University of Charleston Nursing Programs: What to Know (2026)
Private university on the Kanawha River with hybrid ADN, traditional BSN, online RN-BSN, MSN–Family Nurse Practitioner, and a CAMC-partnered Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice. Figures below come from UC’s Cost Sheet and program pages—confirm every detail with UC and the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
UCWV stacks a rare combination for West Virginia: Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) depth for pre-licensure clinicals, a 16-month hybrid ADN that serves working adults in Charleston and Beckley, and a brand-new COA-accredited DNAP that continues Charleston’s long CRNA training lineage—while RN-BSN and MSN FNP stay asynchronous-friendly for employed RNs.
Overview & Why Students Choose University of Charleston
The University of Charleston (UCWV) is a private, career-focused institution along the Kanawha River facing downtown Charleston, with an additional healthcare hub in Beckley. Nursing has been central to UC’s identity for decades—the program pages note more than 3,000 graduates and highlight clinical access that includes West Virginia’s only Level I trauma center and dedicated women’s-and-children’s sites when describing the Charleston experience.
Prospective students can choose among five nursing pathways: an accelerated-style hybrid ADN, a selective in-seat traditional BSN, an online RN-BSN with 50 credits awarded for an active RN license, an online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program, and a Charleston-based Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice paired academically with CAMC.
UC’s ADN, BSN, and RN-BSN pages describe Continuing Accreditation with Conditions from ACEN for those programs, while ACEN lists the MSN program under initial accreditation. “Conditions” means the program meets accreditation standards with specific improvement items assigned—confirm the exact public decision letter on ACEN’s program search and with UC nursing leadership.
Reasons students choose UCWV
Clinical proximity in Charleston
UC markets rotations minutes from campus, including access to CAMC’s Level I trauma environment and specialty pediatric/women’s sites—useful if you want high-acuity exposure without leaving the capital region.
Hybrid ADN for weekend learners
Sixteen-month ADN cohorts meet every other weekend (Fri–Sun) with weekly online coursework, with Charleston and Beckley locations and three annual start terms—structured for students balancing jobs or family.
Online ladders for working RNs
RN-BSN courses run in seven-week blocks with no residency requirement per UC, and the MSN FNP track emphasizes 750 supervised hours while keeping didactics online for RNs who still need weekday employment.
DNAP continuity with CAMC
The DNAP inherits Charleston’s deep CRNA education history via the UC–CAMC partnership, with the program’s own simulation center and immersive clinical rotations through CAMC hospitals.
Transparent outcome tables
UC publishes NCLEX pass rates and completion stats by calendar year on individual program pages—helpful for comparing BSN versus ADN performance before you commit.
Nursing Programs Offered
UC separates pre-licensure (ADN, traditional BSN), post-licensure undergraduate (RN-BSN), graduate (MSN FNP), and doctoral anesthesia (DNAP). Delivery modes differ sharply—use the badges below so you don’t confuse online completion programs with the intensive Charleston immersion tracks.
Pre-licensure
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
16 months, alternating weekend on-site sessions plus online coursework, cohorts in Charleston and Beckley. TEAS ≥60%, competitive ranking by GPA, TEAS, and healthcare credentials such as EMT/LPN. Fall/spring/summer deadlines: 4th Wednesday in May, 2nd Wednesday in September, and 2nd Wednesday in February, respectively.
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Four-year, in-seat Charleston program with roughly 1:8–10 faculty-to-student ratios per UC marketing. Students apply prior to the sophomore nursing sequence; TEAS ≥60% and competitive scoring (GPA + TEAS + licensure bonus). Deadline: third Wednesday in March.
Post-licensure & completion
RN to BSN
Fully online, seven-week courses, 50 semester credits awarded for an unencumbered U.S. RN license. Requires conferred nursing degree (associate or diploma pathway) and 2.0+ GPA on prior college work. Application materials go to UC Health Sciences, Suite 400, 2300 MacCorkle Ave SE, Charleston.
Graduate
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
42 credits, 750 clinical hours concentrated in the final three semesters, preparing graduates for ANCC or AANP certification exams per UC. Fall and spring starts; fall 2026 deadline published as May 15, 2026. Louisiana residents must be willing to complete clinical experiences in another state.
Doctoral
Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP)
36 months / nine semesters (including summers) based in Charleston with CAMC clinical rotations. Requires BSN GPA ≥3.0, active ICU employment meeting COA definitions, BLS/ACLS/PALS, references, and highly competitive admission (UC cites ~200 applications for 30 seats in the 2024 cycle). Accredited by COA and HLC per UC.
