Master of Science in Nursing
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program is designed to enhance learners’ ability to provide more advanced theoretical and evidenced based nursing care in an ethical manner to socioeconomic and culturally diverse patient populations in various healthcare settings utilizing the latest evidence, technology and information systems. The ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, is also essential and learners will analyze, synthesize, and utilize knowledge during their program of study. A culminating capstone project will allow learners to integrate prior and current learning in a meaningful capstone experience. Learners may select a concentration as a nurse executive leader, nurse educator, in healthcare administration or psychological health behavior.
The MSN degree equips the graduate with the knowledge, the professional integrity, and the nursing skills required to deliver quality and safe nursing care to a variety of populations in the United States and for International Students, to International Communities.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Utilize advanced oral and written communication strategies to develop and lead interprofessional teams to optimize healthcare outcomes across diverse populations.
- Synthesize empirical evidence and evidence-based frameworks/models/theories and research to promote critical thinking and reasoning in systems-based, advanced nursing practice to inform and initiate change.
- Integrate contemporary concepts of culture, diversity, equity, and inclusion to lead social justice in the delivery and coordination of care.
- Evaluate evidence-based strategies to promote professional practice when managing and leading systems-based specialty care.
- Appraise legal, ethical, professional, accreditation, and regulatory requirements to elevate caring and social justice to reduce risks and achieve optimal outcomes.
- Integrate advances in technology to communicate, mitigate error, and utilize knowledge to manage complex healthcare organizations.
Nurse Educator Specific Program Learning Outcomes:
- Facilitate maximum development and socialization of learners across a variety of nurse educator practice settings.
- Influence evidence-based change that continually improves teaching/learning, the development and evaluation of curriculum, and program outcomes.
Nursing Executive Leader Specific Program Learning Outcomes:
- Utilize an interdisciplinary approach to apply relevant leadership and change theories to promote fiscally responsible, high-performing teams that support organizational goals and outcomes.
- Evaluate implementation of evidence-based change that continually improves quality, safety, effectiveness, and organizational outcomes.
Degree Requirements
| DEGREE REQUIREMENTS |
CREDITS |
| Core Courses |
21 |
| Concentration Courses |
15 |
| TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED FOR COMPLETION |
36 |
Admission Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admissions requirements of the University in addition to the MSN program requirements, which include evidence of:
- Graduating from a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program that was accredited by CNEA, ACEN, or CCNE at the time of degree conferral, and
- an active and unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse.
Non-Nursing degree programs regardless of their levels of education (BA/BS, MA/MS, MBA, MEd, DBA, PsyD, non-nursing EdD, non-nursing PhD or MD) are not acceptable for admission into any nursing program.
Required Courses
Core Courses (21 Credits Required)
| NUR 6500 | Theoretical Foundations and Current Trends in Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NUR 6502 | Advanced Pathopharmacology | 3 |
| NUR 6504 | Advanced Health Assessment | 3 |
| NUR 6506 | Population Health and Health Promotion Across Cultures | 3 |
| NUR 6508 | Ethics, Policy, and Finance in the Healthcare System | 3 |
| NUR 6510 | Research and Analytic Approaches to Advanced Evidence-Based Practice | 3 |
| CAP 6902 | MSN Nursing Capstone Project I | 3 |
| CAP 6903 | MSN Nursing Capstone Project II | 3 |
Concentration Courses (15 Credits Required)
Nurse Executive Leader Concentration
| NUR 6520 | Advanced Nursing Leadership | 3 |
| NUR 6525 | Management of Issues in Healthcare | 3 |
| NUR 6530 | Healthcare Policy | 3 |
| NUR 6535 | Healthcare Finance and Financial Management | 3 |
| NUR 6536 | Organizational Behavior in Healthcare | 3 |
Healthcare Administration Concentration
This concentration is not accepting any new enrollments as of September 21, 2023.
Nurse Educator Concentration
| NUR 6540 | Roles and Responsibilities of the Nursing Educator | 3 |
| NUR 6542 | Innovative Teaching and Learning Strategies in Nursing | 3 |
| NUR 6544 | Foundations of Nursing Education | 3 |
| NUR 6548 | Curriculum Theory, Framework, and Design in Nursing Education | 3 |
| NUR 6550 | Evaluation Strategies and Methods for Nursing Education | 3 |
This program is not designed to meet the educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification required for employment in an occupation. As such, CalSouthern has made no determination regarding prerequisites for licensure or certification in any state or jurisdiction.
While California Southern University, as a member of the AIU System, is part of a Title IV eligible institution offering Title IV eligible programs, CalSouthern has elected and designated this program as not participating in Title IV federal financial aid programs. This means students enrolling in this program may not use Federal Student Aid to help pay for this program. Instead, it offers a variety of zero interest payment options for students.