University of Southern Mississippi Nursing: Programs, NCLEX-RN & Requirements (2026)
The College of Nursing and Health Professions stacks Traditional BSN work on the Hattiesburg campus, a one-year Accelerated BSN (ABSN) on the Gulf Coast, and an online RN-to-BSN completion track with doctoral pathways in FNP, psychiatric mental health, nurse anesthesia, and leadership—supported by cited Fall 2025–Spring 2026 USM tuition tables and baccalaureate NCLEX-RN figures from the Mississippi IHL nursing report (MS Board of Nursing / NCSBN data).
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Southern Miss couples dual-campus pre-licensure options (Hattiesburg Traditional BSN plus Gulf Park ABSN) with an online RN-to-BSN track and a doctoral portfolio that includes nurse anesthesia—while publishing transparent Board of Trustees–approved tuition bands and strong baccalaureate NCLEX outcomes in the statewide IHL nursing annual report.
Overview & Why Students Choose Southern Miss Nursing
The University of Southern Mississippi organizes nursing education inside the College of Nursing and Health Professions: undergraduates work with the School of Professional Nursing Practice (SPNP) on a Traditional BSN in Hattiesburg, a 12-month Accelerated BSN (ABSN) on the Gulf Park campus, and a fully online RN-to-BSN completion program, while graduate students enter the School of Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice for DNP concentrations—including nurse anesthesia—and post-master’s APRN certificates.
The college also promotes a fully online PhD in Nursing for scholars focusing on research and theory. Admission to USM is separate from admission to each nursing pathway; pre-licensure applicants must complete the college’s Nursing Entrance Exam as published on the undergraduate nursing page.
The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Annual Report for Mississippi Nursing Degree Programs (May 15, 2025) lists NCLEX-RN pass rates for Mississippi bachelor-degree programs with data attributed to the Mississippi Board of Nursing and NCSBN. For University of Southern Mississippi, the table shows 99.25% (2022), 100% (2023), 100% (2024), and a three-year pass rate of 99.77%. The accompanying accreditation standard references annual rates for all testers (first-time and repeat). Confirm later cohorts with the Board and USM nursing leadership.
Reasons students choose Southern Miss
Board-reported NCLEX-RN performance
The 2025 IHL nursing annual report places Southern Miss among the Mississippi baccalaureate programs with very strong multi-year NCLEX-RN outcomes—useful context when you compare public universities using the same statewide table.
Dual-campus pre-licensure footprint
Students who need a traditional four-year BSN can stay in Hattiesburg, while career changers with a prior bachelor’s degree can target the accelerated cohort on the Long Beach–area Gulf Park site, per USM’s undergraduate nursing materials.
Doctoral depth (including CRNA)
Unlike many public universities, Southern Miss advertises nurse anesthesia at the doctoral level alongside FNP, PMHNP, and leadership-focused DNP tracks, with dedicated tuition bands published for the anesthesia program.
Hybrid clinical graduate model
Official DNP pages emphasize online didactics, limited campus visits each semester, and practicum work arranged close to home where possible—appealing to working Mississippi RNs.
Gulf South clinical network
Marketing materials cite partnerships across hospitals, community health centers, and public health agencies throughout Mississippi and the Gulf South, supporting diverse clinical experiences.
Nursing Programs Offered
Programs below mirror the College of Nursing and Health Professions marketing pages, the School of Professional Nursing Practice catalog narrative, and individual graduate program sheets. The Mississippi IHL nursing report notes a legacy MSN closure—plan around DNP and certificate pathways instead of assuming an MSN is recruiting.
Pre-licensure (NCLEX-RN eligibility)
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Upper-division nursing begins after prerequisites; catalog language describes a five-semester traditional plan (including one summer) with fall or spring admission to nursing courses. High school seniors may qualify for Dean’s Scholar early admission if they meet published criteria.
Accelerated BSN (ABSN)
Accelerated BSN (ABSN) is USM’s second-degree pathway: approximately 12 months spanning three semesters for applicants who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field, per the undergraduate nursing overview.
Post-licensure undergraduate
RN-to-BSN
Online BSN completion for associate-prepared RNs who hold an unencumbered license in a Nurse Licensure Compact state, per USM’s RN-to-BSN description.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) & post-master’s certificates
Clinical Nursing DNP (practice doctorate)
The Clinical Nursing DNP focuses on executive leadership coursework delivered online with one campus visit per semester; fall-only admission lists a March 1 application deadline on the program page.
BSN-to-DNP Family Nurse Practitioner
Hybrid FNP preparation with online didactic coursework, limited residency visits, and community-based clinicals; USM cites a 71-credit / ~3-year BSN-to-DNP plan and March 1 deadlines for fall entry.
Psychiatric-Mental Health NP & Nurse Anesthesia DNP
College program lists include Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Anesthesia doctorates; nurse anesthesia students should review the dedicated full-time tuition band on the Business Services page.
