or certification board to ensure a program meets specific state/territory requirements.

Visit the Office of the Registrar's website for information about whether this program meets professional licensure requirements in your state.

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Deadlines

Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:

• Fall: Recommended August 1, Final Deadline if space available December 1 (for Fall 2026 and later)
• Spring: N/A
• Summer: N/A
• Special: N/A

Application fee: $65

Campus: Durham

New England Regional: CT VT RI MA

Accelerated Masters: Yes (for more details see the accelerated masters information page)

New Hampshire Residents

Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission, or you will not be able to register for classes.

Transcripts

If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC. 

If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.

If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:

• Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
• Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.

Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.

Letters of recommendation: 3 required

Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.

References should be substantial with one academic, if available.

Personal Statement/Essay Questions

Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:

1. Reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives.
2. Your specific research or professional interest and experiences in this field.

Additional Department Requirements

Prerequisite Course Verification Form (required): You may use the fillable DEMN Course Verification Form to complete this requirement electronically. All prerequisites must be completed prior to Spring entry into the DEMN Program. Applications will not be considered when grades are unavailable for 2 or more prerequisite courses. Please email the form to the UNH Graduate School. If you have questions about using the form, please contact the DEMN program.

Important Notes

All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program-specific application questions.

An interview may be requested. Accepted students are required to show immunity by titer for Hepatitis B, Varicella (chicken pox), and MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) before classes begin as part of clinical requirements. This is a requirement for most nursing programs and should be considered when applying.

International Applicants

Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.