Why choose our MEPN program?
If you're looking for a change in career and feel called to the field of nursing, Belmont's MEPN program offers you a clear pathway to earn an advanced degree and begin practicing in four semesters. Designed for those who hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree, this accelerated program equips students to begin their nursing career with graduate-level preparation.
Through rigorous academic preparation and immersive clinical experiences in a wide range of health care settings, MEPN graduates are empowered to improve health outcomes, transform health care delivery and serve with integrity and compassion in today's dynamic health care landscape.
Students leave Belmont's program ready to pass the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and become advanced generalist nurses who deliver holistic, evidence-based and equitable care across diverse settings.
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Study Health Care in the Health Care Capital
We may be known as Music City, but Nashville generates more revenue from health care. With more than 900 health care companies, our hometown serves as a global hub for outpatient service, hospital management and additional fields, contributing more than 330,000 jobs. This unique environment offers Belmont's nursing students exceptional access to major health care systems and opportunities.
Our collaborative partners in Nashville include Ascension Saint Thomas and HCA Healthcare, allowing our students opportunities to connect with hundreds of clinical sites and experts where they can gain valuable hands-on experience and prepare for a successful career launch upon graduation.
What You'll Learn
Building on the core competencies outlined in the AACN 2021 Essentials, the MEPN program equips students to enter the profession as advanced generalist nurses who are clinically skilled, ethically grounded and practice-ready.
You'll have the ability to tailor your training to align with your specific areas of interest, with access to cutting-edge facilities and resources for clinical practice and collaboration across health care disciplines.
The program integrates modern nursing technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), ensuring you gain practical experience with tools like predictive analytics and virtual patient simulations. Graduates will be prepared to deliver person-centered, evidence-based care; lead interprofessional teams; promote population health and health equity; integrate informatics and systems thinking into clinical decision-making; and advocate for vulnerable and underserved populations across diverse care settings.
Program Details
Curriculum
A master's in entry to the practice of nursing leads to the Master of Science (M.S.) and can be completed in 4 (full-time) or 6 (part-time) semesters:
Course Listing
- NUR 5000 Pathophysiology & Health Assessment
- NUR 5110 Foundations 1: Lifespan Fundamentals in Nursing
- NUR 5111 Foundations 1: Experiential Learning
- NUR 5350 Lifespan Nutrition: Principles & Therapeutic Applications in Nursing
- NUR 5060 Integrated Mental Health & Substance Use Nursing
- NUR 5210 Foundations 2: Lifespan Medical Surgical Acute / Chronic Care
- NUR 5211 Foundations 2: Experiential Learning
- NUR 5400 Pharmacology for Nursing Practice
- NUR 5340 The Art of Flourishing: Transforming Self & Systems
- NUR 5050 Statistics in Health Care Research
- NUR 5310 Foundations 3 : Lifespan Medical Surgical Acute/Complex Care
- NUR 5311 Foundations 3: Experiential Learning
- NUR 5410 Transitional Care in Nursing
- NUR 5411 Transitional Care Experiential Learning
- NUR 6100 Population Health and Epidemiology
- NUR 5040 Research & Evidence Based Care
- NUR 5511 Capstone Practicum
- NUR 5510 Capstone Synthesis
- NUR 6210 Leadership & Management of Organizations & Systems
- NUR 6110 Global Health Innovation & Missions
- Nursing elective [choose one]
- NUR 6140 Health Care Finance
- NUR 6220 Health Care Policy
- NUR 6260 Methods for Practice Based Inquiry & Qualitative Improvement
- NUR 5710 Clinical Information Systems
The application for admission to Belmont's MEPN program is available exclusively through the Belmont Application. Admission is granted to candidates on a rolling basis as space remains available.
Application Deadlines
- Priority Deadline: February 1, 2026
- Applications received by this date will be given priority consideration during the College of Nursing's initial review for admission.
- Final Deadline: May 1, 2026
We encourage current undergraduate students to apply before they graduate. Applicants can be conditionally admitted while still completing their degree and prerequisites.
- Conferral of a bachelor's degree in another field of study
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
- One evaluation from a faculty member or professional reference
- Grade of B- or higher in any completed prerequisite courses, including:
- Microbiology with lab (4 credits)
- Anatomy & Physiology I with lab (4 credits)
- Anatomy & Physiology II with lab (4 credits)
- Lifespan Development (3 credits)
Important Notes:
- Prerequisite courses and degree completion may be in progress at the time of application without negatively impacting the review.
- All prerequisites and degree conferral must be completed by August 15th prior to the program start.
In some cases, the Nursing Admissions Committee may invite applicants for a brief interview as part of the review process.
Following acceptance, you must complete the requirements below before you register for courses:
- $500 non-refundable enrollment deposit by a specific deadline after acceptance, applied to your first semester's tuition
- Final official transcript of any coursework that was in progress at the time of your application, including conferral of bachelor's degree.
- Official transcripts should be sent to:
Belmont University Office of Admissions
1900 Belmont Blvd
Nashville, TN 37212-3757
Official electronic transcripts can be accepted and must be sent through a secure third party (i.e. Student Clearinghouse, or Parchment). Request them be sent to: admissions@belmont.edu
- A background check, as directed by the College of Nursing, with favorable results
- Required immunizations
- Proof of health insurance coverage or enrollment in Belmont's Student Health Insurance Program.
