Online Master of Science in Nursing
The
MSN program is designed to develop and enhance the knowledge and
skills of registered nurses. It is also designed for those nurses
who want to pursue more advanced positions in today's challenging
health care environment. The program blends nursing theory with
advanced practice concepts necessary to successfully work within
the structure, culture, and mission of any size health care organization
or educational setting.
The
MSN program consists of three major areas: the core, the major,
and the cognate. The core incorporates the major foci of a Master
of Science in Nursing degree: the theory of Nursing, ethical Nursing
issues, and the influence of Nursing research on the advanced
practice of Nursing. The major includes advanced course work in
Nursing: management of families and aggregates, administration,
and education. The cognate includes course work concerning today's
health care environment: health care infrastructure, health care
finance and data-based decision making.
Classes
meet in formal session once each week for four hours. Additional
time is required outside of class for homework, learning team
meetings, and project activities.
The
MSN program is 39 credits. The course sequence will be completed
in the order determined by the University. The University reserves
the right to modify and/or resequence the curriculum as necessary.
All course work must be completed satisfactorily or be repeated.
All courses in which an "F" was earned must be repeated
in the required course of study.
Online
Nursing Practicum/Clinical Hour
The
Nursing Practicum allows students the opportunity to apply what
they have learned in the program. Students develop learning objectives
for the experience and, along with a faculty member and mentor,
they achieve the objectives through placement at an approved agency.
There is a minimum of 60 hours applied practicum required. A minimum
of 21 graduate credits must be completed before enrollment in
the Practicum course.
NUR
540 and NUR 543 have the student apply course concepts through
a clinical application project. A minimum of 16 clinical hours
per course has been established to allow students time to achieve
the course objectives.
Online
Master of Science in Nursing Course of Study
Courses
requiring prerequisites are identified by a G symbol following
the course number. Prerequisites to courses are identified in
the "Course Descriptions" section of this catalog. All
general academic policies of the University of Phoenix are applicable.
COM
515
Managerial Communication
1 credit
NUR 513
Theoretical Foundations of Practice
3 credits
NUR 517
Research Methods
2 credits
HCS 521
Health Care Infrastructure
3 credits
NUR 541
Models of Health Behaviors
3 credits
NUR 543
Advanced Nursing Management: Communities
3 credits
ITH 510
The Impact of E-Health
3 credits
HCS 530
Health Care Organizations
3 credits
NUR 584
Dynamics of Nursing Administration
3 credits
HCS 570
Financial Management for Nursing Manager
3 credits
NUR 586.3
Curriculum Development and Program Design
3 credits
HCS 584
Quality and Database Management
3 credits
NUR 590A
Nursing Practicum-A
1 credit
NUR 590B
Nursing Practicum-B
2 credits
NUR 598
Research Utilization Proposal
3 credits
The
University reserves the right to modify the required course of
study.
Online
RN to MSN Program
This program
facilitates educational mobility for registered nurses whose highest
academic credential is a baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing
field. The RN to MSN Program requires the completion of ten baccalaureate
nursing credits (3 courses) for entry into the MSN program.
Online
Master of Science in Nursing Admission Requirements
The
requirements for admission to the MSN program are as follows:
- A
completed and signed University of Phoenix graduate application
and an application fee.
- An
undergraduate degree in a nursing program with an upper division
major in nursing from a regionally accredited college or university
or one which is a candidate for accreditation or a comparable
degree from a recognized institution outside of the United States.
Nurses
who hold baccalaureate degrees in non-nursing programs from a
regionally accredited college or university must meet the BSN
equivalency. The BSN equivalency is accomplished after successful
completion of the University of Phoenix Bridge Program.
NUR
402
Theoretical Foundations of Professional Nursing
3 credits.
NUR
429
Issues and Strategies in Nursing Research Utilization
3 credits
NUR
464
Concepts of Family Nursing Theory
3 credits
Credits
for graduate course may not be counted toward the degree unless
the admission prerequisites have been fulfilled.
- Official
transcripts verifying all course work earned toward the bachelor's
degree and any graduate course work attempted.
- A
cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 (on a 4.0=A scale)
as shown on the undergraduate degree posted transcript.
- Verification
of a minimum of three years full-time RN work experience or
2 years experience as an RN and 1 year health care experience
within the last 10 years.
- Current
employment. Unemployed applicants must verify access to a suitable
work environment in which to complete classroom assignments.
In addition the MSN program contains a clinical component. Applicants
are expected to meet minimal RN mental and physical qualifications
to complete the clinical course requirements.
- A
valid, unrestricted and unencumbered RN license from the state
in which the applicant is practicing, kept current throughout
the duration of the required course of study.
- Appropriate
access to technology as established by the Student Technology
Recommendations and Competencies.
- For
non-native speakers of English, a score of 550 on the Test of
English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or 750 on the Test of
English for International Communication. The following may exempt
a non-native speaker from having to take the TOEFL or TOEIC:
- Successful
completion of 30 transferable, academic semester credits at
a regionally accredited college or university in the United
States.
- Successful
completion of 30 transferable, academic semester credits at
a recognized college or University in a country in which English
is the official language.
- U.S.
high school diploma or GED.
- Equivalent
of a U.S. high school diploma from a country in which English
is the official language.
- Official
documents are required.
- Enrollment
agreement.
Online
MSN Waiver Policy
Students
may transfer up to nine semester hours of graduate credit toward
completion of any of the graduate major curriculum. Students at
a California campus may transfer 6 credits. To meet the criteria
for transfer into the program, the course transferred must:
- Be
completed within the past ten years with a minimum grade of
"B" (3.0) at a regionally, or approved nationally,
accredited college or university or one which is a candidate
for accreditation.
- Be
comparable in content and credits to the University of Phoenix
course;
- Be
a graduate level course; and
- Be
officially transcripted from the college or university where
the credit was earned.
Because
of the importance to the degree, the following courses, may not
be waived:
NUR
598 Nursing Research Utilization Project and NUR/590AB Nursing
Practicum
Students
can petition to waive the admission RN-MSN Bridge courses. A maximum
of two courses can be waived from the RN-MSN Bridge.
The
previously identified waiver policy indicated above applies to
these pre-requisite courses.
Online
Master of Science in Nursing Degree Requirements
The
following requirements must be satisfied to earn the MSN degree:
- Completion
of the curriculum with a minimum grade point average of "B"
(3.0).
- Satisfactory
completion of the Nursing Research Utilization courses and practicum.
- Completion
of all required clinical hours.
- Payment
of all tuition and fees.
- Completion
of the University's Comprehensive Cognitive Assessment (COCA)
post-test as part of the University's Adult Learning Outcomes
Assessment (ALOA).
