University of Alabama at Birmingham

University of Alabama at Birmingham Nursing Programs

University of Alabama at Birmingham offers nursing education pathways for students at different points in their careers, from those preparing for initial nursing licensure to registered nurses pursuing advanced practice, leadership, education, or doctoral study. The best option depends on the student’s current education, RN licensure status, desired role, preferred learning format, and state licensure requirements.

This profile reflects currently published nursing offerings. Applicants should verify current program availability, admission standards, tuition, clinical requirements, approval, accreditation, and state eligibility directly with the university before applying.

School Contact and Location

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General institutional accounts

Official university website

 

Campus and Program Images

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Nursing Programs at a Glance

The nursing school currently publishes traditional and RN-completion BSN pathways, an Accelerated Master’s in Nursing Pathway for non-nurses with prior degrees, MSN specialties, DNP pathways, PhD study, post-graduate APRN certificates, and nurse-practitioner subspecialty options. The school describes its doctoral offerings as including DNP and PhD pathways for both BSN- and MSN-prepared nurses.

Choosing the Right Nursing Path

• Choose the traditional BSN if you are not yet an RN and want a conventional undergraduate route toward initial RN licensure.

• Consider the AMNP if you already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or higher and want a full-time, entry-level master’s nursing pathway.

• Consider an ADN or BSN based on cost, time commitment, transfer plans, employment goals, and later graduate-study plans. An ADN program was not identified among the nursing school’s currently published offerings.

• Consider RN-to-BSN if you are already an RN with an associate degree in nursing or nursing diploma and want bachelor’s-completion study.

• Consider MSN or BSN-to-DNP study if you are a licensed RN with the required degree, GPA, clinical experience, and other specialty-specific qualifications.

• Consider a post-graduate certificate only if you already have graduate nursing education, active APRN licensure, and meet specialty requirements.

• Consider PhD study if your primary goal is nursing research and scholarship rather than an entry-level RN path or clinical APRN specialty.

Entry-Level Nursing Pathways

Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Credential: Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Who it is for: Students who are not currently RNs and want undergraduate preparation in nursing. The school describes the BSN as a traditional four-year undergraduate curriculum. uab

Format and location: Birmingham campus. Current clinical, simulation, course-delivery, and campus-attendance expectations should be confirmed directly with the nursing school.

Published eligibility notes:

• Students with an Associate Degree in Nursing are directed to the RN-to-BSN Pathway rather than the traditional BSN.

• Students who already hold a non-nursing undergraduate degree may consider either the BSN as a second-degree student or the AMNP, subject to regular undergraduate-admission requirements and program criteria. uab

Admissions: The nursing school publishes separate BSN application instructions. The reviewed Fall 2026 document references a Spring 2027 application process; deadlines, required documents, GPA standards, prerequisites, and test expectations can change. Applicants should use the current application materials and contact the Office of Student Success.

Licensure relationship: The traditional BSN is a pre-licensure pathway that prepares eligible graduates to seek initial RN licensure. The Alabama Board of Nursing, not the university, makes licensure decisions. The university catalog states that the School of Nursing is approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing.catalog.

Best fit for:

• Students pursuing initial nursing education at the undergraduate level

• Applicants who do not already hold RN licensure

• Students able to meet current prerequisite, admission, and clinical-compliance standards

• Applicants seeking a Birmingham-based nursing curriculum

Official links: BSN Pathway · BSN application instructions · Apply now

Accelerated Master’s in Nursing Pathway

Credential: Master of Science in Nursing.

Who it is for: Applicants with a bachelor’s degree or higher in a non-nursing field who want entry-level nursing preparation at the graduate level.

Format and length: Full-time, intensive program structured across three semesters. uab

Published admissions expectations:

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in a field other than nursing.

• Completion of nursing-foundation prerequisite requirements before graduate admission.

• A letter of good standing sent to the Office of Student Success at sonadmissions@uab.edu by the published deadline, where applicable.

Clinical learning: The pathway is an entry-level nursing curriculum. Applicants should confirm its current clinical, simulation, compliance, campus, schedule, and travel requirements directly with the school.

Licensure relationship: The AMNP is a pre-licensure graduate-entry pathway that prepares eligible graduates to seek initial RN licensure. The school describes program completers as eligible for licensure, but actual eligibility and licensure decisions are made by the Alabama Board of Nursing and other applicable regulators.

