Master of Science in Nursing Courses
For curriculum and course descriptions, please Download a program overview.
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Major Core Courses
NSR 7000 | Transition to the Graduate Nursing Role (3 Credits)
This course is designed to assist the student with the transition to graduate study and to enhance their success in the program. A historical perspective of the scientific and theoretical basis of nursing at the graduate level of practice is explored. Emphasis is placed on standards for scholarly writing and linkages between theory, practice and research in advanced nursing practice. Core competencies vital to all advanced practice roles and health care in complex systems are addressed. In addition, students explore the complex ethical responsibilities that are faced by today's nursing leaders.
NRS 7100 | Advanced Pathophysiology (3 Credits)
This course focuses on advanced physiology and pathophysiology across the life span with emphasis on clinical decision making when caring for patients with acute and chronic diseases. Disease prevention and health promotion are also emphasized.
NRS 7200 | Advanced Pharmacology (3 Credits)
This course focuses on advanced pharmacotherapeutics across the life span with emphasis on clinical decision making when caring for patients with acute and chronic diseases. Current issues and best practices in pharmacology are included.
NSR 7300 | Advanced Health Assessment (3 Credits) This course builds upon the student’s previous health assessment knowledge and experience. Emphasis is placed on holistic assessment, intervention, and evaluation using a family-centered approach as well as an exploration of evidence-based strategies for prevention and management. Virtual high fidelity simulation experiences emphasize critical thinking and clinical judgement.
NSR 7400 | Research to Improve Quality & Safety for Graduate Nursing (3 Credits)
This course builds upon statistics and expands understanding of research methods and critical analysis of the literature as a foundation for evidence based practice at the graduate level. There will be a focus on the evaluation of outcomes and risk analysis to ensure the improvement of safety and quality in the care of diverse populations. Prerequisite: A C or better in PSY/SOC 36000 (Statistics for Social Sciences or equivalent) or consent of instructor.
NSR 7500 | Policy and Advocacy in Population Health (3 Credits)
Uses the principles of epidemiology to evaluate disease prevention and health promotion data when advocating for health care policies that meet the needs of population groups. In addition, there is a deeper exploration of the needs of vulnerable populations.
Nurse Educator Specialization Courses
NRS 7601 | Foundations for Nurse Educator Practice (3 Credits)
This course introduces the theoretical and research base for nurse educator practice in a variety of settings. The nurse educator roles of teaching, service and scholarship are explored and include an emphasis on nurse educators as leaders and change agents who pursue continuous quality improvement within the educational environment. In addition, there is an emphasis on domains of learning and adult learning theory from a learner-centered philosophy. The goal of this approach is to facilitate learner achievement of desired outcomes. Prerequisites: Successful completion of all core courses or Approval by Program Director.
NRS 7602 | Teaching Strategies for Today's Nurse Educator (3 Credits) This course emphasizes the theoretical and evidence base for effective teaching in nursing education. Students will examine and evaluate a variety of traditional and innovative teaching/learning strategies used in didactic, lab and clinical settings and identify best practices. There is an emphasis on creating a learner-centered environment that fosters student engagement, clinical reasoning and critical thinking. Techniques to assess student achievement of learning outcomes are highlighted.
NRS 7603 | Curriculum Design & Assessment Techniques in Nursing Education (3 Credits)
This course explores models for curriculum design, development, and evaluation within the context of organizational mission, philosophy, goals, and desired learning outcomes and competencies. There is a focus on internal and external factors influencing the curriculum. The course will also explore key strategies to enhance critical thinking in the development of instructional design, as well as test construction and item analysis. Analysis of assessment and evaluation data is addressed to facilitate student learning and enhance program effectiveness.
NRS 7604 | Instructional Technology & Simulation in Nursing Education (3 Credits)
This course examines current and emerging instructional technologies and simulation, used in a variety of nursing educational settings and e-learning environments, including online. Application, implementation, and evaluation of instructional technologies and simulation concepts are explored to enhance understanding of evidence-based interactive learning practices for direct and indirect patient-care roles.
NRS 7605 | Nurse Educator Practicum (3 Credits)
This course comprises the nursing education practicum in selected organization (s) with opportunities to apply educational knowledge, skills and concepts in a guided and transformational context in nursing education. Validation of advanced clinical expertise in a selected nursing specialty area is required as a significant value for nurse educators. An evidence-based practice approach is used to guide the scholarly project developed in this course and completed in the capstone. Prerequisite: Consent of Program Director/Designee required.