The list above reflects UC’s public program pages and catalog buttons as of this review. If UC adds condensed BSN or other tracks, those updates will appear first on UC majors & degrees.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
University of Charleston publishes program pass-rate percentages by calendar year for its ADN and BSN tracks. These figures are school-reported, may use denominators that differ from state-board tables, and should be read alongside official disclosures from the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| BSN NCLEX-RN pass rate (2024) | 87% — University of Charleston BSN program outcomes table |
| BSN NCLEX-RN pass rate (2023) | 100% — UC BSN disclosures (confirm cohort size with school) |
| ADN NCLEX-RN pass rate (2024) | 94.5% — University of Charleston ADN program outcomes table |
| Source (school) | UC BSN page · UC ADN page |
| Source (regulator) | WV Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses — confirm first-time pass rates and definitions used in state reports. |
Percents vary by cohort, program, and reporting method. Always confirm the latest NCLEX-RN outcomes with the WV RN Board and UC’s nursing department before you treat any rate as predictive of your class.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
UC enrolls students from dozens of countries (UC “At a Glance” cites 50 countries represented), but nursing clinical and licensure rules add extra steps. Treat the checklist below as orientation, not legal advice.
- English proficiency: confirm TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo minimums for degree level and campus vs. online modality with UC Admissions.
- Credential evaluation: secure transcript evaluations if required for admission or West Virginia Board review.
- WV RN Board pathways: internationally educated nurses may need CGFNS, VisaScreen, or other board-defined steps before NCLEX authorization—use the board’s publications rather than unofficial summaries.
- Visas & clinical placements: hybrid ADN, BSN, and DNAP require in-person labs and clinicals; verify CPT/OPT implications and immunization/background requirements early.
Policies change. Coordinate with UC’s international services, the nursing program catalog, and the WV RN Board.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Nursing at UC is selective and multi-step: general university admission precedes program application for ADN and BSN, TEAS scores gate both pre-licensure tracks, and graduate programs layer their own documentation (references, CV/statement, clinical hour planning).
Application timeline (selected pathways)
| Program | Deadline / rhythm | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional BSN | 3rd Wednesday in March | Apply during second semester of freshman year; TEAS ≥60%, ≤3 attempts per calendar year with 60-day spacing. |
| ADN | May / September / February Wednesdays | 4th Wednesday in May (fall), 2nd Wednesday in September (spring), 2nd Wednesday in February (summer); rolling if seats remain. |
| RN-BSN | Rolling (confirm) | Submit RN license, transcripts, and RN-BSN application packet to Health Sciences address on UC page. |
| MSN FNP | May 15, 2026 (fall 2026 example) | Later applications deferred to spring 2027 per UC MSN page. |
| DNAP | Dec 15, 2025 (fall 2026 cohort example) | Includes interview cycle Feb–May; deposits required for admitted students. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing cohorts) | Not publicly disclosed—assume competitive ranking for ADN/BSN; DNAP explicitly compares hundreds of applicants for ~30 seats. |
| Minimum GPA | 2.0 college GPA for pre-licensure progression; MSN requires BSN ≥2.5; DNAP ≥3.0 combined ADN+RN-BSN GPA if applicable. |
| TEAS | Required for ADN & traditional BSN (≥60%). Not applicable to RN-BSN/MSN/DNAP in the same way. |
| Clinical experience (graduate) | DNAP requires ≥1 year critical care experience and current ICU employment; MSN requires active RN license and 750 supervised hours total. |
Applicant tips
Prepare TEAS early—the 60-day lockout means failed scheduling can cost an entire cycle. For BSN, emphasize science grades and any healthcare certification in your competitive scoring profile. DNAP hopefuls should document ICU hours meticulously and line up shadowing before interviews because UC mandates confirmed hours prior to the on-campus interview day.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
All dollar figures below come directly from the University of Charleston Cost Sheet (“Undergraduate Charleston Campus,” “Associate Degree Programs,” “Online Bachelor Degree Programs,” “Graduate,” and fee tables) unless noted. Indirect costs (housing, food, travel) vary; UC lists estimated budgets for planning.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Charleston campus undergraduate tuition | $33,990 per year + $500 fees (2025–26 direct-cost table) |
| Estimated COA (on campus) | Direct charges about $47,796 including median housing/meals; total budget about $53,228 with indirect items (UC Cost Sheet) |
