Program of Study - Nursing Education (MSN) - Accelerated Online Program

Graduate Outcomes

The major outcomes of the graduate programs are to develop the ability to:

1. Function as a scholar with critical thinking skills supported by theories from the behavioral, physical, and nursing sciences
2. Demonstrate organizational and systems leadership in the application of client/patientcare interventions, incorporating informatics and health care technology to improve population health care outcomes
3. Collaborate as a member of an inter-professional health care team to advocate for safe and effective client/patient care, being cognizant of cultural, societal, economic, political, and ethicolegal issues
4. Promote quality improvement in the provision of culturally competent care to diverse populations through integration of health policy, planned programs, education, and advocacy
5. Translate and integrate scholarship and research into masters-level practice that is grounded in the sciences and humanities

Graduate Programs

Each student will be assigned an advisor to assist in preparing the graduate program of study before or during their first semester in the program. Advisors will be available throughout the program for guidance. Students must complete all course work prior to graduation.

Students who have been suspended may apply for readmission into an M.S.N. program by the procedures outlined in the Academic Probation and Suspension section of the Graduate Catalog. Such applications will be considered on a case by case basis, and readmission will be granted at the discretion of the MSN program’s admissions committee.

Transfer courses from other graduate nursing programs will be evaluated on an individual basis for acceptance.

Registered nurses who have an earned bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing may qualify for application to the MSN Administration and MSN Education programs by completing the Transition to Graduate Nursing course (NURS 5600). A Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (BSN) is a requirement for the MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Program.

Purpose

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Education is designed for BSN-prepared registered nurses who have a passion for mentoring and teaching in traditional and non-traditional programs, and are interested in pursuing or advancing in a position in nursing education. Master of Science in Nursing Education graduates will be prepared to meet the needs of a diverse student population in a variety of roles in nursing education, including patient educator, as well as the educator role in clinical and academic settings.

Nurse Educator Specialty Outcomes

The student successfully completing the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Education will be able to:

1. Utilize evidence in educational design, implementation, and evaluation of strategies for classroom and clinical teaching
2. Synthesize knowledge from nursing science and learning theory to demonstrate leadership and innovation in teaching
3. Employ instructional strategies that recognize the diverse learner
4. Implement assessment and evaluation methods in a variety of learning environments
5. Analyze the teaching, scholarship and service roles of the nurse educator

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the graduate program in nursing education, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:

1. Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) or other baccalaureate degree plus the successful completion of NURS 5600
2. Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester credit hours.
3. Successful completion of undergraduate statistics course
4. A short essay including reason for seeking admission, anticipated personal gain, relevant preparation, and future professional plans
5. Holding an unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse in their state of residence
6. Cleared Criminal Background Check
7. Evidence of current immunizations required by the Texas Department of Heath for students in health-related academic programs

Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.

Program Requirements

Required Courses (21 Credits)

NURS 6301	Theoretical Foundations in Nursing	3
NURS 6304	Advanced Pathophysiology in Nursing	3
NURS 6306	Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing	3
NURS 6308	Nursing Informatics	3
NURS 6312	Advanced Nursing Research	3
NURS 6314	Advanced Health Assessment in Nursing Practice	3
NURS 6367	Advanced Leadership, Policy and Population Health	3

Practice Courses (12 Credits)

NURS 6363	Curriculum in Nursing	3
NURS 6364	Roles and Strategies in the Delivery of Nursing Education	3
NURS 6365	Evaluation in Nursing Education	3
NURS 6366	Instructional Design and Online Teaching in Nursing	3

Capstone Requirement (3 Credits)

Project

NURS 7304

Advanced Practice Intervention Project

3

Total Credit Hours: 36