Nursing, MSN

Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences offers a program of advanced study leading to a Master of Science in Nursing degree, building upon and expanding the knowledge, values and skills of the baccalaureate-prepared nurse. In addition to taking courses which prepare for expanded clinical roles, the student gains experience with research, health care policy, nursing theory, clinical problem solving/critical thinking, and creativity. Students choose a specialty of nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist. Additional credit hours are required if students choose a dual clinical role. Students choose a major in adult or family. The MSN has three distinct bodies of knowledge: graduate core, advanced practice core, and specialty courses related to the selected clinical specialty. All graduate courses are offered online. A post-masters certificate completion option is available upon approval.

MSN Application and Admission

MSN Admission Criteria

GPA of 3.0 in all previous course work
Completion of an accredited baccalaureate degree in nursing
Prerequisite undergraduate courses include: Statistics, Nursing Research & Health Assessment
Vita documenting current work experience
Current unrestricted Registered Nurse license in the state where clinical practice will take place
Passing score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if native language is not English
Computer technology skills

Graduate Academic Policies

Advising

All admitted students are provided a standardized degree plan of study. Students are assigned an advisor to assist in any academic issues. All changes to academic degree plan of study must be approved by the academic advisor.

Transfer Students

A transfer student is a student who is seeking the MSN degree, has attended another institution, and meets a MSN admission requirements. Articulation course work may be required of a transfer student. The student must petition the Graduate Department for acceptance of transfer credits. No more than 12 credit hours can be accepted from a non-CU campus.

MSN Degree Requirements

40-52 graduate level credits
3.0 or better GPA must be maintained
Completion of degree requirements within six years

Online Options

All courses in the graduate program are offered online. For further information contact the Department at (719) 255-4424.

MSN Degree Curriculum

Core Course Requirements (Required of all MSN Students)

Credits: 12-14

Advanced Practice Nursing Core

Credits: 9

MSN—Nurse Practitioner Option Specialty Courses

(Nurse Practitioner Students select from the following options)

Adult Nurse Practitioner

Note:

NURS 6910 can be taken in place of NURS 6780
NURS 6920 can be taken in place of NURS 6790
NURS 6980 can be taken in place of NURS 7840

Credits: 39-41

Family Nurse Practitioner

Note:

NURS 6900 can be taken in place of NURS 6620
NURS 6910 can be taken in place of NURS 6640
NURS 6920 can be taken in place of NURS 6670
NURS 6980 can be taken in place of NURS 7890

Credits: 44-46

MSN—Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Option

Adult Health CNS

Credits: 43-45

Note:

Courses related to the selected clinical specialty provide the student an opportunity to use empirical, ethical, esthetic, personal, and socio-political knowledge in the clinical setting specific to the student’s chosen advanced practice role.

Course Requirements for Prescriptive Authority

Specific courses may differ for the selected specialty but must include Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Assessment, and Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics. State requirements differ in various state jurisdictions; currency of course work and practice hours as an APN may be required.

Post Master’s Degree Certificates in Nursing

Students with master’s degrees in nursing may apply for these certificate programs: adult/geri and family. If the student’s initial master’s degree did not require a course in advanced pathophysiology, the student is required to take Advanced Pathophysiology. Please request information from the College.