Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.)

Admissions Requirements

Degree: M.S.N.

Specialization, Program of Study: Clinical Nurse Leader and Nursing Education.

Program Length: 2 - 3 Years

Admissions Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) Program the following factors are required:

  • Online application submitted via NursingCAS. View a video overview on completing NursingCAS application.
  • NursingCAS application service fee
  • bachelor's in Nursing
  • Submit official transcript(s) from each post-secondary institution attended, even if no degree awarded, to NursingCAS. International transcripts must be evaluated by an accredited foreign credential service. *Visit the nursing admissions website for more information regarding international applicant requirements.
  • Grade Point Average of "B" (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or higher on the student's last 60 hours of credit
  • Official copy of Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score, if international applicant. TOEFL and IELTS scores can be no more than two (2) years old. A minimum TOEFL score of 550 is required on the paper examination; minimum 250 on the computer-based examination; or, minimum 68 on the internet based examination.  A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 for graduate admission is required.  TOEFL school code: 3383
  • Licensure as a Registered Nurse in Texas or compact state with multistate privileges (practicum experiences must be conducted in the state of Texas).
  • Current BLS for Healthcare Providers Certification through the American Heart Association. 
  • Current Required Immunizations
  • Proof of Current Health Insurance Coverage
  • Clear criminal background check
  • Three professional references(Submit via NursingCAS application)
  • Professional goal statement/essay (Submit via Supplemental Application, not via NursingCAS application)
  • Current resume or curriculum vita
  • School of Nursing application fee
  • Interview and admission essay

Application Deadline:  See School of Nursing Admissions website

Start Term:  fall

Contact: 
Office of Admissions
School of Nursing
UT Health Science Center at San Antonio
7703 Floyd Curl Drive, MSC 7945
San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900
Phone: 210-567-0341
Toll Free: 877-235-0341
FAX 210-567-6189

http://nursing.uthscsa.edu

Degree Requirements and Graduation

For the Master of Science in Nursing degree, a minimum of 36 semester credit hours of upper-division and graduate courses is required. All coursework must be completed within five years of enrollment in the program. A student must achieve no less than the total number of semester credit hours for the specific major/degree program, which may exceed 36 semester credit hours, in order to graduate.

The program of study includes required core courses and major courses.

To graduate, a student must have an overall minimum GPA of 3.0, at least a 3.0 average in nursing courses, no more than one C in a required course, and no incomplete grades.

The program is designed to be completed in 24 months of full-time study for entering in the fall, however, part-time enrollment is feasible within the program plan. Selected courses may be offered during summer sessions, but students should not anticipate completing the program by attending summer sessions only or by attending less than four regular semesters. A clinical preceptorship also may be required. Students have six years to complete a graduate or professional program under the catalog in effect when they initially registered.

Curriculum and Plans of Study

M.S.N. Semester Credit Hour Requirements

Graduate courses required for the M.S.N. vary per major. All master's students are required to take 24 hours of coursework in residence. The program is completed through full-time or part-time enrollment.

Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)

The Clinical Nurse Leader is prepared to be a direct care provider accountable for the care outcomes of a clinical population or a specified group of patients/clients in a health care system. Clinical Nurse Leader graduates must complete a total of 40 semester credit hours. 

Standards for the Clinical Nurse Leader M.S.N. program are established by The American Association of the Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Graduates are eligible for certification as a CNL.

CNL Courses - taken in addition to core courses

Theoretical Core Courses for All CNL Graduate Students

 TheoryClinicalLabContSCH
NURS 5306Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice3
NURS 5307Translational Research for Advanced Nursing Practice3
NURS 5356Financial and Economic Evidence In Health Care3
NURS 5339Leadership and Health Policy for Quality and Safety3
NURS 6315Informatics & Health Care Technologies3
 Total Credit Hours: 0.00.00.00.015.0

Clinical Nurse Leader Major Courses1

 TheoryClinicalLabContSCH
NURS 6338Advanced Pathophysiology3
NURS 6302Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics3
NURS 6210Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Reasoning2
NURS 6110Advanced Health Assessment: Clinical Application601
NURS 6380Fundamentals of Epidemiology3
NURS 6230Clinical Nurse Leader 1: Role of The Adv. Generalist in Healthcare Microsystems2
NURS 6233Clinical Nurse Leader 1: Role Of The Adv Generalist In Healthcare Microsystems - Clin Applications1202
NURS 6120Clinical Nurse Leader Role 2: Seminar1
NURS 6822Clinical Nurse Leader Role 2: Clinical Application For The Advanced Nursing Generalist4808
 Total Credit Hours: 0.0660.00.00.025.0
1

450 clinical hours apply to certification requirements

 The Theoretical Core Courses for All Graduate Students courses and the Clinical Nurse Leader Major Courses are required for a total of 40 semester credit hours.

Nursing Education Courses

Theoretical Core Courses for All Nursing Education Graduate Students

 TheoryClinicalLabContSCH
NURS 6261Foundational Topics in Nursing Education3
NURS 7302Theoretical Foundations for Leadership in Complex Adaptive Systems3
NURS 7303Science of Knowledge Translation and Implementation I3
NURS 7304Science of Knowledge Translation and Implementation II3
NURS 6315Informatics & Health Care Technologies3
NURS 6263Nursing Education Capstone3
 Total Credit Hours: 0.00.00.00.018.0

Nursing Education Major Courses

 TheoryClinicalLabContSCH
NURS 6302Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics3
NURS 6338Advanced Pathophysiology3
NURS 6210Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Reasoning2
NURS 6110Advanced Health Assessment: Clinical Application601
NURS 6262Curriculum Design and Evaluation2
NURS 6134Clinical Application 1: Facilitation of Learning601
NURS 6264Teaching and Learning Strategies Across Settings2
NURS 6136Clinical Application 2: Facilitation of Learning601
NURS 6266Assessment and Evaluation in Education2
NURS 6138Clinical Application 3: Facilitation of Learning601
 Total Credit Hours: 0.0180.060.00.018.0

Program Outcomes

At the completion of the program Masters of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) graduates will demonstrate the following:

  1. Integrate scientific findings from nursing and related sciences, including genetics and genomics, into the delivery of advanced nursing care to populations in diverse settings.
  2. Demonstrate organizational and systems leadership to assure ethical and critical decision making at all system levels for quality and patient safety.
  3. Incorporate performance improvement technologies for quality, safety, and patient-centered care delivery.
  4. Use improvement science to achieve optimal patient care and care environmental outcomes.
  5. Integrate meaningful and usable information systems and healthcare technologies to support and improve safe, quality patient care and healthcare systems effectiveness.
  6. Advocate for policy changes that influence health care at appropriate levels.
  7. Lead interprofessional teams using collaborative strategies to effect quality patient care and population health outcomes.
  8. Analyze and incorporate broad ecological and social health determinants to design and deliver evidence-based clinical prevention and population health care and services to individuals, families, and aggregates/identified populations.
  9. Integrate the advacned competencies expected of a master's-prepared nurse to design, deliver, and evaluate outcomes of systems of care for individuals, families, and diverse populations.

Graduate Program Policies

General Information

Information about academic progression, policies or procedures, as well as curriculum information, may be obtained from the Office for Academic Affairs.

Current Licensure as a Registered Nurse

Each graduate nursing student is required to maintain current licensure in good standing as a registered nurse in Texas, or a Compact State with multistate privileges, throughout the graduate program. Students must provide a copy of the license verification to the Office for Academic Affairs. Failure to maintain a current license in good standing or to produce proof of current licensure in good standing is grounds for dismissal from the program.

Advisement

Each student enrolled in the graduate program is assigned an advisor in the Office for Academic Affairs. 

Transfer of Credit

Students may, with the approval of the Committee on Graduate Studies (COGS), transfer from another accredited institution a maximum of six semester credit hours (nine quarter hours) of graduate credit applicable to their course of study leading toward the Master of Science in Nursing. 

Approval of any course for transfer, prior to registration for the course, is strongly recommended. 

Approval of transfer credit requires that the student be enrolled in the graduate program. The student must complete a Request for Transfer of Credit form and submit it to the Office for Academic Affairs with an official course description from the catalog and must make certain that an official transcript, sent directly from the college or university attended, is in her/his file or request that a transcript be sent as soon as the course is completed. All courses must have been completed not more than five years before the degree is awarded. Courses in which a grade of C or less has been earned will not be accepted for transfer (see exception for students enrolled in the DNP Public Health Nurse Leader). The student may obtain additional information about materials that must be submitted with the petition from the Office for Academic Affairs. 

Teaching Assistants

Opportunities are available for graduate nursing students enrolled part-time to work as teaching assistants in the School of Nursing. Interested applicants should contact the Office for Academic Affairs in the School of Nursing for additional information.

Honors

A graduate nursing student whose grade point average is 4.0 is awarded her/his degree with High Honors.

Grades and Grade Point Average

The standing of students in their work is expressed by five grades: A (above average graduate work), B (average graduate work), C (below average graduate work), D (failing graduate work), and F (failing graduate work). D and F grades are not acceptable for graduate credit. Students may also register in certain courses on a pass/fail basis, in which case the grade is recorded as either Pass (P) or Fail (F), and no letter grade is assigned. 

Other symbols used in reporting the standing of students in their classes are: W=withdrawal from course; I=incomplete; IP=in progress (for selected courses); S=satisfactory; U=unsatisfactory; P=pass; F= fail; AU records an audited course. U is equivalent to a grade of F.

Courses in which a student receives a D, F, or U will not be counted toward the total number of courses and/or hours required for a graduate degree in the School of Nursing or the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. However, all grades (A to F) are included in the computation of the grade point average. In computing the grade point average, the following scale of points per semester credit hour is used:

A = 4 points (90-100)

B = 3 points (80-89)

C = 2 points (75-79)

D = 1 point (66-74)

F = 0 points (65 or below)

Note:  Final numeric grades are calculated to two decimal places and rounded mathematically as follows:

  • Less than 0.50 – round down to next whole number – (i.e.“89.49” would be rounded to “89”)
  • 0.50 or greater – round up to next whole number – (i.e. “90.50” would be rounded to “91”)

Progression in the Graduate Program

To continue in the graduate program, a student must:

  • absolve any contingencies related to program admission within the time period stated in the letter of admission, or within the first semester if not stated;
  • maintain satisfactory progress (B average in first 9 hours);
  • receive no more than one C in any course;
  • maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of B (3.0) for all courses taken while enrolled in the graduate program.

Scholastic Probation

A student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0 will be placed on scholastic probation and warned that continuation in the graduate program is in jeopardy.

The progress of students on scholastic probation will be reviewed by the Committee on Graduate Studies (COGS) each semester. A student on scholastic probation will not be admitted to candidacy nor awarded a degree. Satisfactory progress toward the degree is required throughout the student’s enrollment. The Committee on Graduate Studies (COGS) may terminate a student’s enrollment at any time if the student does not meet the criteria for continuance in the program.