| ADN & other associate nursing tuition | $395/credit (~$23,700 total program estimate on Cost Sheet) |
| Online RN-BSN | $395/credit; ~$11,850 with RN license / ~$31,600 without RN license (per Cost Sheet headings) |
| MSN FNP | $660/credit (~$27,720 program tuition estimate) + $500/semester program fee |
| DNAP | $35,655 per year tuition (“fees not included” per Cost Sheet) |
| Part-time health-science reminder | Cost Sheet states $900/credit for 8–11 credits in health sciences—budget this if you scale back credit load. |
| Source | UC Cost Sheet · Financial Aid |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Outcome metrics differ by program; always read UC’s tables for completion vs. licensure exam vs. certification exam distinctions.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| BSN NCLEX-RN pass rate (2024) | 87% (school-reported; confirm cohort with UC) |
| ADN NCLEX-RN pass rate (2024) | 94.5% (school-reported) |
| BSN program completion (2024) | 65% (UC BSN outcomes table) |
| ADN program completion (2024) | 57.7% (UC ADN outcomes table) |
| RN-BSN completion | UC lists 100% completion for 2022–2024 calendar years on the RN-BSN page—confirm methodology. |
| MSN FNP certification pass (2024) | UC reports 100% (17/17) FNP certification pass rate for first-time and repeat takers in 2024; UC cites a 83% comparison statistic labeled as national in the same disclosure. |
| MSN employment placement (2024) | UC reports reported employment placement rate of 100% for 2024 graduates—confirm definitions with UC. |
| Institution-wide employment snapshot | UC “At a Glance” states ~85% of graduates employed or in grad school within six months (not nursing-specific). |
| Source | UC program pages (BSN, ADN, RN-BSN, MSN) · UC at a Glance |
Is University of Charleston the Right Fit for You?
UCWV fits a specific student profile: learners who value a private-campus experience in the state capital, need either immersive weekday BSN training or weekend-intensive ADN classes, or want fully online RN/MSN progression while living elsewhere.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want Charleston-based clinical volume (trauma, women’s health, proximity to legislature and flagship hospitals).
- Need hybrid ADN flexibility with alternated weekends but can commit to intensive on-site labs.
- Are licensed RNs seeking predictable seven-week online RN-BSN or MSN FNP pacing.
- Pursue CRNA training and can meet UC/CAMC’s ICU experience bar for DNAP admission.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Require the lowest possible tuition—private tuition is materially higher than WV public options before aid.
- Cannot travel to Charleston or Beckley for ADN/BSN ground components.
- Expect guaranteed acceptance; cohorts are capped and competitive, especially DNAP.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Charleston anchors southern West Virginia’s referral network. UC publicly emphasizes experiences tied to Charleston Area Medical Center (Level I trauma, anesthesia partnership) plus regional access beneficial for maternal/child and community rotations.
| Facility / system | Details |
|---|---|
| Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) | Flagship multi-hospital system; UC cites Level I trauma and partners with UC for DNAP clinical training and historic CRNA education continuity. |
| Thomas Health & other Kanawha Valley providers | Additional community hospitals and specialty clinics supply breadth for maternal-health, mental-health, and outpatient rotations—confirm active contracts each semester with UC’s clinical coordinator. |
| Beckley corridor | UC–Beckley supports ADN weekend cohorts roughly 58 miles south of Charleston, extending access to students in the southern coalfields region. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Charleston undergraduates inhabit a compact riverfront campus with landmarks like the Clay Tower, student residences along the Kanawha, and Division II athletics in the Mountain East Conference. Nursing students benefit from dedicated health sciences space—including the suite at 2300 MacCorkle Ave SE referenced for graduate nursing paperwork—and from UC’s emphasis on experiential learning across healthcare programs.
Simulation and skills labs support pre-licensure instruction; DNAP students also access UC’s healthcare simulation and virtual reality assets described on the anesthesia program page. Student life blends traditional campus activities (Week of Welcome, Homecoming, service days) with the professional expectations of clinical attire, immunizations, and background checks common to nursing majors nationwide.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Charleston, WV
- Main address
- 2300 MacCorkle Ave SE, Charleston, WV 25304, US
- Telephone
- 304-942-8000 · toll-free 800-995-4682
- Nursing applications (example contact)
- johnnyjones@ucwv.edu — Assistant Director of Admissions Outreach (per RN-BSN page)
- Website
- ucwv.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download the latest UC nursing application PDF and the Nursing Student Handbook for the track you want.
