2023-2024

Nursing, Master of Science

Nursing

College of Health and Human Services

This plan is no longer accepting students.

This program is provided through our Personalized Learning system, wherein a student completes their courses at their own pace, in six month subscriptions, through an online competency-based learning environment. Students in a Personalized Learning program are not able to concurrently enroll in traditional semester-by-semester courses.

We designed this plan for the registered nurse (RN) who desires to build a professional foundation of practice by exploring a selected emphasis relevant to his or her advancement goals. While not a specialty focus, this plan allows the RN with a prior baccalaureate degree to continue to develop expertise as either an interim or final academic credential.

This program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

This plan will not be available to new students after Summer 2024

  • To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.

    You must additionally complete:

    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
    • All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
    • All work toward the master's degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.

    Read the full policy here.

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.

 

Graduate Admission Information

  • 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.

Additional Admission Requirements

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

    • 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
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.