2024-2025 General Catalog

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. Utilize advanced oral and written communication strategies to develop and lead interprofessional teams to optimize healthcare outcomes across diverse populations.
  2. 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.
  3. Integrate contemporary concepts of culture, diversity, equity, and inclusion to lead social justice in the delivery and coordination of care.
  4. Evaluate evidence-based strategies to promote professional practice when managing and leading systems-based specialty care.
  5. Appraise legal, ethical, professional, accreditation, and regulatory requirements to elevate caring and social justice to reduce risks and achieve optimal outcomes.
  6. Integrate advances in technology to communicate, mitigate error, and utilize knowledge to manage complex healthcare organizations.

Nurse Educator Specific Program Learning Outcome:

  1. Influence evidence-based change that continually improves teaching/learning, the development and evaluation of curriculum, and program outcomes.

Nursing Executive Leader Specific Program Learning Outcome:

  1. 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:

  1. Graduating from a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program that was accredited by CNEA, ACEN, or CCNE at the time of degree conferral, and
  2. an active and unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse.

Required Courses

Core Courses (21 Credits Required)

NUR 6500Theoretical Foundations and Current Trends in Advanced Nursing Practice

3

NUR 6502Advanced Pathopharmacology

3

NUR 6504Advanced Health Assessment

3

NUR 6506Population Health and Health Promotion Across Cultures

3

NUR 6508Ethics, Policy, and Finance in the Healthcare System

3

NUR 6510Research and Analytic Approaches to Advanced Evidence-Based Practice

3

CAP 6902MSN Nursing Capstone Project I

2

CAP 6903MSN Nursing Capstone Project II

1

Concentration Courses (15 Credits Required)

Nurse Executive Leader Concentration

NUR 6520Advanced Nursing Leadership

3

NUR 6525Management of Issues in Healthcare

3

NUR 6530Healthcare Policy

3

NUR 6535Healthcare Finance and Financial Management

3

NUR 6536Organizational Behavior in Healthcare

3

Nurse Educator Concentration

NUR 6540Roles and Responsibilities of the Nursing Educator

3

NUR 6542Innovative Teaching and Learning Strategies in Nursing

3

NUR 6544Foundations of Nursing Education

3

NUR 6548Curriculum Theory, Framework, and Design in Nursing Education

3

NUR 6550Evaluation 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.