The master's program is offered on a full- or part-time basis. Many core courses are offered twice a year; some are offered in the summer. Students can begin the program in September, January or May. Some classes are scheduled in the late afternoon or evening, with several courses available on a single day of the week to meet the tight scheduling needs of adult learners. The master's entry option (during the first year) and nurse anesthetist specialty require full time study.
The curriculum consists of both core and clinical specialty courses. Core courses cover subjects related to advanced practice nursing regardless of specialty area. Core courses make up 27 of the total credits
Clinical specialty courses provided in-depth knowledge & practice in meeting the health care needs of specific patient populations. These courses include: six credits of Clinical Specialty Theory courses and twelve credits in Clinical Specialty Practice courses.
Please keep in mind that each Master's Program track may have different requirements and variations in its curriculum.
Sample Curricula
Full-time Option (Example)
Year I - Fall
- NU 415 Concepts in Nursing
- NU 416 Ethical Reasoning & Issues
- NU 520 Nursing Research Theory
- NU 672 Physiologic Life Processes
Year I - Spring
- NU 417 Advanced Practice Nursing Role
- NU 430 Adv. Health Assessment
- NU 420 Pharmacology or NU 426 Psychopharmacology
- NU 523, 524 or 525 Research II
Year II - Fall
- Nursing Specialty Theory I
- Nursing Specialty Practice I
- Elective
Year II - Spring:
- Nursing Specialty Theory II
- Nursing Specialty Practice II
Part-time Option (Example)
Year I - Fall: credits
- NU 415 Concepts in Nursing
- NU 416 Ethical Reasoning
Year I - Spring: credits
- NU 417 Advanced Practice Nursing
- NU 420 Pharmacology
Year II - Fall: credits
- NU 520 Nursing Research Theory
- NU 672 Physiologic Life Process
Year II - Spring: credits
- Elective
- NU 523, 524, or 525 Nursing Research II
Year III - Fall: credits
- Nursing Specialty Theory I
Year III - Spring: credits
- Nursing Specialty Theory II
- NU 430 Advanced Health Assessment
Year IV - Fall: credits
- Nursing Specialty Practice I
Year IV - Spring: credits
- Nursing Specialty Practice II
Course Descriptions and Schedules are available
The curriculum plans shown above are two examples of the 45-credit master's program in nursing. Students develop an individualized plan of study with their advisors according to their needs and goals. Students may begin the program in September, January or May. Both part-time and full-time options are available and courses are offered during the fall, spring, and summer terms.