The School will not be accepting applications for the MSN nurse practitioner and MSN clinical nurse specialist programs for fall 2026 entry.

If you are interested in becoming a clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner, please consider applying to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, an affordable, efficient pathway to the highest clinical doctorate that includes ample preparation for one of eight national specialty certification exams.

The School's generalist MSN programs, the direct-entry Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) for non-nurses and the leadership-focused RN to CNL program, are also available, as are the School's six post-master's certificate tracks.
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Nurse practitioner May Gallanosa talking to a peer

MSN - Master of Science in Nursing

Virginia's top-ranked nursing programs and ranked among the top 3% of American graduate nursing programs, UVA offers programs for nurses at every professional stage.

As healthcare grows increasingly complex, the necessity for advanced practice nurses to coordinate and deliver stellar care has never been greater. UVA's graduate nursing programs draw upon the academic excellence of UVA, the clinical strength of UVA Health's University Medical Center, and a collective commitment to serve the needs of citizens of Virginia, the nation, and the world.

The DNP is now the preferred degree for all advanced practice nurses. Developed in congruence with guidance from advisory bodies such as the National Organization for Nurse Practitioner Faculty and the American Association for Colleges of Nursing, among others, UVA’s DNP program offers students an affordable, efficient format, and a choice of eight specialty areas and ample preparation for the national certification exam of their choice. If you are interested in becoming a clinical nurse specialist or a nurse practitioner, please apply to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, an affordable, efficient pathway to the highest clinical doctorate that includes ample preparation for one of eight national specialty certification exams.

Please note: The School will not be accepting applications for the MSN nurse practitioner and MSN clinical nurse specialist programs for fall 2026 entry. 

The School's generalist MSN programs, the direct-entry Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) for non-nurses and the leadership-focused RN to CNL program, are also available, as are the School’s six post-master’s certificate tracks.

The School of Nursing also guarantees admission to its alumni graduates interested in attending any of the School's post-master's specialty certificate, RN to CNL, or DNP programs.

EXPLORE

DNP Programs (for Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist pathways) Zoom info sessions

Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 5:30 PM
DNP Zoom info session graphic Apr. 9 2025

A fast-track master’s degree program for RNs interested in healthcare administration, nursing leadership and policy–and all the benefits an advance.

Graduates are eligible for the CNL certification exam.

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A two-year master’s program for those outside the field who want to become nurse leaders on a fast track.

Over two years, CNL graduates earn a fast-track-to-nursing master's in nursing degree, and are eligible for the NCLEX and clinical nurse leader (CNL) certification exams. Though they begin work as novice nurses at the bedside, CNL graduates tend to rise quickly, given their real-world experience, ability to do evidence-based unit improvement projects, and leadership learning.

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Nurses across the School's advanced practice specialty areas, including its MSN specialties, post-master's certificates, and DNP program pathways, earn clinical hours with qualified, highly-experienced mentor nurses, at sites across the Charlottesville-Albemarle area, central Virginia, the commonwealth, and the mid-Atlantic region, at sites including:

  • Addiction Allies, LLC
  • Bon Secours Blackstone Family Practice
  • Bon Secours Patterson Avenue Family Practice
  • Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital
  • Capitol Pediatrics, PC
  • Carilion Clinic Family Medicine - Brambleton
  • Carilion Roanoke Memorial (Clinic & Hospitalists)
  • Charlottesville Integrated Psychiatry, LLC
  • Children's Hospital a.k.a. CNMC
  • CVHS - Buckingham
  • CVHS - Southern Albemarle
  • Family Medicine of Albemarle
  • Inova Fairfax Hospital - Inova Health System
  • Inova Health System
  • KidMed Urgent Care
  • Mental Fitness Matters, PLLC
  • Old Dominion University Student Health Services
  • Planned Parenthood 
  • Raphine Medical Associates
  • Revolution Healthcare LLC
  • Sentara Cardiology Specialists
  • Sentara Family & Internal Med Physicians - Hampton
  • Sentara Family Medicine - Virginia Beach
  • Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital
  • Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
  • Sentara Obici Hospital
  • The Pediatric Center - VCC Main Office
  • UNC Medical Center (Neurosciences Hospital)
  • UVA Child and Family Psychiatry
  • UVA Child Development & Rehabilitation (was KCRC)
  • UVA Children's Hospital
  • UVA Developmental Pediatrics Clinic
  • UVA Family Medicine Stoney Creek
  • UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center
  • UVA Heart and Vascular Center Fontaine
  • UVA HIV Clinic
  • UVA Infectious Diseases Clinic
  • UVA Medical Center
  • UVA Memory and Aging Care Clinic
  • UVA Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery Clinic
  • UVA Midlife & Gynecologic Specialties Northridge
  • UVA OB/GYN Outpatient Clinic
  • UVA Pediatric Hematology/Oncology(Battle Building)
  • UVA Pediatric Neurology and Epilepsy Clinic
  • UVA Primary Care Locust Grove
  • UVA Primary Care Riverside
  • UVA School of Nursing Clinical Simulation Learning Center (CSLC)
  • UVA Student Health and Wellness Center 
  • UVA Teen and Young Adult Health Center
  • UVA Transplant Center
  • UVA University Medical Associates (UMA) Clinic
  • VCU CHoR - Hematology and Oncology Clinic
  • VCU Student Health Services
  • VCU Virginia Commonwealth University Health System
  • Veterans Affairs, Richmond, VA (McGuire)
  • Virginia Hospital Center Arlington Health System
  • Virginia Skin Medical and Cosmetic Dermatology
Austin Stajduhar
Assistant dean for admissions
(434) 924-0066

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