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
Student Orientation Session Feedback
Students who attended the MS Orientation sessions on August 17th will have the opportunity to improve future sessions by responding to a short (10 min) Lime survey you will be receiving on-line in the very new future. Let us know if you have questions! Thanks for your very valuable feedback by Sept. 17th!
Graduate Assistant Positions
Exact schedules and salary will depend upon the situation and the number of students applying for GA. 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 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).
Admission Criteria
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited institution.
-
**Due to the recent changes in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's "Essentials of Baccalaureate Nursing" requirements, we have suspended admission of students with a BS other than the BSN to the MS program. We are examining our accreditation requirements and will make decisions about this issue before applications are due in November.**
- 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: