East Carolina University Nursing Program Overview

East Carolina University (ECU) offers a variety of nursing programs designed to prepare graduates for leadership roles in diverse healthcare settings. While many graduates work in hospitals, others become leaders in community health, school health, occupational health, education research, military and veterans affairs, and clinical specialties.

Graduate Nursing Program Overview

ECU is a public institution with a comprehensive graduate nursing program. A key feature is the recording and archiving of all online, graduate-level nursing classes, enabling students to access lecture material at their convenience. A significant portion of the student body, about 80%, is already employed when they enroll. The application deadline for graduate programs is August 1.

Quick Stats (2025)

Enrollment: 349
Tuition Per Credit: \$1,144
Application Deadline: August 1

Program Offerings

ECU's online graduate programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Available programs include:

Master of Science in Nursing
Post-Master's Certificate

Concentrations

The Master's in Nursing program offers several concentrations, including those with the highest demand:

Clinical Nurse Specialist
Nursing Administration/Leadership
Nursing Education
Nursing Midwifery
Nursing Practitioner

More specialized departments and concentrations include:

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Adult/Geriatric - Acute
Adult/Geriatric - Primary
Family/Primary Care
Neonatal
Psychiatric/Mental Health
Women's Health

Admissions & Enrollment (Graduate)

Average undergraduate GPA: 3.4
Percentage of entrants providing undergraduate GPA: 98%
Average GRE score breakdown: 146 verbal, 142 quantitative, 3 analytical writing
Percentage of entrants providing GRE scores: 7%

Admissions Requirements (Graduate)

Standardized test policy: GRE accepted, not required
Letters of recommendation: Required, 2 from professional contacts
Nursing-related work experience requirement: Yes, always
Nursing-related undergraduate degree requirement: Yes, always
Nursing-related undergraduate course work requirement: Yes, always
TOEFL iBT Test: Required for international students, minimum score of 78

Factors Considered for Admission (Graduate)

Academic factors:
- Undergraduate institution: Considered
- Undergraduate GPA: Very Important
- Undergraduate field of study: Very Important
- Recommendation(s): Very Important
- Standardized test scores: Considered
Non-academic factors:
- Application essay: Very Important
- Work experience: Very Important
- Character/personal qualities: Very Important
- Applicant's interest level: Very Important
- Geographical residence: Important
- First-generation college student: Not Considered
- Alumni/alumnae relations: Not Considered

Faculty and Resources

The program boasts a robust faculty, with 28 full-time and 25 part-time instructors teaching courses accessible online. The health sciences library provides extensive resources, including support for proper citation, and a dedicated nursing liaison librarian. Faculty are also trained in the use of Artificial Intelligence and methods to prevent academic integrity violations related to AI use by students.

Simulation and Immersion

ECU utilizes state-of-the-art simulation to enhance knowledge and skills acquisition. This includes standardized patients, comprehensive high-fidelity, accredited simulation laboratories, and a Virtual Clinic to apply didactic content to clinical scenarios in a safe environment. Each semester, students participate in on-campus immersion experiences involving hands-on skill training/practice and collaboration with peers. Notably, students are not required to find their own preceptors.

Financial Aid and Expenses

Part-time tuition (per credit, in-state): \$414
Part-time tuition (per credit, out-of-state): \$1,144
Full-time tuition (per credit, in-state): \$414
Full-time tuition (per credit, out-of-state): \$1,144
Total program cost (full-time, in-state): \$15,318
Total program cost (part-time, in-state): \$15,318
Total program cost (full-time, out-of-state): \$42,328
Total program cost (part-time, out-of-state): \$42,328

Veterans are eligible for in-state tuition rates. The same tuition is charged for all online programs. College-funded aid, including fellowships, assistantships, grants, and scholarships, is available, and international students are eligible. ECU is a Yellow Ribbon Program member, providing access on a first-come, first-served basis with funding limits or caps.

Outcomes

ECU collects usable information on 98% of its alumni. Among these:

29% have received a raise or promotion since first enrolling.
Of the graduates seeking employment, 89% are employed at graduation.
27 graduates are employed as nurse practitioners three months after graduation.
Certification rates are above the national average.

Undergraduate BSN Program Overview

The College of Nursing at East Carolina University also provides multiple pathways for earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The traditional BSN pathway is not a direct admit program. All students enter ECU as Intended Nursing majors until they meet eligibility criteria and apply to the clinical portion of the program.

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Traditional BSN Pathway

ECU's College of Nursing has the largest BSN program in North Carolina, offering up to 130 clinical seats each fall and spring semester, admitting a maximum of 260 students annually. While a 2.75 GPA is the minimum requirement, it is generally not competitive for admission.

Application Process

Prospective students not currently enrolled at ECU should use the Eligibility Worksheet for Prospective Transfer Students (PDF) to determine transfer coursework applicability.
Questions about the online BSN application should be directed to the applicant’s assigned academic advisor.
Students can apply to the traditional BSN pathway a maximum of three times.
Non-ECU students must also apply for admission or readmission to ECU by the BSN application deadline.
Once submitted, the BSN online application cannot be amended or changed. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Current ECU students should contact their academic advisor with application questions.

Eligibility Requirements

Students who have been previously admitted to the clinical portion of an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program at a community college or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at another university must have left that program in good standing to be eligible to apply to the BSN program at ECU.
Students who have failed out of an ADN or BSN program at another institution are not eligible to pursue the traditional BSN program at ECU. These students must submit a letter from the Dean or Director of their former program with their application.
Transfer credit noted on another school’s transcript is not acceptable. Students who have been previously admitted to and attended courses in an ADN or BSN program at a community college or university are required to submit a letter from the Dean or Director of their former program verifying they left the program in good standing and would be eligible to return.

Additional Requirements

Admitted students must successfully pass a criminal background check and drug test, or their seat in the program will be rescinded. Criminal convictions and pending criminal charges can impact a student’s ability to begin nursing school. No additional criteria are reviewed or can influence admission to the traditional BSN program.

Costs

Nursing students incur additional costs for items such as uniforms, books, background checks, drug screening, clinical testing and supplies, and liability insurance. Currently, there is a one-time fee of \$35 for liability insurance coverage while enrolled in the program. Students must also have current CPR certification, with costs varying from \$25 to \$40.

Transfer Students

Transfer students are encouraged to complete the full AA degree requirements prior to transferring if possible. The college uses all college grades from all colleges attended when calculating GPA for program admission.

Admission Statistics

Up to 130 students are admitted every fall and spring semester (260 maximum total per year), and the college receives an average of 200-225 applications per admission cycle.

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