Probation Policy and Procedure

  1. Definition: Probation is the status of the student whose progression in the program may be delayed, interrupted or conditional due to the criteria listed below.
  2. Criteria for probation in the nursing program includes any one of the following:
    1. Earning a grade of C in a graduate course
      1. The student will be on probation the remainder of their program
    2. Earning a grade in a  graduate course that drops the GPA below 3.0
    3. Failure to meet any of the School of Nursing Policies related to academic or professional conduct
    4. Failure to meet the terms of professional integrity standards defined in the current University Catalog, the Texas State Board of Nursing Nurse Practice Act, the Texas State Board of Nursing Rules and Regulations and the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics.
  3. Probation Procedure:
    1. Initial Review of Recommendation for Probation
      1. A student whom receives a final grade of C in a course will be notified of her/his probation status by the Office for Academic Affairs
      2. The student may present her/his case to the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, if requested in writing, within three business days of notification of the probation recommendation. If the student wishes to bring a person outside of the School of Nursing to the meeting, he/she must indicate this in the request to the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies. If the person attending the meeting with the student is an attorney, the meeting will be held with the university attorney present.
    2. If a student is in validation of the criteria for probation, one or more of the following actions will occur:
      1. Earning a Grade of C or a grade that drops the GPA below 3.0 
        1. A written “Probation Letter of Expectation” that determines the length and conditions of the  probation period which may include, but are not limited, any one of the following:
        • Referral of the student to resources and support services for academic success
        • Referral of the student to the faculty to devise a written plan for academic success
        • Referral of the student to the Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Services for non-academic support
      2. Failure to meet School of Nursing policies or failure to meet the terms of professional integrity standards defined in the current University Catalog, the Texas State Board of Nursing Nurse Practice Act, the Texas State Board of Nursing Rules and Regulations and the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics
        1. The Associate Dean for Graduate Studies will present a recommendation for the “Probation Letter of Expectation” that determines the length and conditions of the probation to the Committee on Graduate Studies
        2. When indicated, the incident will be reported to the local law enforcement agency and/or other appropriate agencies, institutions, and/or regulatory bodies by the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies
        3. If the review of the recommendation for probation results in a recommendation for dismissal, the policy and procedure for dismissal will supersede the policy and procedure for probation

Dismissal Policy and Procedure

  1. Definition: Dismissal is the removal of a student from the School of Nursing Graduate Program. A student who is dismissed from the graduate program may not continue in the graduate nursing program and is not eligible for readmission.
  2. Criteria for Dismissal from the Graduate Nursing Program includes any one of the following:
    1. Earning a grade of D, F, or U,  in any graduate course
    2. Earning a grade of C in six or more credit hours of graduate coursework regardless of cumulative GPA or in two required graduate courses regardless of  the number of credit hours and cumulative GPA
    3. Failure to meet the conditions of the School of Nursing “Probation Letter of Expectation”
    4. Failure to meet the terms of professional integrity and ethical standards defined in the current University Catalog, the Texas State Board of Nursing Nurse Practice Act, the Texas State Board of Nursing Rules and Regulations and the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics. When indicated, the incident will be reported to the local law enforcement agency and/or other appropriate agencies, institutions, and/or regulatory bodies.
    5. Failure to notify the school of non-matriculation for two consecutive semesters (excluding summers)
  3. Dismissal Procedure
    1. A student whom receives a grade of D, F, or, U in a course will be notified of his/her dismissal status by the Office for Academic Affairs
    2. When a student meets criteria in provision 2 above, he or she will be dismissed from his or her program. The student will receive notification of dismissal via a certified letter from the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies also sent to the dean of the School of Nursing, the student's file in the Graduate Office and to the Registrar for the student’s permanent record. The Associate Dean for Graduate Studies has full authority to proceed autonomously according to policy, but may choose to seek input from the Committee on Graduate Studies (COGS).
    3. A student who is dismissed from his or her program is not eligible to register for additional courses. If the student has already registered for subsequent courses, the student will be required to unenroll.
  4. Student Appeal of Dismissal
    1. In the event of extenuating circumstances, a student may choose to appeal dismissal from his or her program. All appeals are presented to and reviewed by the Committee on Graduate Studies (COGS).
      1. A request for appeal of dismissal and presentation to COGS must be sent by the student in writing to the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies within three business days of receiving the certified letter of dismissal. The student must indicate in the request if he or she wishes to bring a person outside of the School of Nursing to the meeting. If the person attending the meeting with the student is an attorney, the meeting will be held with the university attorney present. The student may also request to bring other appropriate faculty to the meeting with COGS. The Committee on Graduate Studies may request University employees or supervising clinical agency personnel attend the appeal or meet with them prior to deliberating. A review of the student’s records may also be conducted.
      2. The Associate Dean for Graduate Studies will notify the student, in writing via email, that her or his case will be presented to the Committee on Graduate Studies. The written communication will include the date and time of the presentation.  Student presentations are limited to a maximum of 15 minutes.
    2. After the student presentation is concluded, and any additional information deemed appropriate to the situation is obtained, the Committee on Graduate Studies will review all information related to the criteria set forth in provision 2 for adherence to process and outcome actions. The faculty voting members of the Committee on Graduate Studies, in closed deliberation with the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, can recommend one or more of the following actions:
      1. Uphold the decision to dismiss the student from the School of Nursing Graduate Program
      2. Amend the dismissal decision to probation in the Graduate Nursing Program per explicit terms and expectations deemed appropriate by COGS and the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies
      3. Reconsideration of dismissal due to adherence concerns with process; including next steps
    3. A written recommendation from the Chairperson of the Committee on Graduate Studies will be made to the dean of the School of Nursing.
    4. The final decision will be made by the dean and will be delivered to the student in writing by certified letter to the student’s address of record. A student who receives probation in the Graduate Nursing Program is not eligible to re-enroll in courses the semester immediately following the semester in which the student originally met criteria for dismissal. A student who is dismissed from the School of Nursing may not continue in the Graduate Nursing Program and is not eligible for readmission.

