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

Core Courses
NSG 642Individual and Organizational Leadership in Healthcare3
NSG 644Informatics, Quality & Safety in Healthcare3
NSG 646Clinical Prevention and Population Health3
NSG 648Research and Evidence-based Practice3
Focus:21-33
Family Nurse Practitioner (33 hours)
Advanced Pathophysiology for the APN
Advanced Pharmacology
Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Diagnostics
Primary Care of Women Across the Lifespan
Healthcare Delivery Systems
Primary Care of Children and Adolescents
Primary Care of Adults I
Primary Care of Adults II
Primary Care Skills I: Diagnostics and Procedures
Primary Care Skills: Diagnostic and Therapeutics II
Family Nurse Practitioner Clinical I
Family Nurse Practitioner Clinical II
Family Nurse Practitioner Capstone Clinical III
FNP Synthesis
Nurse Educator (21 hours)
Advanced Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Health Assessment
Innovations and Foundations in Nursing Education
Emerging Nursing Education Teaching Methods
Evaluation and Assessment Strategies in Nursing Education
Contemporary Curriculum Design and Accreditation
Innovations in Clinical Simulation and Teaching
Exploring the Roles of a Nurse Educator: Clinical
Nurse Educator Capstone Practicum
Nurse Educator Synthesis
Nurse Executive Leadership (21 hours)
Healthcare Budgeting and Economics
Data, Health Analytics and Forecasting in Healthcare
Healthcare Delivery Systems
Human Resource Management in Healthcare
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Healthcare
Professional Partnerships and Communication Strategies
Nurse Executive Leadership Practicum I
Nurse Executive Leadership Capstone Practicum II
Nurse Executive Leadership Synthesis
Total Credit Hours33-45