Master of Science in Nursing Program (MSN)
Emily Merrill, PhD, APRN, FNP, BC, CNE, FAANP
Professor, Associate Dean/Department Chair, MSN Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Program
Jeff Watson, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CNE
Associate Professor, Associate Dean/Department
Chair, Leadership Program
Cindy Acton, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
Program Director, MSN Nursing Administration Track
Susan McBride, PhD, RN, FAAN
Program Director, MSN Nursing Informatics Track
Laura Thomas, PhD, RN, CNE
Program Director, MSN Nursing Education Track
Kellie Bruce, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC
Program Director, Family Nurse Practitioner Track
Rebecca Burpo, DNP, APRN, CNM, FACNM
Program Director, Nurse-Midwifery Track
Susan Calloway, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, FAANP
Program Director, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track
Karen Esquibel, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC
Program Director, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (Primary and Acute Care) Tracks
Tara Hilliard, PhD, APRN, ACNP-BC
Program Director, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Track
Purpose
The purpose of the Master of Science in Nursing
Program is to prepare the graduate to practice
nursing within an expanded role. In synthesizing
a clinical and functional focus, the graduate
assumes an encompassing perspective of practice,
service, research, and education.
MSN Student Learning Outcomes
Upon program completion, the MSN graduate
will have the preparation to:
- Provide patient-centered care in the master’s
prepared nursing role.
- Work in interprofessional teams to address
the needs of patients using master’s prepared
nursing role skills.
- Employ evidence-based practice (EBP) by
integrating the best research evidence into the
master’s prepared nursing role.
- Apply quality improvement as a master’s
prepared nurse.
- Utilize information in the master’s prepared
nursing role to reduce errors, manage
knowledge and information, make decisions,
and communicate effectively.
- Integrate best practices in implementation
of master’s prepared nursing roles to ensure
safety and risk reduction for patients and
populations.
All MSN students regardless of program or
site will meet the above objectives. The MSN
educational program delivery is accomplished by
a combination of on campus classes/simulated
clinical and web-based technologies.
Leadership Program Overview
Administration Track
The MSN with a nursing administration focus
prepares students to assume nursing leadership
and management positions in a variety of health
care settings. Students must have a BSN as the
minimum RN preparation for admission to the
MSN in nursing administration track. Students
complete the program via on-line courses and
practicum experiences.
Education Track
The MSN with a nursing education focus prepares
students to assume a career as a nurse educator
within a school of nursing or as a clinical educator
in a healthcare setting. Students must have a BSN
as the minimum RN preparation for admission to
the MSN in nursing education track.
Nursing Informatics (NI) Track
The MSN in Nursing Informatics is the first NI
masters offered by a Texas-based university. This
program fills a critical gap in advanced nursing
education to prepare nurses for expanding roles
in nursing informatics with emphasis on data
management; analytics and clinical decision
support; electronic health record adoption,
implementation and evaluation; systems life cycle;
and evaluating innovative technology solutions
for clinical care. Students must have a BSN as the
minimum RN preparation for admission to the
MSN NI track.
Advanced Practice Registered
Nurse (APRN) Program Overview
An APRN is a registered nurse who completed
a graduate degree or postgraduate program
that provided preparation to practice in one of
the four advanced practice nursing roles (i.e.,
nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, nurse clinical
specialist, or nurse anesthetist). Preparation
includes the advanced knowledge and skills
to provide direct patient care in the health
promotion and health maintenance of individuals.
All students must have a BSN as the minimum
RN preparation for admission to the MSN and DNP APRN tracks. All APRN programs must meet
the educational requirements and standards for
professional certification. Nurse Practitioner
programs meet the Criteria for Evaluation of
Nurse Practitioner Programs as outlined by the
National Task Force on Quality Nurse Practitioner
Education (NTF). The NTF 5th Edition published
in 2016 is available at https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/Docs/EvalCriteria2016Final.pdf. Nurse Midwifery
programs must meet the educational criteria set
by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery
Education (ACME).
Upon completion of course requirements,
graduates of the master’s and post-master’s tracks
are eligible to sit for one or more of the following
certification exams:
- Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)
Exam (PNP, both acute care and primary care)
- American Nurses Credentialing Center
(ANCC) Exam (AGACNP, FNP, PMHNP)
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Certification Program (AANPCP) (FNP)
- American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) Exam (CNM)
- American Association of Critical Care Nurses
(AACN) (AGACNP)
- Certified Professional in Health Information
Management (CPHIMS) Exam (NI)
- Certified Nurse Educator Exam (CNE)
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse
Practitioner (AGACNP) Track
Prepares graduates to assume responsibilities for
promoting, maintaining, and restoring health
to acutely, chronically, complexly, or critically ill adults. The patient
population includes young adults, adults, and
older adults. Patient care needs and not the setting
determine the scope of practice.
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Track
Prepares graduates to assume a primary care
provider role for the population of the family
across the lifespan (infants, children, adolescents,
adults, and older adults). FNPs practice in
variety of settings including urban, rural, and
underserved areas. Patient care needs and not the
setting determine the scope of practice.
Nurse Midwifery Track
Prepares graduates to provide women’s health care
across the reproductive life cycle and beyond, as
well as their newborns for the first month of life,
in accordance with the standards of the American
College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM).
Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACPNP) Track
Prepares graduates to assume a primary care provider role designed to meet the specialized physiologic and physiological needs of children in the areas of health maintenance and promotion, and assessment and management of disease processes.
Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
(PNP-PC) Track
Prepares graduates to assume a primary care
provider role for children, adolescents, and young
adults in multiple health care delivery settings
including rural and underserved areas. Patient
care needs, and not the setting, determine the
scope of practice.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
(PMHNP) Track
Prepares graduates to assume an advanced
care provider role in providing the full range
of psychiatric services including the delivery of
primary, acute and consultative mental health care
services throughout the lifespan.
MSN Admission Information
All applicants are selected on a composite
evaluation of past academic achievement,
personal essay, career achievements, and
references. Although the materials required for
admission consideration vary from one program
to another, the general qualities considered are:
- Academic performance and aptitude
- Ability to perform capably in positions of
responsibility for self and others
- Potential for leadership in the advanced
nursing role
The applicant electronically signs the application
certifying the application is accurate and
complete and he/she understands falsification
of an application is cause for non-acceptance or
dismissal.
All coursework leading to a baccalaureate degree
including courses taken for grade replacement
are used in computing the grade point average for
admission purposes.
All applicants will be reviewed in an individual
and holistic manner. No single factor will
determine a student’s admission. Only complete
submitted applications are reviewed for admission
consideration.
MSN Application Dates
Semester | Application Open
| Application Deadline
|
Fall
| November 1 of previous year
| February 15
|
Leadership Tracks Spring
| May 1 of previous year
| August 1 of previous year
|
APRN Track Spring
| May 1 of previous year
| August 31 of previous year
|
MSN Application Deadlines
Consideration for admission is given to applicants
who meet all admission criteria and have
submitted ALL admission requirements by the
application deadline. NOTE: The MSN Program
does not admit students for the summer
semester. The PMHNP
BSN to MSN track accepts students once a
year for the spring semester.
Admissions Requirements - MSN
All applicants must complete and submit an
online application as directed on the MSN
website. All applicants must meet requirements
listed below for admission consideration:
- Valid unencumbered RN License
- Baccalaureate nursing degree (BSN) from a
regionally accredited college or university
with nursing program accreditation from the
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
(CCNE) or from the American Commission
for Education in Nursing (ACEN), formerly
the National League for Nursing Accrediting
Commission (NLNAC).
- Applicants with a transcript(s) from a
foreign university (ies) are to submit a
Commission for Graduates of Foreign
Nursing Schools (CGFNS) evaluation of
their transcript(s). Additionally applicants
from a country where the primary language
is not English, must provide evidence of
achieving a total score of 84 or higher with
a speaking score of 26 or higher and a
writing score of 27 or higher on the TOEFL
iBT.
- Completion of undergraduate courses in
research and statistics with a grade of C or
better.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) for all
course work leading to the baccalaureate
degree.
- The undergraduate science courses
GPA may be considered as a factor for
admission.
- Personal Statement/Essay/Track specific essay questions (maximum of 500
words)
- Current Basic Live Support (BLS) certification
from the American Heart Association
- Professional letters of reference (3). Two
letters from nurse managers or professional
mentors and one letter from a former faculty member or other health care professional
attesting to the applicant’s professional and
academic abilities and potential for success in
a graduate program.
- Individuals who obtained their nursing
education outside of the United States are not
eligible for admission unless their nursing
program was accredited by the CCNE or
ACEN. (See above)
- Official transcript for the BSN plus transcripts
for all undergraduate courses including
undergraduate research and statistics course if
not included on the BSN transcript. (NOTE:
all transcripts must be from a regionally
accredited college or university with nursing
program accreditation from the Commission
on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE),
or from the American Commission for
Education in Nursing (ACEN), formerly the
National League for Nursing Accrediting
Commission (NLNAC).
- Computer Literacy; defined as an
understanding of the capabilities and
limitations of a computer and how to use
them wisely within clinical workflow and for
scholarly work. Applicants must complete
the TTUHSC SON Computer Literacy Test
located at http://nursing.ttuhsc.edu/skills prior
to applying.
Additional MSN Admissions Requirements - Track Specific
Administration Track (Leadership Studies)
| - Must have one (1) year of RN experience prior to application
submission.
- Response to Track specific essay questions.
- If requested, selected applicants may be scheduled for interviews.
|
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Track (AGACNP)
| - Must have at least one (1) year of RN experience in an acute care,
intensive care, or emergency department setting within the past (5)
years.
- Response to Track specific essay questions.
- If requested, selected applicants may be scheduled for interviews.
|
Family Nurse Practitioner Track (FNP)
| - Must have one (1) year of RN experience prior to application
submission to the FNP track.
- Response to Track specific essay questions.
- If requested, selected applicants may be scheduled for interviews.
|
Pediatric Primary and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Tracks (PNP)
| - Required to have two (2) years of RN pediatric experience prior
to application. For applicants to the PNP Acute Care track, RN
pediatric experience in critical care, ER, or acute care is preferred.
- Response to Track specific essay questions.
- If requested, selected applicants may be scheduled for interviews.
|
Nurse Midwifery Track (NMW)
| - Preferred applicants have at least one (1) year labor and delivery
experience or comparable OB clinical experience within the last five
(5) years prior to admission.
- Response to Track specific essay questions.
- Reference letters are to be from supervisors, Certified Nurse
Midwives (CNMs), OB-GYNs, former faculty, or professional
mentors and should address the applicant’s leadership, academic,
and critical reasoning abilities.
- Participation in a personal interview with faculty upon invitation.
|
Nursing Informatics Track (Leadership Studies)
| - Experience in nursing informatics or technology (minimum super
user experience) is required.
- Minimum of two (2) years of clinical experience.
- Response to Track specific essay questions.
- If requested, selected applicants may be scheduled for interviews.
|
Nursing Education Track (Leadership Studies)
| - If selected, participate in an interview with faculty.
- Response to Track specific essay questions.
|
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track (PMHNP)
| - Participate in a personal interview with faculty if selected for an
interview.
- Critical Analysis Essay.
|
Non-Academic Considerations (MSN) – include
but are not limited to:
- Evidence of leadership in nursing
(Professional organizations, committees, etc.)
- Potential for leadership in an advanced role as
evidenced by reference letters.
- Professional nursing work experience.
- Diversity of work or life experience (For
example: experience with other cultures,
study/travel/work abroad, community
service, military service, degree in other field,
volunteerism, or other related extracurricular
activities).
- Curriculum vitae/resume which includes
educational background, honors, nursing
experience, professional membership(s),
leadership roles, research, presentations, and
community service.
- Permanent resident of Texas or TTUHSC
service area/county or TTUHSC campus
location.
- Fluent in a language in addition to English
that is frequently used by patients in the
applicant’s service area.
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR APPLICANTS WHO ATTENDED A COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY IN SPRING 2020
An explanation of how TTUHSC School of Nursing considers courses in which a student earns grades of Pass (P), Fail(F), Credit (CR) or No Credit (NC) is outlined below:
Official transcripts with courses awarded with P or CR during the SPRING 2020 semester can be used to meet prerequisite course requirements and will not be used in calculating either the cumulative or science GPA for admissions. TTUHSC SON reserves the right to determine how, and if, courses awarded with P or CR during any semester, outside of spring 2020, will be calculated into a GPA and/or considered for transfer credit. Official transcripts with courses awarded with a Fail (F) or No Credit (NC) during any semester cannot be used to meet prerequisite course requirements
Additional Requirements for
Prospective Students
Computer Requirements
See Computer Requirements under the Student Information section of this catalog.
Criminal Background Checks
See Criminal Background Check Requirements under the Eligibility Requirements section of this catalog.
Immunizations
See Immunization Requirements under the Eligibility Requirements section of this catalog.
Drug Screening
Drug screenings may be necessary if required by
the clinical institution site. The cost of all drug
screens are the responsibility of the student. See
Drug Screening Requirements under the Eligibility Requirements section of this catalog.
Special Student Enrollment
Non-Degree
Special Student Enrollment is not an avenue for
seeking a degree. Under certain circumstances,
it may be appropriate for an individual to seek
admission as a non-degree seeking student.
Non-degree Special Student admission is for the
purpose of taking a limited number of courses.
The applicant must seek approval from the
applicable Graduate Associate Dean/Department
Chair prior to submitting a special student (non-degree)
application. The student must also be
eligible for admission under the following criteria:
- Currently enrolled in a master’s nursing
program at a college or university and in good
academic standing;
- Registered nurse with a BSN not enrolled in
an educational institution; or
- Waiver to the above requirement from
the applicable Graduate Associate Dean/
Department Chair.
In addition to meeting admission criteria,
consideration to non-degree seeking students is
given on a space available basis.
A complete Special Student (non-degree)
application includes the following:
- Submitted special-student application
- Submitted signature page
- Submitted Oath of Residency
- Submitted current Basic Life Support (BLS)
certification from the American Heart
Association
Special students can take a maximum of six
(6) credit hours. A special student wishing to
apply for full admission to one of the Graduate
Department programs must submit the full
application according to the stated deadlines
and will be considered for admission with the
entire pool of applicants for the time period the
application is submitted.
Enrollment without Credit/Course Audit
Students wanting to audit a course for no grade
must obtain approval from the applicable
Graduate Associate Dean/Department Chair.
Students auditing a course will not be listed on
the official class roll, and no notation of the audit
will be made on the student’s transcript. Students
enrolled for 12 or more semester credit hours may
audit a course without paying an additional fee.
All other students must pay a $10 fee for auditing
a course.
Conditional Admission
If the requirements for full admission are not
met, conditional admission may be available. The
student is required to comply with “conditions”
stated in the letter of admission offer prior to
the first day of class for the semester the student
is applying. Examples of conditional admission
include, but are not limited to, the following:
- BSN completion confirmation (student
graduating in current semester and
verification is not available until the end of the
semester)
- MSN completion confirmation (student
graduating in current semester and
verification is not available until the end of the
semester)
- Leveling courses may be required per the
MSN Program Council
Readmission
All requests for readmission must be made prior
to the application deadline for the semester in
which readmission is requested. The applicable
Graduate Associate Dean/Department Chair
and Program Directors are responsible
for overseeing all readmissions to the School
of Nursing MSN Programs. Readmission of a
student who has been dismissed or who withdrew
for academic or disciplinary causes is also based
upon the decision of the applicable Graduate
Associate Dean/Department Chair and Program Directors.