Petition

Students may petition the Committee on Graduate Studies (COGS) for the consideration of relevant issues influencing program progression and/or completion. Students who wish to petition COGS should consult with the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, and then complete the Student Petition Form that is available from the Office for Academic Affairs. Decisions regarding the petition will be communicated in writing to the students.

Petitions for reconsideration of the decision of COGS are reviewed by the dean of the School of Nursing. The dean’s decisions are final.

Repetition of a Course

Students cannot retake nursing courses for a grade in which they have already received a passing grade.

The Semester Credit Hour

The unit of measure for credit purposes is the semester credit hour. One semester credit hour is given for each one clock hour of class or one clock hour of seminar for didactic courses.   Four clock hours per one semester credit hour of laboratory/practicum/computer lab experience per week, per semester is given in the Nurse Practitioner majors, Nursing Education major, Administrative Management and Clinical Nurse Leader majors and all tracks in the DNP Program.  For selected sessions and summer sessions during which the class, seminar, and practicum hours are concentrated, equivalent clock hours are provided.

Examinations

Examinations must be taken on the date and time scheduled. If extenuating circumstances prevent the student from taking an examination, prior approval must be granted by the course instructor to postpone the examination. If a student misses an examination without prior approval by the instructor, a grade of F will be recorded for the examination.

Readmission

Individuals who have previously been enrolled in graduate nursing courses should complete an Application for Readmission. Transcripts from any colleges or universities attended since the time of the previous enrollment in the graduate programs must be submitted. Applicants may be requested to provide recent professional references. Proof of current licensure as a registered nurse in Texas is also required.

Individuals who have not registered in three consecutive terms, including summers, must apply for readmission unless they were previously granted official permission for leave of absence. Students who do not return from leave of absence within the three consecutive terms limit will be withdrawn from the nursing program and will have to apply for admission as a new student.

Those seeking readmission are subject to all requirements, procedures, and acceptance considerations outlined in this catalog.

NURS 5219. Maximizing System and Human Resources to Improve Health. 2 Credit Hours.

This is one of a series of graduate level courses that provides the nursing management and leadership foundation necessary to create safe, healthy, professional environments that empower interdisciplinary health care teams to engage patients and deliver optimal patient and system outcomes. Integration of internal and external forces impacting complex adaptive healthcare systems sets the context for a focus on human resource management at a clinical unit, clinic, department and service level as well as building capacity for event response. Big data analysis, trending, and benchmarking complement best practices in human resourcing and employment law to manage current human and relational resources. Additional focus includes the role of strategic staff development in anticipation of market dynamics, quality and service demands, technology, artificial intelligence and advances in science; including genomics and epigenetics. Students emerge with the capacity to leverage complex internal and external system dynamics, evidence, and information in order to establish healthy work environments and to manage and lead healthcare teams that deliver safe quality outcomes.

NURS 5306. Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice. 3 Credit Hours.

In this course students analyze interdisciplinary theories that inform research, practice and scholarship in healthcare.

NURS 5307. Translational Research for Advanced Nursing Practice. 3 Credit Hours.

In this course students learn the application of research in nursing and healthcare. Emphasis is placed on interpreting, evaluating and translating research to improve practice and healthcare outcomes. Graduate standing is required to register for this course.

NURS 5338. Advanced Pathophysiology. 3 Credit Hours.

In this course, students focus on advanced pathophysiological processes across the lifespan, incorporating use of clinical reasoning skills to distinguish alterations across multiple physiological systems. Prerequisites: Graduate Standing. Open for Cross Enrollment on Space Available Basis.

NURS 5339. Leadership and Health Policy for Quality and Safety. 3 Credit Hours.

Leadership principles and theories germane to an increasingly complex, rapidly changing global healthcare landscape will be explored. Primary focus will be the development of change capacity and policy making within microsystems, mesosystems and microsystems to transform health. Global health impact, interprofessional collaboration, and advocacy initiatives will be explored. Course content will include complexity theory and continuous quality improvement models, processes and tools to realize measurable health outcomes. Analysis will include political, demographic and economic forces that influence health policy and professional practice. Nuanced ethical and legal dimensions of practice will be explored. Reflective analysis of individual student leadership development will frame learning application. Graduate standing is required to register for this course. Open for Cross Enrollment on Space Available Basis.

NURS 5356. Financial and Economic Evidence In Health Care. 3 Credit Hours.

The student is introduced to the economic and financial factors affecting practice in a complex healthcare environment. Principles of healthcare economics, third party reimbursement, developing budgets, variance and economic evaluation methods, are considered.

NURS 6104. Integration and Transition Seminar. 1 Credit Hour.

This course provides students the opportunity to share their individual micro-meso-macro systems analyses, experiences and insights and to extend their learning through collective dialogue. Practicum project successes and lessons learned will form the basis of student discussions focused on strategic and operational decision making and problem solving, human and resource management, interprofessional relationships and the related roles and responsibilities of nurse leaders / nurse executives across the continuum of care. Discoveries, challenges and developmental plans related to the leader within will be explored. Constructive reflection and peer coaching will be used to lay the foundation for student success. Prerequisites: NURS 5219, NURS 6405, NURS 6314. Corequisites: NURS 6313, NURS 6331, NURS 6330.

NURS 6108. Nursing Administration Practicum 1. 1 Credit Hour.

This introductory nursing administration practicum provides an opportunity for the student to utilize specialization specific tools and competencies to explore the leader within themselves and to identify personal challenges and opportunities for professional success. Students will assess leadership roles in their desired area of focus and establish a personal plan for professional development to assume desired roles. While locally focused, students will also explore the interconnection of local health and nursing leadership to global health. Identification and establishment of a program sustaining preceptorship with an experienced nurse executive in a selected institutional or community-based health care setting to accomplish the student's professional development plan is the defining accomplishment of this course. Prerequisite: NURS 5339.

