Faculty
- LaNell Harrison, Ph.D., RN, Chair
- Dan Hatch, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, Coordinator of FNP Program, Director of Graduate Nursing
- Beverly Byers, Ed.D., RN
- JoAnn D. Long, Ph.D., RN, NEA-BC
Degree
To earn a degree, students must complete the curriculum and meet other requirements for a degree listed in the academic policy section of this catalog.
Admission to the MSN Program
- See Graduate Admissions, including additional Program Admissions Requirements, section of university catalog.
Enrollment Requirements
- Student liability insurance is purchased by the Department of Nursing at group rates. A fee is assessed to cover the cost.
- Criminal background checks are required prior to enrollment. Information is available in the Department of Nursing office.
- Students need a current passport for enrollment in NUR 5306/5308 Global and Cultural Health I and II.
Professional Portfolio
Candidates for the MSN will develop a professional portfolio over the course of the program. Criteria for development of the portfolio are presented in the Introduction to Graduate Studies Course taken the first semester of enrollment. The concepts and purposes of the portfolio will be developed further in subsequent classes and are part of the capstone course. The portfolio enables students, in a formal setting, to present a synthesis of their graduate course work to the faculty, especially emphasizing how they have integrated its advanced concepts into their professional behavior as nursing educators and leaders and as family nurse practitioners. The portfolio is presented in the final semester of required coursework. Satisfactory portfolio development and presentation is required for successful completion of the MSN program.
Master of Science in Nursing
The Master of Science in Nursing is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The program is designed to equip the learner with the knowledge, skills, and values identified in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials of Masters Education for Advanced Practice Nursing. The AACN essentials provide a foundation for the graduate curriculum. The Master of Science in Nursing has two tracks; Education/Leadership Track and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Track. Each track has its own admission requirements and curriculum.
Master of Science in Nursing—Education/Leadership Track
The Master of Science in Nursing—Education/Leadership Track requires 35 hours. The ANA professional nursing standards domains of practice for the role of nurse educator (nursing professional development), nurse leader (nursing administrator), and National League for Nursing Core Competencies of Nurse Educators are discussed within the program curriculum. Graduates who meet work experience and continuing education requirements are prepared for optional national certification as a nurse educator (staff development focus), or nurse executive through the American Nursing Credentialing Commission or the National League for Nursing (academic nurse educator certification). The program is designed to accommodate the registered nurse who is working full-time. It employs a combination of innovative methods to deliver the curriculum offered within a traditional semester. The majority of classes will use a short-course format meeting three to four days per semester supplemented with online instruction. Graduates from the program will be qualified to find employment in a variety of nursing education and leadership positions in hospital and community based health care organizations.
Education/Leadership Track Curriculum (35 hours)
- NUR5200 Introduction to Graduate Studies
- NUR5301 Education: Theories in Teaching and Learning
- NUR5302 Research and Statistical Methods
- NUR5303 Education and Information Technology Applications
- NUR5304 Management of Health Care Resources
- NUR5305 Nursing Theory
- NUR5306 Global Culture and Health I
- NUR5307 Applying Best Practices in Community Health Care
- NUR5309 Leadership and Management Skills
- NUR5310 Education/Leadership Capstone Practicum
- NUR5311 Professional Issues: Law and Ethics
- 3 hours from
- NUR5308 Global Culture and Health II
- NUR5312 Pathophysiology
- NUR5313 Pharmacotherapeutics
- NUR5315 Global Culture and Health III
- NUR5316 Global Culture and Health IV
- NUR5399 Independent Study
Master of Science in Nursing—Family Nurse Practitioner Track
The Master of Science in Nursing—Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Track requires 46 hours. The MSN—FNP Track is designed to prepare graduates to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) board certification exams to assume a primary care role in a clinical setting. Admission to the cohort-based program is limited. Applications are accepted beginning August 1 and close January 15 and the program begins each May. The program uses a combination of traditional and hybrid instructional delivery methods with a substantial amount of time in lectures, labs, and clinical experiences.
