Frequently Asked Questions

The Auburn University College of Nursing has a planned program of studies to follow. During freshman and transfer student orientation, you will be assigned to an academic advisor who will assist you with your course selections.

Transfer students may check how their classes will transfer by going to the AU Transfer Equivalency Table found here http://aub.ie/transferequiv Transfer students are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to meet with an academic advisor to review your transcripts for possible admission to the upper division.

The sequencing of some of the pre-nursing courses may be adjusted to meet individual needs. Students may also choose to enroll in summer school to adjust the program of studies. However, once students are admitted to the professional program, courses must be taken in sequence. Successful completion (grade of “C” or better) is required for all pre-nursing and professional courses.

No, Nursing has a separate admission process with a higher academic standard than the general university requirements. The upper division (Nursing portion) of the program, which comprises the junior and senior years, begins twice a year in the summer semester and the fall semester. The upper division takes two years to complete (5 semesters). Admission is competitive based on academics, resume, interview and essay.

We take applications once a year. Nursing applications are available on our website in September. You must meet eligibility at the time of application. Applicants must be accepted or readmitted to Auburn University to be eligible to complete Nursing application.

We look at each applicant’s transcripts, traditional and situational interview and personal essay to obtain information about the applicant as a whole.

Concentrate on the courses in the academic attainment portion of our formula. Use the resources found in the AU Nursing Applicant Workbook to assess yourself on our desired characteristics. An important element in being prepared for the interview is to get experience in healthcare. Volunteer, shadow nurses, and research the nursing profession.

There are many options. You can apply to other nursing programs at the same time. You could change your major. You are encouraged to speak to speak with your advisor about the different routes to obtain a BSN degree.

We do the majority of clinicals in the Auburn-Opelika area. We also do clinicals in Montgomery, Birmingham, Mobile and Columbus, GA.

During the lower division program, students attend class only about half the number of hours per week that were required in high school - if they are full-time students. However, the outside of class study and preparation time increases! Pre-nursing coursework has a strong concentration in the lab sciences, and lower division classes may be taken during the day or evenings. You may enter the university any semester to begin the pre-nursing curriculum. Lower division coursework may be completed in two years of full-time study, but you may attend part-time if preferred. Upper division is much more intense. The amount of time required for class and clinical is 30-40 hours per week, most often during the day. Typically classes are two days/week, clinical time two to three days per week. Anticipate a great deal of outside study/preparation time also. Time management skills are essential in this portion of the program, as well as reading skills.

Students enrolled in graduate coursework must possess the computer skills required to complete the following technology tasks: Launch and operate a web browser, such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome or Safari; Bookmark frequently used web pages; Download and upload files; Download and/or install software applications; Operate a USB headphone and microphone; Save files to hard drive or portable flash memory; Access email account, send and receive emails and attachments; Create and save Word documents and PowerPoint presentations; Conduct online research using available databases and search engines, evaluate the credibility of online information, and correctly cite sources.

Many of our students continue to work while in our program, however, the clinical hours required for practicum courses do make it difficult to work on weekdays.

Yes. Students may be required to be on campus 1-2 times each semester. Those dates are determined by the instructors of the courses.

No. You may start MSN graduate level courses right after you earn your BSN degree. You may start DNP graduate level courses right after you earn your MSN degree.

We admit full-time students Summer Semester only and part-time students in Fall Semester and Spring Semester. The application deadline for Summer Semester is March 1, Fall Semester - June 1, and Spring Semester - October 1.

We currently only admit full-time students in Summer Semester. The application deadline is March 1.

The application for the MSN or DNP programs is available through the Auburn University Graduate School's website.

As part of the “Apply Yourself” application process, you will submit the references' email addresses. An email will be sent to each reference for an online recommendationform submission. Please ask the individuals from whom you request references to complete the online recommendation form. Electronic admission is the required method. Actual letters of recommendation will not be reviewed.

Transcripts should be sent directly to the AU Graduate School, 106 Hargis Hall, Auburn University, AL, 36849. (Do not send transcripts to the College of Nursing.)

College of Nursing Graduate Program Tuition is $609 per credit hour. Tuition is the same for Alabama residents and out of state residents. Other fees will be incurred as you progress through the program such as, but not limited to, background check, drug screen, and course specific requirements. Tuition and Fees are subject to change by the Board of Trustees at the beginning of any term.