A student seeking readmission must comply with
the following:
- Submit a letter requesting readmission to the
Graduate Program
- Meet all recommendations and requirements
set forth by the applicable Associate Dean/
Department Chair and Program Directors
- Complete online application and meet
admission criteria for full admission
Student Transfers from Other Educational
Institutions
Students requesting admission to the TTUHSC
SON graduate programs as a transfer student
from another college or university must meet the
following criteria:
- Eligible to return to the institution from which
the student is transferring
- Complete a full application to the applicable
MSN program by the deadlines specified for
the semester of transfer to TTUHSC
- A student previously enrolled in the graduate
program at TTUHSC School of Nursing who
attended another institution and is seeking
to return must apply for readmission; any
courses considered for transfer credit will be
required to meet the standards for transfer
credit
- Complete the majority or over 50% of the
required credits to complete the degree at
TTUHSC School of Nursing.
Recognition of Previous Nursing
Learning
Transfer Credit
The decision to award transfer of academic credit
is made by the applicable Graduate Associate
Dean/Department Chair and/or Program
Director after a thorough review of the applicant’s
transcript for evidence of satisfactory course
work completion and review of the course catalog
descriptions and/or course syllabi as necessary to
determine course equivalency. The decision to
award transfer credit is based on TTUHSC OP 77.17. Generally, credits earned at a regionally
accredited college or university are accepted for
transfer provided course content is equivalent and
a grade of “B” or higher has been earned in the
course. The majority, or over 50%, of the required
credits toward a TTUHSC School of Nursing
graduate degree must be earned at TTUHSC.
PLEASE NOTE: Courses previously taken as
Pass-Fail will not transfer for credit if the course
is required for a School of Nursing Degree unless
approved by the applicable Graduate Associate
Dean/Department Chair and/or Program
Director.
Students requesting courses to be considered for
transfer credit will:
- Submit official transcripts for courses
considered for transfer credit
- Submit course descriptions and course content
for each course
Credit accepted for transfer and applied to the
student’s degree program will appear on the
TTUHSC transcript under the name of the
institution where the student completed the
course. Transfer credit will not alter a student’s
TTUHSC Grade Point Average.
A student previously enrolled in the graduate
program at TTUHSC School of Nursing who
attended another institution and is seeking to
return and transfer in course credit must apply for
readmission. Courses accepted for transfer will be
required to meet the standards for transfer credit.
Offer of Admission
Offers of admission will be made approximately
six - eight weeks following the application
deadline. In order to assure a place in the desired
program, applicants must comply with the
following:
- Applicants must respond to the offer of
admission no later than the deadline stated in
the letter offering admission
- Submit $175 non-refundable placement/orientation fee
- Complete Criminal Background Check online
- Submit evidence of compliance with required
immunizations
- Complete Sexual Harassment training online
and submit certificate of completion
- Complete required trainings as specified
during
orientation
- Failure to respond to admissions offer by
the date specified in offer letter may result in
withdrawal of the offer of admission.
- All students admitted to the MSN Program
are required to attend a mandatory
orientation prior
to the first semester of enrollment.
Degree Requirements for Students
Admitted to the Graduate Program
Graduation Under a Particular Catalog
A student is expected to complete the degree
requirements set forth in the School of Nursing
Catalog in effect at the time the student enters
the chosen area of study. Only with the specific
approval of the applicable Graduate Associate
Dean/Department Chair may a different Catalog
be selected. Students, in all cases, are prohibited
from completing the requirements set forth in a
catalog more than seven years old. The Catalog is
published at least biennially and its provisions are
applicable during the stated year (September 1st
through August 31st).
Maintaining Minimum Academic Requirements
The minimum GPA for continuance in the
Graduate Programs is 3.0 overall. Additionally, a
minimum grade of “B” is required in each course
(nursing) required for degree completion. The
TTUHSC School of Nursing Student Handbook provides further details regarding
academic and graduation expectations.
Requirements for Progression towards the MSN
Degree
- Grades are reviewed each semester and
progression in the Graduate Program is
determined by the applicable Graduate
Associate Dean/Department Chair and MSN
Program Council.
- MSN students are required to maintain a
3.0 GPA with grades at “B” or above in all
graduate courses. Students with a cumulative
or semester GPA below 3.0 are placed on
academic probation.
- Students receiving “C” or lower in a graduate
course are eligible to repeat the course one
time only pursuant to recommendation of
course faculty.
- Students earning an overall cumulative
GPA or a semester GPA less than a 3.0 in
the semester of graduation/completion are
ineligible for graduation/completion.
Academic Dismissal from the School of Nursing
MSN Program will result from the following
circumstances:
- Students earning a “C” or lower in two or
more graduate courses in one semester.
- Students earning a “C” or lower in the same
nursing course twice.
- Students earning a “C” or lower in a second
graduate course even though one graduate
courses has been retaken and a satisfactory
grade of “B” or better has been obtained.
- Cumulative semester or cumulative GPA less
than 2.0 for two consecutive semesters
Failing to meet expected standards in any
program may result in academic dismissal at
any time.
Residence Credit
The minimum residence for the MSN degree is
the majority, or over 50%, of graduate course
work carrying residence credit must be completed
at TTUHSC. Residence credit as used here
means credit for work done while enrolled in and
attending classes at TTUHSC and should not be confused with “residence” in the State of Texas.
Majority of Credits
The majority or over 50% of credits toward any
graduate or post-baccalaureate professional
degree awarded by the TTUHSC must be earned:
- At TTUHSC
- In the case of those programs offered
through joint, cooperative, or consortia
arrangements through instruction offered by
the participating institutions.
Semester Credit Hours and Course Loads
The semester credit hour is the unit of measure
for credit purposes. Didactic (lecture) hours
are measured on a one-to-one basis; clinical
hours are measured on a one-to-three basis for
nursing education and informatics tracks; clinical
hours are measured on a one-to-four basis for
the nursing administration track. For nurse
practitioner and nurse midwifery clinical courses,
clinical hours are measured on a one-to-3.5 basis.
