Master of Science with a Major in Family Nurse Practitioner

The Master of Science with a Major in Family Nurse Practitioner Program prepares experienced registered nurses to sit for national certification as a family nurse practitioner and to qualify for advance practice authorization in the State of Georgia.

Graduate Admissions Procedures

Application materials may be obtained from the Office of Graduate Admissions or from the North Georgia web site, downloadable forms.

• When all application materials required to make an admission decision have been received by the Office of Graduate Admission, notification will be sent to the applicant and a copy of application materials will be forwarded to the program.
• Notification from the FNP program will be mailed 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 1 year of acceptance must reapply through the Office of Graduate Admissions.
• Students who were previously enrolled but have not been in attendance within the last 3 semesters must also reapply.

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General Admissions Eligibility

1. Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited School of Nursing.
   An individual plan of study may be developed for an RN with a BS in a related fields with MS/FNP coordinator permission.
2. 1 year post-licensure clinical work experience with US nursing license. 
3. Current unencumbered Georgia Registered Nurse license. 

General Admissions Requirements

1. Graduate Admission Application or apply online.
2. FNP Supplemental Application Form.
3. Resume.
4. $40 application fee.
5. Official transcripts from each regionally-accredited institution of higher education previously attended. Transfer credit posted on the records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from the original institutions.  Official transcripts for these credits must be submitted.  If you graduated from North Georgia, you do not need to request official transcripts. International transcripts must have a course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. Evaluation must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited institution.
6. Official scores on the GRE (Graduate Record Exam) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Only those scores that are less than 6 years old will be considered.
7. 3 recommendation forms, 1 must be from a supervisor.

The following documents must be received prior to the lst day of the term.

1. North Georgia Immunization Certificate, in accordance with Board of Regents policy. Former North Georgia students are not required to submit new documentation. 
2. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the U.S.
3. Copy of Georgia Registered Nurse (RN) license. 
4. Proof of FNP liability insurance. 
5. Accident/Illness waiver form. 
6. Evidence of current CPR certification. 
7. Criminal background check form. 
8. Department of Nursing medical form. 

Students enrolled in clinical courses who have not submitted the above documentation prior to the lst day of the term will not be allowed to attend until documentation has been received.

Transfer Residency Requirement

To be awarded a Master of Science with a Major in Family Nurse Practitioner, students must earn a minimum of 24 hours of graduate degree requirements in residence.

• Program coordinator and the Dean of the School of Science and Health 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.

Regular Admission Requirements

1. Baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited, 4-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with North Georgia's graduate admission procedures.
2. Entrance test score of at least 391 on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or 800 on the GRE (v&q combined) prior to August 1, 2011, or 285 on the GRE (v&q combined) taken on or after August 1, 2011.
3. Meet all other program admission requirements.

Provisional Admission Requirements

1. Baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited, 4-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with North Georgia's Graduate Admission procedures.
2. Entrance test score on of at least a 378 on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or at least 700 on the GRE (v&q combined) prior to August 1, 2011, or 280 on the GRE (v&q combined) taken on or after August 1, 2011.
3. Meet all other program admission requirements.

• Students admitted provisionally may register for no more than a total of 6-9 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 lst term of enrollment or following the completion of 6 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 North Georgia FNP program.

Non-Degree Admission

Individuals interested in taking graduate nursing courses, but do not want to pursue a graduate degree, may apply for admission as non-degree graduate students.  Individuals must receive pre-approval from the nursing program coordinator before enrolling in courses.

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Application Checklist for Non-Degree Admission

1. Graduate Admissions Application or apply online.
2. FNP Supplemental Application Form.
3. $40 application fee.
4. Official transcripts from each regionally-accredited institution of higher education previously attended.  Transfer credit posted on the records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from the original institutions.  Official transcripts for these credits must be submitted.  Official international transcripts must have a course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES).  Evaluation must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited institution with a minimum grade point average of 2.50.
5. 3 recommendation forms.

The following document must be received prior to the first day of the term.

1. North Georgia Immunization Certificate, in accordance with Board of Regents' policy. Former North Georgia students are not required to submit new documentation.
2. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the U.S. 

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

• Non-degree students later wishing to apply for admission to the MS degree program must notify the program coordinator.
• Submit a new application.
• Meet all program admission requirements.
• All credit to be applied toward a degree must be approved by the program coordinator.

Post-Masters Certificate Program (PMC) for FNPs

To receive the Post-Master’s FNP Certificate, students must successfully complete up to 46 credit hours of family nurse practitioner coursework, including all clinical courses plus Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Physical Assessment if not already taken at the graduate level. An individualized plan of study is developed based on the student’s earned master’s degree.

General Admissions Eligibility for Post-Master's Certificate for FNPs

1. MSN from an accredited school of nursing.
2. 1 year post-licensure clinical work experience in the United States.
3. Current unencumbered Georgia Registered Nurse license.

Application Checklist for Post-Master's Certificate for FNPs

1. Graduate Admission Application or apply online.
2. Supplemental FNP Application Form.
3. $40 application fee.
4. Resume.
5. Official transcripts confirming your master's degree. Transfer credit posted on the records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from the original institutions.  Official transcripts for these credits must be submitted.  If your master's is from North Georgia, you are not required to request official transcripts. International transcripts must have a course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. Transcripts must include certification that the applicant has received a master's degree from a regionally-accredited institution.

The following documents must be received prior to the first day of the term.

1.  North Georgia Immunization Certificate, in accordance with Board of Regents' policy. Former North Georgia students are not required to submit new documentation.
2. Copy of Georgia Registered Nurse (RN) license.
3. Proof of FNP liability insurance.
4. Accident/Illness waiver form.
5. Evidence of current CPR certification.
6. Criminal background check form.
7. Department of Nursing medical form.

All students who have not submitted all of the above documentation prior to the lst day of the term will not be allowed to attend until all documentation has been received. 

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Transfer Residency Requirement, Post-Masters Certificate

To be awarded a Post Masters Certificate for FNPs, students must earn a minimum of 12 hours of graduate degree requirements in residence. The program coordinator and the Dean of the School of Science and Health 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.

Transient Student Admission

• Individuals currently enrolled at a regionally-accredited college or university as graduate students in good standing may apply to as transient students.
• Individuals must receive pre-approval from the FNP 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 Admission Application or apply online.
2. FNP Supplemental Application.
3. $40 application fee.
4.  North Georgia Immunization Certificate according to Board of Regents' policy. Former North Georgia students are not required to submit new documentation.
5. Letter of good standing or Transient Permission form documenting that the student is not on academic probation or suspension or on disciplinary suspension at the home institution.
   • Letter or form should state that the student is in good standing and should indicate the course(s) the student is allowed to take at North Georgia.
   • Transient admission is for 1 semester term only.
   • Individuals who wish to return to North Georgia as a transient student for a subsequent term must re-apply to North Georgia.
   • North Georgia nursing program coordinator may require the applicant to submit a transcript of previous college work in order to verify adequate prerequisite knowledge/skills.
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Appeal of Graduate Admission

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:
Department Head of Nursing
Nursing Progression & Retention Committee Department of Nursing
North Georgia College & State University
Dahlonega, GA  30597

• Letter should clearly state the grounds for appeal.
• Students provisionally-admitted students are not eligible for financial aid.
• Students may not appeal for regular admission.