Nov 13, 2024  
University Catalog 2009-2011 
    
University Catalog 2009-2011 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Nursing, M.S.


The Master of Science degree in Nursing provides advanced study in selected areas. A total of 45-75 units in nursing is required depending on the option chosen. Students must select one of the following options.

  • Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: Adult Option (minimum 64 units)
  • Clinical Nurse Specialization: Psychiatric/Mental Health Option (minimum 55 units)
  • Nursing Administration Option (45 units)
  • Nursing Education Option (45 units)
  • Nurse Practitioner: Adult Option (minimum 65 units)
  • Nurse Practitioner: Family Option (minimum 75 units)
  • Nurse Practitioner Pediatric Option (minimum 64 units)
  • Nurse Practitioner: Psychiatric/Mental Health Option (minimum 72 units)
  • School Health Option (45 -48 units)

Every student is required to take 14 units of graduate core courses, 7-24 units of advanced nursing practice core courses (depending on option), and required specialty courses.

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 Accelerated Master’s Program

Track I. Admission Requirements for RNs with a Non- Nursing Baccalaureate


  • A baccalaureate from an accredited institution with a major other than nursing;
  • An A.A. or A.S. degree in Nursing from an accredited college or an NLN-accredited diploma program;
  • Completion of current B.S. degree in Nursing course Prerequisites;
  • Eligibility for University admission in conditionally classified graduate standing;
  • A minimum 2.75 grade point average in the last 90 quarter units attempted; and
  • Current licensure to practice nursing in California and University liability insurance

To continue in the accelerated program, students must:

  • Complete one year of clinical employment as an RN before they enroll in NURS 470/471 and
  • Maintain a minimum B (3.0) grade point average in and complete required upper division nursing courses to qualify for classified graduate standing.

Requirements for Second Baccalaureate

A bachelor’s degree is conferred in this accelerated master’s degree program only to students who fulfill current general education requirements for a second bachelor’s degree in addition to the nursing major undergraduate requirements

Track II. Admission Requirements for RNs without a Baccalaureate


  •  An A.A. or A.S. degree in nursing from an accredited college or an NLN-accredited diploma program with a minimum 2.75 grade point average
  • Completion of current B.S. degree in Nursing course Prerequisites
  • Current licensure to practice nursing in California and University liability insurance
  • To qualify for classified graduate standing, students pursuing this accelerated program must:
  • Complete one year of clinical employment as an RN
  • Complete all required baccalaureate nursing courses
  • Maintain a minimum B (3.0) grade point average in required upper division nursing courses

Undergraduate Requirements for Track I and Track II: RNs with a Non-Nursing Baccalaureate and RNs without a Baccalaureate


A total of 180 units is required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, which is conferred concurrently with the Master of Science degree in Nursing*.

*If after completion of all university and Nursing major requirements additional units are required for graduation, it is recommended that students complete up to six units in Nursing elective courses. See the Undergraduate Studies: General Information  section for details about General Education and other requirements that constitute the units outside the major.

Prerequisites (33 units)


**Students entering with 4 or more semester units (6 or more quarter units) of credit from an accredited college for a course including laboratory satisfy this requirement by transfer credit.

The following courses are Prerequisites to the Nursing major:

Required in Related Fields (16 units)


Required in Nursing (79 units)


Track III. Admission requirements for Non-RNS with a Baccalaureate (or higher) degree (Entry Level Master’s [ELM] Program in Nursing)


  • Completion of Bachelor’s (or higher) degree in any field
  • Minimum GPA 3.0 in last 90 units
  • Completion of prerequisite courses
  • A selected test of basic academic skills administered by the School of Nursing will be required prior to consideration for admission into the program.

Note:


Successful completion of the 76 units of basic nursing courses and passing the NCLEX examination for RN licensure is required prior to changing from conditionally classified to classified graduate student status.

Admission to the Master’s Program


Acceptance to the graduate program in Nursing occurs twice each year, once for fall quarter and once for spring quarter. The deadline to apply for spring admission each year is November 15 and the deadline to apply for fall admission is May 1.

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 or permission of the school graduate studies committee;
  • 2.75 grade point average in the last 90 quarter units attempted;
  • Completion of a second application to the School of Nursing including 2 references and an essay;
  • Completion of an upper division statistics course (four quarter units or more which included inferential statistical content);
  • NURS 490 or equivalent undergraduate Nursing research course;
  • For NP and CNS students: Completion of a recent basic physical assessment course;
  • Current licensure to practice nursing 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.

Requirements for the Master’s Degree (45–75 units)


A total of 45-75 units are required with at least half of the units in 500-level courses. The options consist of a required common core, an advanced practice core, required option courses and electives.

Nursing Administration Option (45 Units)


Common Core Courses Required for all Options (14 units)


Required Advanced Practice Courses (7 units)


Electives (17 units)


Select appropriate 400 or 500 level courses as electives. Students who complete a thesis use 5 units of NURS 497 , NURS 599  as elective units.

Nursing Education Option (45 units)


Common Core Courses Required for all Options (14 units)


Electives (10 units)


Select appropriate 400 or 500 level courses as electives. Students who complete a thesis use 5 units of NURS 597 , NURS 599  as elective units.

School Health Option: Track I (48 or 53 units)


This option offers a student preparation for a Master’s Degree in Nursing and eligibility for a Health Service Credential. This option is for students who have a baccalaureate degree in Nursing and Public. Health Certification but do not yet have the Health Service Credential, or a graduate degree in Nursing.

School Health Option: Track II (45 units)


This option offers a student preparation for a Master’s Degree in Nursing and a Special Teaching Authorization in Health. This option is for students who already have a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing, Public Health Certification and who also have the Health Service Credential.

Common Core Courses Required for all Options (14 units)


Required Advanced Practice Courses (4 units)


Directed Electives (15 units)


See selected electives under Health Services Credential program. Select appropriate 400 or 500 level courses as electives.

Students who complete a thesis use 5 units of NURS 597 , NURS 599  as elective units.

Advanced Nursing Practice Option: Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (55 or 60 units)


Nurse Practitioner: Pediatric Option (Minimum of 64 or 69 units)


Nurse Practitioner: Adult Option ( 65 or 70 units)


Common Core Courses (14 units)


Advanced Nursing Practice Core Courses (23 units)


Electives (4 units)


Select appropriate 400 or 500 level courses as electives.

Comprehensive Exam (0 units) or Thesis (Add 5 units)


Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: Adult Option (Minimum 64 or 69 units)


Common Core Courses (14 units)


Advanced Nursing Practice Core Courses (23 units)


Comprehensive Exam (0 units) or Thesis (Add 5 units)


Nurse Practitioner: Family Option (75 or 80 units)


Nurse Practitioner: Psychiatric/Mental Health Option (72 or 77 units)


Common Core Courses (14 units)


Advanced Nursing Practice Core Courses (23 units)


Comprehensive Exam (0 units) or Thesis (Add 5 units)


Students who select the comprehensive examination (NURS 596) 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 599) must complete 2 units of NURS 597 prior to the required 3 units of NURS 599 and must comply with University, college and school policies and procedures regarding theses.