RN-BSN/MSN Course Requirements Prior to Enrolling in MSN Program

RN-MSN students complete 25 semester hours of upper-division nursing coursework* that reflect the baccalaureate nursing program outcomes and prepare students for achieving success in graduate study.  RN-MSN students will earn 30 semester hours of validation credit for previous nursing education upon successful completion of the required upper-division courses.  MSN courses will be dependent on concentration.  The option is similar to the RN-BSN option with the exception that it allows the RN-MSN student to complete 6 graduate credit hours while completing the BSN in lieu of 2 undergraduate courses, thus accelerating the MSN degree.  Courses which may be substituted include:

  • NUR 5140 (Basic Epidemiology and Global Health) may be taken instead of NUR 3100 (Transcultural Nursing) by students declaring either the Rural Case Manager or Clinical Nurse Leader specialization.
  • NUR 5300 (Educating Diverse Populations) may be taken instead of NUR 3100 (Transcultural Nursing) by students declaring the Nurse Educator specialization.
  • NUR 5160, NUR 5240, or NUR 5360 (Master's Research or Action Project) may be taken instead of NUR 4550 (Capstone) by students depending on declared specialization.

Course Number

Course

Semester Hours

NUR 3000*

Transition to Profession Nursing

3 hrs

NUR 5140 or NUR 5300

Epidemiology and Global Health or Educating Diverse Populations

3 hrs

NUR 3200*

Health Assessment

3 hrs

NUR 3250*

Pathophysiology

3 hrs

NUR 3300*

Gerontological Nursing

3 hrs

NUR 4000*

Nursing Research and Theory

3 hrs

NUR 4120*

Nursing Leadership

5 hrs

NUR 4350*

Community Health

5 hrs

NUR 5160 or 5240 or 5360

Master’s Nurse Educator Research or Action Project or Master’s Clinical Nurse Leader Research or Action Project or Master’s Rural Case Manager Research or Action Project

3 hrs

 

All RN-MSN students granted 30 credits toward graduation after completion of NUR 3000 and NUR 3200 – Validation of ADN or Diploma Education

 30 hrs
 

TOTAL

61hrs

*Designates 25 semester hours of upper-division coursework required.

All requirements for the baccalaureate degree must be met before the BSN is awarded.  To meet the minimum professional standards for the baccalaureate degree, a total of 61 semester credit hours of nursing courses are required for the nursing major.  Students may opt to \"stop-out\" of the RN-MSN Pathway after meeting all requirements for the baccalaureate degree in nursing.