Master of Science in Nursing
MSN FAQs
MSN Program Overview
The School of Nursing has a graduate program offering an MSN with tracks in education, informatics and leadership. Registered Nurses with a BSN can obtain a graduate degree to practice in one of these areas and complete their degree in two academic years with full-time study.
Columbus State University School of Nursing Graduate Program has a mission to prepare caring, professional nurses who provide safe, evidence-based, patient-centered care, for diverse populations in a variety of settings. The vision for the School of Nursing is that the School of Nursing will be a model of nursing education, preparing graduates for a transformational career which encompasses life-long learning and leadership in professional practice and service to others. The master's degree program in nursing at Columbus State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Columbus State University is ranked among the top regional universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report with special recognition of its online programs in the College of Education and Health Professions. The 36-credit hour MSN program prepares professional registered nurses for advanced nursing roles. Highlights include the following:
- There is no commuting to campus
- Complete the program on a part-time or full-time basis based on what works for your schedule.
- Work with Highly qualified faculty members with various nursing backgrounds who facilitate learning.
- Complete 100% Online Asynchronous courses.
- Complete clinical hours in your own area.
Contact Information
Dr. Stephanie Adams
Student Services Coordinator
Office: 706-507-8581
Email: msnfnp@columbusstate.edu
1. Do you accept transfer credit from other MSN programs?
Our programs are allowed to review requests for up to nine (9) credit hours for transfer credit. Review does not guarantee credit transfer. A copy of the course syllabus is required for review.
2. What pre- testing is required for the MSN programs?
The GRE has been dismissed as an admission requirement for MSN Programs.
3. Is there a separate School of Nursing Application?
Yes. Once your CSU application is forwarded to the department for review, you will receive a link to complete a supplemental application. There is no charge for this application.
4. Are you regionally accredited?
All students will be attending and graduating from a University that is regionally accredited by SACSCOC. As a Nursing program, we are nationally accredited by CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) through the GICGNE consortium (consisting of Columbus State University and Georgia Southwestern University). We have received approval from the University System of Georgia to offer each program independently. Because we have not been separately accredited by CCNE as Universities, both Columbus State and Georgia Southwestern will now need to go through an individual accreditation process.
5. May I transfer from another MSN program to your program?
Students who are transferring from another graduate program in nursing must provide the School of Nursing with official transcripts and a letter of good standing from the Dean or Director of the previous School of Nursing. Students who have earned grades in another program that fall below a B will not be admitted.
6. What Academic Calendar do we follow?
The MSN programs follow Intra-Georgia Registration Sharing System (INGRESS) was developed by Information Technology Services as an innovative solution that promotes collaborative partnerships and enables multi-institutional registration. The Calendar can be found at this link: https://www.usg.edu/georgia_best/distance_education_services/ingress
7. How often do you accept students into the School of Nursing MSN Programs?
Students are accepted each semester in Fall, Spring and Summer.
8. What are the admissions requirements?
Prospective students should hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) from a regionally accredited university and a nationally accredited nursing program (NLNAC or CCNE), have a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (regular admission) and a current unencumbered RN license in the state where clinical course requirements will be met.
8. Can you accept students from all states?
To find out if Columbus State can deliver an online program in your state, please contact our State Authorization Office at: state_authorization@columbusstate.edu
9. Is there an additional charge for out of state students?
All students in this 100% online program are charged the same tuition and fees.
10. May I apply to the program, if I completed my degree outside the US?
Provide a course by course professional evaluation of your foreign college credits. This evaluation must be completed by a NACES evaluator or Lisano International. We recommend using Josef Silny (PDF) or World Education Services. The School of Nursing also accepts a professional evaluation by CGFNS considering they are part of International Consultants of Delaware (ICD), and the agency is a NACES member.
Professional transcript evaluations of college/university transcripts must include a course by course evaluation with GPA calculation.
Please contact the evaluator directly to see what they require to perform your evaluation. We must have an original document provided directly by the evaluation service sent to Columbus State. Transcripts from any U.S. college attended must also be provided.
- Graduates will implement the selected advanced nurse role: leader, educator, informaticist, or nurse practitioner within health care.
- Graduates will develop and nurture interprofessional collaborations by communicating and consulting with other appropriate healthcare professionals and community leaders.
- Graduates will evaluate the influence of ethical principles on personal and organizational decision-making.
- Graduates will utilize nursing research for the promotion of quality nursing education, safe client centered health care, and evidence-based practice.
We are advising students for the upcoming semester based on the dates on the CSU Academic Calendar. You will receive an email with your advising schedule during the dates noted on the calendar. All registration and schedule changes for this program are completed by your Academic Advisor. You will have an advising hold on your account. This hold does not prevent you from accessing your student records.
When to contact your advisor?
- When you receive error messages after registration is complete
- For any needed schedule changes or concerns
- If you are in jeopardy of failing your classes
Contact Information
Email: msnfnp@columbusstate.edu
Phone: 706-507-8581
Fax: 706-565-1490
School of Nursing
Frank D. Brown Hall
4225 University Avenue
Columbus, GA 31907-5645
Additional Questions
For Financial Aid information, please contact the Financial Aid Department at sfs@columbusstate.edu or by phone at (706) 507-8800
For Payment information, please contact the Office of Student Accounts at sfs@columbusstate.edu or by phone at (706) 507-8800
Points of Contact
- Advising and Registration
Dr. Stephanie Adams
Email: msnfnp@columbusstate.edu - Questions related to Clinicals
Mrs. Jessica Bauer
Email: son_clinicals@columbusstate.edu - Main Office for Online SON Graduate Programs
Mrs. DeLayne Allen
Phone: (706)507-8581
Email: msnfnp@columbusstate.edu
For advising and graduation dates, please view CSU Academic Calendar.
For semester dates for courses, please view the GOML Calendar
Tuition and fees for the graduate program are located online on the Office of Student Accounts site.
CSU MSN Preceptor Orientation Manual (2023-2024) (PDF)
MSN Clinical Placement Settings and Experiences for Students (PDF)
MSN FNP Paperwork and Contract Deadlines (PDF)
MSN Informatics FT Schema (PDF)
MSN Informatics PT Schema (PDF)
MSN Leadership FT Schema (PDF)
MSN Career Opportunities
The nurse educator role prepares professional nurses to assume entry-level teaching positions in collegiate and hospital settings, as well as community settings with staff or patients. You will also have a clinical focus which will enable use of this degree in teaching positions with students, staff members, and patients. Roles within Nurse Educator practice include being an educator in the collegiate or post-secondary setting, a health educator or patient educator in the hospital or community setting, or being a staff educator in the hospital or community setting.
The nurse informatics role prepares professional nurses to work in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings to provide systems preparation and development as well as training and continued support for users. You may also work in industries related to sales, systems design, and training those who will use technology.
The nurse leader role prepares professional nurses to work in management or administration settings such as hospitals, community agencies, long-term care facilities, governmental agencies and facilities, industries and corporations.
To prepare for career opportunities, the Columbus State University Center for Career Development provides support and resources. You can also view potential positions at Liquid Compass which provides a Columbus State University resource for positions for new graduate APRNs.
Contact Us
Main Office for Online SON Graduate Programs:
Mrs. DeLayne Allen
Phone: (706)507-8581
Email: msnfnp@columbusstate.edu
Advising and Registration:
Dr. Stephanie Adams
Email: msnfnp@columbusstate.edu
Questions related to Clinicals:
Mrs. Jessica Bauer
Email:son_clinicals@columbusstate.edu
Apply now and get started on your Graduate Nursing degree!
