Degree Requirements for the Master of Science in Nursing

(M.S.N.)

Graduate Degrees Offered

M.S.N. with an option in nursing education and nursing administration

The School of Nursing offers a Master's of Science in Nursing degree with tracks as Nurse Educator and Nurse Administrator. The Master's of Science Nursing degree is offered at the Victoria campus and Sugar Land campus. Innovative educational delivery and part-time study is available. The program is seeking accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education in 2009.

The master's degree program prepares professional nurses for leadership roles in nursing education and nursing administration. Graduate study in nursing requires the acquisition and systematic application of knowledge and skills in nursing practice, evidence based practice, and nursing role. Advanced critical thinking skills in nursing are enhanced through the study of theory and research.

 

Graduate Program Goals:

1. Assume advanced leadership roles in a variety of health care settings.
2. Exemplify ethical, legal, and professional standards for advanced nursing practice.
3. Integrate advanced knowledge of nursing and related disciplines in the roles of educator, administrator, or clinician.
4. Participate in research and other scholarly activities to expand nursing knowledge.
5. Work effectively in interdisciplinary relationships or partnerships to promote, maintain and restore the health of clients; improve health care delivery systems; shape health policy; or influence professional education.

The following courses are required for attaining the Master of Science in Nursing Degree.

REQUIRED CORE NURSING COURSES (12 HOURS)

Requirement (Prerequisite*)

NUR 6301 Advanced Inquiry and Nursing Research  

NUR 6306 Professional Role, Policy and Ethics

NUR 6307 Nursing Theory     

NUR 6351 Evidence-Based Practice Project

*Students should refer to individual course descriptions for additional information on course prerequisites.   

ACADEMIC CONCENTRATION

Choose one of the following:

Nurse Administration:  MSN students interested in Nurse Administration will take the Nursing core courses, in addition to the courses listed below:

•  NUR 6309 Advanced Leadership and Management
•  NUR 6313 Theories and Methods of Teaching and Learning in Nursing
•  NUR 6316 Healthcare Organizational Behavior (Cross-listed as MGT 6351)
•  NUR 6317 Human Resource Management in Healthcare (Cross-listed as MGT 6374)
•  NUR 6318 Healthcare Delivery Systems and Organization
•  NUR 6319 Healthcare Finance
•  NUR 6320 Healthcare Informatics
•  NUR 6321 Leadership Practicum

 

TOTAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

REQUIRED CORE NURSING COURSES	12 hours
ACADEMIC CONCENTRATION	24 hours
TOTAL	36 hours

 

Nurse Education:  MSN students interested in Nurse Education will take the Nursing core courses, in addition to the courses listed below:  

•  NUR 6310 Advanced Clinical I
•  NUR 6311 Advanced Clinical II
•  NUR 6312 Measurement and Evaluation in Nursing Education
•  NUR 6313 Theories and Methods of Teaching and Learning in Nursing
•  NUR 6314 Development of Nursing Curriculum
•  NUR 6315 Practicum in Teaching in Nursing
•  NUR 6320 Healthcare Informatics
•  NUR Elective, can be selected from the following options:

NUR 6300 Special Topics

NUR 6304 Advanced Pathophysiology

NUR 6305 Advanced health Assessment

NUR 6318 Healthcare Delivery systems & Organization (Cross-listed as MGT 6351)

NUR 6319 Healthcare Policy, Finance, and Economics (Cross-listed as MGT 6374)

NUR 6323 Foundations of Adult Education (Cross-listed as FED 6334)

NUR 6324 Diversity and Adult Education (Cross-listed as FED 6335)

TOTAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

REQUIRED CORE NURSING COURSES	12 hours
ACADEMIC CONCENTRATION	24 hours
TOTAL	36 hours

General Requirements 

Students may, with the approval of their UH-Victoria academic advisor, transfer in not more than ten  semester hours of graduate nursing course work, dependent on area of concentration, attained at an accredited institution after acceptance into the program.   

MSN students are expected to:

1.  Be familiar with the mission of this program and to comply with the expectations of them outlined in this catalog, new student orientation, and student handbook.
2.  Maintain high standards of academic honesty and ethical behavior as outlined in course syllabi.
3.  Ensure that degree plan requirements are understood and contact advisor promptly to resolve any questions regarding enrollment.
4.  Maintain a GPA of 3.0 throughout the program, and receive no more than two Cs in MSN courses.
5.  Ensure contact information such as address and e-mail address is kept current in their Peoplesoft self service account.
6.  Comply with registration deadlines, financial aid deadlines, and tuition and fees deadlines.
7.  Apply for graduation by the published deadline for the semester in which they will complete degree requirements.
8.  Visit the school’s web page (www.uhv.edu/nursing) regularly for important updates and to obtain information on course textbooks.  

Requirements for Graduate Admission

Applicants to the graduate nursing programs must meet all requirements for graduate admission as described in the ADMISSIONS section of this catalog.  In order to be considered for admission a student must send the following credentials to the Office of Admissions and Records:

1.  A completed application for graduate admission which includes the graduate action form found on the ADMISSIONS web page (www.uhv.edu/oar).
2.  Completion of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an institution accredited by one of the six recognized regional accrediting associations as described in the ADMISSIONS section of this catalog.  
3.  Official transcripts reflecting AT LEAST the last 60 hours of coursework completed AND the baccalaureate (or higher) degree conferred, sent directly from each institution to UH-Victoria.
4.  Applicants to the MSN program must provide evidence of current RN Texas licensure and current CPR certification.
5.  Applicants to the MSN program must provide a short essay which includes career goals and expectations for the desired program of study.
6.  Two letters of recommendation.

Your approval to the MSN program depends on the following:

•  A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on at least the last 60 semester credit hours you have attempted at the college and/or university level.
•  Content of essay which includes career goals and expectations for the desired program of study.
•  Content of  two letters of recommendation.
•  Health Sciences Reasoning Test (HSRT).   The critical thinking exam must be taken prior to the completion of 12 semester hours of graduate nursing course work.  

Transfer of Graduate Credit

Credit may be transferred only for graduate credit courses completed with a grade of A or B. The transfer student must complete 75% of the coursework required for a degree program at UHV unless transferring from a UH System institution. In the latter case, the student must complete 50% at UHV. It is the student's responsibility to provide course description and course syllabi for consideration.

It is the student's responsibility to provide course description and course syllabi for consideration. Approval of transfer credit toward the MSN degree is by the appropriate academic advisor of the student's plan and school dean of the student's plan.