Updated Guide to Graduate and Accelerated Nursing Programs in Georgia

Georgia offers direct-entry/accelerated master's programs for non-nurses, traditional MSN tracks for RNs, and nurse anesthesia programs. Look for CCNE or ACEN program accreditation and COA accreditation for anesthesia programs. Typical admissions items include a relevant bachelor's degree or BSN, prerequisite science and statistics courses, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and - for CRNA programs - critical care experience.

Overview

Georgia offers a range of nursing pathways: direct-entry/accelerated master's tracks for people with bachelor's degrees in other fields, BSN and RN-to-MSN programs for current nurses, and advanced-practice specialties such as nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, and nurse anesthesia. These programs aim to prepare clinicians for leadership and advanced practice roles while addressing patient outcomes and cost-effective care.

Program types and roles

• Direct-entry/accelerated master's (often called Entry-Level MSN or Clinical Nurse Leader/CNL tracks) let non-nurses with a bachelor's degree enter nursing at the graduate level and qualify to sit for the NCLEX-RN after the program.

• Traditional MSN or post-master's certificates prepare RNs for advanced-practice roles such as nurse practitioner (NP) or clinical nurse specialist (CNS).

• Nurse anesthesia programs prepare students to become certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) and typically award a master's or doctoral degree depending on the school.

Nursing programs in Georgia are accredited at the institutional and program level. Regional institutional accreditation comes from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Programmatic accreditors include the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Nurse anesthesia programs are accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). Accreditation affects licensure eligibility, federal financial aid, and clinical placement options.

Typical admission requirements

Requirements vary by program and school, but common expectations include:

• For direct-entry/accelerated master's: a bachelor's degree in another field, prerequisite science courses (anatomy & physiology, microbiology), and sometimes a statistics course. Graduates will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN after program completion.

• For MSN/advanced-practice tracks: a BSN from an accredited program and an active RN license in the U.S. Many programs expect a cumulative GPA around 3.0 or higher and require official transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a resume/CV.

• For nurse anesthesia (CRNA) programs: an active RN license, critical-care experience (many programs expect at least one year in an intensive or acute care setting), and certifications such as ACLS. Requirements vary, so check each program's details.

Confirm program-specific prerequisites and deadlines on each school's admissions page. Request official transcripts early, gather current professional licensure information, and secure strong references that can speak to your clinical potential or leadership skills. For non-nurse applicants, plan for the timeline to complete any missing science prerequisites before matriculation.

Where to get official information

Contact the admissions office of the college or university you plan to apply to. Check program pages for current degree offerings, accreditation status, standardized test requirements, and up-to-date clinical experience expectations.