Program Overview

---

University of Cincinnati College of Nursing Programs

The University of Cincinnati College of Nursing offers a variety of programs for nursing professionals, including:

• RN-BSN Online
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Post-Bachelor's Certificate
• Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN
• Micro-Credentials
• Master of Science in Nursing
• Post-Master's Certificate
• Doctor of Nursing Practice
• PhD

Program Details

RN-BSN Online

The RN-BSN Online program is designed for working nurses who want to advance their education. The program includes:

• Meet our Graduates
• Courses
• Completion Options
• RN to BSN Online Program Articulation Agreements
• Technology Recommendations
• Tuition & Fees
• FAQ
• Admissions
• Faculty

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program prepares students for a career in nursing. The program includes:

• Admissions
• Tuition & Fees
• Clinical Partners
• Experiential Learning
• Simulation
• Student Support
• The Student Experience

Post-Bachelor's Certificate

The Post-Bachelor's Certificate program offers specialized training in areas such as:

• Caring for the Underserved
• Nurse-Led Innovation
• Nursing Education
• Public Health Nursing
• FAQ

Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN

The Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN program is designed for individuals with a non-nursing bachelor's degree who want to become a nurse. The program includes:

• Admissions
• Tuition & Fees
• Clinical Partners
• Simulation
• Prerequisite Course Equivalents
• Pre-Accelerated Direct-Entry MSN
• FAQ

Micro-Credentials

The Micro-Credentials program offers specialized training in areas such as:

• Nursing Education
• Systems Leadership
• FAQ

Master of Science in Nursing

The Master of Science in Nursing program offers specialized training in areas such as:

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse Midwifery
• Nursing Education
• Systems Leadership
• Women's Health NP
• MSN Specialty Quiz
• FAQ
• Program Directors

Post-Master's Certificate

The Post-Master's Certificate program offers specialized training in areas such as:

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Acute Care NP
• Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
• FAQ

Doctor of Nursing Practice

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program offers specialized training in areas such as:

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse Anesthesia
• Occupational Health Nursing
• Pediatric Acute Care NP
• Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
• Public Health Nursing
• Systems Leadership
• Post-MSN DNP
• DNP Specialty Quiz
• FAQ
• Program Directors

PhD

The PhD program is designed for individuals who want to become nurse researchers. The program includes:

• PhD Admissions
• Tuition & Fees
• Faculty Researchers
• PhD in Nursing Program Alumni
• FAQ

Systems Leadership DNP

The Systems Leadership Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares nurses to lead and manage the increasing complexity of today’s health care systems through evidence-based practice and strategic decision-making.

Program Delivery

The program delivery combines flexible online coursework with in-person precepted clinical practice.

Program Outcomes

The program prepares graduates for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Nurse Executive and Nurse Executive Advanced certification exams and to the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) Nurse Manager Leader and Executive Nursing Practice certification exams.

Faculty Support

Students learn from faculty who are practicing nurses, up-to-date clinically, and get the support they need to succeed every step of the way, including:

• Enrollment Services Advisor
• Student Success Coordinator
• Clinical Site Coordinator

Program Director

The program director is Kathy Oliphant, DNP, RN, CNL, NEA-BC, Assistant Professor & Director, Systems Leadership Programs.

Admission Requirements

• A current, active, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) licensure with no disciplinary action
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an ACEN- (formerly NLNAC) or CCNE-accredited nursing institution
• Minimum overall BSN GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale (recommended)
• Minimum undergraduate Statistics GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
• A minimum of one year of RN experience in the United States at the time of application

Application Deadline

All BSN to DNP programs, except Nurse Anesthesia, admit for the fall semester start only. The application window for programs could close early, if maximum capacity is reached.

Systems Leadership DNP Semester Start	Application Deadline	Class Start
Fall 2026	July 1, 2026	Aug. 24, 2026

Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees Enrollment	Ohio Resident	Non-Resident	Online Learning Fee
Part Time (9 credits or fewer)	$836 per credit	$851 per credit	$57 per credit
Full Time (10 credits or more)	$8,359 per semester	$8,509 per semester	$563 per semester

Application Process

All information required to apply to our Doctor of Nursing Practice programs should be submitted through NursingCAS.

Transcripts

• Official transcripts from all schools previously attended, including community colleges and two- and four-year colleges and universities should be sent directly to NursingCAS.
• Transcripts must verify a Bachelor of Science in Nursing conferred from a regionally and ACEN (formerly NLNAC) or CCNE accredited institution.
• International transcripts must be evaluated by World Education Services (WES) (preferred), or another NACES member.

Resume

Provide your CV or resume in PDF format.

References

Three letters of reference from individuals who can attest to your academic and professional skills.

Goal Statement

Your goal statement should:

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the specialty area you are applying for;
• Explain your interest in the specialty;
• Highlight your preparedness and reasons for pursuing the program;
• Describe your goals after graduation.

Fees

• NursingCAS application fee: $85
• UC Graduate School application fee (non-refundable): $65 ($70 for international students)
• Matriculation fee upon acceptance (non-refundable): $300, applied toward your first-semester tuition

State Restrictions and State-Specific Requirements

State Restrictions

As a result of state boards of nursing and the U.S. Department of Education's higher education regulation changes, UC College of Nursing cannot accept applications for our online programs from students who live in the following states:

• Arizona
• Louisiana
• Massachusetts
• New York
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Tennessee

State-Specific Requirements

• Kansas: Effective March 1, 2025, the Kansas State Board of Nursing made a change to their licensure education requirements for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs).
• Washington: The University of Cincinnati is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission to provide practice experiences in the state of Washington for the following programs:
  • Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Nurse Midwifery
  • Nursing Administration
  • Women's Health

International Student Restrictions

An international student is defined as someone who holds citizenship in another country and is not a permanent resident of the United States.

International students are admissible to our online programs, providing they meet the above prerequisites and commit to doing their clinical requirements in the United States.

Clinical Restrictions

We cannot admit residents of U.S. Territories or in a country outside of the U.S. Only persons serving in the military who reside on a military base and can complete clinical requirements on the military base should apply to our College of Nursing graduate online programs. Prior to application to our program, the prospective student should confirm that they will have the ability to complete clinical requirements on the military base.

Students cannot complete clinicals at a U.S. Embassy.