Graduate Studies

 Nursing

The Master of Science with a Major in Nursing

This degree prepares registered nurses for advanced practice as nursing educators or adult health clinical nurse specialists.  It builds upon the general baccalaureate nursing competencies and provides the specialty education necessary to meet the education needs of nursing students and staff nurses, providing skills for the expanding nursing care for adults with complex health care needs.  Graduates will also be better able to contribute to the advancement of nursing practice and to collaborate for clinical practice and research partnerships in education and service settings.

Accreditation

The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Guidelines from national and specialty organizations were used to develop a curriculum that prepares graduates for certification examinations.

Curriculum Components

The MS in Nursing program includes graduate core courses, specialty track advanced practice courses, other nursing and support courses, clinical practica, and either a master's project or thesis. The focus of the program is advanced practice nursing practice with a choice of two specialty tracks:

  1. Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Health
  2. Nurse Educator

Most of the core courses are offered in an Internet-enhanced format with class meetings five times a semester. Clinical practica are arranged in the student's location whenever possible.

Admission Requirements

  1. Application for admission to graduate study at MSUM
  2. Baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program. Registered Nurses with a baccalaureate degree in another field are encouraged to discuss other options with the graduate program coordinator.
  3. A minimum 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale in baccalaureate nursing courses.
  4. Current registered nurse licensure in good standing will be verified electronically.
  5. One year of clinical experience as a baccalaureate prepared RN preferred.
  6. Completed Nursing Program Application that includes:
    a.  Demographic information
    b.  Three references: two from professional colleagues that address clinical competence and
         potential for graduate education and one personal reference (forms provided).
    c.  Written narrative of applicant's professional experience and future professional goals.

Post-Admission Requirements

  1. Evidence of current immunizations and TB testing required prior to attending clinical classes.   Must provide photocopies of current tuberculin test clearance, Hepatitis B series, Diphtheria, Tetanus, and MMR or rubella screening for antibodies.  MMR not necessary if student's birth year is prior to 1956.
  2. Criminal background check on admission.
  3. Current CPR certification (health provider level) required prior to taking clinical courses.

Degree Requirements

The program must be completed under Plan A or Plan B.

  1. All students must complete the program within 7 years.
  2. Students may progress either full or part-time, depending on the area of study. Full-time students may complete the MS degree in two years.
  3. A maximum of 12 graduate semester credits, all of which must be related to the program (with a grade of B or better), may be transferred from other appropriately accredited colleges or universities with the consent of the Graduate Nursing Program Chair.
  4. 3.0 grade point average required for all courses submitted for the degree.
  5. Thesis or classroom-based research project.
  6. Oral examination by the candidate's committee based upon and following completion of the thesis or classroom-based research.

Detailed information on these requirements and department policies and procedures may be obtained from the Nursing Graduate Program Coordinator. Further information on degree requirements may be found in "General Degree Requirements". 

M.S. Degree in Nursing-- Plans A and B

Core Requirements for all Tracks (14 Credits)
Nurs 600 Theoretical Perspectives of the Discipline (3)
Nurs 604 Advanced Nursing Research (3)  [Inferential statistics course is prerequisite]
Nurs 606 Health Care Delivery Systems, Policy, and Financing (3)
Nurs 608 Transcultural and Social Perspectives (3)
Nurs 618 Health Promotion and Preventive Care (2)

Specialty Courses for Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Health (26 Credits)
Nurs 612 Advanced Health Assessment (3)
Nurs 614 Advanced Pathophysiology I: Concepts (2)
Nurs 616 Advanced Pathophysiology II: Systems (2)
Nurs 630 Advanced Community Assessment (3)
Nurs 631 Pharmacology I (2)
Nurs 632 Pharmacology II (2)
Nurs 640 Adult Nursing I (3)
Nurs 640P Advanced Practicum I (4)
Nurs 641 Adult Nursing II (3)
Nurs 641P Advanced Practicum II (5)

Specialty Courses for Nurse Educator (18-20 Credits)
Nurs 622 Teaching: Technology and Information Management (3)
Nurs 623 Nurse as Educator (3)
Nurs 627 Program/Curriculum Design & Evaluation (3)
Nurs 640P Advanced Practicum I (4)
Approved Nursing and Education Electives (5-7)

Master's Project or Thesis
Nurs 696 Master's Project [Plan B] (2)
OR  Nurs 699 Master's Thesis [Plan A] (4)

Request Additional Information

Program information:

Application information:
Master of Science in Nursing
Minnesota State University Moorhead
1104 7th Ave. S.
Moorhead, MN 56563
(218) 477-4699
e-mail: giedt@mnstate.edu		 Graduate Studies Office
Minnesota State University Moorhead
1104 7th Ave. S.
Moorhead, MN 56563
(218) 477-2344
e-mail:  graduate@mnstate.edu
Application for Admission to Graduate Study