Nursing, Nursing Practice - Master of Science in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice

Nursing - Master of Science in Nursing

The MSN program is designed for Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) prepared nurses at all levels of experience who are seeking to move forward into advanced nursing practice. The program will appeal to registered nurses who prefer online flexibility in education, but who also desire some face-to-face instruction for high-level skills and advanced technology. Applicants must be BSN graduates (or anticipated graduation) from a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredited institution by the start of the MSN program.

The MSN program offers three tracks of study, with respective designation on transcripts. Courses will be delivered in an online format; however, each track will have at least one on-campus course requirement lasting 2 days. 

The Family Nurse Practitioner track will prepare graduates to become advanced practice providers with a primary care, family population focus. This track will require 45 credits, including 630 precepted clinical hours, and will prepare students to deliver evidence-based, culturally competent, primary health care to individuals within the context of family and community. Graduates will be eligible to sit for national Family Nurse Practitioner certification exams (AANP or ANCC).  

The Nurse Educator track will prepare nurses to develop curricula within changing healthcare systems, adapt and teach for diverse learners, develop clinical and classroom evaluation strategies, and adopt effective evidence-based practices in academics as well as clinical healthcare settings. Nurse Educator students will complete 33 credit hours, including a minimum of 210 precepted practicum hours. Graduates will be eligible to sit for the Nurse Educator Certification exam and to teach at the university level as well as in clinical settings. 

The Nurse Executive Leadership track is designed to develop the knowledge, leadership abilities, and interpersonal and interprofessional skills to improve the healthcare system. Students in this track will complete 33 credit hours, including a minimum of 210 precepted practicum hours. Graduates will be prepared to lead in the delivery of safe, timely, efficient, equitable, and patient-centered care, and to employ advocacy strategies to influence policy across the healthcare system. Graduates will also meet the education eligibility requirements to sit for certification exams in executive nursing leadership.

Program Requirements

Nursing Practice - Doctor of Nursing Practice 

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is designed to build upon prior learning acquired through an MSN program. The focus of this DNP program is to prepare advanced practice nurses for roles in organizational/ systems leadership and innovative and evidence-based approaches for increasingly complex leadership roles. This program will be completely online with the exception of site-based practicum experiences. The program outcomes and curriculum are aligned with the current DNP Essentials developed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the proposed DNP Essentials under consideration for adoption.

The DNP program requires 35-38 overall credits, which aligns closely with other DNP programs in the state of Ohio (State DNP alternatives attached). The DNP curriculum includes 18 credits of core courses including role seminars. Five credits are practicum courses, focused on comprehensive, systematic assessment of complex organizational environments with a focus on quality improvement and quality outcomes. Nine credits will be DNP Project courses, focusing on a Practice change initiative. Students will design, implement, and evaluate a quality improvement strategy to create and sustain change at the organizational and policy level. Three to six credit hours will remain for elective courses focused on a specialty area or additional clinical hours. 

Program Requirements