Direct Entry Master of Nursing, Clinical Nurse Leader Milwaukee Student working with Patient and Clinical Instructor

A direct entry Master of Nursing (MN) program is designed for students who hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and wish to pursue an advanced degree in nursing.

This program is ideal for students who are interested in obtaining an advanced generalist degree in nursing.

Program Type

Master’s

Program Format

On Campus, Online

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Experiential learning

Students in the Master of Nursing program have the opportunity to learn in the new James and Yvonne Ziemer Clinical Simulation Center.

As one of two accredited simulation programs in the state of Wisconsin, this center cultivates real-world, hands-on skills in a safe and innovative learning environment.

nursing students gather to work around a manikin
Master of Nursing students work with one of the simulation center’s manikins.

About the Direct Entry Master of Nursing

The MN Direct Entry option admits students as a cohort, which allows relationships among peers and faculty to develop through the program. Students can sit for the NCLEX exam at the end of the two years.

Throughout our curriculum and time spent in the James & Yvonne Ziemer Clinical Simulation Center, students will have a variety of clinical experiences providing a broad overview of all of the major specialties in which nurses work, as well as a variety of settings across the health care field. Students also have volunteer opportunities to expand their education.


Scholarships & Funding

We understand that financial support is important to every student. A variety of options are available to help students finance their education at UWM, including over $500,000 in nursing scholarships & funding awarded annually, as well as loans, grants, student employment, fellowships, military education benefits and more.

Fall Start, Full Time (2 years, 61 credits total)

Year 1

Fall (13 credits)

Course TitleCourse NumberCredits
Biostatistics & Applications in
Nursing Practice
NURS 7203
Health Assessment & PromotionNURS 6543
Foundations in Pathophysiology
for Nursing Practice
NURS 6534
Nursing & SocietyNURS 6753

Winterim (3 credits)

Course TitleCourse NumberCredits
Professional Role in Health Care
Systems
NURS 7363

Spring (12 credits)

Course TitleCourse NumberCredits
Nursing Care of Adults &
Older Adults I
NURS 6703
Pharmacotherapeutics for
Nursing Practice
NURS 6573
Clinical ReasoningNURS 6763
Advanced Perspectives on Cultural
Diversity & Disparities in Health Care
NURS 7263

Summer (8 credits)

Course TitleCourse NumberCredits
Nursing Care of Adults &
Older Adults II
NURS 6713
Mental Health NursingNURS 6742
Professional Nursing PracticumNURS 6863

Year 2

Fall (11 credits)

Course TitleCourse NumberCredits
Nursing Care of Women & InfantsNURS 6722
Nursing Care of Children & FamiliesNURS 6732
Evidence-Based Practice in Health CareNURS 7253
Professional Nursing Practicum IINURS 6884

Winterim (3 credits)

Course TitleCourse NumberCredits
Health Promotion & Nursing Care
of Populations
NURS 7443

Spring (11 credits)

Course TitleCourse NumberCredits
Integrated Clinical ConceptsNURS 7333
Outcomes & Quality ManagementNURS 7503
Transformation to Professional PracticeNURS 6632
Direct Entry CapstoneNURS 7463

Applicants must first apply to the Graduate School and include:

  • a nonrefundable application fee
  • unofficial transcripts from all schools attended (regardless of how long it may have been). Applicants will be required to submit official transcripts after an admission offer is accepted.
  • current resume
  • three references from people who are knowledgeable about your academic experience and potential for graduate study in nursing
  • International applicants must provide scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with some exceptions.
  • three-to-five-page, double-spaced personal statement addressing the following:
    • reasons for pursuing nursing as a career, specifically the CNL role
    • strengths you will bring to the profession
    • career goals
    • description of leadership, work and volunteer experience
    • life challenges or other information.

Prerequisites

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited program with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale) to be considered for admission.

The following approved prerequisite coursework must be completed within the last five years with a minimum of “B” or better:

  • Statistics
  • Anatomy & Physiology I
  • Anatomy & Physiology II
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Microbiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Nutrition

While prerequisites do not need to be completed to apply to the program, they must be completed prior to the start of the program. We strongly encourage you to consult with an advisor prior to applying to discuss your plan for meeting the requirements.

The below courses are approved undergraduate statistics courses that qualify for the UW-Milwaukee Master of Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice program prerequisite.

University/CollegeCourseCourse Number
UW-MilwaukeeEducational Statistical Methods IED PSY 624
UW-MilwaukeeStatistics in the Health ProfessionsKIN 270
UW-MilwaukeeElementary Statistical AnalysisMTHSTAT 215
UW-MilwaukeePsychological StatsPSYCH 210
UWM at WaukeshaStatistical Methods in PsychologyCGS PSY 210
UWM at WaukeshaElementary StatisticsCGS MATH 215
Milwaukee Area Technical CollegeBasic StatisticsMATH 260
Madison CollegeBasic StatisticsMATH 240
UW Colleges OnlineStatistical Methods in PsychologyPYSCH 210
UW Colleges OnlineElementary StatisticsMATH 117
UW-Extension Independent Learning Elementary StatisticsU3600-246
UW-Green BayIntroductory StatisticsMATH 260
UW-LaCrosseElementary StatisticsMATH 145
UW-MadisonIntroduction to Statistical MethodsSTATS 301
UW-ParksidePsychological StatisticsPSYCH 250
UW-WhitewaterEducational StatisticsED FOUNDATIONS 482
Alverno CollegeProbability and StatisticsMGT 250 or BSC 256
Cardinal StritchApplied StatisticsMT 120
Carthage CollegeApplied Stats for Management and EconomicsBUS 2340
Jackson College (online)Introduction to Probability and StatisticsMATH 133
Lakeland CollegeProbability and StatisticsMAT 220
Marian UniversityIntro to Probability and StatisticsMAT 122
Marquette UniversityModern Elementary StatisticsMATH 1700
Marquette UniversityPsychological Measurements and StatisticsPSYC 2001
Marquette UniversitySocial StatisticsSOCI 2060
Matthew Halloran
  • Advisor
  • Recruitment Coordinator
Important Dates
Priority Application Deadline

February 1
(Fall start)

Upcoming Information Sessions
Register for Information Sessions
Accreditation
The masters degree program in nursing at UW-Milwaukee is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education http://www.ccneaccreditation.org. The program is also approved by the State of Wisconsin Board of Nursing.
Contact
Matthew Halloran
  • Advisor
  • Recruitment Coordinator