Georgia College and State University Online NP Programs

Admission Requirements: The admission requirements for Georgia College and State University’s MSN and post-master’s certificate programs are designed to ensure students are academically prepared and clinically experienced.

Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an ACEN or CCNE-accredited program, along with a current, unencumbered RN license in Georgia. At least one year of clinical nursing practice is required, with additional experience preferred. Applicants should have a minimum GPA of 2.75 for the last 60 undergraduate nursing hours.

The application must include a complete application form and non-refundable fee, three letters of reference, official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, a current resume or curriculum vitae, a copy of an unencumbered Georgia or Compact RN license, and participation in an interview if requested.

For post-master’s certificate applicants, a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited program is required, along with an unencumbered Georgia RN license. Post-master’s applicants must have graduated with a 3.2 GPA or higher and submit all MSN course syllabi for individualized program planning if seeking additional certifications.

All clinical rotations must be completed in Georgia with approved preceptors.

State Restrictions: Georgia College and State University (GCSU) actively monitors and complies with federal and state regulations related to the delivery of distance education. As a participant in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) administered by GA-SARA, GCSU is authorized or not subject to approval to offer distance education in every state and Puerto Rico. This facilitates enrollment of online students from SARA member states, allows experiential learning placements in those states, and supports field study or research activities, subject to specific authorization and regulations.

However, it is the student’s responsibility to be aware of their own state’s policies regarding distance education. For students residing outside Georgia, GCSU assists in contacting their state education agencies to understand licensure and certification requirements.

Importantly, SARA does not cover professional licensure approval. Licensing for programs such as nursing is overseen by relevant state boards, and licensure approval depends on each state’s criteria. Students must ensure that GCSU’s nursing programs meet their state’s educational requirements for professional certification.

Study Plan: Georgia College and State University offers flexible study plans for its online NP programs to accommodate the needs of working nurses. Each MSN concentration and post-master’s certificate program is offered in fully online formats with minimal on-campus visit requirements. Students may choose between part-time and full-time study tracks depending on their needs.

All MSN programs are typically completed in either six semesters (full-time) or nine semesters (part-time). Post-master’s certificate programs vary in length but can take up to two years, depending on coursework and clinical hour requirements.

Every program has different credit and clinical hour requirements. The FNP-MSN program comprises 40 credits and 630 clinical hours. The PMHNP-MSN program consists of 39 credits with 570 clinical hours. The WHNP-MSN program consists of 40 credits and 675 clinical hours. Finally, the NM MSN program comprises 45 credits with 810 clinical hours. For the post-master’s certificate programs, the FNP and WHNP certificates require 31 credits each, the PMHNP certificate consists of 32 credits, and the NM certificate comprises 36 credits.

Programs begin each summer with a mandatory four-day face-to-face immersion experience to familiarize students with faculty and peers, followed by a fall Lab immersion week focused on advanced assessment skills. Clinical rotations are completed primarily in the student’s local community with preceptors approved by the School of Nursing. All clinical hours must be completed within the state of Georgia.

MSN Curriculum: The curriculum for Georgia College and State University’s online NP programs begins with a set of core MSN courses that provide foundational knowledge essential for all concentrations. These core courses include advanced nursing assessment; advanced nursing assessment clinical; applied pharmacology; advanced physiology & pathophysiology; perspectives of advanced nursing practice; healthcare research & statistical analysis; ensuring healthcare safety and quality; and nursing theory: principles & applications.

• Concentration Specific Courses: Each MSN concentration offers specialty-specific courses tailored to develop expertise in that focused area.
• FNP Specialty Courses: primary care of adults I and II; primary care of adults I and II clinical; primary care of women; primary care of women clinical; primary care of children & adolescents; primary care of children & adolescents clinical; and primary care practicum.
• PMHNP Specialty Courses: advanced psychopharmacology and neurobiology; foundations for psychiatric-mental health nursing; foundations for psychiatric-mental health nursing lab; psychiatric mental health nursing I and II; psychiatric mental health nursing I and II lab; practicum in psychiatric mental health nursing; practicum in psychiatric mental health nursing lab.
• WHNP Specialty Courses: women’s health I and II; women’s health I lab; women’s health II clinical; women’s health III clinical; unique women’s health issues; postpartum & primary care women; women’s health/midwifery practicum; and women’s health/midwifery residency.
• NM Specialty Courses: women’s health I and II; unique women’s health issues; postpartum & primary care women; midwifery: intrapartum newborn; midwifery lab; women’s health/midwifery practicum; and women’s health/midwifery residency.

Post-Master’s Certificate Curriculum: For post-master’s certificate students, the curriculum builds on previously earned advanced nursing degrees and provides focused coursework in their specialty area. These programs require the completion of core courses similar to those in the MSN program. These core courses include advanced nursing assessment; applied pharmacology; and advanced physiology & pathophysiology. The specialty courses for post-master’s certificates align with MSN specialties.

Online Experience: Designed to provide a flexible learning experience for working nurses, Georgia College and State University’s online NP programs are delivered primarily online using synchronous interactive lectures via WebEx, asynchronous online modules, and recorded lectures that students can access on their own schedule. Students participate in live classes generally held on Thursdays.

Students are required to attend on-campus labs and simulation sessions approximately once per semester, lasting between one and three days. Clinical rotations, an essential aspect of the programs, are completed locally within the state of Georgia.

On-Site Requirements: The online NP programs at GCSU include a limited number of mandatory on-campus experiences. These on-site requirements ensure that students receive hands-on training and immersive learning opportunities.

Programs begin each summer with a four-day face-to-face immersion experience on campus. This immersion week allows students to meet their faculty and fellow peers. In the fall semester, students enrolled in the advanced nursing assessment course are required to attend a lab immersion week on campus. This intensive 45-hour, hands-on clinical instruction provides foundational skills essential to advanced assessment across all programs. Full-time students typically take this course during their first semester, while part-time students take it the following summer semester.

Throughout the remainder of the program, students may be required to attend approximately five additional campus visits. These visits support activities such as required guest lectures, specific skills labs, and simulation sessions.