Admission Procedures Admission Eligibility Nursing Ed Professional Transitions Sequence: RN with a Non-Nursing Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree

Admission Requirements Appeal of Graduate Admission Transfer Residency Requirement Academic Policies Degree Requirements

The Master of Science with a Major in Nursing Education at the University of North Georgia (UNG) is a 35-semester-hour graduate program that prepares students to obtain employment in the field of Nursing Education. Employment settings include colleges and universities, vocational technical schools and hospital education departments. The curriculum supports foundational knowledge for further doctoral education.

The Master of Science with a Major in Nursing Education program requires six consecutive semesters of study. Part-time study also is available. Courses are primarily offered one day per week. Two practicums/preceptorships provide the student with “hands on” teaching experience in the academic and clinical settings. The final semester includes a leadership project to provide an opportunity for students to experience professional growth through a project of their choice. The project may include grant writing, refereed publication, work with a state or national nursing organization, or educational research.

While face-to-face instruction is utilized, online web enhancement is a component for most courses. Some courses are delivered totally online. Therefore, students must be able to engage in electronic collaboration using email, email attachments, and listservs. Students must be competent using word processing and presentation software. Ease of internet access and navigation is essential for research and collaboration.

A new cohort of Nursing Ed students begins each summer semester upon meeting the posted application deadline. Admitted Nursing Ed students may request permission to enroll in core courses during an earlier term on a space-available basis and with the approval of the program coordinator.

For additional program information, call the Department of Nursing 706-864-1489, or email the program coordinator, Dianne Nelson, Dianne.Nelson@ung.edu, or write to the Department of Nursing, Master of Science with a Major in Nursing Education, University of North Georgia, Dahlonega, GA 30597-1001.

Graduate Studies’ Admission Procedures

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Application materials may be obtained from Graduate Studies or from the UNG website, www.ung.edu/graduate/NurseEd. Applicants must pay a one-time, non-refundable application fee. Admission requirements are listed below. When all application materials have been received by Graduate Studies, notification will be sent to the applicant and a copy of all materials will be forwarded to the program. Upon review, a letter from the program will be sent to the applicant verifying acceptance or denial. In some instances, the applicant may be requested to come to Dahlonega for an interview or testing.

Students who are admitted, but do not enroll within one year of acceptance must reapply through Graduate Studies. Students who were previously enrolled but have not been in attendance within the last three semesters must also reapply. All documents and materials submitted to fulfill the application requirements for entry to a program at UNG become the property of the university and will not be returned. These materials are kept for one year for incomplete application files; three years for completed and accepted, but not enrolled.

Nursing Ed General Admission Eligibility

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1. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a regionally accredited institution with a nationally accredited school of nursing.
2. One year post-licensure clinical work experience in the United States.
3. Current unencumbered Georgia Registered Nurse license.
4. For the Professional Transitions Sequence, current unencumbered Georgia Registered Nurse license and bachelor’s or master’s degree in another field of study.

Nursing Ed Professional Transitions Sequence: RN with a Non-Nursing Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree

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An individual who holds an associate’s degree or a diploma in nursing and either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a non-nursing field of study may apply for the nursing professional transitions sequence for entry into the Master of Science with a Major in Nursing Education program.

Nursing Professional Transitions Sequence is composed of two online courses:

  and  

Each course is five credit hours (four credit hours of didactic instruction; one hour of clinical instruction). Courses must be taken sequentially beginning fall semester each year and students must successfully complete courses (receive a grade of B or better) prior to beginning any additional courses in the Nursing Ed program. In accordance with departmental policy, students may repeat a course in which they have been unsuccessful one time.

Nursing Ed Admission Requirements

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The following documents must be received prior to admission:

1. Graduate Studies Application.
2. Non-refundable application fee.
3. Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended. All official international transcripts must have a foreign course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES). Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution and state a calculated cumulative grade point average.
4. Official scores on the Graduate Record Exam General Test (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or evidence of a graduate degree. Only those scores that are less than six years old will be considered.
5. Three UNG recommendation forms validating your ability to successfully complete graduate study.
6. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the United States.

In accordance with Board of Regents’ policy, the following documents must be received two weeks prior to the first day of the term:

1. UNG Immunization Certificate. Former North Georgia and Gainesville State students are required to submit documentation for any new immunization requirements since last attended.