Best fit for:

• Students with a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree or higher

• Career-changing applicants seeking a master’s-level entry into nursing

• Students able to commit to full-time, intensive, three-semester study

• Applicants who can satisfy prerequisite and clinical-compliance requirements

Official links: AMNP · MSN program overview · Apply now

Other Entry-Level Pathways

• ADN/ASN/AAS nursing: Not identified among the university’s currently published nursing offerings. Confirm available pathways directly with the nursing school.

• Practical nursing/LPN certificate or diploma: Not identified among the university’s currently published nursing offerings. Confirm available pathways directly with the nursing school.

• Nursing assistant certificate: Not identified among the university’s currently published nursing offerings. Confirm available pathways directly with the nursing school.

• Accelerated or second-degree BSN: A separately named accelerated BSN was not identified in the reviewed sources. Degree holders may consider the traditional BSN as a second-degree student or the published AMNP, depending on eligibility. uab

• Pre-nursing certificate: Not identified as a separate credential. Use the nursing school’s current BSN application instructions to verify prerequisite requirements. uab

RN Completion and Degree-Advancement Options

RN to BSN Pathway

Credential: Bachelor of Science in Nursing completion pathway.

Who it is for: Registered nurses with an Associate Degree in Nursing who want to complete a BSN. The undergraduate BSN page directs ADN-prepared applicants to the RN-to-BSN pathway. uab

Format, credits, and duration: Not publicly confirmed on the reviewed official RN-to-BSN program sources; prospective students should contact the Office of Student Success before applying.

Admissions guidance: The Apply Now page directs RN-to-BSN applicants to contact the program manager at (205) 975-7529 before applying for general university admission. uab

Licensure requirement: Intended for currently licensed RNs. Confirm current license, transfer-credit, residency, clinical/practicum, and state-authorization requirements directly with the nursing school.

Potential progression: RN-to-BSN completion may support later graduate applications where separate admission requirements are met. It does not guarantee graduate admission, certification, employment, or advancement.

Official links: BSN Pathway overview · Apply now

RN to MSN Pathway

Credential: Master of Science in Nursing.

Who it is for: Registered nurses pursuing master’s-level preparation. Students admitted to this pathway select a specialty from either the MSN Nurse Practitioner Pathway or the MSN Health Systems Leader Pathway. uab

Format and admissions requirements: Not publicly confirmed in sufficient detail on the reviewed program extract. Contact the nursing school directly to confirm prior-degree requirements, RN license, GPA, transfer evaluation, curriculum, specialty availability, clinical expectations, format, and deadlines.

Official link: RN to MSN Pathway

Graduate Nursing Programs

Master of Science in Nursing

Credential: Master of Science in Nursing.

Published pathways:

• Nurse Midwifery

• Nurse Practitioner

• Health Systems Leader

• Accelerated Master’s in Nursing Pathway for applicants with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees uab

Nurse Practitioner specialties identified in current sources:

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

• Family Nurse Practitioner

• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner uab

The post-graduate certificate page additionally lists Women’s Health Care NP, Psychiatric/Mental Health NP, Pediatric Primary Care NP, and Pediatric Acute Care NP as certificate specialty areas. Do not assume all certificate specialties are also currently offered as MSN specialties without confirming with the school. uab

Family Nurse Practitioner example: The MSN FNP specialty is for BSN-prepared nurses and requires a BSN from a regionally accredited institution and nationally accredited nursing program, with CCNE or CNEA named on the program page. The school states that the FNP specialty is also offered at the DNP level. uab

Nurse-Midwifery accreditation: The school reports that its MSN Nurse-Midwifery Pathway received initial five-year accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education. Confirm the current accreditation period, program availability, and certification eligibility directly with the nursing school and ACME. uab

Health Systems Leader: The school lists this as an MSN pathway. Current concentrations, online or campus format, credits, practicum, and admission requirements should be confirmed with graduate admissions. uab

Official link: MSN program

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Credential: Doctor of Nursing Practice.

Who it is for: BSN- and MSN-prepared registered nurses, depending on pathway. The school states that its DNP has pathways for both BSN- and MSN-prepared nurses.

