Master of Science in Nursing

The Master of Science in Nursing degree program (MSN) is designed to develop and enhance the knowledge and skills of registered nurses. It is also designed for those nurses who want to pursue advanced positions in today’s challenging healthcare environment. The program, based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Master’s Essentials, blends nursing theory with advanced practice concepts that prepare students to work within a healthcare organization or educational setting.

All applicants to the MSN program must hold a current and unencumbered license in the state in which they are completing program requirements. Additionally, all applicants must successfully complete a criminal background check and a drug screening. Clinical affiliation agencies may require additional personal testing.

The program consists of five core courses and courses in an area of specialization in education, administration, informatics, and various nurse practitioner programs. Program includes practica and experiences in areas of specialization.

Courses may be waived if the individual’s master’s transcript indicates that s/he has successfully completed the required course or its equivalent. Waivers and exceptions will be determined on the written request of individual students through a transcript analysis as determined by the Program Director, Chair, or College Dean.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the MSN degree program will demonstrate acquisition of competencies and proficiencies related to the following:

• Theoretical Foundations: Synthesize theories and concepts from nursing and other disciplines for application in advanced nursing roles.
• Evidence-Based Practice: Analyze current scientific research for application of findings to initiate change and to improve practice.
• Health Promotion, Disease Prevention, and Human Diversity: Create comprehensive plans of action that address the health promotion and disease prevention needs of individual, family, and community populations.
• Healthcare Policy, Organization and Finance: Formulate a plan for ongoing contributions to improvement of healthcare delivery and development of health policy in a cost-effective manner.
• Ethics: Apply an ethical decision-making process in professional practice and an analysis of systems of healthcare.
• Professional Role Development: Model a professional leadership role that fosters improvement of healthcare and advocates scholarly activities to advance self and profession.
• Informatics and Technology: Employ informatics and technology in various aspects of the advanced nursing leadership role.
• Advanced Nursing Role: Practice within ethical-legal guidelines, professional policies and regulations, and standards of practice associated with a specialty area of advanced nursing practice.

Specialization in Nurse Educator

Nurse educators combine clinical expertise and a passion for teaching into rich and rewarding careers. These professionals, who work in the classroom and the practice setting, are responsible for preparing and mentoring current and future generations of nurses. Nurse educators play a pivotal role in strengthening the nursing workforce, serving as role models and providing the leadership needed to implement evidence-based practice.

Nurse educators are responsible for designing, implementing, evaluating and revising academic and continuing education programs for nurses. These include formal academic programs that lead to a degree or certificate, or more informal continuing education programs designed to meet individual learning needs. Students will complete 176 practicum hours during progression through the program.

In addition to the MSN degree program goals and outcomes, students completing the Nurse Educator specialization will have demonstrated their acquisition of competencies and proficiencies related to:

1. Instructional Method Design: Create a variety of successful instructional methods to meet the needs of targeted learner populations.
2. Curriculum, Pedagogy, and Evaluation Strategies: Develop plans of study in nursing education based on appropriate curricular principles, pedagogical principles and strategies, and learning assessment strategies.
3. Clinical Expertise: Integrate clinical expertise with appropriate strategies of instruction when engaged in educational experiences.