Post-Master’s APRN Graduate Certificates
USM’s Family NP doctoral page advertises a 26-credit, four-semester post-master’s FNP certificate with a March 1 deadline; the IHL enrollment tables also reference post-master’s Psychiatric-Mental Health NP certificate enrollment.
Research doctorate
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
The college homepage describes a student-centered, 100% online PhD in Nursing aimed at nurse scientists contributing through research and theory development.
Prerequisite courses, clinical hour totals, progression policies, and fees can change each bulletin year. Download the current SPNP handbook, graduate handbooks, and USM catalog entries for authoritative requirements.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Annual Report for Mississippi Nursing Degree Programs published by the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (May 15, 2025), the NCLEX-RN table for Mississippi undergraduate nursing programs cites data from the Mississippi Board of Nursing and NCSBN. For University of Southern Mississippi (bachelor-degree row), the report lists 99.25% for calendar year 2022, 100% for 2023, 100% for 2024, and a three-year pass rate of 99.77%.
USM’s undergraduate nursing marketing block cites a 98% NCLEX pass rate and other outcome statistics without the same methodological detail as the IHL table—use board-sourced reports when benchmarking, then confirm definitions with the school.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN pass rate (BSN programs, bachelor-degree row) | 99.25% (CY 2022); 100% (CY 2023); 100% (CY 2024); three-year 99.77% — IHL 2025 report, data attributed to MS BON / NCSBN |
| Student/faculty ratio (baccalaureate, Fall 2024) | 10:1 — 335 students / 34.0 faculty FTE (same IHL report) |
| Source | Mississippi IHL — 2025 Nursing Annual Report (PDF); Mississippi Board of Nursing. Confirm current cohorts with both. |
NCLEX outcomes vary by cohort and reporting window. Always confirm the latest Mississippi program outcomes with the Board of Nursing and USM’s College of Nursing and Health Professions.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
International and foreign-educated applicants must satisfy University of Southern Mississippi admissions policies, the College of Nursing and Health Professions requirements, and Mississippi Board of Nursing rules for RN or APRN licensure. The information below is general guidance only—not legal or immigration advice.
- English-language proficiency: Graduate DNP pages reference TOEFL/IELTS for international applicants; confirm current minimums with USM International Admissions.
- Transcripts and credential evaluation: International sections on the undergraduate nursing page direct students to the Office of International Admissions for RN-to-BSN and ABSN paperwork—expect transcripts and evaluations consistent with graduate admissions standards.
- Credential review & boards: Plan for any Mississippi Board of Nursing requirements for internationally educated nurses (including possible CGFNS or background screening steps) before assuming NCLEX eligibility.
- Visas and clinical placement: Clinical practica require placements that accept your visa status; hybrid DNP tracks still include on-campus visits—coordinate with International Student and Scholar Services and graduate nursing advisors.
Requirements change frequently. Verify with USM International Admissions, the College of Nursing and Health Professions, and the Mississippi Board of Nursing before you apply.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Southern Miss requires students to be admitted to the university before submitting a nursing-specific application. Pre-licensure candidates must complete the college’s Nursing Entrance Exam (distinct from the TEAS branding on many sites), while graduate applicants assemble RN licensure, practice experience, and prerequisites outlined on each DNP page.
Application timeline
| Program | Deadline / timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional BSN & ABSN | Feb 1, 2026 (cycle cited on nursing page) | Page also lists January 2026 on-campus entrance exam dates; BSN/ABSN/RN-BSN cohorts begin fall and spring. |
| RN-to-BSN | Term-based (confirm) | Apply to USM, then to RN-to-BSN; fully online delivery per program description. |
| Clinical Nursing DNP (leadership) | March 1 | Fall-only program per graduate page. |
| BSN-to-DNP FNP & FNP post-master’s certificate | March 1 | Fall-only cohorts per Family NP doctoral page. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing major) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Undergraduate prerequisites | Follow the BSN admission procedures in the USM catalog; progression requires a grade of C or better in each nursing course per SPNP policy. |
| Entrance exam | College of Nursing & Health Professions Nursing Entrance Exam ($100 per attempt, scores valid three years, one attempt per admission period on the page reviewed). |
| Graduate GPA & experience (example: FNP) | USM’s FNP DNP page lists a 3.0+ nursing GPA, introductory statistics, Mississippi RN license, and at least one year of recent clinical RN practice. |
| Health & compliance | Graduate pages require CPR, background checks, immunizations, and tuberculosis screening—expect parallel requirements in upper-division undergrad nursing. |
Honest tips