NURS 6110. Advanced Health Assessment: Clinical Application. 1 Credit Hour.

Students will apply advanced health assessment techniques in the performance of focused and comprehensive health assessments of clients across the lifespan. Clinical reasoning, analysis, and synthesis of history and physical assessment data and diagnostic reasoning skills are developed. Prerequisites: An undergraduate health assessment course or comparable equivalent, NURS 6338. Corequisites: NURS 6210.

NURS 6120. Clinical Nurse Leader Role 2: Seminar. 1 Credit Hour.

This seminar is designed to provide students enrolled in the CNO capstone clinical course the opportunity to discuss and analyze leadership challenges in the development and implementation of the CNL role in various health care microsystems. Clock hours: 1 semester class hour (15 clock hours class). Prerequisite: NURS 6230 and NURS 6233 Corequisites: NURS 6822.

NURS 6130. Nurse Practitioner Conceptual Basis For Advanced Practice Nursing. 1 Credit Hour.

The purpose of this course is to provide a conceptual basis for advance practice nursing. Students examine nurse practitioner competencies with emphasis on acquiring knowledge and skills to assume leadership roles in health care delivery, health policy, and complex health care systems. Research and quality improvement mechanisms to implement change are explored. Prerequisites: NURS 6119, NURS 6125, NURS 6137, NURS 6154, NURS 6420, NURS 6425, NURS 6438, NURS 6458, NURS 7302, NURS 7322.

NURS 6132. Population State of the Science. 1 Credit Hour.

This course provides a foundation for understanding of evidence-based clinical prevention and population care and services to individuals, families and aggregates/identified populations through the identification of key competencies and relevant and predictable learning opportunities in their practice settings.

NURS 6134. Clinical Application 1: Facilitation of Learning. 1 Credit Hour.

This practicum course provides students the opportunity to explore the scope and responsibilities in curriculum design and implementation. Students will begin direct engagement in curriculum design in alignment with program outcomes in academic or practice-based settings. Prerequisites: NURS 6261 Corequisites: NURS 6262, NURS 6261.

NURS 6136. Clinical Application 2: Facilitation of Learning. 1 Credit Hour.

This practicum course provides students the opportunity to expand direct engagement in teaching students in their area of practice or population foci in classroom, online, lab, simulation and/or clinical settings. Focus is on assuming a beginning leadership role in designing and implementing teaching strategies that reflect best practices. Students will consider responsibilities of educators in didactic courses (in-person, hybrid, online) and clinical settings (practice settings, laboratory, and simulation). Prerequisites: NURS 6262, NURS 6134, and NURS 6261 Corequisites: NURS 6264.

NURS 6138. Clinical Application 3: Facilitation of Learning. 1 Credit Hour.

This practicum course provides students the opportunity to explore the scope and responsibilities of educators in assessing and evaluating learning outcomes in academic and practice-based settings. Students will consider the responsibilities of educators in providing feedback and sharing evaluation data. Prerequisites: NURS 6262, NURS 6134, NURS 6264, NURS 6136, and NURS 6261 Corequisites: NURS 6266.

NURS 6202. Nursing Administration Practicum 2. 2 Credit Hours.

This course continues the program's sustaining preceptorship and builds on the Practicum 1 foundation in three ongoing areas of leadership development: the leader within each student, a complexity based system analysis, and the application of theory through a clinical practicum project. Students will have the opportunity to engage in the system actively in order to begin a micro-meso-macro systems analysis and to establish project specific relationships. A systematic evaluation of opportunities for improvement will provide the basis for practicum project selection. The semester will culminate with the involved stakeholder's commitment to a general plan and timeline for practicum project implementation and evaluation. Students will reflect on their development across the semester and identify areas for ongoing growth as they plan for their next practicum. Portfolio development will continue. Prerequisites: NURS 5339, NURS 5306, NURS 6315, NURS 6108. Corequisites: NURS 5356, NURS 5219, NURS 5307.

NURS 6210. Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Reasoning. 2 Credit Hours.

This course will build upon health assessment skills developed in the professional nurse's basic educational program. The theoretical and clinical basis for health assessment by the advanced clinician will be developed. The process whereby the advanced clinician utilizes comprehensive history, physical, psychosocial, and cultural assessment across the lifespan to gather specific data relevant to common health problems is demonstrated. Students will develop clinical reasoning skills to begin to formulate differential diagnoses. Corequisites: NURS 6110. Prerequisites: NURS 6338.

NURS 6230. Clinical Nurse Leader 1: Role of The Adv. Generalist in Healthcare Microsystems. 2 Credit Hours.

The focus of this course is on assessment of clinical microsystems in healthcare settings to identify needed changes in clinical trajectory for patients within the system. Development of the role of the CNL as a patient care coordinator and educator for an interprofessional team is the aim of this course. Improving patient safety, quality outcomes, and planning for implementation of innovations in care based on evidence-based practice will be discussed. Clock hours: 30. Prerequisites: NURS 5339, NURS 5338, NURS 6210, NURS 6302, NURS 5306, NURS 5307, NURS 5356, NURS 6315, and NURS 6380.

NURS 6233. Clinical Nurse Leader 1: Role Of The Adv Generalist In Healthcare Microsystems - Clin Applications. 2 Credit Hours.

This course is a practicum course designed to assist the CNL is assessing a particular clinical microsystem of healthcare and designing educational programs for patients, families, and the interprofessional team. The focus of the assessment is on improving patient safety and selected quality outcomes based on evidence-based practice. Clock hours: 90 clinical clock hours, 30 hours clinical conference. Prerequisites: NURS 5339, NURS 5338, NURS 6210, NURS 6302, NURS 5306, NURS 5307, NURS 5356, NURS 6315, and NURS 6380. Corequisites: NURS 6230.

NURS 6250. Advanced Health Promotion, Health Protection, and Disease Prevention. 2 Credit Hours.

In this course, students analyze health promotion, health protection and disease prevention theories, research and strategies to reduce risk and improve health outcomes of individuals, families and communities. Students synthesize epidemiological, biostatistical, environmental and other evidence-based data to design interventions that promote health of diverse populations. Prerequisites: NURS 6320, NURS 7303. Corequisites: NURS 6380.

NURS 6260. Intro: Nursing Education Theories & Trends. 2 Credit Hours.

This course will introduce the nursing education theories and trends that influence the development of nursing education programs in academic and service settings.

NURS 6262. Curriculum Design and Evaluation. 2 Credit Hours.

This course will introduce the student to the process of curriculum development, implementation, and evaluation. The course incorporates an exploration of factors that influence curriculum development in academic and practice-based institutions. Students will explore nursing theories, course maintenance, regulatory processes and faculty governance as the influence curriculum development and quality improvement. The course will introduce curriculum evaluation strategies grounded in best practice for teaching and learning. Prerequisites: NURS 6261 Corequisites: NURS 6134, NURS 6261.

NURS 6264. Teaching and Learning Strategies Across Settings. 2 Credit Hours.

This course focuses on theory and evidence-based strategies utilized to develop learner critical thinking, clinical judgment, and competence. Students will consider various factors influencing the development and implementation of teaching strategies from the learner, classroom, institution and system levels. Additional focus includes technology and informatics applications that support learning in classroom, online/distance, skills laboratory, simulation, clinical education, and health care systems practice sites. Prerequisites: NURS 6262, NURS 6134, and NURS 6361 Corequisites: NURS 6136.

NURS 6266. Assessment and Evaluation in Education. 2 Credit Hours.

This course will explore processes of assessment and evaluation of curricula and student learning outcomes. Students will be introduced to methods of evaluation across diverse academic and practice-based settings. The course will encourage students to appraise extant literature related to evidence-based assessment and evaluation practices of cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains. Students will examine methods for conveying constructive feedback and evaluation information to promote learner development and quality improvement. Prerequisites: NURS 6262, NURS 6134, NURS 6264, NURS 6136, and NURS 6261 Corequisites: NURS 6138.

NURS 6302. Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge and skills in the therapeutic use of pharmacologic agents. The pharmacologic treatment of major health problems will be explored. Principles of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacogenomics will be examined. The effects of culture, ethnicity, age, pregnancy, gender and funding on pharmacologic therapy will be emphasized. Legal aspects of prescribing will be fully addressed. The prerequisite does not apply to CRNA track students. Prerequisites: NURS 6338 Open for Cross Enrollment on Space Available Basis.

NURS 6312. Advanced Mental Health Concepts. 3 Credit Hours.

The focus of this course is developing the theoretical basis for advanced practice nursing in mental health using a holistic perspective to examine the etiology, meaning and consequences of human behavior. Graduate Standing is a prerequisite for this course.

NURS 6313. Program Planning and Evaluation for Transitions, Transformation and Integration. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides the opportunity to explore management problems in health care settings with an emphasis on program planning and evaluation. Using analytical and problem-solving skills, processes, strategies, and evidenced-based practice, students will be given the opportunity to develop theory-based interventions and evaluation strategies. Prerequisites: NURS 5356, NURS 5306 and NURS 5307. Corequisites: NURS 6331, NURS 6104.

NURS 6314. Nursing Administration Practicum 3. 3 Credit Hours.

This course continues the program sustaining preceptorship and the three ongoing areas of leadership development: the leader within each student, a complexity based system analysis, and the application of theory through a clinical practicum project. Students will be expected to actively engage in the system to further analyze system dynamics and to advance their project. A theory and evidenced based logic model demonstrating best practices for decision making, financial analysis, and evaluation will be developed to support and track full project implementation. Culmination of the semester will reflect the practicum project's full implementation and substantive progress toward completion. Students will again reflect on their development across the semester and to identify areas for ongoing growth as they plan for their final practicum. Portfolio development will continue. Prerequisites: NURS 5356, NURS 5306 and NURS 5307. Corequisites: NURS 6405.

NURS 6315. Informatics & Health Care Technologies. 3 Credit Hours.

This course addresses advanced leadership roles in the clinical setting related to information systems and patient care technology. The content focuses on information systems that assist in monitoring outcomes and quality improvement, patient safety, and evaluation and selection of patient care technology and consumer health information sources. Legal and ethical issues related to information systems and patient care technology will be explored. Prerequisites: NURS 6320, NURS 7303, NURS 7302. Open for Cross Enrollment on Space Available Basis.

NURS 6330. Nursing Administration Practicum 4. 3 Credit Hours.

This final practicum course in the program completes the sustaining preceptorship and the three ongoing areas of leadership development: the leader within each student, a complexity based system analysis, and the application of theory through a clinical practicum project. A summative complex systems analysis will be performed. Students will assume aspects of the nurse leader / nurse executive role as they finalize practicum project activities. Presentations of outcomes as well as plans for sustainment, and opportunities for continued improvement complete the student's project responsibilities. As the nursing administration practicum series ends the students will use the AONE Nurse Leader Competencies, as well as, their preferred professional future, to reflect on their development across the program. They will have the opportunity to build a personal professional action plan that supports their transition into the marketplace and is supported by their finalized academic portfolio. Prerequisites: NURS 6405, NURS 6314. Corequisites: NURS 6313, NURS 6331, NURS 6104.

