Requirements
Program Overview
The Master of Science degree in Nursing is designed for registered nurses who are seeking advanced preparation and leadership roles. The nurse educator concentration prepares graduates to assume faculty roles in nursing education at the pre-licensure program levels or roles in staff development in healthcare settings. In the program, graduates participate in clinical experiences in selected settings and in teaching environments. Graduates begin preparation to become eligible for national specialty certification as a certified nurse educator (CNE). Students will be eligible to take the certification exam upon graduation and after meeting the eligibility criteria.
The post-master’s in nursing education program is available for registered nurses holding a master’s degree from an accredited school of nursing or related healthcare field who desire to have nursing education preparation. Upon completion of the designated courses, the student will receive a letter indicating successful completion of the program.
Graduate Outcomes
The following graduate outcomes were adapted from the 2011 American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) The Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing.
The graduate will be able to:
- Integrate knowledge gained from nursing, bio-psychosocial fields, genetics/genomics, public health, quality improvement, and organizational sciences for the continual improvement of nursing education in diverse settings.
- Incorporate leadership, collaborative skills, and organizational skills and systems leadership into nursing into educational practice in order to emphasize ethical and critical decision-making, effective working relationships, and a system-perspective to promote high quality and safe patient care.
- Integrate the principles of quality improvement and evaluation outcomes related to advanced practice, education, and policy development.
- Apply and disseminate research outcomes, evidence-based practice, and collaborative skills to affect accountable change in nursing practice, education, and policy.
- Analyze practice, legal, and ethical considerations of current and emerging patient care and communication technologies utilized to enhance patient care and nursing education.
- Incorporate knowledge of current nursing policy and nursing policy development through systems level management and utilize advocacy strategies to influence health and health care.
- Function as a member and leader of inter-professional teams in the management and coordination of care.
- Integrate the principles of patient-centered care, advocacy, amid culturally appropriate concepts of planning, delivering, and evaluating clinical prevention and population care into nursing education and advanced clinical practice.
- Incorporate an advanced level of understanding of nursing and relevant sciences with the ability to integrate concepts into nursing education and clinical practice.
- Utilize Christian principles in the delivery of nursing interventions that influence healthcare and educational outcomes for individuals, populations and systems.
Admission Requirements for the M.S.N. Program
In addition to the general admission requirements to the graduate school, each applicant must:
- hold a baccalaureate degree from a nationally accredited school of nursing;
- submit a statement of professional goals and current resume;
- hold a current unencumbered RN license with no pending action in any state, and the unencumbered license must be maintained throughout enrollment in the program;
- have an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or a GPA of 2.5 on the last 30 undergraduate hours; and
- demonstrate competency in scholarly writing by submission of GRE analytical writing score of 3.5 or better within the last five years OR passing the NUR 692 Scholarly Writing for Healthcare Professionals with a grade of B or better prior to taking graduate level classes.
Admission Requirements for the Post-Master’s Programs
Each post-master’s in nursing education applicant must:
- hold a master’s degree or higher from an accredited school of nursing, or
- hold a master’s in a health related field from an accredited university
- have earned a GPA of > 3.5 on master’s course work
- submit a statement of professional goals and current resume
- hold a current, unencumbered RN license and unencumbered license in any state where clinical work will be done, and the unencumbered license must be maintained throughout enrollment in the program.
Admission Status
An applicant for the Master of Science in Nursing degree program is admitted to regular or nondegree graduate status as follows:
Regular—Regular graduate status will be granted to those students who meet all requirements for admission to the program and are actively pursuing a degree.
Nondegree—Nondegree status may be assigned to those students who meet the requirements for admission, but do not wish to become a candidate for a degree. No more than 12 hours of credit earned in a nondegree status may apply toward a degree.
Incomplete admission status may be granted for one term for a student who appears to be eligible for admission but is unable to supply certain required records prior to registration (see Admissions Information for further explanation.)
Health status, criminal background, drug testing, and malpractice insurance requirements apply to MSN and post-master’s students.
