Which Schools Offer Nursing Degree Programs in North Carolina?

Are you curious about the educational training needed to become a nurse in North Carolina? Preview four North Carolina schools with graduate and undergraduate nursing degrees in this article.

What You Need to Know

North Carolina schools that offer training for aspiring nurses include both 2-year and 4-year public institutions, and undergraduate and graduate programs are available. Completing an associate's or bachelor's degree program in nursing could prepare you to take the registered nursing licensure exam. Each degree option requires you to complete general education and nursing classes to earn the degree. Master's degree programs could help you acquire the knowledge and skills needed for an advanced practice nursing career; you typically need to hold an RN license to enter a master's-level program.

Nursing Associate Degrees in North Carolina

Central Piedmont Community College

Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte offers a 2-year program in nursing that can prepare you for the National Council Licensure Examination. Each semester, fifty students are admitted to the program. The curriculum includes coursework in anatomy and physiology, holistic health concepts, psychology and family care, as well as clinical rotations.

• Program Name: Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
• Program Length: 2 years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $2,795 per year for in-state; $8,936 per year for out-of-state (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Nurse aide training
• Admission Requirements: TEAS scores, current listing as Nurse Aide I on the state registry, general education courses
• School Type: 2-year, public; 18,824 undergraduate students

Nursing Bachelor's Degrees in North Carolina

Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), as well as a RN-BSN program for nurses who have earned associate's degrees and wish to enhance their education. If you choose to pursue the 124-credit BSN, you will need to apply to the university and complete general education requirements before you can be admitted to the nursing program. The 16-month RN-BSN program is an online, part-time program that provides you with advanced academic knowledge in the field of nursing.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Program Length: 4 years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $7,364 per year for in-state; $22,171 per year for out-of-state (2018-2019)
• Admission Requirements: ACT or SAT scores, 2.75 GPA or higher in lower division classes, Test of Academic Skills, completion of all foundations classes
• School Type: 4-year, public; 19,108 students (17,381 undergraduate)

East Carolina University

East Carolina University offers a variety of nursing programs including a BSN and RN-BSN. The BSN program is the largest in the state and coursework includes nursing care of various demographics, clinical nursing foundations, health assessment and research. In addition to courses, students complete clinical courses in nursing care and a clinical capstone.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Program Length: 4 years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $7,188 per year for in-state; $23,465 per year for out-of-state (2018-2019)
• Admission Requirements: NLN-PAX exam, GPA of 2.5 in previous courses
• School Type: 4-year, public; 28,718 students (23,071 undergraduate)

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, you can complete a BSN or RN-BSN through the School of Nursing. If you attend the BSN program, your curriculum will include human development, pharmacology, evidence-based practice, public health and nursing for many different groups. In addition to coursework, you'll complete clinical rotations at several clinical facilities, as well as complete simulations and learn therapeutic techniques at the Education-Innovation-Simulation Learning Environment.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Program Length: 4 years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $8,987 per year for in-state; $35,170 per year for out-of-state (2018-2019
• Admission Requirements: Counselor statement, teacher recommendation, test scores, essays
• School Type: 4-year, public; 30,011 students (19,117 undergraduate)

Nursing Master's Degree in North Carolina

East Carolina University

At East Carolina University, you can earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in several specialization areas, including family nurse practitioner and nurse-midwifery. Most programs are offered online; however, the nurse anesthesia program requires you to complete your coursework on campus. You may choose to attend full-time and complete the program in two years or attend part-time. To complete the required clinical courses, you must have professional liability insurance, professional level CPR certification and passes a criminal background check, as well as meet health requirements, such as immunizations.

• Program Name: Master of Science in Nursing
• Specialization Areas: Adult nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, family nurse practitioner, neonatal nurse practitioner, nurse anesthesia, nurse-midwifery, nursing education, nursing leadership
• Program Length: 2 years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $7,485 per year for in-state; $20,634 per year for out-of-state (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree with a GPA of 3.0 in nursing classes, statistics courses
• Admission Requirements: GRE or MAT scores, RN license, personal statement, three references, personal interview, clinical experience, computer literacy, undergraduate research
• School Type: 4-year, public; 28,718 students (23,071 undergraduate)

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, you can specialize in several areas of advanced practice nursing while earning your MSN. Your program will consist of classroom instruction, labs and clinical placements. Upon graduation, you will be eligible for certification in your area of specialty. BSN-MSN programs, as well as RN-MSN programs are available.

• Program Name: Master of Science in Nursing
• Specialization Areas: Adult/gerontology nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, health care systems, pediatric nurse practitioner/primary care, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner
• Program Length: 2 years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $12,212 per year for in-state; $29,423 per year for out-of-state (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree, statistics courses, 'B' grade or higher in undergraduate nursing courses,
• Admission Requirements: GRE scores, 1 or more years of clinical work experience, RN license, references, professional statement, health assessment
• School Type: 4-year, public; 30,011 students (19,117 undergraduate)

North Carolina is home to several nursing schools, including Central Piedmont Community College with an associate's degree, Appalachian State University with a bachelor's degree, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and East Carolina University with bachelor's and master's degree programs.