Master of Science in Nursing
The master of science in nursing program is designed to prepare students for adult or family health nursing. Students are prepared for roles in advanced clinical practice (nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist), nursing education or nursing administration.
Goals and purposes of the program
The purposes of the MSN objectives are to help students achieve expertise in the following areas:
- Analyze, synthesize and apply knowledge from nursing science and other disciplines related to the health of adults and families.
- Synthesize, critique, evaluate and utilize theory to guide advanced nursing roles.
- Evaluate, utilize and design research to improve client outcomes for adults and families.
- Demonstrate expertise in ethically based, advanced clinical decision-making of human responses in diverse populations.
- Integrate leadership and management theories into advanced nursing roles.
- Analyze and synthesize current nursing and health care issues and policies within the context of advanced nursing roles.
- Integrate knowledge and theory of health policy, organizations and health care financing as a basis for the provision of quality, cost-effective care.
- Assume beginning advanced nursing roles across health care settings demonstrating effective advocacy for diverse populations.
- Engage in lifelong learning and scholarship for the advancement of professional nursing.
Requirements for the program
After admission to the program, the student must complete a minimum of 40 graduate credits to prepare for an education or administration role, or 45 graduate credits to prepare for an advanced clinical practice role.
The course work includes a scholarly project and/or thesis with a public presentation. Completion of the program usually requires four semesters and at least one summer session course. Students specialize in adult or family health nursing and select a role preparation from the following options:
- Advanced clinical practice (nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist)
- Nursing education
- Nursing administration
Preparation requires specific nursing courses that build on a core of nursing knowledge. Graduate students must earn a grade of C or better in course work and practicum to successfully complete a course.
Curriculum
The required core courses are nursing courses. Students select a specialization in adult or family health nursing and then choose a functional role preparation from education, administration or advanced clinical practice (nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist). Together, students and their advisers select cognate courses to augment the student’s core knowledge, area of specialization or functional role preparation. Post master’s degree options also are available.
Core courses/credits
- Conceptual, Theoretical and Foundations, 2 cr.
- Nursing Research: Methods, 4 cr.
- Nursing Research: Application, 2 cr.
- Leadership and Health Policy in Nursing, 3 cr.
- Scholarly Project Thesis, 2-3 cr.
- Transition to Adv. Practice, 2
Specialization
- Adult Health I and II and Human Responses, 10 cr.
- Family Health I and II and Individual/Family and Community Responses, 11cr.
Functional role and preparation
- Advanced Clinical Practice I and II, 12-14cr.
- Clinical Nurse Specialist I and Advanced Clinical Practice I, 10 cr.
- Nursing Education I and II, 9 cr.
- Nursing Administration I and II, 9 cr.
- Cognates (varies depending on role preparation)
Clinical requirements
A minimum of 600 clinical practicum hours are required for the advanced clinical practice role, and at least 500 hours are required for the education and administration roles. These clinical experiences are accomplished under the guidance of a faculty member and a preceptor.
Admission application requirements
To apply to the MSN program, an applicant must submit the following documents by Feb. 1 for consideration for the following summer term:
- A complete application for graduate admission along with the application fee.
- Official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions previously attended. (A undergraduate degree in nursing is required with a 3.0 GPA or higher.)
- Evidence of course work in statistics at the undergraduate level.
- Three references from individuals who are knowledgeable of the applicant's clinical ability and/or potential for graduate study.
- An essay.
- A complete Specialization and Role Preparation Selection Form.
- Licensed in Wisconsin as a registered nurse.
Send materials to:
Graduate Admissions
UW-Eau Claire
Schofield Hall 112
Eau Claire WI 54702-4004
The Eau Claire Advantage
- U.S. News & World Report magazine consistently ranks UW-Eau Claire among the top public regional universities in the Midwest in its annual America’s Best Colleges guidebook.
- UW-Eau Claire’s reputation as an interactive university has been cited in publications such as Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine, Money Magazine and The Chronicle of Higher Education.
- Four UW-Eau Claire professors have been recipients of Wisconsin Professor of the Year awards, including a professor of nursing systems.
- UW-Eau Claire is a member institution of The Council of Graduate Schools and is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
- Education and health science graduate students gain hands-on experiences and research opportunities while working with clients in on-campus clinical facilities with state-of-the-art technology.
For more information
To learn more about the options available in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at UW-Eau Claire, contact: |
For general information about the campus and admission to a program, contact: |
