Mar 29, 2024  
University Catalog 2017-2018 
    
University Catalog 2017-2018 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Nursing, M.S.


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The Master of Science degree in Nursing provides advanced study in selected areas. A total of 30-47 units in nursing is required depending on the option chosen. Students select from the following options:

Graduate Nursing Specialty Options

Nurse Practitioner Options

Every student is required to take 9 units of graduate core courses, and required specialty courses. Students in the Nursing Education Option and the Nurse Practitioner Options are also required to take 12 units of courses in the Advanced Practice Core.

The Master of Science degree in Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) One DuPont Circle, NW, Suite 530 Washington, DC 20036-2001

Admission to Master’s Program


Students may gain admission to the MS in Nursing program through the traditional master’s program or through the Accelerated Bachelor of Science program at CSULA . The admission requirements for these programs are specified below.

Students who have completed the Accelerated Bachelor of Science program at CSULA and are pursuing admission to the MS in Nursing program will be conditionally admitted for a period of up to 2 years from completion of the degree.

Acceptance to the graduate program in Nursing occurs once each year in the Fall Quarter. Students first apply to the university and then separately, complete the school of Nursing MSN application. A personal interview and/or onsite written assignment or the Analytic writing section of the GRE if taken within five years may also be required as components of the application process.

Applicants must fulfill the following prerequisites and criteria:

  • Equivalent of requirements for Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from an NLN or CCNE accredited program in effect at the time of admission as a graduate;
  • Minimum B (3.0) grade point average in upper division nursing courses;
  • 3.0 grade point average in the last 60 semester or 90 quarter units attempted;
  • Completion of an  admission application to the University and a second and separate application to the School of Nursing includes 3 references and a personal essay;
  • Completion of a 3 semester unit (4 quarter units) statistics course  that includes inferential statistics content;
  • NURS 4900 or equivalent undergraduate nursing research course;
  • For NP students: Completion of a recent (5 yrs.) basic physical assessment course; Current licensure to practice nursing as an RN in California and cleared background check.

Potential, applicants are strongly encouraged to carefully assess any personal criminal background before applying to the School of Nursing. Nursing students must have a cleared background check that is acceptable to clinical agencies after acceptance to the School of Nursing. Prior to entering the first clinical lab, students must have university liability insurance, current American Heart Association CPR card, a satisfactory annual physical examination, proof of immunity to specified infectious diseases, an initial 2 step Mantoux skin test and a chest x-ray if there is evidence of a positive TB skin test. Drug screening may be requested depending on agency requirements.

School Regulations

Per university policy MSN students are required to maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0. In addition, in the School of Nursing, students who on their graduate program of study receive, a C- or lower in the same course for the second time or receive a C- or lower in two separate courses will not be allowed to continue in the MSN program.

Requirements for the Master’s Degree (30-52 units)


A total of 30-47 units are required with at least half of the units in 5000-level courses. Additional units may be required if the student chooses to do a project or thesis. The options consist of a required common core, an advanced practice courses, required option courses and electives.

Graduate Nursing Specialty Options


Nursing Administration Option (30-32 Units)


Nursing Education Option (35-38 units)


Required Option Courses (8 units)


Comprehensive Exam or Graduate Research and Thesis or Project (0-3 units)


        or

        and

Nurse Practitioner Options


All Nurse Practitioner Options require the completion of 12 units of advanced nursing practice core courses as follows:

Nurse Practitioner: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (AGPCNP) Option (41-43 units)


Nurse Practitioner: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Option (43-45 units)


Nurse Practitioner: Family Option (47-49 units)


Nurse Practitioner: Family Psychiatric/Mental Health Option (43-46 units)


Note: This option typically admits students every other year

Comprehensive Exam or Thesis or Project (0- 3 units)


Students who select the comprehensive examination (NURS 5960 ) must complete all required nursing courses prior to taking exam and must comply with college and School of Nursing requirements.

Students who elect the thesis project option (NURS 5990 ) must complete 1 units of NURS 5970  prior to the required 2 units of NURS 5990  and must comply with University, college and school policies and procedures regarding theses.

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