Register early for the Nursing Entrance Exam so you retain a seat before the application deadline passes. ABSN applicants should plan logistics for the Gulf Park campus (housing, travel) while noting exams may still be scheduled in Hattiesburg. DNP hopefuls should document RN practice hours meticulously because faculty reference checks are part of the graduate packet.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Tuition figures below come from the University of Southern Mississippi Business Services “General Tuition & Fees” schedule approved for Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Summer 2026. Add the published $30 per credit hour online delivery fee when courses are delivered online. Housing, meals, parking, liability insurance, uniforms, and nursing supplies are extra—the SPNP catalog chapter estimates about $3,000 (junior year) and $2,500 (senior year) for many of those nursing-specific costs.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate total tuition & mandatory fees (MS resident, 1–11 credits) | $433.59 per credit hour |
| Undergraduate total tuition & mandatory fees (MS resident, 12–19 credits) | $5,197.00 per semester |
| Undergraduate total tuition & mandatory fees (non-resident, 12–19 credits) | $6,197.00 per semester (includes $1,000 non-resident component per published table) |
| Graduate total tuition & mandatory fees (MS resident, 1–8 credits) | $578.12 per credit hour |
| Graduate total tuition & mandatory fees (MS resident, 9–13 credits) | $5,197.00 per semester |
| Graduate total (non-resident, 9–13 credits) | $6,197.00 per semester (published Fall/Spring/Summer 2026 table) |
| Nurse Anesthesia DNP (MS resident, full-time band) | $9,707.00 tuition + mandatory fees per semester (2025–26 table) |
| Nurse Anesthesia DNP (non-resident, full-time band) | $11,707.00 per semester (includes $2,000 non-resident component) |
| Source | USM Business Services — General Tuition & Fees; SPNP catalog (BSN expenses estimate) |
For scholarships and net price, start at USM Financial Aid and complete the FAFSA; military and workforce partnerships may offer additional assistance depending on eligibility.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Use board-published NCLEX data for pre-licensure benchmarking; pair it with school marketing only when you understand the cohort and methodology behind each percentage.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN pass rate (BSN bachelor row) | 99.25% / 100% / 100% by calendar year 2022–2024; 99.77% three-year aggregate—Mississippi IHL 2025 nursing annual report (MS BON / NCSBN data). |
| BSN program marketing (USM page) | Undergraduate nursing page lists 98% NCLEX pass rate, Nearly 100% graduate employment rate, and 175+ annual graduates as promotional statistics—confirm definitions with SPNP. |
| Nurse practitioner cert. exams (IHL) | The same IHL report shows a 78.51% three-year nurse practitioner certification pass rate for USM (2021–2023)—interpret alongside school interventions; confirm newer cohorts with the college. |
| Regional demand | Hattiesburg anchors Forrest General Hospital and numerous multispecialty clinics, while the Gulf Coast corridor supports growing acute and ambulatory networks—strong demand for BSN and APRN graduates but not a guarantee of placement. |
Is Southern Miss Nursing the Right Fit for You?
Southern Miss fits students who want a research-oriented public university with dual-campus pre-licensure options, a robust online RN-to-BSN completion track, and doctoral nursing specialties—including nurse anesthesia—that are uncommon at many peer institutions.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Thrive in hybrid learning models that blend online coursework with scheduled Hattiesburg intensives.
- Want the flexibility to choose between a traditional four-year BSN, a one-year ABSN on the Coast, or an RN-to-BSN online.
- Plan to stay in Mississippi for graduate clinical practica and value statewide board-reported outcomes.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a fully asynchronous pre-licensure program with zero campus laboratory requirements.
- Expect a standalone MSN entry rather than DNP or certificate pathways (confirm recruiting status each cycle).
- Prefer every clinical rotation inside a single Level I trauma center rather than a broad community network.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Hattiesburg functions as a regional care hub for south-central Mississippi, while the Gulf Park campus connects students to coastal hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and public health departments. USM’s graduate pages emphasize affiliates across community hospitals, federally qualified health centers, school-based clinics, and mental health providers—mirroring the diverse assignments graduates encounter.
| Organization / focus | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Forrest General Hospital (Hattiesburg) | Large regional referral center offering high-acuity experiences commonly sought by BSN students. |
| Gulf South clinical corridor | Coastal facilities ranging from community hospitals to specialty clinics host rotating Southern Miss cohorts; assignments vary by term. |
| Community & public health partners | Graduate materials reference health departments and rural clinics—important for population-health DNP projects. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Asbury Hall on the Hattiesburg campus houses simulation suites, skills labs, student services, and study spaces tailored to nursing majors—undergraduate materials describe high-fidelity mannequins coupled with community clinical rotations. Gulf Park ABSN students experience a beach-adjacent campus culture while sharing the same faculty values (caring, professionalism, integrity, excellence, diversity) that the SPNP promotes.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Primary location
- Hattiesburg, MS (Asbury Hall — College of Nursing & Health Professions)
- Address
- College of Nursing and Health Professions, Asbury Hall, 3215 Montague Boulevard, Hattiesburg, MS 39401, US
- Telephone
- (601) 266-5454 (Student Services — undergraduate nursing page)
- Website
- College of Nursing and Health Professions
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download the BSN admission procedures and prerequisite checklist for your intended entry term.
