GRADUATE NURSING PROGRAMS

The graduate programs, master’s and doctoral, prepare outstanding advanced practice clinicians, practitioners and educators for leadership in health care and nursing.

The master’s program offers two advanced practice (AP) options: family nurse practitioner (FNP) and clinical nurse specialist (CNS) roles in Adult Health, Community-Health, Emergency/Critical Care and Psychiatric Mental Health. There is an accelerated option for RN/MSN option for the RN who has a baccalaureate in another discipline. The FNP options are available in their entirety on the Harrisburg campus, as are selected CNS core courses. Each of the AP specialties offer a post-master’s certificate. There is also a non-clinical post-master’s certificate for the nurse educator role.

A visionary MSN/DNSc accelerated program prepares nurse educators to address the faculty shortage, as well as addressing societal needs at local through international levels.

The doctoral DNSc degree focuses on the preparation of nurse scholars for educational leadership role.

Students may select full or part-time study. A large variety of appropriate clinical experiences and preceptors are available in the tri-state area. Graduates are eligible to take national certification examinations.

Masters in Nursing

In 1980, the first Advanced Practice (AP) Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, began with a Burn, Emergency Trauma specialty which was one of three nationally. Specialties of administration, adult and critical care nursing were offered over the next decade. The Family Nurse Practitioner Program, offered on both the Harrisburg and Main Campuses, began in 1994. 

An accelerated masters through doctoral program MSN/DNSc began in 2004, combining advanced practice clinical MSN (FNP or CNS) with the doctorate in nursing science with an emphasis on the preparation of the nurse educator/scholar.

Today, the Master's program (MSN) focuses on preparation of advanced practice nurses  as Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) in Adult Health (AHN), Community-Based Nursing (CBN), Emergency/Critical Care (ECC), Psychiatric/Mental Health (P/MH), as well as the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) role. All advanced practice areas prepare graduates to take national certification examinations.

A nurse educator role may be selected within the CNS specialties instead of the AP clinician role.

Curriculum Information

The 38- 40 credit CNS advanced practice specialties may be completed in 12 to 15 months of full-time study and 18 months of part-time study including summer. Core courses and support courses for the advanced practice CNS options are offered on both the Harrisburg and Main Campuses.  500 hours of clinical practice are required.

The 46-credit FNP program may be completed on either the Harrisburg or Main Campus in 20 months of full-time study or 24 months part-time study including summer. 672 hours of clinical practice are required. Post-masters certificates are available for each of specialty options. Credits required vary with the option.

The course of studies for the options can be viewed in the online School of Nursing bulletin which can be found on the bulletin page.

Curriculum information for each of the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) options as well as the FNP and accelerated MSN/DNSc options follow. 

DOCTOR OF NURSING SCIENCE

The Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc) program's focus on the preparation of nurse educators is of great significance in this time of a looming shortage of nurse faculty. Our graduates have been and will continue to be an outstanding source of faculty leaders. A major strength of the program, is the strong nursing knowledge component with emphasis on scholarly inquiry. Faculty are highly qualified mentors for the students.

An accelerated Master of Science in Nursing/Doctor of Nursing Science (MSN/DNSc) Program began in 2004. It is designed to prepare leaders in nursing education. While geared for full-time study, the program can be taken part time. Students are eligible to take national certification examinations and receive a master's degree in nursing (MSN) after completion of the MSN component of the program.

Degree Requirements
The student must complete at least 48 credits of approved doctoral course work beyond the master’s degree in nursing. In addition, the student must successfully complete a comprehensive examination, a minimum of 15 credits of “Dissertation Advisement” (NURS 950), and a dissertation for graduation.

Candidacy
A student becomes a doctoral candidate upon passing of the comprehensive examination taken after completion of all required course work. After successful completion of the comprehensive examination, the student is accepted as a doctoral candidate.

Dissertation Procedures
Students are expected to complete all required course work except one elective prior to enrollment in “Dissertation Seminar” (NURS 900/NURS 901). Exception to this policy requires approval from the School of Nursing Academic Council. Students are expected to continue to enroll in “Dissertation Advisement” (NURS 950) for three semester hours each consecutive fall, spring, and summer semester until the degree is granted.

Application Deadline
All application materials including official transcripts, recommendations, test scores must be received by: March 15, July 15, November 15