Graduate Programs
Marymount offers the Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) and the Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.). Marymount’s D.N.P. and M.S.N. programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Admission Requirements for Degree and Certificate Programs: In addition to the university's graduate admission requirements for degree-seeking applicants or post-master’s certificate applicants, individuals must do the following:
- Provide evidence of having earned a nursing degree from a CCNE-accredited college or university.
- M.S.N. applicants must hold a B.S.N. with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Certificate applicants must hold an M.S.N. with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- D.N.P. applicants entering with a B.S.N. as their highest credential must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- D.N.P. applicants with an M.S.N. as their highest credential must have a minimum GPA of 3.5.
- On-campus applicants must hold an unencumbered R.N. licensure in Virginia or be eligible for licensure in Virginia. Applicants in the online program must hold an unencumbered compact RN license and/or be licensed in at least two jurisdictions where they will complete clinical placement (unless the student lives >120 miles from the border of their state of residence). Once enrolled, family nurse practitioner students in the on-campus program are required to have an unencumbered license in two of the three local jurisdictions prior to placement in clinical courses (DC, MD, VA).
- Provide two letters of recommendation from professionals who can attest to the applicant’s potential for graduate work. At least one recommendation should be from a direct supervisor (not a charge nurse) within the past two years and the other from an employer or professor who can attest to the applicant's potential for graduate work.
- Submit a 250- to 500-word professional essay describing professional goals and motivation for seeking the degree.
- Provide a copy of APN certification, as applicable.
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D.N.P. applicants should also identify an area of interest for their scholarly project.
In addition, individuals must meet these requirements:
- D.N.P. applicants and post-master's family nurse practitioner certificate applicants must provide documentation of clinical hours at the master's level.
- M.S.N. family nurse practitioner or or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner degree and post-master's certificate program applicants must have two years of experience and hold an unencumbered license as a registered nurse.
- Post-masters certificate and post-masters DNP applicants must provide documentation of clinical practice hours obtained in an advanced practice degree from the university awarding the masters degree. The Associate Director for Graduate Nursing Education, in the case of postmaster's DNP students, will perform a gap analysis on admitted students and inform them of the number of post-baccalaureate hours required in their plan of study for a DNP. Post-master's D.N.P. applicants and Post-master’s certificate applicants must have completed a graduate-level statistics course within the last five years or NU 590 will be added to the plan of study.
After a preliminary review of application materials, applicants may be invited to interview with members of the admissions committee.
Enrollment Policies and Application Deadlines
On-Campus Program:
M.S.N. (fall start only)
Post-Master's Certificate (fall start only)
Fall enrollment application: March 1 (early-decision deadline)
Final deadline, if space permits: June 1
Spring enrollment application: October 15
Online Program:
Fall, spring, and summer starts with rolling admission
D.N.P.
On-Campus Program:
Enrollment application (fall only): March 1 (early-decision deadline)
Final deadline: June 1
Online Program:
Fall, spring, and summer starts with rolling admission
Transfer Credit Policy: M.S.N. students may request that up to 12 credit hours be reviewed for acceptance as transfer credit. D.N.P. students may request that up to nine (9) credit hours be reviewed. Only courses in which a student has earned a grade of B or better will be considered.
Nondegree Admission: Faculty approval is required for nondegree student enrollment in graduate nursing courses. Approval is based on applicant qualifications and class space availability. The following courses may be taken on a nondegree basis: NU 501, NU 510, NU 552, NU 554, NU 590, NU 555, and IPE 715. No more than nine (9) credits may be taken without enrolling in the M.S.N. program.
A student may take core D.N.P. courses with the approval of the Associate Director for graduate nursing studies.
Clinical Requirements: All graduate nursing students must submit evidence of a recent health examination and required immunizations upon entering the university and criminal background check prior to matriculation into all graduate nursing programs. Additionally, students must submit the Provider Attestation and Technical Standards forms prior to starting clinical.
Students must provide evidence of the following before entering each practicum course:
- written verification of the following: initial negative Two-Step TB skin test (two tuberculosis skin tests (TST) one week apart, done within the last 12 months); negative QuantiFERON TB Gold; negative T-Spot. Thereafter, a new negative TB is required each year: One-Step TB test, QuantiFERON TB Gold, or T-Spot. If the student tests positive or has previously tested positive, documentation of a negative chest x-ray every 5 years and a yearly TB Symptom Screen completed by a healthcare provider will be required;
- written verification of active CPR certification from the American Heart Association (BLS for health care providers);
- health insurance coverage;
- documentation of malpractice insurance as a Nurse Practitioner Student;
- criminal background check within the past year, which is a federal requirement for all persons working with vulnerable populations;
- written verification of complete vaccinations (or immunity shown through titer where applicable) for hepatitis B, MMR, varicella tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis, COVID 19 (with booster), and influenza (Note: influenza immunization is an annual requirement.);
- negative 9-panel (or more) drug screen;
- additional requirements as stated by specific health care agencies and the Nursing Graduate Student Handbook
Students enrolled in clinical courses are not guaranteed their choice of placement site schedule. Clinicals for MSN students are generally completed Monday through Friday. A weekend-only schedule may not be able to be accommodated. Additional details about placements are outlined in the Nursing Graduate Student Handbook.
Clinical-Experience Transportation: Students provide their own transportation to and from clinical experiences. The university’s free shuttle service connects the Main Campus, the Ballston Center, and the Ballston-MU Metro station.
Registration: Graduate students enrolled in the online nursing programs are only permitted to take online nursing classes. Students in the on-campus program can enroll in online courses with permission of program faculty if space permits.
Graduation Requirements: All graduate nursing students fulfilling FNP or PMHNP requirements must take and pass a comprehensive examination prior to graduation.
Legal Limitations of Licensure: The practice of nursing is regulated by state laws. Questions concerning advanced practice licensure in a specific state should be directed to that state’s board of nursing. Applicants for advanced practice nursing licensure in Virginia are required to notify the Virginia Board of Nursing if they have
- been convicted of (or pled nolo contendere to) a violation of any federal or state law;
- been hospitalized or received treatment for chemical dependence during the two years preceding application to complete the licensing examination; or
- have a mental or physical condition that could interfere with their ability to practice.
Minimum Grade Requirements: Successful completion of a graduate nursing course requires a minimum grade of B (85%). A student may repeat one course in which a grade of B- or lower is earned. A grade of B- or lower in a second course will result in dismissal from the program.
Residency Requirements for Certificate Students: Certificate-seeking students must complete two-thirds of the required credits at Marymount.
Nursing Graduate Student Handbook: Graduate nursing students must comply with additional program-specific policies found in the Nursing Graduate Student Handbook. All graduate nursing students are required to read the handbook and sign an attestation confirming this action upon matriculation in the program and to review the handbook each time it is revised. Notification of revisions is made through the Graduate Nursing Student Canvas site.