Published DNP pathways:

• BSN to DNP Nurse Practitioner pathway

• BSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesia pathway

• MSN to DNP pathway

• Additional DNP pathways may be included in the school’s currently published DNP structure; confirm the current list directly with the school.

Nurse Practitioner specialty study: The school publicly identifies FNP at both the MSN and DNP levels. It also identifies NP education in adult-gerontology acute care, adult-gerontology primary care, neonatal, and other specialty areas. Confirm the exact DNP specialty, population focus, clinical plan, format, and application cycle before applying.

Nurse Anesthesia accreditation: The Post-BSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesia Pathway is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. uab

MSN to DNP: This path is intended for MSN-prepared nurses. The program office lists Jacqueline Lavier as the DNP program manager; applicants should use the published general program contact rather than relying on personal contact information. uab

Potential outcome: DNP education may support advanced clinical practice, nursing leadership, implementation, and systems-improvement work depending on the student’s pathway, credentials, state law, certification, and employer requirements. It does not guarantee any title, license, certification, or job outcome.

Official links: DNP program · MSN to DNP · Nurse Anesthesia DNP

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing

Credential: Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing.

Who it is for: BSN- and MSN-prepared nurses who want research-focused doctoral study. The school describes the PhD as a research-focused terminal degree and states that it includes pathways for both BSN- and MSN-prepared nurses. uab

Format, credits, and admissions: Not publicly confirmed in adequate detail on the reviewed official program page extract. Prospective applicants should contact graduate admissions for current format, length, residency, research-fit, funding, license, GPA, application material, and deadline requirements.

Official link: Doctoral programs

Dual DNP-PhD Degree

Credential: Combined Doctor of Nursing Practice and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing.

Who it is for: Eligible nurses seeking combined practice-focused and research-focused doctoral education.

Program details: Current format, timeline, credit requirements, clinical/practicum commitments, research requirements, entry points, and admissions criteria were not publicly confirmed in enough detail on the reviewed page extract. Prospective students should contact the nursing school directly.

Official link: Dual DNP-PhD Degree

Post-Graduate APRN Certificate

Credential: Post-Graduate APRN Certificate.

Who it is for: Individuals with at least an earned MSN degree and current APRN certification and licensure who seek a second nurse-practitioner specialty. uab

Length: Four semesters. uab

Published specialty options:

• Family Nurse Practitioner

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

• Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner

• Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

• Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner uab

Certification relationship: The school states that program completion prepares an individual to apply to sit for specialty certification. National-certification eligibility, state APRN licensure, and scope of practice must be verified separately with the relevant certification organization and state board. uab

Official link: Post-Graduate APRN Certificate

Nurse Practitioner Subspecialties

Credential: Non-degree Nurse Practitioner subspecialty study.

Who it is for: Current MSN NP students or practicing NPs pursuing additional preparation in a focused clinical area. uab

Available options: The reviewed official excerpt confirms that NP subspecialty options exist, but a complete current list, delivery format, credit requirements, clinical requirements, and eligibility criteria were not publicly confirmed. Prospective students should contact the nursing school directly.

Official link: Nurse Practitioner Subspecialties

Admissions Requirements

Entry-Level and Pre-Licensure Admissions

Traditional BSN

• The school publishes a traditional four-year BSN curriculum.

• Current BSN application instructions should be used to confirm prerequisites, GPA, application materials, entrance-exam requirements, deadlines, and clinical-compliance standards.

Accelerated Master’s in Nursing Pathway

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a field other than nursing.

• Required nursing-foundation prerequisites.

• Full-time entry-level study over three semesters.

• Use the current pathway admissions page for GPA, references, interview, test, clinical-compliance, deadline, and application details.

RN Completion Admissions

RN-to-BSN

• Intended for Associate Degree in Nursing graduates.

• Contact the program manager at (205) 975-7529 before applying for general university admission.

• Confirm active RN license, transcript review, transfer credit, clinical/practicum expectations, and delivery format with the program.

RN-to-MSN

• Applicants select either a Nurse Practitioner or Health Systems Leader MSN pathway after admission.

• Confirm prior degree, RN license, GPA, prerequisite, specialty, clinical, and application requirements directly with graduate admissions. uab

Graduate, APRN, and Doctoral Admissions

MSN

• Requirements vary by pathway and specialty.

