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The College of Nursing offers a graduate program in nursing leading to the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) which prepares nurses to assume leadership in advanced clinical practice, administration, education, and community health. Advanced practice concentrations prepare graduates to assume roles in primary health care as an acute care nurse practitioner, a family nurse practitioner, a pediatric nurse practitioner, or a nurse midwife. Concentrations in nursing administration, nursing education, and community health are also offered as well as dual-degree programs with Public Health (MSN/MPH) and Public Administration (MSN/MPA).

A post-master's professional certificate program is available to nurses holding an MSN who wish to complete additional graduate work in an area of nursing not included in their initial master’s program. A minor in nursing is also available to nurses pursuing their degree in another field. The graduate program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

General Objectives for the Master’s Program include:

1. Analyze theoretical formulations as a basis for nursing practice, education, and administration.

2. Apply and/or participate in research about the nature of health/illness and the practice of nursing.

3. Utilize advanced clinical knowledge and skill to promote, maintain, and/or restore optimum wellness to client systems.

4. Assume leadership roles in nursing practice, education, or administration.

5. Assume responsibility for developing health care policy relative to social, ethical, legal, economic, and political issues that impact on nursing.

6. Organize and develop collaborative relationships for the improvement of health care on an agency, organizational, or legislative level.

7. Synthesize knowledge from the biophysical, social, and nursing sciences which affects health/illness behavior or client systems as a basis for nursing practice, education, and administration.

All graduates of the MSN program, regardless of their chosen concentration, must complete 12 credits of general core courses. These courses include:

• N501 Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing 3 Credits

• N503 Research in Nursing 3 Credits

• N505 Health Care Policy, Systems and Financing for Advanced Practice Roles 3 Credits

• N504 Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing and Health Care 3 Credits

Required courses for each concentration are listed in the specific concentration information page.