- Register for the Nursing Entrance Exam if you are targeting Traditional BSN or ABSN, and note the one-attempt-per-cycle rule.
- For RN-to-BSN, confirm NLC licensure status and submit USM admissions materials before the nursing application.
- For DNP pathways, line up statistics coursework, RN practice experience letters, and immunization records requested on program pages.
- Model total cost using Business Services tuition tables plus the SPNP junior/senior expense estimates.
- Bookmark the IHL nursing report and Mississippi Board of Nursing to watch for updated NCLEX tables.
- Call (601) 266-5454 if you need clarification from CNHP Student Services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing pathways does the University of Southern Mississippi offer in the College of Nursing and Health Professions?
Official USM sources describe Traditional BSN (Hattiesburg), Accelerated BSN on the Gulf Park campus, online RN-to-BSN completion, multiple DNP concentrations (including nurse anesthesia), post-master’s APRN certificates, and a fully online PhD in Nursing. Mississippi IHL data reference a prior MSN closure, so applicants should verify active recruiting on the DNP pages.
What is the NCLEX-RN pass rate for University of Southern Mississippi bachelor-degree nursing programs?
The Mississippi IHL 2025 nursing annual report (data attributed to the Mississippi Board of Nursing and NCSBN) lists USM at 99.25% (2022), 100% (2023), 100% (2024), and 99.77% three-year aggregate for its baccalaureate nursing row. Confirm newer cohorts on the Board site and with CNHP.
Does University of Southern Mississippi nursing use TEAS for admission?
Pre-licensure applicants take the College of Nursing and Health Professions Nursing Entrance Exam described on the undergraduate nursing page—not the TEAS brand. Registration costs $100 per administration and scores remain valid three years on the materials reviewed.
When are University of Southern Mississippi nursing applications due?
The undergraduate nursing page cited a February 1, 2026 application deadline for an upcoming cycle, while Family NP and Clinical Nursing DNP pages list March 1 deadlines for fall cohorts. Always confirm the exact term on the catalog page for your pathway.
What undergraduate tuition does USM publish for Mississippi residents in 2025–2026?
Business Services lists $433.59 per credit hour (1–11 credits) and $5,197.00 per semester for 12–19 credits including mandatory fees for Mississippi residents, plus a $30/credit online delivery fee when applicable.
What graduate tuition should USM DNP students expect in 2025–2026?
The general graduate band shows $578.12 per credit (1–8 credits) and $5,197.00 per semester for 9–13 credits for Mississippi residents, while nurse anesthesia publishes a $9,707.00 per-semester full-time total—add non-resident premiums if applicable.
Is University of Southern Mississippi nursing CCNE accredited?
Graduate pages state CCNE accreditation for the BSN, DNP, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs, with additional oversight from the Mississippi IHL Board of Trustees. Confirm the precise scope on each program disclosure.
Where do Southern Miss nursing students complete clinical rotations?
Undergraduate materials emphasize campus simulation plus community healthcare agencies; doctoral pages highlight hundreds of partner hospitals, clinics, and health departments across Mississippi and the Gulf South—specific sites rotate each term.
What extra costs should USM nursing students budget beyond tuition?
The SPNP catalog section estimates roughly $3,000 in junior year and $2,500 in senior year for uniforms, supplies, insurance, and related expenses, plus a laptop that meets iTech standards.
References
- College of Nursing and Health Professionsusm.edu/nursing-health-professions
- Undergraduate nursing (BSN, ABSN, RN-BSN)usm.edu/undergraduate-programs/nursing.php
- School of Professional Nursing Practice (catalog)catalog.usm.edu (SPNP)
- Family Nurse Practitioner DNPusm.edu/graduate-programs/nursing-family-nurse-practitioner.php
- Clinical Nursing DNPusm.edu/graduate-programs/nursing-clinical.php
- General tuition & fees — Business Servicesusm.edu/business-services/general-tuition-fees.php
- Mississippi IHL — 2025 Nursing Annual Report (PDF)mississippi.edu (PDF)
- Mississippi Board of Nursingmsbn.ms.gov
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for alignment with University of Southern Mississippi College of Nursing and Health Professions pages, the USM Business Services tuition schedule (2025–2026), the Mississippi IHL 2025 nursing annual report, and Mississippi Board of Nursing sourcing referenced therein.
Disclaimer: This guide is for general information only and does not constitute academic, licensure, immigration, or financial advice. Policies and costs change—confirm with the University of Southern Mississippi, the College of Nursing and Health Professions, and the Mississippi Board of Nursing.
Published: March 25, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 25, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy