Nursing, Master of Science
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Program offers two tracks of concentrated study: Nursing Administration (30 credit hours) and Nursing Education (30 credit hours). In addition to these two tracks of study, the MSN program offers the MSN/MBA dual-degree.
The Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Education is designed to prepare students to become professional educators in an academic or healthcare setting. The Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Administration is offered in collaboration with the Godbold College of Business. This program of study seeks to prepare the professional nurse for leadership roles in healthcare organizations. The interdisciplinary MSN/MBA dual-degree program combines nursing leadership with a working knowledge of business and managerial skills.
The courses in the MSN tracks of study are offered in a logical sequence from the core requirements of issues, research, human flourishing and health promotion, and professional role development to courses in the major area of concentration. The MSN Nursing Education, Nursing Administration, and MSN/MBA concentrations culminate in the application of knowledge in a project.
Admission Requirements for MSN Nursing Education and Nursing Administration
Application for admission to the MSN program should be made through the Gayle Bolt Price School of Graduate Studies. Application for admission to the MSN/MBA program should also be made to the School of Graduate Studies, and applicants must meet admission requirements of both programs.
Graduates from the Hunt School of Nursing Accelerated BSN, Traditional BSN, or Davis RN-BSN programs will be seamlessly admitted into the MSN program within one year of graduation. Applicants will only be required to show proof of meeting criteria 2, 3, and 6 listed below.
In order to enroll students from a variety of backgrounds with the greatest potential for successfully completing the program, the following criteria for acceptance will be used:
- A baccalaureate degree in nursing from a regionally accredited institution with a nationally accredited nursing program, or a baccalaureate degree in another field from a regionally accredited institution;
- Current, unrestricted licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse in the United States;
- GPA of 2.70 on all undergraduate work, or GPA of 2.70 on last 60 hours of undergraduate or graduate work;
- Transcripts of all previous college studies;
- Current, official, satisfactory Criminal Background Check results from the current state of residence and any other state lived in during the past ten years; and
- Completion of an undergraduate or graduate statistics course with a grade of “C” or better or an earned level 3 or better on an AP statistics exam for statistics.
Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Master of Science in Nursing program will be prepared to:
- Integrate interdisciplinary research and strategies to improve nursing practice, promote health, and prevent disease.
- Analyze current issues impacting diverse client populations, health care, and nursing practice, with an emphasis on identifying and implementing strategies for enhancement or resolution.
- Apply knowledge, concepts, strategies, and evidence-based research findings to enhance nursing across the continuum of healthcare settings.
- Synthesize interdisciplinary knowledge to facilitate application in an advanced specialty role.
- Professionally collaborate and communicate within the healthcare environment to foster environments for improved outcomes.
- Demonstrate achievement of role specific competencies for the advanced specialty role.
Nursing Education and Nursing Administration Concentrations (30 hours)
A. Required Common Core (12 hours)
| NURS 501 | Nursing and Healthcare Systems and Issues | 3 |
| NURS 502 | Methods of Advanced Research | 3 |
| NURS 506 | Professional Role Development | 3 |
| NURS 802 | Human Flourishing and Health Promotion | 3 |
B. Required Courses by Concentration (9 hours)
Nursing Education
Nursing Administration
| NURS 606 | Nursing Economics and Finance | 3 |
| NURS 607 | Administration of Nursing and Healthcare Organizations | 3 |
| BADM 641 | Health Care Law and Ethics | 3 |
C. Capstone Experience (9 hours)
Total Credit Hours: 30
MSN project students must maintain continuous enrollment in Project through the semester of their successful completion or until the candidate withdraws from the program. In rare and extenuating circumstances, an MSN student may request a leave of absence by completing the Request for Interruption in Project Continuous Enrollment form (located online in the Hunt School of Nursing Student Handbook), which must be approved by the MSN Program Chair. Students will be allowed only one continuous break of up to two semesters in the project course sequence. Students may withdraw before the drop/add period for the current semester and may choose not to register for the following semester if needed. Students who withdraw after the drop/add period for the current semester may choose not to register for the following two semesters if needed. At all other times the student must stay continuously enrolled. Students who do not return in the designated time frame will be dismissed from the program. Students must follow the Gayle Bolt Price School of Graduate Studies policies for re-entry into the program, unless a suspension from the Gayle Bolt Price School of Graduate Studies prevents re-enrollment within the time frame. In this circumstance, students must be re-enrolled as outlined by the MSN Program Chair and/or the Gayle Bolt Price School of Graduate Studies policies.
Students who break continuous enrollment without an approved Request for Interruption in Project Continuous Enrollment form will be suspended from the program. If a suspended student requests readmission, program faculty in the Hunt School of Nursing makes the decision on whether to re-admit and, if re-admitted, the stipulations that will apply. The time limit of six calendar years to complete the program from the beginning of the term in which an MSN student completes the first graduate course toward the degree continues to apply to students who are granted a leave of absence or who are suspended.