Graduate Program in Nursing

Return to: Graduate Degrees and Programs

Doctor of Nursing Practice 

About the Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2023), Doctor of Nursing Practice programs prepare nurse leaders at the highest level of nursing practice to improve patient outcomes and translate research into practice.

DNP curricula build on traditional master’s programs by providing content in evidence-
based practice, quality improvement, and systems leadership, among other key areas.

The DNP is designed for nurses seeking a terminal degree in nursing practice and offers an
alternative to research-focused doctoral programs. DNP-prepared nurses are well-equipped
to fully implement the science developed by nurse researchers prepared in PhD, DNS, and
other research-focused nursing doctorates.

About the Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree in Population Health

A graduate of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program in Population Health provides leadership in community, academic, and acute health care settings in the development of responses to existing health threats, as well as creating proactive approaches to mitigating future threats to the health of populations. The development of skills in population level assessment, research and policymaking roles enhance the ability to contribute substantively to the specialty of population health.

DNP Philosophy, Purpose, and Goals

Featured concepts associated with professional nursing practice are organizing ideas that represent important areas of knowledge. A common understanding of each concept is achieved through characteristics and attributes. Nursing has numerous concepts, and the following are well-represented in the nursing literature. The featured concepts according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2021) are:

• Clinical Judgement

As one of the key attributes of professional nursing, clinical judgment refers to the
process by which nurses make decisions based on nursing knowledge (evidence,
theories, ways/patterns of knowing), other disciplinary knowledge, critical thinking,
and clinical reasoning. This process is used to understand and interpret
information in the delivery of care. Clinical decision making based on clinical judgment
is directly related to care outcomes.

• Communications

Communication, informed by nursing and other theories, is a central component in all
areas of nursing practice. Communication is defined as an exchange of information,
thoughts, and feelings through a variety of mechanisms. The definition encompasses
the various ways people interact with each other, including verbal, written, behavioral,
body language, touch, and emotion. Communication also includes intentionality,
mutuality, partnerships, trust, and presence. Effective communication between nurses
and individuals and between nurses and other health professionals is necessary for
the delivery of high quality, individualized nursing care. With increasing frequency,
communication is delivered through technological modalities. Communication also is a
core component of team-based, interprofessional care and closely interrelated with the
concept Social Determinants of Health.

• Compassionate Care

As an essential principle of person-centered care, compassionate care refers to the
way nurses relate to others as human beings and involves “noticing another person’s
vulnerability, experiencing an emotional reaction to this, and acting in some way with
them in a way that is meaningful for people” (Murray & Tuqiri, 2020). Compassionate
care is interrelated with other concepts such as caring, empathy, and respect and is
also closely associated with patient satisfaction.

•     Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Collectively, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) refers to a broad range of individual,
population, and social constructs. Diversity references a broad range of individual, population, and social characteristics, including but not limited to age; sex; race; ethnicity; sexual orientation; gender identity; family structures; geographic locations; national origin; immigrants and refugees; language; any impairment that substantially limits a major life activity; religious beliefs; and socioeconomic status. Inclusion represents environmental and organizational cultures in which faculty, students, staff, and administrators with diverse characteristics thrive. Equity is the ability to recognize the differences in the resources or knowledge needed to allow individuals to fully participate in society. To have equitable systems, all people should be treated fairly, unhampered by artificial barriers, stereotypes, or prejudices and include structural racism and social justice.

• Ethics

Ethics refers to principles that guide a person’s behavior. Ethics is closely tied to moral philosophy involving the study and examination of morality. The commonly accepted principles in bioethics include autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Other relevant concepts include moral distress, moral hazard, moral community, and moral or critical resilience.

• Evidence-Based Practice

The integration of current evidence and clinical expertise with individual and family preference helps define evidence-based practice. It is a problem-solving approach to the delivery of healthcare that integrates the best evidentiary science from studies and patient care data with clinical expertise and patient preferences. In addition to published studies, critical examination of these studies is valued discerning whose perspectives are solicited, who creates the evidence, how is that evidence created, what questions remain unanswered, and what harm may be created.

• Health Policy

Health policy involves goal directed decision-making about health that is the result of an authorized public health decision-making process. Nurses play critical roles in advocating for policy that impacts patients, populations, and the profession. Nurses can have a profound effect on health policy by becoming engaged in the policy process including interpreting, evaluating, and leading policy change.

• Social Determinants of Health

Determinants of health include personal, social, economic, and environmental factors that impact health. Social determinants of health are the conditions in the environment where people are affected by safety, exposure to the environment, quality of housing and education, access to transportation and healthy food, employment opportunities, exposure to substances, and opportunities for physical activity. These drivers directly contribute to health outcomes. The Doctor of Nursing Practice in Population Health will understand, assess, evaluate, and provide interventions in a population to increase opportunities to enhance health and well-being.

Educational Outcomes of the DNP Program

• Synthesize evidence and knowledge from nursing and other disciplines to inform education, practice, and research.
• Demonstrate socially responsible leadership and employ ethical decision making to advocate for health policies and interventions that influence health resources.
• Analyze system-level and public policy to design evidence-based interventions to improve population-focused outcomes.
• Apply and critically evaluate advanced knowledge in quality improvement, research, and evaluation methodologies.
• Integrate outcome metrics in quality improvement to advocate for change and policy recommendations.
• Facilitate and direct interprofessional activities and initiatives. 
• Evaluate health policies based on an ethical framework considering cost, health equity and care outcomes.
• Use standardized data to evaluate decision-making and outcomes across all systems levels.

Admission to the DNP Program

The DNP in Population Health degree requires 35 credit hours of graduate-level coursework. These consist of 18 credit hours of didactic theory courses, three of which are focused on practical application of theory to distinct phases of the DNP Project. 16 of the credit hours are practicum courses. 1000 clock hours of post-baccalaureate clinical time must be completed before graduation. 500 of those post-baccalaureate hours may be transferred into the program.

To enroll students with the greatest potential for completing the DNP program successfully, the McKenzie-Elliott School of Nursing will consider the criteria listed below for full acceptance, in addition to general requirements for admission to The Graduate School.

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from an NLN or CCNE-accredited School of Nursing.
• Cumulative undergraduate and any graduate courses taken GPA of 3.0 or greater (on a 4.0 scale) for full admission.
• Nursing practice experience (one year recommended).
• Have a current license as a Registered Nurse in the United States or United States Territories. The unencumbered active license needs to be in the U.S. state or territory in which the student resides and in which the student is completing the practicum project.
• Completed application and official transcripts of all post-secondary coursework must be sent directly from each institution to the Admissions Department.
• Successful completion of the following courses or equivalent at a graduate level:
  • Advanced Pathophysiology
  • Advanced Pharmacology
  • Advanced Health Assessment
  • Epidemiology and Global Health (may be taken concurrently in year 1 of the DNP program)
• A personal statement describing the applicant’s experience and objective in undertaking graduate study in the chosen specialty.  The personal statement should be at least 500 words and describe:
• The development of the student’s interest in DNP education in Population Health,
• Any special circumstances that the student believes require further clarification,
• The student’s academic strengths and areas needing further development, and
• The student’s professional goals and how this specialization will help the student achieve them.
• Current resume or curriculum vitae of educational and work experience.
• Three letters of recommendation from instructors, supervisors, or professional colleagues, two of which must come from individuals with a minimum of a master’s degree in nursing, who are qualified to evaluate professional nursing experience, academic competence, and potential to undertake a doctoral degree program.
• A total of one thousand post-baccalaureate clinical hours that meet the DNP program outcomes must be completed before graduation. Up to five hundred hours may be transferred into the program. It is the responsibility of the student to apply for approval of post-baccalaureate clinical hours.  The form is available on the Graduate School website. Along with this form, an official copy of the transcript reflecting the credit and of the catalog description must be submitted for each course. The DNP Program Director may require a copy of the course syllabus.