The following documents must be received prior to the first day of the initial term for which the student is enrolled:

1. Copy of Georgia Registered Nurse (RN) license.
2. Proof of RN liability insurance.
3. Completed Accident/Illness Waiver form.
4. Evidence of current CPR certification.
5. Criminal background check.
6. Completed Department of Nursing Medical form. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure all requirements are up to date.

All students enrolled in clinical courses who have not submitted all of the above documentation prior to the first day of the term will not be allowed to attend until all documentation has been received. Students are responsible for all course material and for all announcements and assignments. The decision to permit students to make up work that is required in any missed class resides with the instructor.

Regular Admission

To qualify for regular admission, individuals must:

1. Hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited, four-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with Graduate Studies’ admission procedures.
2. Earn an acceptable score on one of the appropriate entrance tests of at least 391 on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or 800 on the Graduate Record Exam General Test (GRE) (verbal and quantitative combined) if taken before August 1, 2011, or 285 (verbal and quantitative combined) if taken on or after August 1, 2011, or evidence of a graduate degree.
3. Meet all other program admission requirements.

Provisional Admission

To qualify for provisional admission, individuals must:

1. Hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited, four-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with Graduate Studies’ admission procedures.
2. Earn an acceptable score on one of the appropriate entrance tests of at least 378 on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or 700 on the Graduate Record Exam General Test (GRE) (verbal and quantitative combined) if taken before August 1, 2011, or 280 (verbal and quantitative combined) on the GRE if taken on or after August 1, 2011, or evidence of a graduate degree.
3. Meet all other program admission requirements.

Students admitted provisionally may register for no more than a total of six-nine hours of graduate credit. Provisionally admitted students should schedule an appointment with the program coordinator for individual advisement. Student status will be reviewed to determine eligibility for regular admission following the first term of enrollment or following the completion of six hours, whichever is first. Provisionally admitted students who earn a grade less than a B in any graduate nursing course taken during the provisional period will not be allowed to continue to in the program.

Non-Degree Admission

Individuals interested in taking graduate nursing education courses, but do not want to pursue a graduate degree, may apply for admission as a non-degree graduate students. Individuals must receive pre-approval from the program coordinator before enrolling in courses and may register for no more than a total of six-nine hours of graduate credit.

The following documents must be received prior to admission:

1. Graduate Studies Application.
2. Non-refundable application fee.
3. Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended documenting completion of a baccalaureate from a regionally accredited, four-year institution with a minimum grade point average of 2.50. Official international transcripts must have a foreign course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES). Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum grade point average of 2.50.
4. Three UNG recommendation forms validating ability to successfully complete graduate study.
5. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the U.S.

In accordance with Board of Regents’ policy, the following documents must be received two weeks prior to the first day of the term:

1. UNG Immunization Certificate. Former North Georgia and Gainesville State students are required to submit documentation for any new immunization requirements since last attended.

Students enrolled in clinical courses will be required to submit additional documentation prior to the first day of the term.

Non-degree students wishing to apply for admission to the Nursing Ed degree program must notify the program coordinator, submit a new application through Graduate Studies, and meet all program admission requirements. No more than nine hours of graduate credit earned while holding a non-degree status may subsequently be applied toward meeting the requirements of the Nursing Education degree program. All credit to be applied toward a degree must be approved by the program coordinator.

Transient Student Admission

An individual currently enrolled at a regionally accredited college or university as a graduate student in good standing may apply to UNG as a transient student. Individuals must receive pre-approval from the program coordinator before enrolling in courses. Requests will be considered on a space-available basis.

The following documents must be received prior to admission:

1. Graduate Studies Application.
2. Non-refundable application fee.
3. Letter of good standing or Transient Permission Form documenting that the student is not on academic probation or suspension or on disciplinary suspension at his or her home institution. The letter or form should state that the student is in good standing and should indicate the course(s) the student is being allowed to take at UNG. The program coordinator may require the applicant to submit a transcript of his or her previous college work in order to verify adequate prerequisite knowledge/skills.
4. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the United States.

