Graduate Programs
Student Learning Outcomes
Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N)
The goal of the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is to prepare graduates for leadership roles in advanced nursing practice, those of clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, nurse educator, and nurse administrator. Students select one of 8 major areas of study when they apply for admission. In addition, graduate certificates are offered in nursing informatics and teaching in nursing. Post-master’s study options are available in all majors. All degree requirements must be met within six years of initial enrollment. The pattern and duration of a program of study for individual students is determined in consultation with a faculty advisor. Degree requirements can be met through a combination of distance-accessible and on-campus learning opportunities.
- Model excellence in nursing leadership to improve nursing practice within a complex health care system.
- Conduct advanced nursing practice within ethical–legal guidelines, professional policies and regulations, and standards of practice associated with a specialty area of practice.
- Synthesize knowledge from nursing as well as biological, behavioral, social, administrative, educational, and communication sciences for application to a chosen domain of advanced practice nursing.
- Demonstrate scholarly inquiry and reflection that exemplifies critical, creative, and systems thinking to advance the practice of nursing.
- Frame problems, design interventions, specify outcomes, and measure achievement of outcomes while balancing human, fiscal, and material resources to achieve quality health outcomes.
- Use information technology and knowledge-based resources to manage and transform data that inform clinical practice.
- Systematically apply evidence from research findings to answer clinical questions, solve clinical problems, and develop innovative nursing interventions and health policies for selected patient populations
- Demonstrate collaborative practice and interpret nursing science within an interdisciplinary context.
- Articulate the effects of culture, diversity, values, and globalization in the design, delivery, and evaluation of health services.
- Engage in life-long learning activities that contribute to professional development as well as to the advancement of nursing.