Documents to be Submitted for Admission

To be eligible for consideration for full or provisional admission to a degree program at UNC Pembroke, an applicant must

a) submit a completed online application,

b) pay a $55.00 non‑refundable application fee ($60.00 for international applicants),

c) submit an official transcript(s) to the Graduate School Admissions Office,

e) have three academic and/or professional recommendations submitted on their behalf, and

f) submit a copy of the nursing license.

In accordance with the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accreditation requirements, a total of one thousand post-baccalaureate clinical hours is required for graduation. Transfer credits hours from graduate or MSN studies can be accepted if the clinical experiences meet the program outcomes. The remainder of the clinical hours can be met in the four clinical courses in the DNP curriculum. The DNP program seeks to ensure that each individual student is reaching the remaining post-baccalaureate clinical hour goal through documentation of clinical activities, hours, and documentation of how program outcomes are met through the activity.

Continuation in the DNP Program

Minimum Grade Requirement

Students enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program are governed by the general policies of the Graduate School. Students enrolled in the DNP program must earn a grade of B or higher in all required nursing courses to receive credit. A single grade of below “B” level work, makes a doctoral student ineligible to continue doctoral studies or to receive a doctoral degree at UNCP, and he/she will be dismissed. Excepted from this policy are students readmitted by the Graduate Appeals Committee. Graduate students must have a final graduation grade point average of 3.0 or higher on an approved plan to study to receive a doctoral degree.

Course Progression

The DNP courses are to be taken in order of the study plan because the courses build on one another for successful completion of the program and the scholarly activity and dissemination of the DNP project. The standard load for full-time graduate students is a maximum of nine (9) hours during regular terms. Graduate students may enroll for a maximum of nine (9) semester hours during the summer session.

DNP Program Courses

The DNP Scholarly Project

The DNP project is the umbrella term used to describe a scholarly project with the express purpose of translating evidence into practice. You may also hear it referred to as a final or research DNP project. The difference between a PhD Dissertation and the DNP Scholarly Project is that the PhD candidate looks for gaps in nursing research and develops original research to meet that gap in knowledge while the DNP candidate translates current existing evidence-based research into interventions for a population. The DNP program prepares students to bridge the gap between new science and integration into practice. The DNP candidate in Population Health uses existing evidence-based nursing research and applies that research to solve a verified problem in a chosen population. The DNP candidate applies research principles to describe, analyze, and offer adoptions, adaptions and change to current nursing practice or policy.

A DNP project may seek to:

1. Enhance nursing health interventions, practice, or policy outcomes
2. Evaluate health outcomes, nursing practice outcomes, or policy outcomes
3. Reflect a culmination of practice inquiry
4. Engage in new nursing or interprofessional partnerships
5. Translate evidence into nursing practice changes and interventions

For more specific information about the DNP Scholarly Project at UNCP, see the UNCP Project Guide.

Course Descriptions

NUR 6000 Population and Public Health Theory: Problem Discovery (3 credit hours)

Review and analyze principles of population health and apply underlying theoretical basis of population and public health. The student identifies an important practice problem & defines the scope and significance of the problem.

NUR 6010 Advanced Nursing Health Policy, Practice, & Ethics (3 credit hours)

Explore the dynamics of development of public health policy and practices including the ethical challenges unique to working with systems and populations.

NUR 6031 Clinical Practicum I: Organizational and Public Health Systems Leadership (4 credit hours)

Clinical course that examines how health care leaders apply principles of leadership to healthcare systems, public health agencies, and community-based organizations to improve the health outcomes of local, national, and global communities.

NUR 6020 Evidence-Based Practice, Research Methods, and Clinical Data Management (3 credit hours)

Identify valid and statistically significant outcomes linked to measures, variables, and data sources. Apply appropriate statistical methods for determining outcomes.

NUR 6101 Nursing Inquiry: DNP Project 1 (3 credit hours)

First of series of courses culminating in the DNP Scholarly Project. Essentials of scholarly writing and application of essential writing skills to the identification of an important practice issue. The student defines the scope and significance of the project topic.

NUR 6032 Clinical Practicum II: Population Assessment and Health Promotion Modeling (4 credit hours)

Clinical course that provides the integrative practice experience necessary for scholarship in assessment of populations and identifying health promotion activities for the advanced nursing practice to influence positive health outcomes.

NUR 6102 Nursing Inquiry: DNP Project 2 (3 credit hours)

The second scholarly project experience will provide students with the support and direction needed in collaboration with a mentor to develop a comprehensive, site-specific project, evaluation plan, and Institutional Review Board (IRB) proposal.

NUR 6033 Clinical Practicum III: Population Intervention Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation Strategies (4 credit hours)

This course focuses on planning interventions that include the individual, family, community, and systems with an emphasis on a systems level. The student will identify & evaluate implementation strategies in a population.

NUR 6103 Nursing Inquiry: DNP Project 3 (3 credit hours)

This scholarly project course is the third in the series. In this course the student implements the approved project plan. This course fosters the student’s development of requisite skills for project implementation.

NUR 6034 Clinical Practicum IV: Project Evaluation and Dissemination (5 credit hours)

This final course allows the student to complete the DNP project and finalize the scholarly written and oral reports to take a leadership role, influence health care quality and safety, transform practice, lead clinical innovation, and successfully negotiate change in health care delivery for individuals, families, populations, or systems across a broad spectrum of healthcare.

Master of Science in Nursing

Director: Julie Harrison-Swartz

Department of Nursing Mission and Purposes

The Department of Nursing is dedicated to carrying out the mission of the College of Arts and Sciences and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP). As an integral academic unit of the University, the Department of Nursing is committed to the tripartite roles of teaching, research, and community service that contribute to the cultural, intellectual, and social development of professional nurses in North Carolina and the nation. Students are provided the opportunity to obtain a multicultural education that is grounded in the arts, sciences and humanities; that is congruent with standards for professional nursing practice; and that prepares them for lifelong learning, professional development, and service to others.

The primary purposes of the UNCP Department of Nursing program are to

1. Provide accessible, seamless, high quality undergraduate and graduate nursing education to diverse student populations to shape nursing graduates who are leaders in professional nursing practice.
2. Prepare graduates to provide high quality, cost-effective professional nursing services, to improve health outcomes across the life span, for individuals, families, groups, and communities.

The Department of Nursing is committed to the recruitment of a diverse, achievement‐oriented, and socially responsible student body that will enrich the intellectual, cultural and social community of the University and the community at large. The graduate program in nursing aims to prepare graduates to take on leadership or educator roles and be qualified to face the challenges of the future in nursing to improve the quality of client care and client outcomes. The master’s level program in nursing provides students with an opportunity to build expertise in a specialized area of practice while enhancing their skills in theory and research for use in professional practice.

MSN Program Outcomes

The Master of Science in Nursing program prepares graduates to

1. Synthesize evidence‐based knowledge, theories and principles from nursing, the arts and humanities, biopsychosocial and applied sciences which support advanced nursing practice and role development.
2. Assume a leadership role in coordinating, managing, and improving health services for culturally diverse populations by using knowledge of political, economic, organizational, and regulatory systems.
3. Direct organizational and systems leadership initiatives for the improvement of health outcomes and safety for diverse individuals, families, groups, populations, and communities across the continuum of care.
4. Collaborate with interprofessional healthcare providers and consumers in designing, implementing, and evaluating health services for the attainment of shared health care goals that focus on clinical prevention and population health.
5. Integrate information technology for evidence‐based care management, education, collaboration, and decision‐making to improve health outcomes.
6. Demonstrate beginning competence in applying research principles to clinical practice that will impact advanced nursing practice and education as well as health programs and services.
7. Assume accountability for ethical values, principles, and personal beliefs that acknowledge human diversity and influence professional practice decisions and nursing interventions.
8. Adhere to ethical, legal, and regulatory mandates and professional standards for advanced nursing practice.
9. Engage in professional behaviors that reflect a commitment to lifelong learning and excellence in advanced nursing practice.

The Department of Nursing holds membership in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). The Department of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One DuPont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036-1120; 202/887‐6791.

Program Description

The UNCP Department of Nursing is dedicated to providing students the opportunity for seamless transition to graduate studies. There are two entry pathways into the graduate program with both full- time and part‐time study options available for students. The direct entry Master of Science pathway is for registered nurses with a baccalaureate degree in nursing. The degree requires 39 semester hours of graduate‐level coursework, including 15 semester hours in Nursing Core coursework and 24 semester hours in Specialty Concentration coursework.

The second entry pathway is the RN‐MSN program. This program provides educational mobility for registered nurses, with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, seeking a Master of Science in Nursing. The RN‐MSN program provides the opportunity to earn both the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Combined credit toward the BSN and MSN degrees is earned. Two courses (six semester hours) in the Master of Science in Nursing program may be substituted for two courses in the RN‐BSN program, allowing students to graduate with a BSN degree and complete the MSN degree in 33 additional semester hours of graduate-level coursework. The RN‐BSN and MSN can be completed separately for those not wishing to apply to the RN‐MSN program.

Both pathways are offered in a hybrid format which blends online instruction with face‐to‐face class meetings and direct faculty/student interaction. Through a blend of face‐to‐face and online classes as well as practicum experiences, the graduate program offers three areas of specialty concentration: Nurse Educator, Clinical Nurse Leader, and Rural Case Manager.

Program-Specific Admissions Standards

Master of Science in Nursing Program (MSN)

Admission Criteria for MSN:

Application for admission to the MSN program will be made through The Graduate School. Applications should be completed by July 31 for fall consideration and December 1 for spring consideration.  Only applications with all necessary materials will be considered. The Director of the Graduate Program, in collaboration with graduate faculty, will review all applications and make a final recommendation regarding admission. Each applicant will be notified in writing regarding the admission decision.

To enroll students with the greatest potential for successfully completing the program, the Department of Nursing will consider the following criteria for full acceptance, in addition to the general requirements for admission to The Graduate School:

• Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited NLN or CCNE School of Nursing.
• Current, valid North Carolina nursing license or a license with multistate practice privileges by authority of the Nurse Licensure Compact.
• Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or greater (on a 4.0 scale).
• Nursing practice experience (one year recommended).
• Completed application and official transcripts of all postsecondary coursework sent directly from each institution to The Graduate School.
• Completion of a course is Descriptive/Inferential Statistics with a minimum grade of “C” or higher.
• A personal statement describing the applicant’s experience and objective in undertaking graduate study in the chosen specialty. The personal statement should describe
  • The development of applicant’s interest in graduate education in nursing;
  • The reason for the specialty area to which s/he is applying;
  • Applicant’s professional goals and how this specialization will help achieve them;
  • Applicant’s academic strengths and areas needing further development;
  • Any special circumstances that applicant believes require further clarification. 
• Current résumé or curriculum vitae of educational and work experience.
• Three letters of recommendation from instructors, supervisors or professional colleagues, two of which must come from individuals with a minimum of a master’s degree in nursing, who are qualified to evaluate your professional nursing experience, academic competence, and potential to undertake a master’s degree program.
• For graduates of BSN programs of greater than 5 years, it is recommended that an additional course or continuing education offering be completed prior to enrolling in the following graduate courses: Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Pharmacology.

