Accreditation

The Master’s degree in nursing at Cal State LA Patricia A. Chin School of Nursing  is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE):

Admission Requirements

Acceptance to the graduate program in Nursing occurs once each year in the Fall Semester. Students first apply to the university and then separately, complete the PACSON 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:

• The 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;
• Minimum B (3.0) grade point average in the last 60 semester or 90 quarter units attempted;
• Completion of a 3 semester-units (4 quarter-units) statistics course that includes inferential statistics content;
• Completion of an undergraduate nursing research course  (NURS 4900  or equivalent);
• Completion of an admission application to the University (Cal State Apply); 
• Completion of a second application to the School of Nursing;
• Attach three references and a personal essay to the second application; 
• 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, a current American Heart Association CPR card, a satisfactory annual physical examination, proof of immunity to specified infectious diseases, 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, graduate 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 this master’s program.

Requirements for the Degree

A total of 42 to 56 units are required for graduation. This includes the common core (21 units), an option (15-32 units), and a culminating experience (3 units). Students taking the comprehensive examination (0 units), must take an elective (3 units) approved by the graduate advisor.

At least half of the units must be at the 5000-level. To develop the 43-56 unit course of study, each student consults with an assigned graduate advisor who must approve the courses selected. Approval of the student’s graduate advisor is a specific prerequisite for enrollment in  NURS 5970 , NURS 5995 , and NURS 5990 , for a total of 3 units to complete these courses.

The program offers 5 options:

• Option I: Nursing Education (39 units) - The purpose of the Nursing Education option is to prepare graduates with competencies in knowledge and skills as nurse educators in various settings. The theoretical component prepares students for advanced scientific nursing knowledge, educational theories, teaching methodologies and evaluation, and curriculum design and development. The practical experience is designed to provide a beginning teaching experience in staff development, client education programs, and collegiate nursing. The student will be allowed to participate in both classroom and clinical teaching and investigate the faculty member’s broader role within the academic and service setting.
• Option II: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) (56 units) - The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) option prepares advanced practice nurses to manage urban families’ health as primary care providers. This specialty emphasizes health promotion, disease prevention, and management of common acute episodic illnesses and chronic health problems among culturally diverse clients across the lifespan. Care for individuals, families, and the community is experienced through direct advanced nursing care, consultation, collaboration, coordination, and referral in various community-based and ambulatory care settings. The graduate of this program will provide leadership and promote research in the delivery of quality health care services to multicultural and vulnerable groups in a variety of settings, including primary and ambulatory care such as family practices, private offices or community clinics, K - 12 schools, women’s health clinics, and practices, pediatric offices, occupational health, urgent care, specialty clinics, sports medicine, or travel medicine. Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared to be recognized as advanced practice nurses by the California State Board of Registered Nursing and eligible to take the Family Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination through the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
• Option III: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) (41 units) - The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) option prepares graduates to work with acutely ill adults in a variety of acute care settings including clinics, emergency departments, acute hospital-based settings, and intensive/critical care units. With a strong emphasis on research and evidence-based practice, students follow a curriculum that includes both theoretical contents and planned clinical experiences that emphasize holistic patient care and a collaborative, interdisciplinary team approach. A post-master’s certificate program is also available. Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared to be recognized as advanced practice nurses by the California State Board of Registered Nursing and eligible to take the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
• Option IV: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) (57 units) - The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) option prepares graduates to work with acutely ill adults in a variety of acute care settings including clinics, emergency departments, acute hospital-based settings, and intensive/critical care units. With a strong emphasis on research and evidence-based practice, students follow a curriculum that includes both theoretical contents and planned clinical experiences that emphasize holistic patient care and a collaborative, interdisciplinary team approach. A post-master’s certificate program is also available. Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared to be recognized as advanced practice nurses by the California State Board of Registered Nursing and eligible to take the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
• Option V: Family Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (FPMHNP) (56 units) - The Family Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (FPMHNP) option is to prepare the nurse interested in an advanced practice role in the health care system. The student receives preparation in various roles, including independent psychotherapy practice and management of psychiatric and mental health conditions in various settings. Such management includes the furnishing of psychiatric medications. Students receive detailed supervision of cases to understand the incorporation of mental health sciences theory into practice. The program builds on the rich history and tradition of Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing practice. The educational preparation includes courses in nursing research and theories and working with clients at all levels of the health-illness continuum. Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared to be recognized as advanced practice nurses by the California State Board of Registered Nursing and eligible to take the Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Learning Outcomes Roadmap (2021)