Master of Science Nursing

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Normal Program Length: Dependent on Specialization

This program is offered online.

There are eight different specializations within the Master of Science in Nursing program. Click on the links below to learn more about each specialization:

Nursing Education Specialization - Explores the essentials for instructing future generations of nursing professionals. This program focuses on areas like teaching to various learning styles, curriculum design and development, and providing instruction through online environments. Coursework covers teaching strategies, organizational dynamics in higher education, the application of evaluation methods, and more.
Case Management Specialization - Explores the collaborative process involving assessment, planning, facilitation, and advocacy of options and services for patients receiving care. This program offers the opportunity to build the skills that could be used to improve patient outcomes through personalized services and advocacy. Coursework covers the role of nurse case managers, concepts of case management, life care planning, evidence-based nursing case management patient care, and more.
Nursing Informatics Specialization - Provides experienced nurses with the opportunity to build skills and insights for the management and use of healthcare information systems for better outcomes. This specialization explores informatics essentials-such as data management, data mining, clinical and administrative systems, and information systems-to improve patient care and maintain system integrity. Coursework covers healthcare analytics, information security, data analytics, and more.
Infection Prevention and Control Specialization - Explores what it takes to create programs and monitor critical infection control indicators in healthcare delivery in a variety of care settings. This online program offers the opportunity to build the skills and insights that could be used to develop infection prevention and control policies to improve patient safety, patient care, and patient outcomes. Coursework covers identification of infectious disease processes, prevention and control, designing surveillance systems, interpreting data, and more.
Management and Organizational Leadership Specialization - Offers the opportunity to build and advance leadership and management skills. In addition to the strategic planning and management process, this program examines administrative and HR challenges facing healthcare organizations. Coursework covers the components of effective leadership, building teams in culturally diverse workplaces, healthcare economics, and more.
Family Nurse Practitioner Specialization - Provides the opportunity to build the insights and skills that could be used to make a positive impact on patient care. The program places an emphasis on critical areas in primary care settings-assessment, prevention, diagnosis, and management of chronic and acute conditions. Coursework covers care across the lifespan, including maternal and childcare issues, and provides preceptorship experiences to translate online classroom learnings to real-world situations.
Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Specialization - Provides the opportunity to develop skills that could be used to make a positive impact on patient care for all adults-both young and young-at-heart. The program emphasizes critical areas in adult gerontology primary care settings, including assessment, prevention, diagnosis, and management of chronic and acute conditions. Coursework also covers advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, advanced physical assessment, and concepts of aging. It also provides preceptorship experiences to translate online classroom learnings to real-world situations.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Specialization - Provides the opportunity to build the insights and skills that could be used to make a positive impact on the mental health of your patients. The program emphasizes critical areas of primary care-assessment, prevention, diagnosis, and management of chronic and acute conditions-with an in-depth focus on psychiatric issues. Coursework covers assessment, diagnosis, psychopharmacology, interventions, and more, across the lifespan. It offers preceptorship experiences to translate online classroom learnings to different mental health situations.

The MSN is designed for registered nurses with bachelor's degrees in nursing who will maintain an unencumbered RN license throughout the program.

The curriculum for this program is grounded in advanced nursing concepts for improving healthcare, creating quality patient outcomes, and fostering strategic change in the healthcare delivery system. Online coursework provides learning opportunities to gain practical insights into evidence-based practice, quality improvement, nursing informatics, and patient safety.

Our nursing courses are designed and taught by nursing professionals with the knowledge and experience needed to provide an effective understanding of course material and the healthcare industry overall.

Master of Science in Nursing Program Learning Outcomes

Integrate roles as leaders and collaborators in various healthcare settings.
Use theoretical knowledge to guide advanced nursing practice.

Analyze models that expand the role of nurses in a global society.
Evaluate legislation, policies, and economics as applied to the current healthcare environment.
Appraise research to enhance professional nursing practice.

Core Curriculum

Many courses in the Master of Science in Nursing program require the completion of Practice Experience (PE) hours. These hours are out-of-classroom activities replacing traditional schoolwork that students complete during their courses.

Learn more about Practice Experience hours on our additional nursing requirements page.

In the Master of Science in Nursing program, students complete 36 - 54 graduate credits in nursing. Please visit the individual pages to learn about the courses required with each specialization.