Nursing, Master of Science

In addition to University Requirements:

• Complete individual plan requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion	30
Additional Admission Requirements	Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Fieldwork Experience/Internship	Recommended
Research	Individualized research is required.
Some online/blended coursework	Required
Progression Plan Link	View Program of Study

Purpose Statement

The philosophy of the School of Nursing at Northern Arizona University is based on an ethic of caring that embraces students, faculty and staff, and the university community and the global community within which we live and work. We also believe that caring is a conscious, intentional discipline that is part of nursing’s unique body of knowledge and is practiced in interdisciplinary contexts. Caring includes the creation and nurturing of an environment that recognizes that students, staff and faculty have unique ways of viewing the world. This philosophy promotes excellence for nursing education and practice in an environment of constant change and emerging healthcare trends.

The faculty believes the transition to the role of competent professional nurse is a major developmental achievement. We believe that nursing is an art and science that is an integral component of health care. Applying the discipline of nursing to practice depends on a foundation of natural and human sciences, humanities and arts, the application of research, and the diverse backgrounds of learners. Societal influences in the evolving healthcare system challenge all involved in nursing education.

Education is a dynamic, lifelong collaborative process by which an individual pursues life goals, broadens human potential, develops thinking and clarifies values. The faculty believes that learning is the intentional acquisition, application, and integration of knowledge, skills and attitudes. Learning is shaped by the environment and developmental level of the learner, and is ultimately the responsibility of the learner. Faculty plan, guide, and facilitate learning while supporting the learning needs of a diverse community of students. We believe that learning-centered experiences with rigorous expectations and actively-engaged students result in higher-level thinkers and graduates prepared for real world practice. We value incorporating rural and global healthcare into a variety of educational experiences. Thus education not only expands the thinking of the learner, but increases opportunities for application.

The faculty has developed a philosophy that values diverse persons, environment, health, and nursing, and their interrelatedness. The following meta-paradigm concepts guide the implementation of the organizing framework for the curriculum.

Student Learning Outcomes

Outcomes align with Standards from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing ( AACN ) and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education ( CCNE ).

• Apply effective respectful communication among diverse interdisciplinary groups to promote improved outcomes among diverse populations and underserved groups.
• Synthesize broad ecological, global, and social determinants of health; principles of genetics and genomics; and epidemiological data to design and deliver evidence-based, culturally relevant clinical prevention interventions and strategies.
• Apply theories, regulatory, policies, and evidence-based knowledge in leading, as appropriate, interprofessional healthcare teams in the design, coordination, and evaluation of the delivery of care.
• Integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles and evidence-based best practices into healthcare practice to promote an inclusive environment and empower DEI leaders.
• Integrate evidence-based practice and information from research for use in person-centered and population health coordination of care as a systems leader.

Additional Admission Requirements

• Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

• The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
  
  Admission requirements include the following:

  • Transcripts.
  • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.

  
  Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
  
  Ready to apply? Begin your application now.

  International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

• • Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited program or an associate’s degree in nursing from an accredited program with a bachelor’s degree in another field.
  • 3.0 GPA in all nursing coursework
  • Current RN license in good standing to practice as a registered nurse in Arizona (or your state of residency), or eligibility to obtain an Arizona license, or meet the Arizona Board of Nursing regulations regarding multistate licensure.
  • Prerequisites (completed prior to enrolling in the program)
    • Completion of an undergraduate introduction to statistics course from a college or university with a grade of “C” or better, or a Pass. 
    • Another option is completion of a graduate course in statistics, passed with a “B” grade or higher, and completed prior to enrollment in NUR 530. 
    • Completion of undergraduate courses in nursing research (didactic) and public health nursing (didactic and clinical) with grades of “B” or better.
  • Responses to specific essay questions

Master's Requirements

• This Master’s degree requires 30 units distributed as follows:

  • Nursing Content Coursework: 30 units

  
  Take the following 30 units:

  • NUR 510, NUR 520, NUR 530, NUR 540, NUR 550, NUR 560, NUR 605, NUR 650, NUR 675, NUR 676, NUR 682 

  
  All students will complete NUR 682 which will include completion and dissemination of the student's Evidence-Based Practice Capstone.

Additional Information

• Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

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