Master of Science in Nursing
Fall 2009 Information Session flyer. These sessions are for students who are licensed CA Registered Nurses. No information will be given on the Entry Level MSN program.
Click here to view Entry Level MSN program information.
Click here to view the admission procedures.
Click here to view the selection and notification procedures.
The master of science degree is available to qualified students who desire advanced preparation in a variety of clinical specialty areas. The program is approved by the Board of Registered Nursing, and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (1 Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC, 20036-1120, phone: 202-887-6791).
The philosophy of graduate nurse education is that the practice of nursing is constantly changing as health needs and health delivery systems are altered. Integral to nursing is an ability to work effectively and cooperatively with other disciplines and community services to promote health.
The focal point in this curriculum is the nursing process with strong components of clinical medical knowledge complemented by behavioral science concepts. Courses are interdependent and have been structured to provide clinical depth in the area of student’s choice.
The graduate will have the knowledge and skill to function as an advanced practice nurse in one of several specialty areas. Nursing research skills and the application of nursing theory to practice are major emphases of the curriculum.
In an effort to accomodate the busy schedules of nurses, we offer all of our courses on Tuesday and Thursday to eliminate the need for students to come to campus every day. While it may be possible to schedule all your classes on one day, the majority of students will need to come to campus both days as a full-time student.
Each applicant should request a copy of the official transcript of all college course work be sent to the department graduate program of nursing in addition to the copies required by the Office of Admissions and Records.
Specific Degrees, Certificates, and Programs
Prerequisites
- A bachelor’s degree in nursing preferred: A bachelor’s degree in a related field will be considered;
- Current license to practice as a registered nurse in California; PHN Certificate needed for concurrent MSN/MPH program;
- Admission to graduate standing in nursing at the University;
- An upper division or graduate course in statistics;
- A physical assessment course which includes clinical practice (all specialty areas except concurrent MSN/MPH and MSN/MHCA);
- An upper division of graduate level course in pathophysiology (all specialty areas except concurrent MSN/MPH and MSN/MHCA);
- An upper division public health nursing course;
- An overall GPA of 2.75 or better in the last 60 units of the undergraduate BSN Program.
Additional Prerequisites for Concurrent MSN/MPH Program
- An ethics course
- A cultural diversity course
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) - verbal and quantitative scores.
- Current professional resume describing applicant’s relevant experience.
Additional Prerequisites for Concurrent MSN/MSHCA Program
- An overall GPA of 3.0 or better in the last 60 Units (those not meeting this requirement will be considered on an individual basis).
- Scores from Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) within 2 years.
- Three letters of recommendation
- Separate personal statement of applicant’s reason for pursuing this field
- Current professional resume
- Academic prerequisites:
- Accounting (ACCT 201)
- Microeconomics (ECON 201 or 300)
- Information Systems (IS 240) or Nursing Informative (or equivalent)
- Statistics (HSC 403 or ED P 419)
Advancement to Candidacy
- Satisfy the general University requirements for advancement to candidacy;
- Completion of all undergraduate deficiencies;
- Successful completion of the CSULB Writing Proficiency Examination;
- Approval of the department graduate advisor and Director of Graduate Studies and Research, College of Health and Human Services.
The M.S. in Nursing requires completion of the required courses in one of the following specialty areas: Adult/Geriatric, Family, Pediatric, Psychiatric/Mental Health, Women's Health.
Application Processes
- University level
- Department level
(All requirements contained on these pages are superceded by the official information published in the Course Catalog of the current academic year. To see an online copy, view this file or visit this official university page.)