NRS 7606 | Nurse Educator Capstone (3 Credits)
This capstone course focuses on the integration of knowledge with advanced nursing practice competencies in the role of nurse educator to demonstrate attainment of program outcomes. The scholarly project provides validation of the student's ability to translate evidence into practice, improve quality outcomes, advance inter-professional collaboration, embrace diversity, and lead change in nursing education. Prerequisites: Completion of all core courses or consent of Program Director required.
Nurse Leadership Specialization Courses
NRS 7701 | Foundations for Nurse Leader Practice (3 Credits)
This course introduces the theoretical and research base for nurse leader practice in a variety of settings. There is an emphasis on nurse leaders as scholars and change agents who pursue continuous quality improvement within the health care environment. Professional communication skills such as conflict management and negotiation are addressed. There is a focus on human resource management in health care organizations, including the unique challenges encountered related to staffing, unionism, productivity, and performance evaluation in today's complex health care delivery settings. Prerequisites: Completion of all core courses or consent of Program Director required.
NRS 7702 | Health Information & Systems Management (3 Credits)
This course examines the essential components of healthcare information systems and patient-care technology in complex healthcare settings. A systems approach is used to evaluate healthcare deliver modes and work design in order to improve key performance metrics.
NRS 7703 | Legal & Ethical Issues for Nurse Leaders (3 Credits)
This course explores salient legal and ethical issues faced by nurse leaders. There is a focus on professional accountability, inter-professional communication, advocacy, embracing diversity and promoting access to healthcare. In addition, evidence based practice that is based on outcomes measurement and research is addressed.
NRS 7704 | Business Concepts for Nurse Leaders (3 Credits)
This course provides opportunities to examine critical business acumen needed by nurse leaders. Healthcare economics, strategic planning and financial management topics are explored to enhance the effectiveness of the nurse leader in today's complex health care environments.
NRS 7705 | Nurse Leader Practicum (3 Credits)
This course comprises the nurse leadership practicum focusing on management of outcomes for individuals and populations. An evidence-based practice approach is used to guide the scholarly project developed in this course and completed in the capstone. Strategies to change practice for optimal outcomes are explored. Prerequisite: Consent of Program Director/Designee required.
NRS 7706 | Nurse Leader Capstone (3 Credits)
This capstone course focuses on the integration of knowledge with advanced nursing practice competencies in the role of nurse leader to demonstrate attainment of program outcomes. The scholarly project provides validation of the student's ability to translate evidence into practice, improve quality outcomes, advance inter-professional collaboration, embrace diversity, and facilitate change as a nurse leader. Prerequisites: Successful completion of all core courses or consent of Program Director required.
Nurse Education and Healthcare Management Courses
NRS 7601 | Foundations for Nurse Educator Practice (3 Credits)
This course introduces the theoretical and research base for nurse educator practice in a variety of settings. The nurse educator roles of teaching, service and scholarship are explored and include an emphasis on nurse educators as leaders and change agents who pursue continuous quality improvement within the educational environment. In addition, there is an emphasis on domains of learning and adult learning theory from a learner-centered philosophy. The goal of this approach is to facilitate learner achievement of desired outcomes. Prerequisites: Successful completion of all core courses or Approval by Program Director.
NRS 7602 | Teaching Strategies for Today's Nurse Educator (3 Credits)
This course emphasizes the theoretical and evidence base for effective teaching in nursing education. Students will examine and evaluate a variety of traditional and innovative teaching/learning strategies used in didactic, lab and clinical settings and identify best practices. There is an emphasis on creating a learner-centered environment that fosters student engagement, clinical reasoning and critical thinking. Techniques to assess student achievement of learning outcomes are highlighted.
NRS 7603 | Curriculum Design & Assessment Techniques in Nursing Education (3 Credits)
This course explores models for curriculum design, development, and evaluation within the context of organizational mission, philosophy, goals, and desired learning outcomes and competencies. There is a focus on internal and external factors influencing the curriculum. The course will also explore key strategies to enhance critical thinking in the development of instructional design, as well as test construction and item analysis. Analysis of assessment and evaluation data is addressed to facilitate student learning and enhance program effectiveness.
NSR 7604 | Instructional, Technology & Simulation in Nursing Education (3 Credits)
This course examines current and emerging instructional technologies and simulation, used in a variety of nursing educational settings and e-learning environments, including online. Application, implementation, and evaluation of instructional technologies and simulation concepts are explored to enhance understanding of evidence-based interactive learning practices for direct and indirect patient-care roles.
BUS 7700 | Management of Information Systems (3 Credits)
Examines the use of computer information systems in business organizations with emphasis on how information technology supports business functions and aids managerial decision-making. Explores current trends and emerging technologies. Cross-listed with BUS 5770.
BUS 7816 | Program Development for Improved Outcomes (3 Credits)
Provides practical applications of strategies to improve the health status and outcomes of defined populations.
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