Program codes: NURS-NUAD
The master’s degree in nursing at Indiana University of Pennsylvania is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://ccneaccreditation.org). The program is also pre-accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) (http://cnea.nln.org). It is designed to prepare the graduate for an advanced-practice nursing role as a nurse administrator or a nurse educator and serves as a foundation for doctoral study.
Upon completion of the degree the student is prepared to:
- Provide leadership that influences and contributes to the advancement of the nursing profession.
- Synthesize advanced skills and scientific knowledge into advanced nursing practice roles.
- Utilize new knowledge to provide high-quality health care, initiate change, and improve the practice of nursing.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of advanced nursing practice initiatives.
Course work builds on the knowledge and skills gained in a basic nursing education program. It provides the theoretical and practical knowledge required for advanced nursing practice in diverse settings within a rapidly changing health care system. Nurse administrators assume leadership roles in planning, organizing, and implementing care across the spectrum of health care settings. Nurse educators assume responsibility as nurse educators, patient educators, or nursing staff development in a variety of academic and health care settings.
Students may choose the 36-credit Nursing Administration track or 36-credit Nursing Education track.
Students are required to complete clinical hours. Because of the clinical hours the student may be required to undergo criminal background checks, drug testing, as well as provide proof of health insurance, liability insurance, and/or immunization records prior to participating in any required experiences at selected facilities/agencies. Additionally, other requirements may be specified by the facility/agency or program that a student must meet in order to be eligible for field or practical experiences at a facility. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all institutional and/or facility requirements are met as a condition of participating in the experiences; students may be responsible in part or in full for any costs incurred to meet such requirements. Students are also responsible for transportation to and from off-campus experiences. In some programs, the students are responsible for rental fees for clinical instruments and supplies, purchasing uniforms, equipment, and fees above the regular tuition.
Admission Criteria
An applicant must have achieved a bachelor’s degree and successful completion of a basic nursing program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, and have a current licensure as a registered nurse in any state in the US. Pennsylvania licensure is required before students begin clinical courses in PA. Students should also have a minimum QPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) if they graduated with the BSN within five years of the application date. If the bachelor’s degree is older than five years, the minimum QPA required is 2.6. Evidence of course work in statistics and research methodology and design is also required. For international graduate students who do not meet the TOEFL requirements, consider the Provisional Admission Program through the American Language Institute Intensive English Program. Students who successfully complete nine credits through the Bridge program are eligible to waive the TOEFL/IELTS requirements. International transfer students who have successfully completed six graduate level transfer credits at another US college or university may be eligible to waive the TOEFL/IELTS requirement. Applicants must also meet the general requirements for admission to the School of Graduate Studies and Research. Additional admission requirements for registered nurses licensed outside the United States, its territories, or Canada are available from the Department of Nursing.
Culminating Activity
As a program requirement, all students will develop a comprehensive portfolio project according to guidelines provided by the faculty.
Program Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree. If Bachelor’s degree is not in Nursing the student will be required to complete 3-credit course: NURS 554 Transition to Advanced Professional Nursing.
- Current license as a registered nurse (US Pennsylvania licensure is required before students begin clinical courses)
- QPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) if graduated within 5 years
- Evidence of coursework in statistics in research