Approximately two hours in preparation for
each hour of lecture/didactic and an appropriate
amount of time for preparation for clinical
activities are required. The number of semester
credit hours a student may carry (course load) is
regulated by the applicable Program Director. In
determining this load, the applicable Program
Director takes into account the quality of prior
scholastic work performed and the types of
courses involved. A student enrolled in nine (9)
or more credit hour in the Fall or Spring semester
and six (6) or more credit hours in the Summer
semester is considered full-time.
Degree Plan
- Upon initial enrollment into the TTUHSC
Graduate Programs, each student is provided
with a degree plan, individualized according
to his/her program of study. The student’s
individual needs and circumstances are
considered when developing the degree plan.
- The applicable Program Director for the
program in which the student is enrolled is
responsible for approving the degree plan.
- Students are responsible for notifying the
applicable Graduate Program office to discuss
changes to the degree plan.
- During orientation to the applicable
Graduate Program, students are advised
about the requirements for their specific
track or major and their responsibility
to (a) be knowledgeable about their
degree requirements; and (b) meet degree
requirements for graduation.
- The degree plan serves as the student’s guide
for course registration each semester.
- Degree plans for post-master’s students will be
individualized based on the previous course
work and requirements.
TTUHSC Interprofessional Practice and
Education (IPE) Core Curriculum
All TTUHSC students, regardless of school
affiliation, are required to complete the IPE core
curriculum prior to graduation. The IPE core
curriculum is composed of two components
including successful completion of a non-credit
online course (>70% accuracy on the knowledge
post-test) and successful participation in at least
one registered IPE learning activity. Failure to
complete the IPE core curriculum will result in
delayed graduation. Students should consult their
academic/program advisor and/or school catalog
for additional information.
Course Requirements
The following course requirements reflect the
basic needs for each track in the MSN program.
The plans should only serve as an overview of a
basic course schedule of a full-time student and
it will vary depending on each student’s ability to
progress through the program.
MSN Degree Plans for Leadership Tracks
MSN Nursing Administration Degree Plan
(Total Credit Hours Required for Completion - 36)
Required Core Nursing Courses (15 credit hours)
|
Number
| Course Name
| Credits
|
NURS 5351
| Scientific Foundations of Advanced Practice Nursing
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5352
| Leadership for Healthcare
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5353
| Informatics, Quality and Safety
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5324
| Population Health: Essentials for Advanced Nursing Practice
| (3:3:0 O)
|
+NURS 5345
| Advanced Practice Nursing: Application of Pathophysiology
| (3:3:0 O)
|
Specialty Courses (21 credit hours)
|
Number
| Course Name
| Credits
|
NURS 5346
| The Nursing Administrator: Standards of Excellence, CL
| (3:2.5:2 O)
|
NURS 5447
| Administrative Role Development, CL
| (4:3.5:2 O)
|
NURS 5448
| Administrative Role Development, The Nurse Administrator as Leader, CL
| (4:3:4 O)
|
NURS 5385
| Health Law Survey for the Nurse Executive
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5386
| Finance and Budgeting for the Nurse Leaders
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 6410
| Application of Administrative Practice, CL
| (4:1:12 O)
|
+ In lieu of NURS 5345, students may opt to take a different leadership-focused course - options will be provided by the Program Director during new student orientation.
KEY:
- (F) Face-to-face
- (O) Online
- (H) Hybrid (combination of face-to-face and online)
- (CL) Concurrent enrollment in a Clinical Section is required
- (#:#:#) First # represents the number of credit hours, Second # represents the number of lecture
hours per week, Third # represents the number of clinical hours per week
- * Elective Courses are offered at select times as faculty and interest are present
- (V) Variable Credit
MSN Nursing Education Degree Plan
(Total Credit Hours Required for Completion - 39)
Required Core Nursing Courses (21 credit hours)
|
Number
| Course Name
| Credits
|
NURS 5351
| Scientific Foundations of Advanced Practice Nursing
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5352
| Leadership for Healthcare
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5353
| Informatics, Quality and Safety
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5324
| Population Health: Essentials for Advanced Nursing Practice
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5343
| Pharmacotherapeutics for Nurses in Advanced Practice
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5345
| Advanced Practice Nursing: Application of Pathophysiology
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5342
| Advanced Health Assessment (Required on-campus intensive)
| (3:3:0 O)
|
Specialty Courses (18 credit hours)
|
Number
| Course Name
| Credits
|
NURS 5313
| Leadership in Nursing Education I: The Role of the Nurse Educator
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5315
| Leadership in Nursing Education II: Best Practices for Curriculum Development and Program Evaluation
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5316
| Leadership in Nursing Education III: Best Practices in Assessment and Measurement
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5317
| Comprehensive Clinical Care, CL
| (3:2:3 O)
|
NURS 5318
| Simulation and Clinical Teaching, CL (Requires on-campus skills lab)
| (3:2.5:1.5 O)
|
NURS 6030
| Leadership in Nursing Education IV: Role and Practicum, CL
| (3:.5:7.5 O)
|
KEY:
- (F) Face-to-face
- (O) Online
- (H) Hybrid (combination of face-to-face and online)
- (CL) Concurrent enrollment in a Clinical Section is required
- (#:#:#) First # represents the number of credit hours, Second # represents the number of lecture
hours per week, Third # represents the number of clinical hours per week
- * Elective Courses are offered at select times as faculty and interest are present
- (V) Variable Credit
MSN Nursing Informatics Degree Plan