• The MSN FNP pathway requires a BSN from a regionally accredited institution and a nationally accredited nursing program. uab

DNP

• The DNP includes entry options for BSN- and MSN-prepared nurses.

• Nurse Anesthesia and NP specialty pathways have additional clinical, practice, licensure, certification, and possibly experience requirements; confirm the exact requirements with the program.

PhD and Dual DNP-PhD

• BSN- and MSN-entry pathways are published for the PhD.

• Detailed current GPA, license, research-fit, testing, reference, deadline, and residency requirements were not publicly confirmed in the reviewed source material. uab

Clinical Compliance

Detailed current requirements for immunizations, background checks, drug screening, CPR, health insurance, physical examinations, fingerprinting, training modules, and clinical-site onboarding were not publicly confirmed across all program pages reviewed. Prospective students should request the current program-specific compliance checklist before enrollment.

Admissions requirements and clinical-compliance standards can change. Confirm all current requirements and deadlines directly with the university.

Accreditation, Approval, and Licensure Considerations

Institutional Accreditation

The undergraduate catalog states that the university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Applicants should confirm the institution’s current accreditation status and accreditor directly through the university and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.catalog.uab+1

Programmatic Nursing Accreditation

The nursing school states that the following programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education:

• Baccalaureate degree program in nursing

• Master’s degree program in nursing

• Doctor of Nursing Practice program

• Post-graduate APRN certificate program uab

A school news release states that CCNE continuing accreditation extends through June 30, 2030. Confirm the current accreditation status, exact coverage, effective dates, and location through the CCNE directory and the nursing school’s accreditation page.

Specialty Accreditation

• The Post-BSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesia Pathway is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. uab

• The MSN Nurse-Midwifery Pathway received initial five-year accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education. uab

Students should confirm current specialty accreditation directly with the accrediting organization, especially because accreditation dates and program availability can change.

State Approval

The university catalog states that the School of Nursing is approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing. The Alabama Board of Nursing maintains official approved-program lists for nursing education programs. Verify the current approval status of the exact pre-licensure pathway with the Alabama Board of Nursing approved-program page.catalog.

Licensure and Distance Learning

Nursing licensure is regulated by states. Before enrolling in a campus-based, online, hybrid, clinical, master’s, doctoral, certificate, or APRN program, verify:

• Whether the institution may enroll students located in your state.

• Whether your planned pathway meets education requirements for the RN, APRN, NP, nurse-midwifery, nurse-anesthesia, or other credential you seek.

• When RN or APRN licensure is required and whether a particular state license is necessary before clinical learning.

• Where clinicals, practica, simulations, campus sessions, and residency requirements occur.

• Whether the school arranges clinical experiences and what travel, preceptor, or site-approval responsibility remains with the student.

Program approval and national accreditation are related but distinct considerations. State approval is a regulatory issue, particularly for pre-licensure education; programmatic accreditation evaluates a nursing program against national quality standards.

Tuition, Financial Aid, and Costs

Current nursing-program tuition and fees were not clearly published in a complete program-specific format across all pathways reviewed for this profile. Contact the university for an individualized cost estimate.

Students should request a written estimate for their exact entry term, campus, degree level, specialty, residency category, and delivery format. Ask about:

• Tuition by credit hour, academic term, and residency category

• Mandatory university, professional, nursing-school, technology, laboratory, simulation, clinical, and graduation fees

• Clinical travel, parking, lodging, preceptor, background-check, drug-screening, immunization, CPR, uniform, equipment, textbook, examination, licensing, and certification costs

• Costs of on-campus intensives and clinical or practicum experiences

• Scholarships, federal financial aid, military benefits, employer funding, payment plans, and other funding resources

• Nursing school programs

• UAB financial aid

• UAB tuition and fees

Clinical Learning and Student Support

The school is part of an academic health environment and publishes student-success, clinical, simulation, and academic-support contacts. Applicants should verify availability and eligibility for their exact program.

