Master of Science

Residency Requirement

This program has a residency requirement of 24 credit hours.

• Child Track
• Family Track
• Family Psychiatric Mental Health (FPMHNP track) NEW Program

Studying to become clinical nurse specialists-follow a medical-surgical track

The master's program does not review basic nursing knowledge or develop basic nursing skills. Rather, it builds on your undergraduate nursing education and focuses on the application of advanced theory and clinical practice skills.

Emphasis on Clinical Practice

Students studying to become nurse practitioners choose from two tracks: child or family.

The master's program emphasizes clinical practice and requires you to practice advanced nursing under the guidance of experts. In addition to the expertise available on campus at University Hospital and its many specialty clinics, the College of Nursing has developed an extensive network of physician offices, hospitals, clinics and other clinical agencies that participate in our program. These affiliations give you the opportunity to work in primary care and acute care settings with preceptors specializing in a vast array of clinical practice areas.

You may take practicum courses as electives to strengthen your advanced practice skills. You also may participate in faculty-sponsored research or individual research projects under faculty guidance, or practice teaching or nursing administration.

Before graduating, students in the master's program either write a master's thesis or take a non-credit comprehensive exam. Clinical Nurse Specialist Students may complete a clinical project as a culminating experience.

Flexible Timeline

Students may take up to five years to complete the master's program. On average, part-time students carry three to six credits per semester and finish in three to five years. Full-time students carry a minimum of nine credits per semester and finish in two or three years.

Non-matriculated students may take up to nine credits of course work on a space-available basis while in the process of completing admissions requirements.

Faculty advisors work closely with all students to help students fit courses and program requirements into their work and daily lives.

Special Options for the Master's program

• RN-to-MS Program (fast Track)
• Master's for an RN with a Bachelor's in another field
• Master's Completion for NPs
• Family Psychiatric Mental Health (FPMHNP track)

Unique Education Minor or Certificate

• Education Minor Certificate

Students can complete an education minor or post-masters certificate by completing NURS 565: Nurse as Educator required by all master's students and 6 additional credits:

• NURS 655: Program & Curriculum Development
• NURS 665: Educational Evaluation

Planned Programs