(Total Credit Hours Required for Completion - 36)
Required Core Nursing Courses (12 credit hours)
|
Number
| Course Name
| Credits
|
NURS 5351
| Scientific Foundations of Advanced Practice Nursing
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5352
| Leadership for Healthcare
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5353
| Informatics, Quality and Safety
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5324
| Population Health: Essentials for Advanced Nursing Practice
| (3:3:0 O)
|
Specialty Courses (24 credit hours)
|
Number
| Course Name
| Credits
|
NURS 5231
| Informatics I: Foundations of Nursing Informatics Specialization: Theories of Practice
| (2:2:0 O)
|
NURS 5332
| Informatics II: Health Information Management and Knowledge, CL (Requires on-campus skills lab)
| (3:2:3 O)
|
NURS 5333
| Informatics III: Information Technology, CL (Requires on-campus skills lab)
| (3:2:3 O)
|
NURS 5334
| Informatics IV: Health Information Technology Systems Life Cycle, CL (Requires on-campus skills lab)
| (3:2:3 O)
|
NURS 5335
| Informatics V: Managing and Leading in Informatics, CL (Requires on-campus skills lab)
| (3:2:3 O)
|
NURS 53XX
| Project Management (Under development)
|
|
NURS 5386
| Finance and Budgeting for Nurse Leaders
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 6440
| Informatics VI: Practicum, CL
| (4:1:9 O)
|
+NURS 6310
| Practical Application of Statistics in Health Care
| (3:3:0 H)
|
+ Option to take this DNP course in lieu of Project Management Course or as an additional course - the Program Director will discuss at new student orientation.
KEY:
- (F) Face-to-face
- (O) Online
- (H) Hybrid (combination of face-to-face and online)
- (CL) Concurrent enrollment in a Clinical Section is required
- (#:#:#) First # represents the number of credit hours, Second # represents the number of lecture
hours per week, Third # represents the number of clinical hours per week
- * Elective Courses are offered at select times as faculty and interest are present
- (V) Variable Credit
MSN Degree Plans for APRN Tracks
Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Degree Plan
(Total Credit Hours Required for Completion - 51)
Required Core Nursing Courses (12 credit hours)
|
Number
| Course Name
| Credits
|
NURS 5324
| Population Health: Essentials for Advanced Nursing Practice
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5351
| Scientific Foundations of Advanced Practice Nursing
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5352
| Leadership for Healthcare
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5353
| Informatics, Quality and Safety
| (3:3:0 O)
|
Prerequisite Nursing Courses (17 credit hours)
|
Number
| Course Name
| Credits
|
NURS 5220
| Critical Care Pharmacology
| (2:2:0 O)
|
NURS 5312
| Foundations for Advanced Practice Nursing Role
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5320
| Diagnostic Methods for Advanced Nursing Practice (Requires on-campus intensive)
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5342
| Advanced Health Assessment (Requires on-campus intensive)
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5343
| Pharmacotherapeutics for Nurses in Advanced Practice
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5345
| Advanced Practice Nursing: Application of Pathophysiology
| (3:3:0 O)
|
Population Focus Courses (22 credit hours)
|
Number
| Course Name
| Credits
|
NURS 5200
| Essentials of Pediatric Acute Care
| (2:2:0 O)
|
NURS 5309
| Foundations of the Well Child
| (3:3:0 O)
|
+NURS 5500
| Pediatric Acute Care I, CL (Requires on-campus skills lab)
| (5:2:10.5 O)
|
NURS 5600
| Pediatric Acute Care II, CL (Requires on-campus skills lab)
| (6:2:14 O)
|
NURS 6690
| Pediatric Acute Care III, CL (Requires on-campus skills lab)
| (6:1:17.5 O)
|
+ All Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner students are required to hold PALS Certification prior to first population focus clinical course.
Two (2) years of RN experience in pediatrics required at the time of application. Experience in pediatric acute care, critical care, or emergency department setting preferred.
KEY:
- (F) Face-to-face
- (O) Online
- (H) Hybrid (combination of face-to-face and online)
- (CL) Concurrent enrollment in a Clinical Section is required
- (#:#:#) First # represents the number of credit hours, Second # represents the number of lecture
hours per week, Third # represents the number of clinical hours per week
- * Elective Courses are offered at select times as faculty and interest are present
- (V) Variable Credit
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Degree Plan
(Total Credit Hours Required for Completion - 48)
Required Core Nursing Courses (12 credit hours)
|
Number
| Course Name
| Credits
|
NURS 5324
| Population Health: Essentials for Advanced Nursing Practice
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5351
| Scientific Foundations of Advanced Practice Nursing
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5352
| Leadership for Healthcare
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5353
| Informatics, Quality and Safety
| (3:3:0 O)
|
Prerequisite Nursing Courses (17 credit hours)
|
Number
| Course Name
| Credits
|
NURS 5220
| Critical Care Pharmacology
| (2:2:0 O)
|
NURS 5312
| Foundations for Advanced Practice Nursing Role
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5320
| Diagnostic Methods for Advanced Nursing Practice (Requires on-campus intensive)
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5342
| Advanced Health Assessment (Requires on-campus intensive)
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5343
| Pharmacotherapeutics for Nurses in Advanced Practice
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5345
| Advanced Practice Nursing: Application of Pathophysiology
| (3:3:0 O)
|
Population Focus Courses (19 credit hours)
|
Number
| Course Name
| Credits
|
NURS 5410
| Essentials of Acute Care, CL
| (4:4:0 O)
|
+NURS 5460
| Adult-Gerontology Acute Care I, CL (Requires on-campus skills lab)
| (4:2:7 O)
|
NURS 5561
| Adult-Gerontology Acute Care II, CL (Requires on-campus skills lab)
| (5:2:10.5 O)
|
NURS 6652
| Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Practicum, CL (Requires on-campus skills lab)
| (6:1:17.5 O)
|
+ All Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner students are required to hold ACLS Certification prior to first population focus clinical course.
