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Masters Information

Program Description | Purpose and Objectives | Core Courses | Admission Criteria

Masters Programs

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Program Description

The master's program leads to the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, and varies from in credits depending on the major. The major can be completed in four or five semesters of full-time study, or can be accomplished in part-time study. The curriculum design includes core courses, advanced practice specialty courses, role development courses, and electives. Students in any of the majors may also elect to add a minor in nursing administration, nursing education, nursing informatics, nursing research, or health care genetics.

Students may select a major with a clinical practice focus. These majors include nurse anesthesia, nurse practitioner, and clinical nurse specialist. Within the nurse practitioner major, there are six areas of concentration: acute care, adult, family, neonatal, pediatric, and psychiatric primary care. Within the clinical nurse specialist major, there are two areas of concentration: adult medical/surgical nursing and psychiatric/mental health nursing. An alternative to the clinically focused majors, the student may select preparation for a specialty role: The ASR major has four areas of concentration: nursing administration, nursing education, nursing informatics, and nursing research.

Registered nurses who do not yet have a BSN may enter the Master's programs via the RN Options. Registered nurses with a bachelor's degree in another discipline will be individually considered for admission to the Master's Program. Registered nurses who already have a master's degree in nursing have the option of earning a second master's degree in nursing. Earning the second master's will require completing the course requirements for the specific program and may require taking more credits than are required for certification alone. Master's and Post-master's students also have the option of enrolling in the School Nurse Certification Program which requires the completion of four courses, including a School Nurse Practicum and Seminar. Other elective courses are available in the School of Nursing which may assist the student to achieve certification in Occupational Health, Legal Nurse Consulting, Case Management and Emergency Medical Technology.

Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of the Master's Program is to provide an organized sequential plan of study that leads to preparation of an advanced practice nurse or preparation in a specialized nursing role. Programs provide a foundation for further study at the doctoral level.

The graduate of the Master's Program will:

  • Demonstrate mastery of advanced knowledge and skills in a specialty area of advanced practice nursing or in a specialized role.
  • Critically evaluate knowledge and theories from nursing and other disciplines for their contribution to nursing practice. Demonstrate the ability to identify a researchable problem relevant to nursing and health care and participate in research activities designed to contribute to nursing science.
  • Initiate collaborative relationships with other health professionals to ensure quality care to the patient/client and to mobilize health and social resources for individuals, families, groups, and communities.
  • Demonstrate leadership activities to advance the profession of nursing.
  • Critically evaluate issues relative to nursing practice and health care in light of scientific knowledge and personal and societal values.
  • Formulate and implement plans for individual professional development.
  • Demonstrate the ability to communicate ideas both orally and in written form in an articulate, literate, and organized manner.

Core Courses

The following courses, from the School Core Courses, are required for all students enrolled in the Master's Program:

  • NUR 2000 - Research for Evidence Based Practice 1 2 cr.
  • NUR 2007 - Research for Evidence Based Practice 2 2 cr.
  • NUR 2002 Research Practicum 2 cr.

The following are required of all students in the Nurse Anesthesia, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Nurse Practitioner programs:

  • NUR 2010 - Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in a Culturally Diverse Populations 3 cr.
  • NUR 2004 - Pathophysiology Across the Life Span 4 cr.
  • NUR 2016 - Physical Diagnosis 2 cr.
  • Plus 1 credit in area of specialization 1 cr.
  • PHARM 2002 - Advanced Pharmacology 3 cr.

Admission Criteria to the Masters Program

Applications to the master's program in nursing are reviewed by the faculty in the applicant's specialty area. Applicants must be considered qualified for advanced study.

Qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or a veteran of the Vietnam era.

Applicants to the master's program in nursing must have:

  1. A baccalaureate degree in nursing or a graduate level first professional degree in nursing. For RN-MSN applicants, an associate degree or diploma in nursing as well as completion of 40 specified prerequisite credits with a cumulative QPA of 3.3 or higher are required. Registered nurses with non-nursing baccalaureate degrees may be considered for admission into any of the master level program. The program coordinator will evaluate the educational background and clinical experience of such applicants, and make recommendations for remedial coursework as deemed necessary prior to admission.
  2. A minimum of one year of experience in professional nursing for full time study. Areas of specialization may require additional and/or specific experience. For example, the Nurse Anesthesia Program requires at least one year of critical care experience, excluding work in the ER, OR, telemetry, step-down units, or NICU.
  3. A current license to practice nursing in a state or territory of the United States.
  4. A pre-admission interview. If the applicant resides at a great distance, a telephone interview may be substituted.
  5. Three letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant's capacity and potential for master's study, including one from:
    1. Either the director or a faculty member from the most recent academic program attended (if applicant has been a nursing student in the last 5 years)
    2. A recent employer
    3. A person who can speak to the applicant's professional work.
  6. Scores received within the past 5 years on the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) if required by program. Beginning March, 2000 applicants to the Nurse Anesthesia program must submit a GRE score.
  7. A prerequisite statistics course of at least three credits, with a minimum of a C grade. Statistics may be taken while pursuing a part time program of study but must be completed before enrolling in Nursing Theory & Research (NUR2001).

Requirements in addition to School criteria may be established by the faculty in the specialty programs. These are available through the programs or Student Services.

After admission to the Master's program has been granted, actual enrollment in courses is contingent upon licensure as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Procedure

  1. Application forms are secured from and returned to the Student Services Office. Applicants wanting full time study are encouraged to apply for Fall Term admission.
  2. Applicant's materials are assembled and filed in the Student Services Office, 239 Victoria Building and must include:
    1. Completed Master's program application including the essay as directed on the application itself.
    2. Application fee (non-refundable and does not apply to the payment of tuition)
    3. Complete transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work
    4. Standardized test results (GRE).
      1. You can arrange to take the GRE by calling the Test Center in the Cathedral of Learning (G-35CL) on campus at 412-424-9103. The fee is currently $140.00.
      2. Kaplan offers GRE preparation courses
      3. 2 - 3 weeks to receive scores
      4. Both the Test center and CCAC states there scheduled offerings each term/semester.
    5. Three (3) references.
    6. Copy of a current license to practice nursing.
    7. Resume.

MSN Programs Available

For more information, please contact:
Student Services
1-888-747-0794 or 412-624-4586
Email: sao50@pitt.edu