Health Status Requirements
All students entering nursing courses are required to have a completed School of Nursing health examination form. All students must submit documentation of receiving the hepatitis B immunization series, or positive titer; two varicella immunizations, or positive titer; a DTaP immunization; the results of appropriate screening for TB; and evidence of influenza vaccination annually. Failure to comply with all health requirements will result in the inability to attend the clinical portion of a course and failure of the course. All immunizations must remain current as long as the student is enrolled.
All students must complete (re)certification of CPR for the Health Professional either annually or every two years, depending on the clinical facilities used. This will be done at an institution of the student’s choice. Students are responsible for submitting evidence of current certification to the nursing office for their file. Failure to do so will result in the inability to attend the clinical portion of a course and failure of the course.
Criminal Background Check
All students enrolled in nursing must have clearance of criminal background checks performed within the last two years by the MS State Department of Health or equivalent agency if licensure is in a state other than Mississippi prior to participating in nursing courses. This is a mandatory requirement as part of the Mississippi state law, Section 43-13-11 of Mississippi Code of 1972. Criminal background checks must remain current as long as the student is enrolled.
After initial enrollment, any subsequent disciplinary action, arrest, charge, addiction, or impairment shall also be reported immediately to the dean of nursing. Failure to report any and all subsequent disciplinary actions, arrests, or impairment will constitute falsifi-cation of records and may result in loss of licensure as a registered nurse.
Drug Testing
All students will be required to have drug screens upon admission or provide proof of a clear drug screen within the last year. These students can participate in the drug screening process at our new student orientation or have it done individually. If done individually, students will be responsible for all sample collection, drug screening, and shipping fees.
Random drug screening can be performed at the discretion of the School of Nursing. Refusal by a student to submit to testing will result in denial of admission for new students and immediate dismissal from the School of Nursing for continuing students.
Any admitting student who tests positive for illegal drugs must withdraw from clinical nursing courses. The student may reapply for admission in six months and will be admitted based on admission criteria as any new student making application.
All costs associated with drug testing and criminal background checks are the responsibility of the student.
Malpractice Insurance
All students in nursing courses must have malpractice insurance before entering the clinical setting. This fee is assessed during course registration.
Computer Requirements
Technology is an essential and integral aspect of online courses. The student must have access to a computer and stable connection to the internet on a regular basis. A high-speed internet connection, such as a cable modem or DSL line, is preferred. The student will need access to a Word, PowerPoint, and an Excel software program, for example: Microsoft Office 2010 Professional. Students will also need access to audio through speakers and the capability to record through a microphone for selected web-enhanced assignments. Students will need access to quality scanning equipment in order to submit certain clinical compliance documents and/or contracts requiring signatures.
Attendance
Students are to participate in courses and verify and submit coursework on a weekly basis as required. Refer to the School of Nursing Graduate Handbook and individual course syllabi for specific course requirements.
Requirements for the Master of Science in Nursing Degree
These general requirements apply to all candidates for the Master of Science in Nursing degree:
- Each student must have acquired regular graduate admissions status.
- Each applicant must demonstrate competency in scholarly writing by submission of GRE analytical writing score of 3.5 or better within the last five years OR passing NUR 692 Scholarly Writing for Healthcare Professionals with a grade of B or better prior to taking graduate level classes.
- All required courses must be completed with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Only two grades lower than a B are allowed. Only one grade below a C is allowed and must be repeated for a grade of C or better.
- Proficiency in writing and speaking the English language is a requirement for the Master of Science in Nursing degree. Students failing to exhibit an acceptable proficiency while performing class work will be asked to eliminate such deficiency by enrolling in a noncredit course in English usage or by other appropriate methods. An informal interview with a candidate for the purpose of determining a plan of action in this area may be requested.
- A student must complete all required work within a period of six years after enrolling in graduate nursing courses.
- Participation in the graduation ceremony is required. Degrees are not conferred in absentia, except by special permission of the registrar, for which students must submit a written request. Students who are candidates for May degrees are required to file applications for their degrees in the registrar’s office by October 15. Candidates for August graduation must file by March 31. Late applications will be accepted up to 30 days after the respective deadlines. There will be a $100.00 late fee in addition to the graduation fees.
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