One (1) year of RN experience at the time of application within the last 5 years in acute care, ICU, or ER required for admission to the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care track.
KEY:
- (F) Face-to-face
- (O) Online
- (H) Hybrid (combination of face-to-face and online)
- (CL) Concurrent enrollment in a Clinical Section is required
- (#:#:#) First # represents the number of credit hours, Second # represents the number of lecture
hours per week, Third # represents the number of clinical hours per week
- * Elective Courses are offered at select times as faculty and interest are present
- (V) Variable Credit
Family Nurse Practitioner Degree Plan
(Total Credit Hours Required for Completion - 48)
Required Core Nursing Courses (12 credit hours)
|
Number
| Course Name
| Credits
|
NURS 5324
| Population Health: Essentials for Advanced Nursing Practice
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5351
| Scientific Foundations of Advanced Practice Nursing
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5352
| Leadership for Healthcare
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5353
| Informatics, Quality and Safety
| (3:3:0 O)
|
Prerequisite Nursing Courses (21 credit hours)
|
Number
| Course Name
| Credits
|
NURS 6318
| Mental Health in Primary Care
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5312
| Foundations for Advanced Practice Nursing Role
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5320
| Diagnostic Methods for Advanced Nursing Practice (Requires on-campus intensive)
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5342
| Advanced Health Assessment (Requires on-campus intensive)
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5343
| Pharmacotherapeutics for Nurses in Advanced Practice
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5345
| Advanced Practice Nursing: Application of Pathophysiology
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5309
| Foundations of the Well Child
| (3:3:0 O)
|
Population Focus Courses (15 credit hours)
|
Number
| Course Name
| Credits
|
+NURS 5440
| Primary Health Care I, CL (Requires on-campus skills lab)
| (4:2:7 O)
|
NURS 5541
| Primary Health Care II, CL (Requires on-campus skills lab)
| (5:2:10.5 O)
|
NURS 6660
| Family Nurse Practitioner Practicum, CL (Requires on-campus skills lab)
| (6:1:17.5 O)
|
+ All Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) students are required to hold ACLS Certification prior to first population focus clinical course.
Applicants to the FNP track must have one (1) year of experience as a RN prior to application submission.
KEY:
- (F) Face-to-face
- (O) Online
- (H) Hybrid (combination of face-to-face and online)
- (CL) Concurrent enrollment in a Clinical Section is required
- (#:#:#) First # represents the number of credit hours, Second # represents the number of lecture
hours per week, Third # represents the number of clinical hours per week
- * Elective Courses are offered at select times as faculty and interest are present
- (V) Variable Credit
Nurse-Midwifery Degree Plan
(Total Credit Hours Required for Completion - 51)
Required Core Nursing Courses (12 credit hours)
|
Number
| Course Name
| Credits
|
NURS 5324
| Population Health: Essentials for Advanced Nursing Practice
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5351
| Scientific Foundations of Advanced Practice Nursing
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5352
| Leadership for Healthcare
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5353
| Informatics, Quality, and Safety
| (3:3:0 O)
|
Prerequisite Nursing Courses (12 credit hours)
|
Number
| Course Name
| Credits
|
NURS 5312
| Foundations for Advanced Practice Nursing Role
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5342
| Advanced Health Assessment (Requires on-campus intensive)
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5339
| Pharmacology for Women's Health
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5345
| Advanced Practice Nursing: Application of Pathophysiology
| (3:3:0 O)
|
Population Focus Courses (27 credit hours)
|
Number
| Course Name
| Credits
|
NURS 5308
| Nurse-Midwifery Practice I: Primary Care of Women
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5205
| Nurse-Midwifery II: Gynecological Care (Requires on-campus intensive)
| (2:2:0 O)
|
NURS 5270
| Nurse-Midwifery III: Antepartum and Postpartum Care (Requires on-campus intensive)
| (2:2:0 O)
|
NURS 6321
| Nurse-Midwifery IV: Intrapartum Care
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5171
| Nurse-Midwifery V: Neonatal Care
| (1:1:0 O)
|
NURS 5471
| Nurse-Midwifery Integrated Clinical Practicum, Level A, CL (Requires on-campus skills lab)
| (4:0:14 O)
|
NURS 6102
| Transition to Nurse-Midwifery Practice
| (1:1:0 O)
|
NURS 6520
| Nurse-Midwifery Integrated Clinical Practicum, Level B, CL (Requires on-campus skills lab)
| (5:0:17.5 O)
|
NURS 6610
| Nurse-Midwifery Clinical Immersion Practicum, CL (Requires on-campus skills lab)
| (6:0:21 O)
|
All Nurse-Midwifery students are required to complete a NRP (noeonatal resuscitation program) and EFM (electronic fetal monitoring) course prior to first population focus clinical course.