- Register for a TEAS date through UC’s testing portal if you are targeting ADN or traditional BSN.
- Build a spreadsheet comparing Cost Sheet direct costs with your financial aid offer once admitted.
- Shadow or interview CRNA mentors if DNAP is on your roadmap, because UC requires documented shadowing before on-campus interviews.
- Contact UC nursing faculty or advising with questions about clinical commute expectations from your home base.
- Bookmark the WV RN Board to track future NCLEX aggregate releases.
- Set calendar reminders for pathway-specific deadlines (March BSN deadline versus ADN cycle Wednesdays).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the University of Charleston a good school for nursing?
UCWV offers multiple ACEN-accredited undergraduate tracks plus a COA-accredited DNAP, publishes detailed outcome tables on each program page, and leverages CAMC for advanced clinical and anesthesia training. Whether it is “good” for you depends on budget, delivery format, and career goals—validate accreditation status with ACEN/COA and compare NCLEX data with the WV RN Board’s releases.
What nursing programs does the University of Charleston offer?
UC’s public pages describe five main pathways: hybrid ADN (Charleston and Beckley), in-seat traditional BSN (Charleston), online RN-BSN, online MSN–Family Nurse Practitioner, and in-seat DNAP with CAMC. Always confirm current approvals and modality in the UC catalog before applying.
What TEAS score does University of Charleston nursing require?
Both the ADN and traditional BSN pages specify a minimum 60% total score on the ATI TEAS, up to three attempts per calendar year with a mandatory 60-day wait between attempts. Upload scores with your nursing application and monitor UC’s testing calendar for Charleston versus Beckley sites.
How much does University of Charleston nursing cost per year?
The 2025–26 Cost Sheet shows $33,990 annual tuition plus $500 fees for Charleston undergraduates, plus housing and food estimates if you live on campus. ADN and RN-BSN students using the $395/credit rate should multiply credits by the current rate and add lab or health-science fees enumerated in the same document.
Does UCWV offer an accelerated BSN?
UC’s public materials emphasize a traditional four-year BSN and a separate hybrid ADN rather than a second-degree accelerated BSN under a distinct brand. If you already hold a bachelor’s, ask admissions whether any course-compression options exist, but do not assume an ABSN-style track without written confirmation.
What is the NCLEX pass rate for University of Charleston BSN graduates?
The BSN program page lists 87% for 2024, 100% for 2023, and 64.2% for 2022. Treat these as school-prepared cohort summaries; verify denominators and compare against WV Board statistics for the same years.
Can I work while attending the University of Charleston ADN?
The hybrid model targets working adults with every-other-weekend classes, but clinical rotations still demand weekday and weekend hours. Before committing, map your employer’s flexibility against UC’s clinical schedule and talk with the program coordinator about realistic work limits.
How competitive is the University of Charleston DNAP program?
Highly competitive—UC reported roughly 200 applications for 30 seats in the 2024 cycle. Applicants must document ICU experience, certifications, and shadowing before interviews. Treat prerequisites as minimums; most successful candidates exceed them.
Is the RN-BSN program at University of Charleston fully online?
Yes. UC states there is no residency requirement; courses run online in seven-week formats. You still need reliable technology and clinical-adjacent assignments as described in the RN-BSN curriculum—even without campus housing.
References
- University of Charleston — Nursing (BSN)ucwv.edu/academics/majors-degrees/nursing-bsn
- University of Charleston — Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)ucwv.edu/…/associate-degree-of-nursing-adn
- University of Charleston — RN-BSNucwv.edu/…/nursing-rn-bsn
- University of Charleston — MSN Family Nurse Practitionerucwv.edu/…/master-of-science-in-nursing
- University of Charleston — Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practiceucwv.edu/…/doctor-of-nurse-anesthesia-practice
- University of Charleston — Cost Sheet (tuition & fees)ucwv.edu/admissions/financial-aid/cost-sheet
- University of Charleston — UC at a Glanceucwv.edu/about/uc-at-a-glance
- West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurseswvrnboard.wv.gov
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
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 pathway accuracy, ACEN/COA status language, and alignment with UC-published tuition tables and program-outcome disclosures.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses.
Published: April 1, 2026 · Last reviewed: April 1, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy