The graduate program in nursing builds upon the baccalaureate entry into professional nursing, providing both academic and practice experiences basic to obtaining competencies for advanced professional nursing. The purpose of the Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) online program is to prepare nurses with advanced education in the discipline of nursing and scholarship for their chosen field of practice.

The graduate program in advanced professional nursing is designed to meet accreditation requirements of the national accreditation nursing bodies. The M.S.N. program received initial accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Education in Nursing (CCNE) in September 2008 and recently received re-accreditation until 2023. Emphasis on learning within an interprofessional environment is included in keeping with recommended competencies for health professionals from the Institute of Medicine (IOM).

Graduates of the Interdisciplinary Teacher Education Program for Health Professionals (ITEP) receive a Certificate in Teaching from the Bronson School of Nursing at Western Michigan University. This certificate can be used to enhance one’s employment opportunities in teaching other health professionals in a university setting or health institution. In addition, graduates who are registered nurses are eligible to sit for the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) examination administered by the National League for Nursing (NLN).

The master’s degree program requires a minimum of 36 credit hours taken within 12 courses (three hours each). All courses are delivered in an online format. The program is designed to be completed within seven semesters.

Admissin Requirements

Applicants must complete the university’s Graduate online application before admission consideration to the M.S.N. program will be conducted. Individuals are admitted for study beginning only in the fall semester. Students are expected to be proficient in use of MS Word, PowerPoint, and online resources (Internet, library resources, discussion boards) to participate in class. Admissions decisions are announced on a continuous basis; applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Not every applicant who meets the minimum admission requirements can be admitted; the department reserves discretion in admission of the most highly qualified applicants. Specific admission requirements are outlined below:

1. Evidence of an earned B.S.N. or B.S. degree with a major in nursing from an accredited program in nursing. Nurses with a baccalaureate degree in another discipline will be considered on an individual basis;
2. A grade point average of at least 3.0 out of 4.0 in the last 60 credit hours of the undergraduate nursing studies;
3. Completion of the following prerequisites:
   • Undergraduate course in descriptive and beginning inferential statistics
   • Undergraduate course in research design
   • Undergraduate course in health informatics
4. Current unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) in one of the 50 U.S. states or territories;
5. Submission of scores on TOEFL for students whose undergraduate degree was obtained internationally with minimum score of 80;
6. Evidence of personal and professional qualifications for graduate study, as reflected in
   • Three letters of reference from colleagues or supervisors able to comment on the applicant’s clinical knowledge, skill, and potential aptitude for graduate study
   • Response on written statement related to advanced professional nursing
   • Current resume or curriculum vitae
7. Other assessment procedures as indicated.