• Office of Student Success: The school lists the Office of Student Success at 1701 University Boulevard, with sonstudaffrs@uab.edu and (205) 975-7529 for student and admissions support. uab

• Prelicensure academic support: The school’s Student Success Champions program provides resources and support intended to promote academic success for prelicensure students, including students in the AMNP. uab

• Simulation resources: The BSN admission materials reference the school’s simulation resources and list SONsimulation@uab.edu as an official contact. Detailed facility access, schedule, and program applicability should be confirmed directly with the school. uab

• Clinical learning: BSN, AMNP, MSN, DNP, certificate, and specialty programs may include clinical or practicum requirements. Exact sites, schedules, preceptors, travel, compliance, and placement processes vary by program and are not guaranteed.

• Tutoring, NCLEX preparation, career services, disability services, online-learning support, and student organizations: Not publicly confirmed in sufficient program-specific detail in the reviewed sources. Prospective students should contact the nursing school and relevant university student-support offices.

Questions to Ask Before Applying

• Which pathway fits my background: traditional BSN, RN-to-BSN, AMNP, RN-to-MSN, MSN, DNP, PhD, certificate, or subspecialty?

• Is the program authorized for students residing in my state?

• Does the curriculum meet the education requirements for my intended RN, APRN, NP, nurse-midwifery, nurse-anesthesia, or other credential?

• What prerequisite courses, GPA standards, RN/APRN license requirements, clinical experience, and application materials apply to my exact pathway?

• Are university admission and nursing-school admission separate processes?

• What are the expected clinical, practicum, simulation, campus-visit, and travel commitments?

• What is the total cost, including tuition, mandatory fees, clinical travel, technology, supplies, background checks, immunizations, drug screening, CPR, testing, and certification or licensure expenses?

• If I am a transfer or RN-completion applicant, how will transcripts and prior credits be evaluated?

• Does the school arrange clinical experiences, and what responsibility will I have for site approval, preceptors, travel, or scheduling?

• Can I work while enrolled given the program’s academic and clinical requirements?

• Which CCNE, Alabama Board of Nursing, Council on Accreditation, or ACME standards apply to my specific pathway?

• What advising, tutoring, clinical-preparation, accessibility, wellness, and career-support services are available?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which nursing programs are currently offered?

The school currently publishes a traditional BSN, RN-to-BSN, AMNP, RN-to-MSN, MSN nurse-practitioner, nurse-midwifery, and health-systems leader pathways, DNP pathways, PhD in Nursing, a dual DNP-PhD, post-graduate APRN certificates, and NP subspecialty options.

Which option fits someone who is not yet an RN?

Students who are not yet RNs can consider the traditional BSN. Applicants with a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree or higher can consider the full-time, three-semester AMNP.

Does the school offer an accelerated BSN?

A separately named accelerated BSN was not identified in the reviewed official sources. Students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree may be eligible for the traditional BSN as second-degree students or the AMNP, depending on current admission criteria.

Is an RN-to-BSN pathway available?

Yes. The nursing school directs ADN-prepared nurses to its RN-to-BSN Pathway. Applicants should contact the program manager before applying for general university admission to verify the current requirements and process.

Is an RN-to-MSN option available?

Yes. The RN-to-MSN Pathway allows admitted students to select either a Nurse Practitioner or Health Systems Leader MSN pathway. Confirm the current entry requirements and available specialties directly with the school. uab

Which MSN options are listed?

The school identifies MSN pathways in Nurse Midwifery, Nurse Practitioner, Health Systems Leader, and the AMNP for applicants with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees. uab

Which advanced-practice specialties are verified?

The school’s published sources identify MSN NP specialties in adult-gerontology acute care, adult-gerontology primary care, family, and neonatal care. The post-graduate APRN certificate list also includes women’s health, psychiatric-mental health, pediatric primary care, and pediatric acute care specialties. Confirm the exact degree level and specialty availability directly with the nursing school.

Is a nurse-anesthesia DNP pathway offered?

Yes. The Post-BSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesia Pathway is published and accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.

Is a PhD in Nursing offered?

Yes. The nursing school publishes a research-focused PhD in Nursing with BSN- and MSN-entry options, plus a dual DNP-PhD degree.

How can I verify accreditation and Alabama approval?

Review the nursing school accreditation page, the CCNE directory, specialty accreditor resources when applicable, and the Alabama Board of Nursing approved-program page. Confirm the current status of your exact program, specialty, format, campus, and entry term directly with the school.

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