If these requirements are not satisfied, admission to the program may be rescinded.
Tuition*
| Tuition | Cost |
|---|---|
| Per credit hour | $1200 |
Graduate Student Fee*
| Enrolled Hours | Fee |
|---|---|
| Enrolled 0-3 Credit Hours | $285 per semester |
| Enrolled 4-11 Credit Hours | $515 per semester |
| Enrolled 12+ Credit Hours | $675 per semester |
| Summer Term | $285 per term |
*Tuition and Consolidated Graduate Student Fees are based on the 2025-2026 academic year and are subject to change for future terms
Financial Aid
To determine your eligibility for any financial aid, graduate students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Complete and submit the FAFSA by the priority date of December 1.
Belmont's School Code is: 003479
Belmont will start the financial aid awarding process in late February. Please allow approximately four weeks to receive a response. Once all the forms are received, your file will be reviewed.
Career Possibilities
Belmont's MEPN graduates enter the nursing profession ready to make an immediate impact across diverse health care settings. With Nashville's status as a health care capital providing access to more than 900 companies and major systems like Ascension Saint Thomas and HCA Healthcare, graduates find opportunities in acute care, outpatient services, community health and specialized practice areas where they can deliver evidence-based, compassionate care.
- Hospital-based acute care
- Outpatient clinics and ambulatory care
- Intensive and emergency care
- Mental health and substance use treatment facilities
- Specialty population care (pediatrics, labor and delivery, geriatrics)
- Women's health care
- Case management
- Public health and community-based nursing
- Long-term care
- Home health care
- Palliative and hospice care
Because of the master’s-level foundation, MEPN graduates often advance more quickly into leadership roles such as:
- Charge nurse/clinical team leader
- Nurse manager or assistant nurse manager (after early RN experience)
- Clinical educator in hospitals, simulation labs or academic settings
- Quality improvement specialist or patient safety officer
- Case manager or care coordinator (especially in community and population health programs)
MEPN graduates are also strong candidates for innovative or system-level positions, including:
- Nursing informatics specialist – applying technology and data to improve care delivery
- Population health nurse – addressing social determinants of health and equity
- Research nurse/clinical trials coordinator
- Health policy or advocacy roles – with government, nonprofit or community organizations
- AI and digital health integration – applying new tools to enhance nursing workflows and patient care
- Health care architecture and design
Students with a MEPN degree are also able to transition seamlessly into graduate school and pursue a career as a nurse practitioner, nursing educator or health care leader.
Christina Beall
DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Senior Associate Dean of Nursing & Professor of Nursing | Gordon E. Inman College of Nursing
“Belmont’s MEPN program offers more than a degree—it’s a transformative journey. You’ll gain clinical judgment, leadership skills, systems thinking, and the innovative mindset needed to care for individuals, families, and communities across the street and around the world. We're here to walk alongside you every step of the way as you become the kind of nurse the world desperately needs.”
FAQs
No. You can apply while coursework is still in progress! Submit your current official transcripts with your Belmont Application—these will be used to evaluate your application. Once your in-progress courses are complete, send updated official transcripts. All prerequisites must be finished by August 15th.
We recommend completing the prerequisite courses in-person at a local community college or online. Courses must be completed with a grade of B- or higher from an accredited institution. Reach out to your admissions coordinator, Tiffany at tiffany.fincher@belmont.edu if you have questions about prerequisites.
For applicants who submit all application materials by the February 1st Priority Deadline, a decision will be shared via email within 4-6 weeks. After February 1st, applicants will be considered on a rolling basis as space remains available in the program.
We recommend only holding a part-time job at most due to the demands of the coursework and clinical hours.
Unlike Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs, which confer a second bachelor's degree, MEPN programs culminate in a master's degree in nursing. This distinction offers several advantages:
- Graduate-Level Financial Aid: MEPN students may qualify for graduate-level financial aid packages, including federal loans and scholarships not available to undergraduate students.
- Career Advancement: A master's degree can open doors to leadership roles, clinical specialization, and faster career progression.
- Preparation for Doctoral Study: MEPN programs provide a stronger academic foundation for those considering a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or PhD Nursing.
- Depth of Curriculum: MEPN programs include graduate-level coursework in evidence-based practice, health systems leadership, and population health, offering a broader scope than ABSN programs.
MEPN students may be eligible for federal loans, grants, scholarships, or military benefits.
To determine your eligibility for any financial aid, graduate students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available online and should be completed each year. Complete and submit the FAFSA by the priority date of December 1.
Yes! Belmont's MEPN program is designed with your future in mind. Several courses in the MEPN curriculum overlap with the DNP program, providing a strong academic foundation and a smooth transition from master's-level to doctoral-level study.
After completing the MEPN and gaining RN licensure, eligible graduates can apply to Belmont's DNP program to continue advancing their clinical expertise and leadership skills.
*Pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Contact Us
Gordon E. Inman College of Nursing
Tiffany Fincher
Admissions Coordinator