Overview
The Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP) in Nursing provides high-achieving undergraduate nursing students at the University of Vermont with the opportunity to earn both a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a Master of Science in Nursing (MS) in a total of six years of study. This pathway offers early graduate course integration, reduces total time to degree, and enhances post-baccalaureate professional readiness.
The AMP in Nursing is designed to prepare students for leadership, clinical inquiry, and advanced practice across diverse health care settings. Students apply in the spring of their junior year and may apply up to 9 credits of graduate coursework taken during their senior year toward both the BSN and MSN degrees. Upon BSN conferral and RN licensure, students transition into the master’s phase.
The MS in nursing curriculum emphasizes systems leadership, evidence-informed practice, and population health. Students complete a focused area of study through a 9-credit core intensive or approved micro-certificate of graduate study (mCGS), allowing them to tailor their graduate experience to areas such as public health, integrative health, leadership, informatics, or trauma-informed care. The program highlights advanced clinical knowledge, planetary health, and strategies to support mental health and provider wellbeing. Graduates are prepared for advanced roles in care coordination, education, and clinical leadership.
Specific Requirements
Minimum Degree Requirements
| Requirement Description | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum Plan Senior Year | ||
| Up to 9 credits from the following courses may be shared between BS in nursing and MS in nursing | ||
| STAT 5000 | Biostatistics and Epidemiology | 3 |
| GRNS 6302 | Quality & Informatics | 3 |
| GRNS 6304 | Planetary Health for HCP | 3 |
| GRNS 6240 | Theoretical Foundation Nsg Sci | 3 |
To earn the Master of Science in Nursing degree, students must:
- Successfully complete core and elective graduate coursework.
- Complete 9 credits in an approved micro-certificate or core intensive focus area.
- Maintain a GPA of 3.00 or higher.
- Successfully complete the graduate comprehensive examination.
- Complete a master’s project or thesis aligned with AACN Essentials and program outcomes.
Comprehensive Examination
The Comprehensive Examination is conducted by the Graduate Faculty in the Department of Nursing. The examination is designed to allow the student to demonstrate analysis and synthesis of knowledge gained through the program. The examination must be completed prior to the Master’s thesis or project. The Comprehensive Examination is rated on a satisfactory/ unsatisfactory basis. In the event that the student does not achieve a satisfactory on the oral comprehensive exam, one opportunity to provide evidence of satisfactory achievement of the goal of the comprehensive exam will be allowed and is to be completed by 2 weeks following the oral attempt.
Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy for the Degree of Master of Science
Meet all of the above criteria.