For registered nurses with an associate degree or diploma, the RN–MSN Pathway offers an accelerated route to your graduate degree, allowing you to finish in as little as two years. Designed for working professionals, this flexible program helps you bridge the gap between clinical experience and leadership opportunity — without starting over. You’ll gain the skills, knowledge and confidence to step into advanced roles in patient care, education or healthcare administration.
Nursing: MSN
Move your nursing career forward with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from UNC Pembroke. Choose from flexible pathways — including the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track — designed for working BSN-prepared nurses ready to lead, teach or deliver advanced care. With fully online coursework and interactive class sessions, you can complete your degree in as little as 24 months or take advantage of part-time options that fit your schedule.
Degrees
100% Online
Focus Areas
Clinical Prevention & Population Health, Nurse Educator, Family Nurse Practitioner, Post-Master’s Nursing Education Certificate
| Semester | Application Deadline | Classes Start |
|---|---|---|
| Fall, '26 | Aug. 3, 2026 | Aug. 17, 2026 |
MSN Tracks
Choose from one of our MSN Tracks. Or work with the director of Graduate Programs to create a customized part-time plan of study based on your personal needs and when the courses are offered.
This MSN Track prepares nurses to coordinate and implement case management services at the system and community levels to promote quality, cost-effective health outcomes for rural populations.
Graduates of the program will be able to hold leadership roles and case manager positions across all health care settings and specialties. Graduates will be eligible to take a case management certification examination with the appropriate clinical expertise.
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track at UNC Pembroke prepares nurses to become highly skilled, compassionate primary care providers across the lifespan. Whether you're a BSN-prepared registered nurse ready to advance your practice or an MSN-holder looking to pivot into one of healthcare's most in-demand specialties, this program is designed to meet you where you are — and move you forward.
For nurses who already hold an MSN, the program builds on your previous graduate coursework — allowing you to earn an additional MSN with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration in a shortened time frame. Designed for working professionals, the FNP track blends rigorous academics, hands-on clinical experience and flexible learning formats to help you succeed in today's evolving healthcare landscape. The FNP Track is offered in a hybrid format, with synchronous class meetings and an on-campus immersion experience each semester lasting approximately 3 days. The Immersion Experience is a requirement to demonstrate core competencies necessary for clinical practice as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).
Fall Semester - Year 1
| Course # | Course | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NUR 5020 | Advanced Pathophysiology - 16 weeks | 3 |
| NUR 5030 | Advanced Pharmacology - 16 weeks | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
Spring Semester - Year 1
| Course # | Course | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NUR 5040 | Advanced Physical Assessment - 16 weeks 45 clinical hours |
3 |
| NUR 5010 or NUR 8020 | Research and EBP - 16 weeks online | 3 |
| NUR 5110 or NUR 8031 | Leadership - 16 weeks online | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
Fall Semester - Year 2
| Course # | Course | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NUR 6010 | Family Primary Care I/Diagnosis and Management I Across the Lifespan - 16 wks (225 clinical hours) |
3 |
| NUR 6015 | Family Primary Care I/Diagnosis and Management I Across the Lifespan Practicum | 5 |
| Credits | 8 | |
Spring Semester - Year 1
| Course # | Course | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NUR 6020 | Family Primary Care II/Diagnosis and Management II Across the Lifespan - 16 weeks
(225 clinical hours) |
3 |
| NUR 6025 | Family Primary Care II/Diagnosis and Management II Across the Lifespan Practicum | 5 |
| Credits | 8 | |
Fall Semester - Year 3
| Course # | Course | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NUR 6030 | Family Primary Care III/Diagnosis and Management III Across the Lifespan 16 weeks
(180 Adult clinical hours) |
3 |
| NUR 6035 | Family Primary Care III/Diagnosis and Management III Across the Lifespan Practicum | 5 |
| Credits | 8 | |
Total Credits: 39
Clinical Hours: 675
* DEA prescriber course 1-2 days (within 3 years from graduation), offered in Summer year 2
This MSN Track is designed to prepare practicing nurses to assume roles as educators in baccalaureate and associate degree nursing programs, staff development programs, continuing education programs and community health education programs.
Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the National League for Nursing (NLN) Nurse Educator Certification Examination.
The post-master's certificate program provides registered nurses with a master's degree in nursing with an opportunity to build expertise in the nursing education specialty. The certificate requires 9 semester hours of graduate-level coursework.
Coursework is offered 100% online.
Now offering the FNP
As a Family Nurse Practitioner, you'll have the knowledge, autonomy and clinical expertise
to provide primary care across the lifespan. From diagnosing illnesses and developing
treatment plans to prescribing medications and promoting wellness, FNPs play a vital
role in improving access to healthcare. It's a rewarding career that allows you to
expand your scope of practice, increase your earning potential and make an even greater
impact on the patients and communities you serve.
Family nurse practitioners are among the most in-demand providers in healthcare —
delivering primary care, managing chronic conditions and expanding access in underserved
communities. With greater clinical autonomy and strong job prospects, FNPs are well-positioned
for long-term career growth and competitive earning potential.
UNCP now offers the FNP track for those pursuing their MSN. And for those who've already earned their MSN, this pathway builds on your existing
graduate foundation, allowing you to earn a second MSN with a Family Nurse Practitioner
concentration in a shorter timeframe.
Requirements
In addition to the application, fee, and transcripts, applicants need:
- A copy of a current, valid North Carolina nursing license with multi-state practice privileges by the authority of the Nurse Licensure Compact
- A current °ůĂ©˛őłÜłľĂ© or curriculum vitae of educational and work experience
- A Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited NLN or CCNE School of Nursing
- A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or greater on a 4.0 scale is preferred
- Nursing practice experience (one year completed), and
- Completion of a course in Nursing Research with a minimum grade of “C” or higher.
Information Sessions
Come learn more about our MSN program by attending one of our informational sessions. Use the corresponding RSVP link to reserve your time:
- Tuesday, June 9th @ 4 p.m. -
- Wednesday - July 8th @ 5 p.m. -
Beyond Graduation
One of my favorite aspects of my time at UNCP is the professional, close-knit relationships I was able to form with my nursing instructors. I am grateful for the career path that UNCP has led me to as a nurse.
Haley Oxendine
NursingCommon Careers
- Nurse Educator
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Administrator
- Public Health Nurse
- Case Manager
Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, you will be able to:
- Synthesize evidence-based knowledge, theories and principles from nursing, the arts and humanities, bio-psycho-social and applied sciences which support advanced nursing practice and role development.
- Assume a leadership role in coordinating, managing and improving health services for culturally diverse populations by using knowledge of political, economic, organizational, and regulatory systems.
- Direct organizational and systems leadership initiatives for the improvement of health outcomes and safety for diverse individuals, families, groups, populations and communities across the continuum of care.
- Collaborate with interprofessional healthcare providers and consumers in designing, implementing and evaluating health services for the attainment of shared health care goals that focus on clinical prevention and population health.
- Integrate information technology for evidence-based care management, education, collaboration and decision-making to improve health outcomes.
- Demonstrate beginning competence in applying research principles to clinical practice that will impact advanced nursing practice and education as well as health programs and services.
- Assume accountability for ethical values, principles and personal beliefs that acknowledge human diversity and influence professional practice decisions and nursing interventions.
- Adhere to ethical, legal and regulatory mandates and professional standards for advanced nursing practice.
- Engage in professional behaviors that reflect a commitment to lifelong learning and excellence in advanced nursing practice.
From Registered Nurse
to Master Nurse
Have questions?
Our Admissions counselors are here to help!
or call us at 910.521.6271
Chair and Associate Professor of Nursing and Pre-Licensure Director Director of Graduate Programs, McKenzie-Elliott School of Nursing
Meet our Faculty
All Nursing Faculty & Staff
Jennifer Jones Locklear
910.521.6747 
Deborah Hummer
910.775.4406
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