Preparing You for Nursing Excellence

Start your journey as a skilled and compassionate health care provider at MSU, where we will prepare you to sit for the NCLEX exam within 12 months through our rigorous, competency-based curriculum. Located in downtown Meridian, Mississippi, this highly specialized nursing program provides access to several highly esteemed Mississippi health care systems, team-based learning spaces, and a state-of-the art interprofessional simulation center.

Immerse yourself in a learning environment that will not only equip you for success in a range of health care settings but will also support you as you become the nurse you’re meant to be. We are committed to improving the lives of others and building a healthier future in the state of Mississippi. If you’re eager to work with us on this mission, the Mississippi State University nursing program is the right place for you!

Working with accelerated nursing students is rewarding as they bring diverse life experiences that enrich their identity as nurses. I believe that a well-educated nursing workforce is a powerful force in healthcare, and it is a privilege to equip the next generation of nurses.

Kayla L. Carr, PhD, RN, FNP-C
Professor and Director of Accelerated Master of Science in Nursing Program
Mississippi State University

Why Pursue Your MSN at MSU?

  • Accelerated Pathway

    This unique program offers a direct path to professional nursing practice as a registered nurse (RN). We’ll prepare you to enter the health care industry within 12 months, much faster than most other MSN programs. This is an ideal option for students eager to get a jump start on their career.

  • Practice-Ready Graduates

    Our thorough curriculum focuses on practice readiness and clinical judgment. Students apply classroom learning early and often, beginning supervised patient care within the first few weeks of the program. Upon program completion, graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-RN examination and licensure as a Registered Nurse.

  • Collaborative Learning

    During your time in the program, your professors, classmates, and colleagues will become your support network and you’ll learn in team-based settings. We designed a nursing education where every student belongs, questions are welcome, and learning is active.

  • Unmatched Clinical Experience

    Immerse yourself in an academic environment that emphasizes firsthand learning and practical experience. With access to several Mississippi health care systems and state-of-the-art technology, we prepare you to provide top-notch care in a variety of inpatient settings and specialties. Clinical learning experiences occur in acute-care hospitals, specialty facilities, community-based practices, and simulation labs.

  • Community Beyond the Classroom

    When you join the Mississippi State University nursing program, you’re also joining the larger MSU family! You become part of a vast network of Bulldogs, so wherever you go you’ll always have a thread tying you back to MSU. Bulldogs gain a spirit of lifelong learning and create connections to what matters most.

  • Cutting-Edge Simulation

    Simulated clinical experiences, including the use of Standardized Patients, are integrated early and consistently within the program to support competency-based evaluation. This approach ensures that students not only grasp theoretical concepts but also develop and demonstrate practical skills in a supportive and interactive learning environment.

Accreditation

The AMSN program was granted Initial Accreditation by the Mississippi IHL Board of Trustees on February 15, 2024.

Learn More about Our Accreditation

Taking Care of What Matters

MSU Nursing is dedicated to creating a community of nurse scholars and ensuring a better life for all through learning, discovery, service, advocacy, and caring for what matters. RNs are critical members of the health care team who work with patients, families, and other health professionals at the times in life that matter most. They provide care for the physical needs of patients at all stages of life as well as meet the mental health needs of patients and their families. We’ll prepare students for a wide variety of health care settings, from emergency rooms to long-term care facilities to mental health clinics.

Meet Our Faculty: Learn from the Best

One of the perks of learning in person at MSU is getting to connect directly with our expert faculty who bring years of experience into the classroom as well as a passion for educating future health care workers.

Mary W. Stewart

PhD, RN, CNE, FAAN
Dean of Nursing

Dr. Mary W. Stewart brings extensive experience and a visionary teaching philosophy to Mississippi State University. Her background includes being a tenured professor and director of the Ph.D. program in nursing science at the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s School of Nursing. Dr. Stewart’s academic leadership aligns with her clinical prowess, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of the nursing field’s multifaceted nature. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and a member of the Mississippi Board of Nursing since 2019.

Commitment to graduate nursing education reflects understanding that a higher educated nursing workforce results in better outcomes for both patients and nurses.

  • Matthew T. Byrd

    MSN, RN

    Assistant Clinical Professor of Nursing

  • Kayla Carr

    PhD, RN, FNP-C

    Professor of Nursing and Program Director for the Accelerated MSN (AMSN)

  • Alaina Herrington

    DNP, RN, SSH, ANEF, CHSE-A, FAAN

    Associate Professor of Nursing and Director of Simulation and Clinical Affairs

  • Cindy Luther

    PhD, RN, FNP, AGPCNP, FAANP

    Teaching Professor of Nursing

  • Katherine L. Rigdon

    PhD, RN

    Assistant Professor of Nursing

  • LaDaryl Watkins

    MSN, MPH, RN, FNP-C

    Assistant Clinical Professor of Nursing

Invest in Your Future

Our community and supporters of better health care for Mississippians are providing a growing scholarship fund for our inaugural class that is exceeding over $300,000. Fill out your application to be considered today!

Learn More about MSU Tuition and Fees

Ready to Make Your Mark on Nursing?

Submit your application to become a part of the change that's shaping the future of nursing. Start this accelerated journey toward earning your MSN with these select benefits:

  • A priority admission decision
  • Automatic consideration for merit-based scholarships

We’re excited to help you unlock your potential as a health care provider!

We're Here to Help

If you need guidance during the application process, don’t hesitate to reach out – Bulldogs are always happy to support each other! Our team is available to answer any questions you may have.