TRACK DESCRIPTION
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs build upon the student’s baccalaureate nursing education and professional experience. The Master of Science in Nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs are designed to build upon the student’s baccalaureate nursing education and professional experience. The Master of Science in Nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The programs prepare students to:
- Analyze social, economic, ethical, cultural, legal, and political issues influencing nursing practice and health care in a global context.
- Collaborate with leaders in nursing and other disciplines to improve the quality of professional nursing practice and the health care system.
- Develop and implement leadership, management, and teaching strategies for the improvement of health and health care.
- Develop practice models of evidence-based nursing practice incorporating nursing research.
- Influence health and public policy to improve health of communities.
- Participate in lifelong learning activities.
- Participate in research and disseminate research findings through presentation and publication.
- Synthesize advanced knowledge from the sciences, humanities, and nursing theories to support advanced nursing practice.
- Plan, evaluate and implement the delivery of health care using critical thinking skills.
- Practice in an advanced nursing role.
In addition to the MSN for students holding a baccalaureate nursing degree, the College of Nursing also offers admission to its master degree programs in nursing to Registered Nurses who have bachelor degrees in fields other than nursing. These students will need to take 15 credits of undergraduate upper division course work that is prerequisite for graduate study in nursing.
The College also offers an RN to MSN plan of study that provides an accelerated program for RNs (registered nurses) who do not hold a baccalaureate degree, but have met general educational requirements. Students admitted under this plan of study will complete requirements for both the BSN and MSN programs.
The goal of the Master of Science in Nursing program is to prepare advanced practice nurses, nurse educators, and nursing leaders and managers to assume leadership positions in a variety of health care settings. Graduates of these programs are eligible to sit for national certification examinations in their respective specialties.
CURRICULUM
| Total Credit Hours Required: |
| 46
Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree |
An independent scholarly work is a requirement for the Master of Science in Nursing degree. The scholarly work consists of an evidence-based nursing project. The scholarly project that is required in NGR 6813 (completed in the final semester of study) is an evidence-based scholarly clinical paper. The evidence-based project should reflect the latest evidence for the students MSN track. This is a formal paper that must adhere to published guidelines in the syllabus and must be presented in a public forum.
Required Courses—46 Credit Hours
- NGR 5800 Theory for Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credit hours)
- NGR 5141 Pathophysiological Bases for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credit hours)
- NGR 6801 Research Methodology for Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credit hours)
- NGR 5003 Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning (2 credit hours)
- NGR 5003L Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning Clinical (1 credit hour)
- NGR 5141 Pathophysiological Bases for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credit hours)
- NGR 5720 Organizational Dynamics (3 credit hours)
- NGR 6192 Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credit hours)
- NGR 6780 Clinical Nurse Specialist I (3 credit hours)
- NGR 6780L Clinical Nurse Specialist I Practicum (3 credit hours)
- NGR 6781 Clinical Nurse Specialist II (2 credit hours)
- NGR 6781L Clinical Nurse Specialist II Practicum (3 credit hours)
- NGR 6722 Financial Management and Resource Development (3 credit hours)
- Graduate Elective (3 credit hours)
- NGR 6813 Evidence-Based Practice (Research Scholarly Work) (3 credit hours)
- NGR 6941 Advanced Practice Practicum (5 credit hours)
College of Nursing Master’s Program Handbook
All master’s students are required to read the College of Nursing Master’s Program Handbook regarding policies for each program and for academic progression. Information about each program particularly clinical placements and forms for appeals to the Master’s APG Committee are located in the handbook.
Equipment Fee
Students in the Master of Science in Nursing Program pay a $90 equipment fee each semester that they are enrolled.
INDEPENDENT LEARNING
An independent scholarly work is a requirement for the Master of Science in Nursing degree. The scholarly work consists of an evidence-based nursing project. The scholarly project that is required in NGR 6813 (completed in the final semester of study) is an evidence-based scholarly clinical paper. The evidence-based project should reflect the latest evidence for the students MSN track. This is a formal paper that must adhere to published guidelines in the syllabus and must be presented in a public forum.
Application Requirements
For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline(s).
The following application information is provided for applicants who have completed a bachelor’s degree. For application requirements for the RN to MSN option, without an undergraduate degree, please refer to the “RN to MSN Program.”
To study full-time, clinical nurse specialist applicants should apply for spring admission. Part-time plans of study are available for both fall and spring admission cycles. The clinical nurse specialist program is an acute care clinical specialist program.
In addition to the general UCF graduate application requirements, applicants to this program must provide:
- One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
- A bachelor’s degree in nursing from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or a bachelor’s degree.
- Current Florida Registered Nurse license.
- Undergraduate course in statistics.
- A personal statement describing interest in advanced nursing education and career goals related to the program track.
- Two letters of recommendation evaluating potential for graduate study by nursing instructors, nurse employers or nurses with advanced degrees.
- Résumé.
- Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
Applicants with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree are required to take upper-division nursing courses that are prerequisites for graduate study in nursing. Applicants with a bachelor's degree in another field, must take the GRE with a competitive score. In addition, they are required to have a 3.2 undergraduate GPA.
Admission to the program is competitive, based on evaluation of the applicant’s abilities, past performance, recommendations, VECHS/FDLE/FBI finger printing and certified background checks, and the match of UCF’s master's programs with career goals. The College of Nursing accepts the most qualified students. Since enrollment is limited, not all students who apply may be accepted, even if minimum requirements are met.
Students may take classes as a nursing nondegree-seeking, postbaccalaureate student on a space-available basis. Deadlines for application for this status are earlier than those posted by the university. Students must designate on their application that they are applying to the College of Nursing in order to facilitate processing of files. Students will be notified in writing from the College of Nursing regarding acceptance as a nondegree-seeking student. Successful completion of postbaccalaureate courses does not guarantee admission to the graduate program. Students may only take nonclinical courses.
Application Deadlines
All application materials must be submitted by the appropriate deadline listed below.
| Clinical Nurse Specialist |
Fall Priority
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Fall
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Spring
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Summer
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Domestic Applicants
| Jan 15 | Mar 15 | Oct 1 | |
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International Applicants
| Jan 15 | Jan 15 | Jul 1 | |
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International Transfer Applicants
| Jan 15 | Mar 1 | Sep 1 | |
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FINANCIALS
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see Student Finances, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowships
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student’s graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see Fellowships, which includes descriptions of UCF fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.