Nursing
Master of Science Degree
Welcome to the MSU Moorhead Graduate Nursing webpages.
The 'Announcements' include opportunities for funding and currently important information .
Following this is more specific information about the program including links to the MS curricula, student handbook, application forms, and more!.
Please take a look at these pages and give us a call or drop us an e-mail if you have questions.
Announcements
Summer Registration Open!
Summer registration begins March 9th. Summer semester dates are May 18-July 24th and will vary depending upon the course. It costs nothing to reserve your seat, so register early. Classes with fewer than 14 students may be canceled after April 20th. There are some courses offered only in the summer for the M.S.--and others will meet 'elective' needs. Graduate students do not need an 'access code'. Check with your advisor if you have questions.
Graduate Assistant Positions Available
Two or more graduate assistant positions are available for the 08-09 academic year. The number of positions available depends on how many students apply and how many hours each applicant desires to work. Please see the graduate website for position description and application procedures. Contact Dr. Barbara Matthees matthees@mnstate.edu 218 477-2695 for further information.
Nurse Faculty Loan funds available
We are pleased to announce that MSU Moorhead has received over $30,000 in funds for use by students in the MS nursing program in Nursing Education. The loan will be canceled up to 85% of the principal and interest upon completion by the borrower of full-time employment as a faculty member in a school of nursing (20% per year for years 1,2 and 3; 25% after the 4th year of employment). To qualify for this program, the student must:
1. Be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident of the U.S.
2. Be enrolled in good standing in an advanced nurse education program here.
3. Have no judgment liens based on the default of a Federal debt.
It must be repaid over a 10 year period if the graduate ceases to be enrolled as a student or ceases to be employed as a full-time nurse faculty.
Contact Carolyn Zehren, zehren@mnstate.edu Financial Aid director, for more information or to apply for this aid (218-477-2085).
Federal Traineeship Grant award Now Closed
The Federal Traineeship Grant applications are open until February 15, 2009 for spring and summer 2009. The amount of funds granted will depend upon the number of applications received. Students must have completed one year of the graduate nursing program, be currently enrolled full time (8 credits) or part time (in their last year of the program). Funds may be used for tuition and books that are part of the graduate nursing program curriculum. Click on the Application here for more information and to complete and submit the forms.
Admission Criteria
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited institution. Registered nurses with a non-nursing baccalaureate degree must demonstrate baccalaureate nursing competencies.
- A minimum of 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale in baccalaureate nursing courses.
- Current Registered Nurse licensure in good standing.
International Student Policy
The Homeland Security Act of 2002 fundamentally changed the requirements for the international students who wish to study in the United States. The major change that affects an online program is that no more than the equivalent of one on-line/distance education class or 3 credits per session may count towards the ‘full course of study’ requirement. A full copy of the NAFSA (Association of International Educators) Advisory Manual is available in the International Student Affairs office [Chapter 3: F-1 Students; Section 3.20.7; Authority cite 8 C.F.R. SS 214.2(f) (6) (i) (G)].
3. Graduate Nursing Policy ( masters and DNP)
a. Students are able to be admitted to this program if they have an active Work Visa.
b. Students are unable to be admitted to this program if they have a Student Visa.
Application Procedure
Complete the MSUM Graduate Studies application
Complete Master of Science Nursing Program Application that includes:
- Nursing Program Application Form
- Three references: two from professional colleagues (Reference Form) that address clinical competence and potential for graduate education and one personal reference.
- Written narrative of professional experience and future professional goals.
Submit all materials, except official transcripts, in one packet to:
Graduate Studies Office
Minnesota State University Moorhead
1104 South 7th Avenue
Moorhead, MN 56563
Application deadline for Summer sessions: April 15.
Application deadline for Fall semester: July 15.
Application deadline for Spring semester: November 15.
Earlier applications are recommended for all deadlines to ensure timely processing of application materials.
Degree Requirements
All students must complete the program within 7 years.
Students may progress either full or part-time, depending on the area of study. Full-time students may complete the MS degree in 2 years.
A maximum of 12 graduate semester credits, all of which must be related to the program, may be transferred from other appropriately accredited colleges or universities with the consent of the Chair of the Graduate Nursing Program. The transfer credits must be no older than seven years by the time of curriculum completion and carry a grade of B or better.
A cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required to continue and graduate from the program. If the GPA falls below 3.0, the student is placed on probation for the next semester in which courses are taken. If the GPA remains below 3.0 at the end of the next semester, the student is withdrawn from the program. No more than two courses with a grade of C (including C+ and C-) may be applied to the program of study.
A Thesis or classroom-based research project is required. An oral examination by the candidate's committee is conducted following completion of the thesis or classroom-based research and a majority of required coursework.
Curriculum for Master's of Science Degree
The curriculum includes graduate core courses, specialty track advanced practice courses, other nursing and support courses, clinical practica, and either a master's project or thesis. Students collaborate with their advisors to select practica that fit their particular areas or populations of interest. Clinical practica may take place in the students' home area if appropriate. The focus of the program is advanced nursing practice with a choice of two specialty emphases: