Program Overview
The University of North Alabama’s Master of Science in Nursing program prepares Registered Nurses to expand their clinical expertise, strengthen their leadership capabilities, and advance their impact within the healthcare profession. Through specialized coursework, applied learning experiences, and faculty mentorship, students gain the advanced knowledge needed to improve patient outcomes, influence healthcare delivery, and pursue expanded professional opportunities.
Why Choose This Program?
- Advance your nursing practice through specialized graduate education and professional preparation
- Learn from experienced nursing faculty committed to excellence in healthcare and patient outcomes
- Choose a concentration that aligns with your career goals and professional interests
Options + Tracks
Family Health Practitioner
The Family Health Practitioner concentration prepares nurses to provide primary care services across the lifespan. Students explore advanced assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and health promotion strategies that support individuals and families in a variety of healthcare settings.
Nursing Leadership
The Nursing Leadership concentration focuses on organizational leadership, healthcare management, and strategic decision-making. Students prepare to lead teams, improve healthcare operations, and influence positive change within healthcare organizations.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration prepares nurses to assess, diagnose, and treat individuals experiencing mental health conditions. Coursework emphasizes evidence-based practice, therapeutic interventions, and holistic patient care.
Teaching-Learning
The Teaching-Learning concentration prepares nurses to educate future healthcare professionals and support learning within academic and clinical settings. Students will examine instructional strategies, curriculum development, and educational leadership within nursing.
Curriculum & Coursework
MSN students at UNA get to explore advanced nursing concepts that support clinical excellence, leadership, education, and evidence-based practice. Advanced coursework emphasizes critical thinking, patient-centered care, and professional decision-making while preparing graduates to address the evolving needs of healthcare organizations and communities.
Sample Courses:
- NUR 601 Advanced Health Assessment
- NUR 610 Evidence-Based Practice
- NUR 620 Advanced Pathophysiology
- NUR 630 Healthcare Leadership and Management
Career Paths & Outcomes
A Master of Science in Nursing equips Registered Nurses with the advanced knowledge and specialized skills needed to expand their professional opportunities and influence healthcare outcomes. Graduates are prepared to lead, educate, and provide advanced nursing services across a variety of healthcare environments.
Common Career Paths:
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Educator
- Nursing Administrator
- Clinical Nurse Leader
Student Experience
At UNA, our MSN students will participate in advanced learning experiences designed to connect academic knowledge with professional nursing practice. Through faculty mentorship, clinical experiences, collaborative learning opportunities, and engagement with healthcare professionals, students strengthen their expertise while preparing for leadership and advanced practice roles.
Opportunities include:
- Faculty mentorship and individualized support
- Advanced clinical and practice-focused learning experiences
- Professional networking and career advancement resources
- Applied learning focused on contemporary healthcare challenges
Meet the Faculty
Ms. Joni Atkins
Lecturer
jbbaker@una.edu
Dr. Peggy Bergeron
Professor
mhbergeron@una.edu
Ms. Candy Bishop
Enrollment Coordinator/Academic Advisor
cthigpen1@una.edu
Dr. Will Brewer
Professor
wbrewer@una.edu
Ms. Lindsay Bright
Coordinator, Clinical Placement
lbright1@una.edu
Dr. Neysa Brown
Assistant Professor
nbrown3@una.edu
Ms. Hope Buckley
Coordinator, Clinical Placement
hbuckley1@una.edu
Ms. Rebecca Canterberry
Lecturer
rcanterberry@una.edu
Dr. Victoria Casson
Assistant Professor
vcasson@una.edu
Dr. Stephanie Clark
Associate Professor
sbarger1@una.edu
Dr. Helen Coronel
Professor
hcoronel@una.edu
Ms. Melissa DeFoor
Assistant Professor
magrissom@una.edu
Ms. Tasha Garrison
Business Manager, ACONHP
tclanton@una.edu
Dr. Ashton Glover
Assistant Professor
hglover2@una.edu
Ms. Vickie Green
Lecturer
vegreen@una.edu
Dr. Clarissa Hall
Professor
cdhall@una.edu
Dr. Lisa Harrington
Associate Professor
lharrington@una.edu
Dr. LaKeva Harris
Assistant Professor
lbcasey@una.edu
Ms. Monica Hester
Lecturer
mphester@una.edu
Ms. Sarah Beth Hester
Academic Advisor
shester3@una.edu
Ms. Amanda Hitt
Assistant Professor
ahitt@una.edu
Dr. Sharon Holley
Associate Professor
slholley@una.edu
Dr. Sarah Hood
Assistant Professor
sestumpe@una.edu
Ms. Amanda Hunt
Clinical Simulation/Technology Manager
ahunt5@una.edu
Ms. Ann-Marie Irons
Associate Professor
airons@una.edu
Ms. Britney Jones
Lecturer
bjones13@una.edu
Dr. Leah Keith
Assistant Professor
lkeith1@una.edu
Dr. Tera Kirkman
Dean, ACONHP
trkirkman@una.edu
Ms. Wendy Little
Coordinator, College Partnerships and Regulatory Compliance
wlittle@una.edu
Dr. Melanie Looser
Assistant Professor
mlooser@una.edu
Dr. Paige Martin
Assistant Professor
wmartin3@una.edu
Dr. Brittnay Mitchell
Assistant Professor
bmitchell12@una.edu
Dr. Michelle Nelson
Associate Dean, ACONHP
mlnelson1@una.edu
Ms. Sydni Pate
Administrative Assistant, ACONHP
spate4@una.edu
Ms. Alaina Ramey
Director, Enrollment & Student Success
aramey@una.edu
Ms. Beverly Russell
Assistant Professor
brussell3@una.edu
Ms. Amy Seay
Assistant Professor
amseay@una.edu
Ms. Savannah Siniard
Academic Advisor
ssiniard@una.edu
Ms. Kaylee Stokes
Lecturer
ksmith26@una.edu
Mr. Matthew Thompson
Senior Administrative Assistant, ACONHP
mthompson30@una.edu
Ms. Jane Tinkham
Academic Advisor
jtinkham@una.edu
Dr. Rachel Winston
Professor
rwinston@una.edu
