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

1. Written Communication

   Demonstrate the ability to utilize advanced written skills to illustrate the ability to analyze and solve problems resulting in the improved care and better understanding when working with the patients, family and the interdisciplinary health care team.

2. Oral Communication

   Display competence in providing appropriate oral communication skills to successfully interact with patients, families, and the healthcare team to provide quality patient-centered care.

3. Critical Thinking

   Apply critical thinking and reasoning skills based on theoretical and evidence-based information for clinical decision making in nursing practice, education, and administration.

4. Cultural and Social Understanding

   Recognize the importance of social, environmental, and cultural diversity to develop a perspective based on the advanced analysis of diverse factors that influence personal, familial and global health care.

5. Information Literacy

   Analyze the nature and extent of the information required and methods to acquire and utilize such information to support research and evidence-based nursing practices when managing care across the healthcare continuum.

6. Personal Development

   Integrate formal academic learning with personal experiences to promote professional growth, theoretical and evidence-based care, and lifelong learning in professional nursing practice.

7. Quantitative Reasoning

   Demonstrate the ability to use analytical skills to understand and evaluate systems during more advanced practice as a foundation for evidence-based healthcare.

8. Scientific Reasoning

   Demonstrate a system of inquiry that is dependent on empirical evidence to evaluate qualitative and quantitative research as a foundation for evidence-based nursing practice.

9. Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues

   Apply ethical, legal, and personal principles and accountability for actions that promotes advocacy, collaboration, and leadership as a masters prepared nurse.

Degree Requirements

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS	CREDITS
Core Courses	21
Concentration & Elective Courses	15
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED FOR COMPLETION	36

Admission Requirements

Admission into the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program requires that the applicant has a high school diploma or a GED and completed their Registered Nurse (RN) licensure requirements in the state where the applicant practices. Applicants will also have successfully completed the requirements for an appropriately earned Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

All prospective international learners/applicants must have their International Nursing Curricula and Registered Nursing Licenses evaluated by an Approved Agency/Organization. This process is conducted to determine if the International Nursing Curricula and the International RN Licensure processes are equivalent to the US Nursing Curricula and RN Licensure processes, and that all requirements are equivalent to the US individual State Boards of Registered Nursing (SBRN) Licensure Process of NCLEX-RN.

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)

Concentration and Elective Courses (15 Credits Required)

Nurse Executive Leader Concentration

Healthcare Administration Concentration

Nurse Educator Concentration

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.