One (1) year of birth support experience is required prior to the first population focus clinical course.
NOTE: Nurse midwifery students will be required to secure and present proof of their own purchased student malpractice insurance prior to commencing nurse midwifery-specific clinical courses (NURS 5304, NURS 5470, NURS 5571, and NURS 6620). The average cost for a yearly rate is around $500 and students may select from a carrier of their choice.
KEY:
- (F) Face-to-face
- (O) Online
- (H) Hybrid (combination of face-to-face and online)
- (CL) Concurrent enrollment in a Clinical Section is required
- (#:#:#) First # represents the number of credit hours, Second # represents the number of lecture
hours per week, Third # represents the number of clinical hours per week
- * Elective Courses are offered at select times as faculty and interest are present
- (V) Variable Credit
Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Degree Plan
(Total Credit Hours Required for Completion - 49)
Required Core Nursing Courses (12 credit hours)
|
Number
| Course Name
| Credits
|
NURS 5324
| Population Health: Essentials for Advanced Nursing Practice
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5351
| Scientific Foundations of Advanced Practice Nursing
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5352
| Leadership for Healthcare
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5353
| Informatics, Quality and Safety
| (3:3:0 O)
|
Prerequisite Nursing Courses (15 credit hours)
|
Number
| Course Name
| Credits
|
NURS 5312
| Foundations for Advanced Practice Nursing Role
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5320
| Diagnostic Methods for Advanced Nursing Practice (Requires on-campus intensive)
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5342
| Advanced Health Assessment (Requires on-campus intensive)
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5343
| Pharmacotherapeutics for Nurses in Advanced Practice
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5345
| Advanced Practice Nursing: Application of Pathophysiology
| (3:3:0 O)
|
Population Focus Courses (22 credit hours)
|
Number
| Course Name
| Credits
|
NURS 5309
| Foundations of the Well Child
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5319
| For Care of the Sick Child
| (3:3:0 O)
|
+NURS 5580
| Pediatric Primary Care I, CL (Requires on-campus skills lab)
| (5:2:10.5 O)
|
NURS 5581
| Pediatric Primary Care II, CL (Requires on-campus skills lab)
| (5:2:10.5 O)
|
NURS 6680
| Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Practicum, CL (Requires on-campus skills lab)
| (6:1:17.5 O)
|
+ All Pediatric Nurse Practitioner students are required to hold PALS Certification prior to first population focus clinical course.
Two (2) years of RN experience in pediatrics required at the time of application.
KEY:
- (F) Face-to-face
- (O) Online
- (H) Hybrid (combination of face-to-face and online)
- (CL) Concurrent enrollment in a Clinical Section is required
- (#:#:#) First # represents the number of credit hours, Second # represents the number of lecture
hours per week, Third # represents the number of clinical hours per week
- * Elective Courses are offered at select times as faculty and interest are present
- (V) Variable Credit
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Degree Plan
(Total Credit Hours Required for Completion - 49)
Required Core Nursing Courses (9 credit hours)
|
Number
| Course Name
| Credits
|
NURS 5351
| Scientific Foundations of Advanced Practice Nursing
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5352
| Leadership for Healthcare
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5324
| Population Health: Essentials for Advanced Nursing Practice
| (3:3:0 O)
|
Prerequisite Nursing Courses (12 credit hours)
|
Number
| Course Name
| Credits
|
NURS 5312
| Foundations for Advanced Practice Nursing Role
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5342
| Advanced Health Assessment (Requires on-campus intensive)
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5343
| Pharmacotherapeutics for Nurses in Advanced Practice
| (3:3:0 O)
|
NURS 5345
| Advanced Practice Nursing: Application of Pathophysiology
| (3:3:0 O)
|
Population Focus Courses (28 credit hours)
|
Number
| Course Name
| Credits
|
NURS 5203
| Neuroscience & Epigenetics: A Lifespan Approach
| (2:2:0 O)
|
NURS 5204
| Psychopharmacology
| (2:2:0 O)
|
NURS 5207
| Diagnostics and Management I: Advanced Mental Health Assessment Across the Lifespan
| (2:2:0 O)
|
NURS 5202
| Psychotherapeutic Modalities with Individuals, Families and Groups across the Lifespan (Requires on-campus intensive)
| (2:2:0 O)
|
NURS 5201
| Telehealth and Rural Service Delivery
| (2:2:0 O)
|
NURS 5603
| Evidence-Based Management of Adults with Mental Health Disorders, CL
| (6:3:3 O)
|
NURS 5604
| Evidence-Based Management: Children & Adolescents with Mental Health Disorders, CL
| (6:3:3 O)
|
NURS 6500
| Interprofessional Collaboration in Management of Complex Psychiatric Patients Across the Lifespan, CL (Requires on-campus intensive)
| (5:2:3 O)
|
NURS 51XX | Specialty Practice | (1:0:1 O) |
Applicants to the PMHNP track are not required to have previous nursing experience, but must have a
passion for serving those with psychiatric disorders and have the ability to communicate effectively.
KEY:
- (F) Face-to-face
- (O) Online
- (H) Hybrid (combination of face-to-face and online)
- (CL) Concurrent enrollment in a Clinical Section is required
- (#:#:#) First # represents the number of credit hours, Second # represents the number of lecture
hours per week, Third # represents the number of clinical hours per week
- * Elective Courses are offered at select times as faculty and interest are present
- (V) Variable Credit