Enrollment Requirements for MSN:

If offered admission, student must provide the following before starting the program:

• Copy of physical health examination and immunizations as required by the University and Department of Nursing
• Copy of current BCLS certification by the American Heart Association
• Copy of professional liability insurance - all students must present evidence of coverage 18 annually in the amounts of $1 million/$6 million
• Copy of personal health insurance coverage
• Results of a Criminal History Database Check and Drug Screen clearance as specified by the Department of Nursing

RN-MSN Program

Admission Criteria for RN-MSN:

Students interested in the RN‐MSN program must successfully complete the required undergraduate pre‐requisite coursework, 25 semester hours of RN‐BSN upper‐division coursework, and meet admission requirements of the UNCP Graduate School as well as the Department of Nursing to continue seamlessly into the MSN program. Students must be in the last semester of required RN-BSN upper-division coursework before they are eligible to apply to The Graduate School to be considered for full admission to the MSN program. Applications should be completed by July 31 for fall consideration and December 1 for spring consideration.  Only applications with all necessary materials will be considered. The Director of the Graduate Program, in collaboration with graduate faculty, will review all applications and make a final recommendation regarding admission. Each applicant will be notified in writing regarding the admission decision. To enroll students with the greatest potential for successfully completing the program, the Department of Nursing will consider the following criteria for full acceptance, in addition to the general requirements for admission to The Graduate School:

• Earned associate degree or diploma in nursing from an approved nursing program
• Current, valid North Carolina nursing license or a license with multistate practice privileges by authority of the Nurse Licensure Compact.
• Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or greater (on a 4.0 scale).
• Nursing practice experience (one year recommended).
• Meet minimum requirements as specified in the current undergraduate catalog.
• Complete required 25 semester hours of RN-BSN coursework before or during semester of application to MSN program through The Graduate School.
• Complete required undergraduate prerequisite general education and RN-BSN coursework with a grade of C or higher.
• In semester prior to anticipated enrollment in the MSN program, students will submit an application packet to the UNCP Graduate School that includes the following:
  • Three letters of recommendation from instructors, supervisors or professional colleagues, two of which must come from individuals with a minimum of a master’s degree in nursing, who are qualified to evaluate your professional nursing experience, academic competence and potential to undertake a master’s degree program.
  • Current résumé or curriculum vitae of educational and work experience.
  • A personal statement describing applicant’s experience and objective in undertaking graduate study in chosen specialty. The personal statement should describe
    • The development of applicant’s interest in graduate education in nursing;
    • The reason for the specialty area to which s/he is applying;
    • Applicant’s professional goals and how this specialization will help achieve them;
    • Applicant’s academic strengths and areas needing further development;
    • Any special circumstances that applicant believes require further clarification.
  • Official transcripts of all postsecondary coursework sent directly from each institution to The Graduate School
• For graduates of basic nursing education programs of greater than 5 years, it is recommended that an additional course or continuing education offering be completed prior to enrolling in the following graduate course: Advanced Pharmacology.
• Admission to the RN-MSN Pathway does not guarantee admission to a specific MSN area of specialization.

Pre-requisite Course Requirements:

Prior to admission to the RN‐MSN program, all but nine (9) of the following pre‐requisite academic courses must be completed. The pre‐requisite coursework may be taken at UNCP or other accredited college or university. Academic credits from other accredited institutions may be accepted by UNCP if a grade of C or higher is earned. There is no time limit for acceptance of general education academic credits. Advanced placement and the College‐Level Examination Program (CLEP) are other avenues to meet these requirements.

English Composition-ENG 1060 or equivalent (3 credits)

Arts/Humanities (Fine Art, Literature, History, Logic) (12 credits)

Social Sciences (Economics, Geography, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology) (9 credits)

Biological Sciences (Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Microbiology) (12 credits)

Natural Sciences/Math (CHM 1400, 1410, 1120, 1130, MAT 1070 or higher) (11 credits)

Statistics (Math, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, or Criminal Justice) (3 credits)

Physical Education (1 credit)

NUR 2000 (1 credit)

Electives (8 credits)

RN-BSN/MSN Course Requirements Prior to Enrolling in MSN Program:

RN‐MSN students complete 25 semester hours of upper‐division nursing coursework that reflect the baccalaureate nursing program outcomes and prepare students for achieving success in graduate study. RN-MSN students will earn 30 semester hours of validation credit for previous nursing education upon successful completion of the required upper‐division courses.