NURS 6331. Economics and Advanced Financial Management. 3 Credit Hours.

This course covers advanced financial management concepts relevant to managing the business of healthcare. Key concepts covered include principles of advanced financial management, interpretation of financial statements, regulatory requirements imposed by payers and accreditors, advanced budgeting and variance analysis, forecasting, and productivity management. The role of the Administrative Nurse Manager in interprofessional financial planning for quality, safety, and financial stability will be addressed. Prerequisites: NURS 5356. Corequisites: NURS 6313, NURS 6104.

NURS 6338. Advanced Pathophysiology. 3 Credit Hours.

In this course, students focus on advanced pathophysiological processes across the lifespan, incorporating use of clinical reasoning skills to distinguish alterations across multiple physiological systems. Prerequisites: Graduate Standing. Open for Cross Enrollment on Space Available Basis.

NURS 6380. Fundamentals of Epidemiology. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is designed to study the distribution and determinants of health and disease in human populations. Improving health by altering personal and environmental risk factors will be a major focus. Epidemiological research using technology and public health informatics will also be introduced. Prerequisites: Graduate Standing. Open for Cross Enrollment on Space Available Basis.

NURS 6405. Transforming Complex Healthcare Systems for Quality and Safety. 4 Credit Hours.

This course focuses on student comprehension of organizational systems from traditional theories and structures through complexity theory. The dynamic influences of external and internal environmental changes and contemporary influences at microsystem, mesosystem and macrosystem levels are explored. Students will analyze current and emerging problems related to multiple aspects of quality and safety within healthcare systems. The unique role of nursing in quality improvement, including conceptualization and redesign of effective care delivery models, and care environments that address gaps in science and delivery of patient care services will be explored. Prerequisites: NURS 5339 or NURS 6222.

NURS 6412. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Diagnosis and Mgmt: Concepts and Theory 1. 4 Credit Hours.

This course provides the theoretical basis for the competencies of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). This course lays the scientific foundation for independent practice as the RN transitions to the role of the Nurse Practitioner in health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis and management of illness in psychiatric patients across the lifespan. Using self-directed learning strategies, disorders of approximately one half of the physiologic/psychological systems are examined. Psychotherapies and theories of half of psychopathology are surveyed. Additionally, this course emphasizes collaborative, partnership development among patients, families, and interprofessional teams. Prerequisites: NURS 5339, NURS 5306, NURS 5307, NURS 5356, NURS 6315, NURS 6250, NURS 5338, NURS 6302, NURS 6110, NURS 6210, NURS 6312.

NURS 6416. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Diagnosis And Mgmt: Concepts & Theory 2. 4 Credit Hours.

The focus of this course is refinement of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) role in health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis and management in psychiatric practice with diverse populations across the lifespan. Using problem-based and self-directed learning strategies, disorders of the remaining physiologic systems and psychiatric disorders are examined. Emphasis is placed on differentiating signs and symptoms to formulate possible diagnoses and determining the effect of the illness on the family. In addition, the nurse practitioner's role as a collaborative member of the interprofessional team will be evaluated. Prerequisites: NURS 5339, NURS 5306, NURS 5307, NURS 5356, NURS 6315, NURS 6250, NURS 5338, NURS 6302, NURS 6110, NURS 6210, NURS 6312 and NURS 6412.

NURS 6423. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Primary Care Diagnosis And Management: Concepts And Theory 1. 4 Credit Hours.

This course provides the theoretical basis for the competencies of the Nurse Practitioners (NP). This course lays the scientific foundation for independent practice as the RN transitions to the role of the Nurse Practitioner in health promotions, disease prevention diagnosis and management of illness in primary healthcare practice in diverse infant, child and adolescent population. Using self-directed learning strategies, disorders approximately one half of the physiologic systems are examined. Additionally, this course emphasizes and collaborative partnership development among patients families and interprofessional teams. Clock Hours: 60 clock hours didactic Prerequisites: NURS 5306, NURS 5307, NURS 5356, NURS 5339, NURS 6210, NURS 6312, NURS 5338, NURS 6315, NURS 6250, NURS 6302, and NURS 6110.

NURS 6428. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Primary Care Diagnosis And Management: Concepts And Theory 2. 4 Credit Hours.

The focus of this course is refinement of the Pediatric Nurse Practitioners role in health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis and management in primary health care practice with diverse population from birth through adolescent. Using problem-based and self-direct learning strategies, disorders of the remaining physiologic system are examined. Emphasis is placed on differentiating signs and symptoms to formulate possible diagnosis and determining the effect of the illness on the family. In addition, practitioner role as a collaborative member of the interprofessional team will be evaluated. Clock hours: 60 hours. Prerequisites: NURS 5339, NURS 5306, NURS 5307, NURS 5356, NURS 6315, NURS 6250, NURS 5338, NURS 6302, NURS 6110, NURS 6210, NURS 6312 and NURS 6423.

NURS 6451. Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Diagnosis Management of Young Families: Concepts & Theory. 4 Credit Hours.

This course provides the theoretical basis for the competencies of the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) in the care of young families. This course lays the scientific foundation for independent practice in health promotion, disease prevention, and the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic illness for patients across the reproductive continuum and the health and illness from birth to adolescents in the primary healthcare setting. Additionally, this course emphasizes collaborative partnership development among patients, families, and interprofessional teams. Prerequisites: NURS 5306, NURS 5307, NURS 5339, NURS 5356, NURS 6315, NURS 6250, NURS 5338, NURS 6302, NURS 6110, NURS 6210, NURS 6312.

NURS 6452. Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Diagnosis Management of Aging Families: Concepts & Theory. 4 Credit Hours.

