School of Nursing
Master of Science in Nursing
253.535.7672
www.plu.edu/~nurs

MSN Degree Requirements

Terry W. Miller, PhD, Dean, School of Nursing

Purpose: The purpose of the graduate program in nursing is to prepare professional nurses as advanced practice clinicians, managers, leaders, and scholars. The curriculum consists of a common core of master's level courses (theory, research and leadership) along with courses selectively focused for either of two concentrations of study: Family Nurse Practitioner or Care and Outcomes Manager. The graduate program is designed to facilitate full-time or part-time study. Full-time students can complete either concentration of study in two academic years.

Accreditation: The program is fully accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. Instructional units satisfy the American Nurses Credentialing Center's didactic eligibility requirements for Family Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist certification examinations.

Prerequisites: Completion of a basic course in descriptive and inferential statistics is required before beginning graduate course work. Students are expected to have fundamental computer skills upon entry to the program. A minimum of one year of clinical experience within the last two years is recommended.

Admission: Applicants for admission to the Master of Science in Nursing programs will:

1. hold a current unrestricted license to practice as a registered nurse in the State of Washington;
2. hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a regionally accredited school of nursing;
3. submit official transcripts for all college/university course work; a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is an admission requirement;
4. submit acceptable scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within the last five years; and
5. complete a preadmission interview.
6. International and ESL students should refer to related Policies and Standards section of Graduate Studies.
   

Application Deadline for Fall: Candidates are regularly admitted yearly. Priority admissions are completed by March 1 for the following fall semester. Early application is encouraged for priority standing relative to financial awards. Non-matriculated candidates, if approved, may enroll in up to 8 semester hours, but are not guaranteed admission.

Advance Deposit: There are limitations on the numbers of students accepted into the Family Nurse Practitioner or Care and Outcomes Manager Concentrations each year. Applicants accepted into the program are required to make a non-refundable $200.00 advance payment to confirm their acceptance of an offer of admission within two weeks of their acceptance date.

Advising: The Coordinator of Graduate Nursing Education typically completes initial advising and program planning with each student.

Program Requirements: All admitted students must provide valid documentation of the following by August 15 and before enrollment in any practicum/clinical course:

1. immunization and health status
2. CPR certification
3. professional liability insurance
4. personal health insurance
5. Civil, administrative, and criminal history in Washington State, as well as any other applicable state or country

Back to topMSN Degree Requirements: (36 semester hours)

MSN Core (9 semester hours)

525 Theoretical Foundations (3)
526 Nursing Leadership and Management (3)
527 Evaluation and Outcomes Research (3)

Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration:
(27 semester hours in addition to the MSN Core)

528 Family Theory in Nursing (1)
580 Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
582 Advanced Health Assessment and Health Promotion (5)
583 Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics (2)
584 Family Nurse Practitioner I (6)
585 Family Nurse Practitioner II (6)
590 Role of the Nurse Practitioner (2)
590A Seminar in Advanced Practice Nursing (2)

Care and Outcomes Manager Concentration:
(27 semester hours in addition to the MSN Core)

390 Information Management (2)
529 Care Manager Roles (3)
530 Resource Management (4)
531 Care and Outcomes Practicum I (1-3)
532 Care and Outcomes Practicum II (1-5)
538 Program Development (3)
XXX Approved Elective Related to One's Focus (3 or 4)
596 Scholarly Inquiry in Nursing Practice (4) or
599 Thesis (4) - May be repeated

A minimum number of students may be required before a class is offered.