MSU-Meridian gets IHL approval for student admission to new accelerated Master of Science in Nursing program

Mississippi State University has been given the green light to admit students into a new Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program at MSU-Meridian. The approval was granted during the latest meeting of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning on February 15.

The MSN program is a 12-month, fast-track program and is the first direct-entry MSN program in Mississippi. It allows college graduates with non-nursing degrees to enter the nursing profession and become candidates for registered nurse licensure. This program comes at a critical time as Mississippi’s healthcare industry is facing a shortage of critical workers, following a national trend.

President Mark E. Keenum expressed his appreciation for the philanthropic support of major hospitals and health systems in Meridian, which played a significant role in bringing the program to life. He believes the MSN program aligns with MSU’s mission of learning, research, and service, and will address the educational and healthcare needs of underserved populations in the state and region.

According to Mary Stewart, the Dean of Nursing at MSU-Meridian, the program will begin with 36 students in August and aims to graduate up to 60 students annually. It is an intensive and hands-on curriculum, preparing students for national licensure as registered nurses. Stewart also highlighted the program’s suitability for individuals seeking new career paths and its focus on developing graduate competencies like leadership and professionalism.

The MSN program is housed at the MSU-Meridian Riley Campus in downtown Meridian. The Riley Foundation contributed a generous gift of $6.1 million, which helped renovate the historic Rosenbaum Health Sciences Building to accommodate the MSN program and the adjacent Master of Physician Assistant Studies program.

Stage II of the application in the initial accreditation process has been approved, with Phase III and national accreditation expected in the fall. Those interested in MSU-Meridian’s accelerated MSN program can contact 601-696-2277 or visit the MSU-Meridian website at www.meridian.msstate.edu.