FNP Track Curriculum (46 hours)
- NUR5102 Clinical Anatomy for the FNP
- NUR5200 Introduction to Graduate Studies
- NUR5202 Family Nursing Practitioner Role, Leadership, and Theory
- NUR5244 Advanced Nursing Care: Women/Prenatal
- NUR5302 Research and Statistical Methods
- NUR5311 Professional Issues: Law and Ethics
- NUR5312 Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology
- NUR5313 Pharmacotherapeutics
- NUR5314 Advanced Diagnostics and Procedures
- NUR5338 Advanced Nursing Care: Pediatrics
- NUR5341 Advanced Nursing Care: Adult/Geriatrics
- NUR5440 Primary Care Practicum I
- NUR5434 Advanced Health Assessment
- NUR5443 Primary Care Practicum II
- NUR5445 Primary Care Practicum III
- NUR6200 Evidence-Based Project
Post-MSN Certificate—Family Nurse Practitioner Track
The Post-MSN Certificate—Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Track requires 38 hours. The Post-MSN Certificate—FNP Track is designed to prepare nurses with the MSN to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) board certification exams to assume a primary care role in a clinical setting. Students in the Post-MSN Certificate—FNP Track, are not eligible for federal financial assistance. Admission to the program is limited. Applications are accepted beginning August 1 and close January 15. The program uses a combination of traditional and hybrid instructional delivery methods with a substantial amount of time in lectures, labs, and clinical experiences.
Post-MSN Certificate FNP Track Curriculum (38 hours)
- NUR5313 Pharmacotherapeutics
- NUR5312 Pathophysiology
- NUR5102 Clinical Anatomy for the FNP
- NUR5202 Family Nursing Practitioner Role, Leadership, and Theory
- NUR5434 Advanced Health Assessment
- NUR5314 Advanced Diagnostics and Procedures
- NUR5338 Advanced Nursing Care: Pediatrics
- NUR5440 Primary Care Practicum I
- NUR5341 Advanced Nursing Care: Adult/Geriatrics
- NUR5443 Primary Care Practicum II
- NUR5244 Clinical Practicum: Women/Prenatal Primary Care
- NUR5445 Primary Care Practicum III
- NUR6200 Evidence-Based Capstone Project
Admission to the Post-MSN Clinical Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program
- See Graduate Admissions, including additional Program Admissions Requirements section of university catalog.
Enrollment Requirements for the Post-MSN Clinical DNP
- Student liability insurance is purchased by the Department of Nursing at group rates. A fee is assessed to cover the cost.
- Criminal background checks are required prior to enrollment. Information is available in the Department of Nursing office.
Academic Requirements for the Post-MSN Clinical DNP
Maintaining Minimum Academic Requirements
The minimum GPA for continuance in the graduate program is 3.0 overall. Additionally, a minimum grade of “B” is required in each course (nursing required for degree completion.
Progression in the DNP Program
- Grades are reviewed each semester and progression in the DNP Program is determined by the applicable DNP Dean/Department Chair and DNP Coordinator.
- DNP students are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA with grades at “B” or above in all doctoral courses. Students with a cumulative or semester GPA below 3.0 are placed on academic probation.
- Students receiving “C” or lower in a doctoral course are eligible to repeat the course one time only pursuant to recommendation of course faculty.
- Students earning an overall cumulative GPA or a semester GPA less than a 3.0 in the semester of graduation/completion are ineligible for graduation/completion.
Academic Dismissal from the DNP Program will result from the following circumstances:
- Students earning a “C” or lower in two or more DNP courses in one semester
- Students earning a “C” or lower in the same DNP course twice
- Students earning a “C” or lower in a second DNP course even though one DNP course has been retaken and a satisfactory grade of “B” or better has been obtained
Failing to meet expected standards in any program may result in academic dismissal at any time.
Readmission to the DNP program
All requests for readmission must be made prior to the application deadline date for the semester in which readmission is requested. The Graduate Program Director and Program Coordinator and the university Graduate Appeals Committee are responsible for overseeing all readmissions to the DNP Program.
A student seeking readmission must comply with the following:
- Submit a letter requesting readmission to the Grad Council
- Meet all recommendations and requirements set forth by the Grad Council
- Complete online application and meet admission criteria for full admission
DNP Scholarly Project
Candidates for the Post-MSN Clinical DNP will complete an evidence-based practice (EBP) scholarly project focused on quality improvement in healthcare. Criteria for development of the project are presented in the Introduction to DNP (NUR7100) taken the first semester of enrollment. The concepts and purposes of the project will be developed further in subsequent classes. In the development of the scholarly project, students will identify a specific problem impacting healthcare practice and utilize an evidence-based practice (EBP) approach to understand the research focusing on the problem and potential responses, identify quality improvement measures, develop a plan for implementing the project, identify objectives and measures to be used to evaluate success, collect data, analyze results, disseminate findings, and provide further recommendations for practice The project is presented in the final semester of required coursework. Successful completion of the Post-MSN Clinical DNP program requires that candidates pass the DNP Scholarly Project.