NUR 3000. Transition to Professional Nursing - This course focuses on the role of the professional nurse, an overview of the delivery of professional nursing practice and role transition. 

NUR 3200. Health Assessment across the Lifespan-This course prepares students to conduct 34 comprehensive health assessments.

NUR 3250. Pathophysiology across the Lifespan-This course prepares the student to systematically approach complex clinical situations.

NUR 3300. Gerontological Nursing-This course examines the process of aging.

NUR 4000. Nursing Research and Theory-This course provides students with an overview of the role of theory and research in the development of nursing as a profession.

NUR 4350. Community Health Nursing-This course focuses on care of the culturally diverse populations and aggregates within the community.

NUR 4120. Leadership in Nursing-The course focuses on the professional nurse’s role as a leader in the profession and health care delivery.

All requirements for the baccalaureate degree must be met before the BSN is awarded. Students may opt to “stop‐out” of the RN‐MSN program after meeting all requirements for the baccalaureate degree in nursing.

Programs

• Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing Education

• Nursing, Clinical Nurse Leader Specialization, M.S.N.
• Nursing, Clinical Prevention and Population Health Specialization, M.S.N.
• Nursing, Nurse Educator Specialization, M.S.N.

• Doctor of Nursing Practice in Population Health, D.N.P.

Courses

The curriculum consists of two components: the professional core and the advanced nursing practice courses. The professional core courses (NUR 5000 , NUR 5010 , NUR 5020 , NUR 5030 , and NUR 5040 ) are required of all MSN students. The advanced practice area courses focus on the student’s area of specialization and role preparation. The following list includes a description of all courses for the MSN program.

• NUR 5000. Advanced Nursing Concepts in Theory and Practice (3 credits)
• NUR 5010. Research Methods for Evidence-Based Practice (3 credits)
• NUR 5020. Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
• NUR 5030. Advanced Concepts of Pharmacology in Nursing (3 credits)
• NUR 5040. Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Decision Making (3 credits)
• NUR 5100. Rural Health Care: Theoretical Foundations (2 credits)
• NUR 5110. Policy, Organization, and Financing of Health Care (3 credits)
• NUR 5120. Human Relations Management (3 credits)
• NUR 5130. Nursing Case Management Process (4 credits)
• NUR 5140. Epidemiology and Global Health (3 credits)
• NUR 5150. Case Management Capstone Practicum (6 credits)
• NUR 5160. Master’s Rural Case Manager Research or Action Project (3 credits)
• NUR 5200. Issues in Community Health for Rural Populations (2-2-0 credits)
• NUR 5210. Leadership in Clinical Microsystems (4 credits)
• NUR 5220. Care Environment and Clinical Outcomes Management (3-2-1 credits)
• NUR 5230. Clinical Nurse Leader Capstone Practicum (6 credits)
• NUR 5240. Master’s Clinical Nurse Leader Research or Action Project (3 credits)
• NUR 5300. Educating Diverse Populations (3 credits)
• NUR 5310. Curriculum Theory and Design in Nursing Education (3 credits)
• NUR 5320. Classroom Teaching and Integration of Technology (3 credits)
• NUR 5330. Clinical Teaching Strategies for Nurse Educators (3 credits)
• NUR 5340. Measurement and Evaluation in Nursing Education (3 credits)
• NUR 5350. Nurse Educator Capstone Practicum (6 credits)
• NUR 5360. Master’s Nurse Educator Research or Action Project (3 credits)

Return to: Graduate Degrees and Programs