In accordance with Board of Regents’ policy, the following documents must be received two weeks prior to the first day of the term:

1. UNG Immunization Certificate. Former North Georgia and Gainesville State students are required to submit documentation for any new immunization requirements since last attended.

Transient admission is for one semester term only. Individuals who wish to return to UNG as a transient student for a subsequent term must reapply to UNG.

Appeal of Graduate Admission

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A candidate whose application is denied because the graduate admission cumulative grade point average is below the minimum requirement for the program or because an acceptable test score for an appropriate entrance exam was not earned has the right to appeal the decision. Appeals must be made in written form to the Department of Nursing, Nursing Progression and Retention Committee, University of North Georgia, Dahlonega, GA 30597-1001. The letter should clearly state the grounds for appeal. Students whose appeal is accepted will be admitted provisionally and are not eligible for financial aid while enrolled under this status. Applicants may not appeal for regular admission status.

Transfer Residency Requirement

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To be awarded a Master of Science with a Major in Nursing Education degree, students must earn a minimum of 24 hours of graduate degree requirements in residence. The program coordinator and the Dean of the College of Health Sciences & Professions must approve all transfer credit. Transfer credit will not be given for any course in which a grade of less than a B was earned.

Nursing Ed Academic Policies

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Academic Progression

Graduate nursing students progress through the program of study as long as a minimum of a B is earned in each graduate course. Some course grades are comprised of a theory or didactic component as well as a preceptorship component. A satisfactory (S) in preceptorship must be achieved for the student to earn a course grade of B or higher. Also, exams must average a minimum of 75 prior to other grades being added or averaged into the course grade. If less than a 75 average on exams is earned the student will receive a C or less for the course and must repeat the course, if eligible to do so. 

Academic Standing Policy

Graduate nursing students whose academic performance is unsatisfactory will be subject to the following:

1. 1. Probation – A student will be placed on probation for any of the following reasons:
   a.  Student’s cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0.
   b. Student earns a U or any other grade below B.
   
   No student may be a candidate for the degree or sit for the comprehensive examination while on probation due to a grade point average below a 3.0. Probation will be removed when the student’s grade point average reaches 3.0 or higher. In cases where the student is placed on probation due to grade(s), probation will be removed when the course(s) is/are repeated and the grade is S or B or greater, and the overall grade point average is 3.0 or greater. Students who are on probation may not register until advised.
    
2. Suspension – A student will be placed on suspension for any of the following reasons:
   a. Student earns two grades below B (including U’s).
   b. Student has already served three consecutive terms on academic probation.

Those students who believe that their academic progress was affected by extenuating circumstances may appeal the suspension to the Nursing Progression and Retention Committee. No student may enroll in graduate courses at UNG while on suspension. Courses taken at another institution during the period of suspension will not be recognized for transfer credit. If suspended, a student must apply to UNG’s Graduate Studies for readmission. Students seeking to reapply who have been suspended must submit a new application and a letter written to the Dean of the College of Health Sciences & Professions. They will be readmitted only upon approval of the Dean and the program coordinator.

Academic and Professional Integrity Policy

At the end of each semester, the program faculty or program coordinator may intervene to establish a plan of action for any student in the program whose competency is in question for reasons including unprofessional, disruptive, or unethical behavior in the classroom or applied setting. The plan should be signed by the student and the program coordinator with copies forwarded to the Dean of the College of Health Sciences & Professions.

Academic Integrity

The University of North Georgia recognizes honesty and integrity as being necessary to the academic functioning of the university. UNG graduate students are expected to uphold the university regulations addressed in the Student Code of Conduct, Article 3, Rule 2.

Professional Integrity

The Master of Science with a Major in Nursing Education program adheres to the university’s definition of professional integrity as described in the Academics portion of the Graduate Catalog.

Nursing Ed Degree Requirements

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Graduation requirements for the Master of Science with a Major in Nursing Education include:

1. Completion of 35 designated semester hours of study with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher with no grade of less than a B.
2. Satisfactory preceptorship in both clinical and academic settings.
3. Successful passing of the comprehensive examination.
4. Successful completion of the leadership project or thesis.
5. Completion of at least 24 semester hours of graduate degree requirements in residence.
6. Completion of all degree-related course requirements, including transfer credits, within a six-year period