This course provides the theoretical basis for the competencies of the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) in health promotion, diagnosis and management in the primary healthcare setting for the mature and aging patient and family. Problem-based and self-directed learning strategies are used to review acute and chronic disorders of the aging patient and family. Emphasis is placed on differentiating signs and symptoms to formulate possible diagnoses and determining the effect of illness on this diverse population. Additionally, this course emphasizes the FNP as a collaborative member of the interprofessional team. Prerequisites: NURS 5306, NURS 5339, NURS 5307, NURS 5356, NURS 6315, NURS 6250, NURS 5338, NURS 6302, NURS 6110, NURS 6210, NURS 6312.

NURS 6455. Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Diagnosis and Management: Concepts And Theory 1. 4 Credit Hours.

This course introduces the student to the principles of diagnostic and treatment strategies utilized in acute/critical care settings by the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. The use of evidence based practice is encouraged to develop a strong scientific foundation for independent and collaborative practice as the registered nurse transitions to the role of the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. The focus is in health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis and management of common illnesses seen in the acute care settings affecting the young adult, adult and older adult populations. In addition, this course emphasizes collaborative partnership development between patients, their families and inter-professional teams. Prerequisites: NURS 6210, NURS 6302, NURS 6312, NURS 6315, NURS 5338.

NURS 6456. Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Diagnosis and Management: Concepts And Theory 2. 4 Credit Hours.

This course fosters the progression of the Adult-Gerontology Acute Nurse Practitioner student's role transition in the areas of health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis and management in high acuity practice settings for the young adult, adult and older adult with complex acute, critical and chronic health conditions. Using problem-based and self-directed learning strategies, disorders of the physiologic systems are presented and build on the information presented in Diagnosis and Management: Concepts and Theory 1. Emphasis is placed on using evidence-based practice to formulate individualized plans for care and developing collaborative partnerships with patients, their families and inter-professional teams. Prerequisites: NURS 6455. Corequisites: NURS 6656.

NURS 6615. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Primary Care Diagnosis and Management 1: Clinical Application. 6 Credit Hours.

This course focuses on primary care experiences promoting health, preventing disease and diagnosing and managing acute and chronic illness from birth through adolescence and developing collaborative partnerships among patients, families, and interprofessional teams. Prerequisites: NURS 6423 and NURS 6428.

NURS 6616. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Primary Care Diagnosis & Management 2: Clinical Application. 6 Credit Hours.

This course focuses on refining the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner role in primary healthcare practice in diverse populations. Emphasis is placed on care of persons with complex health problems from birth through adolescence. In addition, the nurse practitioner's role as a collaborative member of the interprofessional team will be evaluated. Prerequisites: NURS 6423, NURS 6428 and NURS 6616.

NURS 6620. Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Diagnosis & Management of Aging Families: Clinical Application. 6 Credit Hours.

The focus of this course is integration of the Family Nurse Practitioner's core knowledge in health promotion, diagnosis and management in the care of the mature and aging patient and families in the primary healthcare setting. Emphasis is placed on the care of mature and aging patients and families with acute and chronic complex health problems. In addition, the family nurse practitioner as a collaborative member of the interprofessional team will be emphasized. Prerequisites: NURS 6451 and NURS 6452.

NURS 6621. Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Diagnosis & Management of Young Families: Clinical Application. 6 Credit Hours.

This course focuses on the primary care experience in health promotion, disease prevention, and diagnosis and management of acute and chronic illness in patients across the reproductive continuum and the health and illness from birth to adolescents. Additionally, this course emphasizes collaborative partnership development among patients, families and interprofessional teams. Prerequisites: NURS 6451 and NURS 6452.

NURS 6623. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Diagnosis & Management 1: Clinical Application. 6 Credit Hours.

Primary care experience in health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis and management of psychiatric illness. Additionally, this course emphasizes collaborative partnership development among patients, families, and interprofessional teams. Prerequisites: NURS 6412 and NURS 6416.

NURS 6624. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Diagnosis & Management 2: Clinical Application. 6 Credit Hours.

The focus of this course is refinement of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner role in health promotion, diagnosis and management in psychiatric practice in diverse populations across the life span. Emphasis is placed on care of persons with complex health problems. In addition, the nurse practitioner's role as a collaborative member of the interprofessional team will be evaluated. Prerequisites: NURS 6412, NURS 6416 and NURS 6623.

NURS 6655. Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Diagnosis and Management 1: Clinical Application. 6 Credit Hours.

This course develops clinical competency and emphasizes the integration of theory, assessment and advanced therapeutics for young adults, adults and older adults in a high acuity setting. Students will perform comprehensive clinical assessments including appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic testing. Management of acute and chronic health problems will be under the direction of clinical preceptors. Clinical placements will include a variety of acute/critical are areas including but limited to: emergency department, medical/surgical intensive care units, intermediate care and specialty services such as transplant and oncology. Gerontology experiences will be provided in long term, rehabilitation facilities and the acute care setting. In addition, this course emphasizes collaborative partnerships development between patients, their families, and inter-professional teams. Prerequisites: NURS 6456.

NURS 6822. Clinical Nurse Leader Role 2: Clinical Application For The Advanced Nursing Generalist. 8 Credit Hours.

This capstone clinical experience is designed for students to develop expertise in clinical leadership in their respective interest areas. The health care setting will vary based on a student's chosen program focus. Planning implementation of selected microsystems changes that will enhance the culture of learning, culture of safety, and improved patient outcomes based on evidence-based practice is the focus of this clinical course. At the successful conclusion of the course a student will be eligible to sit for the CNLTM credentialing examination provided by the American Association of Colleges in Nursing. Clock hours: 450 clinical clock hours, 30 clock hours clinical conference. Prerequisites: NURS 6230 and NURS 6233. Corequisites: NURS 6120.