DNP Practicum Hour Requirements for Post-Master’s DNP Students
All DNP students must complete a total of 1000 practicum hours from a combination of clinical hours achieved in a previous master's program and practicum hours in the DNP program." Last sentence should state: "The DNP post-master's program provides a minimum of 500 practicum hours resulting in a minimum total of 1000 hours. Qualified advanced practice registered nurse applicants are expected to have successfully completed a minimum of 500 clinical hours in the student’s APRN master’s program in order to meet requirements for recognition or licensure and national certification, as appropriate, for the student’s professional role and practice area. The DNP post-master’s program provides a minimum of 500 clinical hours resulting in a minimum total of 1000 clinical hours for graduation.
Qualified applicants must provide evidence of the number of clinical hours/practice hours achieved in the student’s master’s program. To ensure students meet the required minimum 1000 clinical hours/practice hours, additional clinical learning opportunities are offered via one or more of the following methods:
- Submission of a professional portfolio documenting clinical activities/practice hours and scholarship to meet the criteria for clinical hours for the DNP program. The portfolio may include a resume or CV and a description of the individual’s practice experience; academic and specialized programs of study in the student’s specialty area; certifications in administration; or additional activities, and experiences exemplifying competence in the student’s specialty area.
- Students not meeting the clinical hour/ practice hour criteria will be evaluated and required to take an independent study course designed to provide an individualized clinical intensive based on the student’s background, experience, and learning needs to complete the required 1000 clinical hours/practice hours for the DNP degree.
Practicum hours for DNP post-master’s students are defined as direct or indirect patient care experiences; observational experiences; interviews; participation in community events or local, state, or national meetings relevant to the learning objectives; or other unique learning opportunities where the student can achieve defined learning objectives. Practicum hours may take place in the student’s place of employment if the experience clearly provides an opportunity to achieve specified student learning objectives. Students may work with professional mentors or preceptors during their clinical experiences. School of Nursing faculty may serve as preceptors or professional mentors.
Graduation Requirements for the Post-MSN Clinical DNP
It is the responsibility of students to know their academic plan and to register for and complete courses that fulfill the academic plans. Degrees will be awarded only when students satisfactorily complete the conditions of their academic plans and meet all other requirements for earning a degree. In the Post-MSN Clinical Doctor of Nursing Program students are required to successfully pass their DNP Scholarly Project in order to be eligible for graduation.
Students must complete the application for graduation when registering for their last semester. Students have one year from the intended graduation date to complete the requirements. Students needing longer periods of time must secure dean approval.
Post-MSN Clinical Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
The Post-MSN Clinical Doctor of Nursing Practice is a terminal practice degree in advanced nursing and requires 36 credit hours and 500 practicum hours (the program will accept up to 500 practicum hours obtained in previous clinical master’s program) for a total of 1000 practicum hours upon graduation. This program is designed for the advanced practice registered nurse who already has a Master of Science in Nursing Degree and is certified in a specific clinical practice role such as nurse practitioner, nurse anesthesia, nurse midwife, or clinical nurse specialist. The program instruction will be delivered via online format.
Post-MSN Clinical DNP Curriculum (36 hours)
- NUR7100 Intro to DNP
- NUR7201 Professional/Independent Practice
- NUR7302 Business of Healthcare Practice
- NUR7303 Cultural Disparity in Healthcare
- NUR7304 Population Health/Epidemiology
- NUR7305 Evidence-based Practice/Translational Science
- NUR7306 Healthcare Technologies and Emerging Therapies
- NUR7307 DNP Scholarly Project I
- NUR7308 Specialization in Clinical Practice
- NUR7309 Quality and Safety in Healthcare
- NUR7310 DNP Scholarly Project II
- NUR7311 Interprofessional Collaboration
- NUR7312 DNP Scholarly Project III