No. Tuition is the same for both in-state and out-of-state students.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice, or DNP, is a practice doctorate degree for nurses and represents the highest level of academic preparation for nursing practice.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Auburn University integrates course work with practice experiences to prepare practice scholars to become leaders in bringing evidence-based knowledge into clinical practice, improving healthcare outcomes, and strengthen nursing management and education. PhD programs prepare nurses for careers as research scientists in academic, governmental, or private entities.

The Auburn DNP program is a 5 semester, full-time, Post-Masters program for NPs. Courses are offered in an online/distance format and designed to prepare nursing practice scholars. Graduates have the ability to translate knowledge to benefit patient populations within the practice environment. The program of study encompasses didactic courses, a clinical experience, and a scholarly project that synthesizes the DNP student's learning.

No. DNP students are only admitted for enrollment in Summer Semester. The coursework follows a defined sequence.

DNP students attend on-campus classes in Auburn. During this on-campus time, students attend course orientation sessions, meet with faculty mentors and invited lecturers, and present presentations. Attendance at these on-campus sessions is mandatory. Other course work, scholarly interaction, and practice application takeplace online and in students' practice locations, so that relocation or change of employment is not necessary. A variety of state-of-the-art online and distance learning technologies and techniques to facilitate the program and enrich students' learning experience are utilized. The majority of coursework will be asynchronous. Synchronous activities will be scheduled by the faculty in advance.

Yes. Auburn offers an online/distant curriculum format that only requires limited time on campus for face-to-face faculty mentoring and scholarly interaction.

No. Instead, Auburn's practice doctorate is the successful completion of a project that demonstrates the synthesis of the student's experiences. The scholarly project will combine learning from both coursework and clinical practice application.

Both must be completed by the deadline specified, which will be sometime before students begin their first semester of the program. Students will receive detailed information concerning completion requirements as part of their initial admission steps if admitted into the Auburn University College of Nursing.

It is the student's responsibility to pay for both the criminal background check and drug screen. The cost may vary depending on the agency and the state in which the student lives. Employment Screening Services (ESS), the College of Nursing's designated provider, will notify the student of the fees. The student will pay fees directly to ESS. Each student must pay for services with a credit card. If you do not have a credit card, you may purchase a prepaid card from any number of sources to pay for services.

Yes. All students admitted to our Graduate Programs must complete both the criminal background check and drug screen per ESS instructions.

No. All screenings must be completed through ESS per their instructions.

The drug screen will be completed by LabCorp only, per ESS instructions. ESS will assist in identifying a facility nearest you, whether you are a local student or live outside of Alabama.

A student whose criminal background check is not clear will meet with the Dean in order to determine the degree to which the items entered on the criminal background check may preclude the student's ability to take the licensure or certification examination. A student who tests positive on the urine drug screen will meet with the Dean. A positive test will also result in the offer of admission being rescinded for newly admitted students that have not begun course work and immediate removal from all courses for the currently enrolled students. The removal from the courses will result in a failing grade for the clinical and theory courses.

ESS will send an email to the student's AU email address with specific instructions for completing the background check and drug screen. Students should check their AU email address on a regular basis, as that is the required method of communication.

Yes. Students may contact ESS directly to request a copy of their results. Results will not be kept on file at the College of Nursing.

The College of Nursing does not require the GRE or GMAT. The question is a standard question on the Graduate School's application, however they are aware that the School of Nursing does not require it.

No, we recommend completing a health-related experience in order to ensure nursing is the correct fit for the student. However, preference is not given to students with health-related experience.

No, we do not accept paper forms for our application.

All nursing applicants will be interviewed. We will use your Auburn email address to communicate about interviews, application status, and acceptance.

If you are currently taking courses at Auburn University for the fall semester, the Student Services office will look up your fall grades after grades are reported. If you are currently taking any courses away from Auburn University for a fall semester, you will need to send a copy of your unofficial transcript to auson@auburn.edu no later than January 1st in order to be considered for admission. Keep in mind that official transcripts must be sent to Auburn University no later than February 1st.

Contact the Admissions department.

You will receive an application status email from one of our staff members. This email will include your application status. We recommend that you take a look at your Degree Works to see any outstanding courses you have left to take.

All applicants are required to schedule an interview within the specific timeframe. If you can’t make any of the interview dates, we suggest you apply for another cohort.

If you are currently taking Auburn courses, you are a current Auburn student. This is even if you haven't taken all of your courses at Auburn. You are only considered a "transfer student" when you are applying to Auburn Nursing and not taking Auburn courses.

Questions are information based and includes one short answer question.