School of Nursing
- Undergraduate Programs
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Acceptance into Traditional and LPN-BSN Nursing Programs
- Traditional Degree Requirements
- LPN-BSN Degree Requirements
- Acceptance into Accelerated, Second Degree Nursing Program
- Accelerated, Second Degree BSN Requirements
- Acceptance into Accelerated RN-BSN Program
- Accelerated RN-BSN Requirements
- Writing-Intensive Requirement
- Academic Grade Standards
- Professional Conduct Policy
- Readmission
- Leave of Absence
- Appeal Process
- Student Learning Portfolio
- NCLEX Assessment
- Special Requirements
- RN and LPN Licensure Requirement
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Graduate Programs
Undergraduate Programs
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
The BSN program is accredited by the Virginia State Board of Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The undergraduate nursing program prepares students to deliver superior nursing care and provide leadership in nursing in the increasingly complex and challenging field of modern healthcare. Graduates are in demand as professional nurses in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and community health and other healthcare agencies. The program emphasizes health promotion and disease prevention, capitalizing on early detection of potential health problems, health maintenance in ambulatory services, and preparation for the managerial responsibilities of nursing.
The BSN degree prepares graduates to function as professional nurses in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and the community. The program may be completed on a full- or part-time basis. Students who are interested in pursuing a major in nursing must make an additional and separate application through the School of Nursing (SON). This does not apply to students who are already registered nurses (RNs). Special accelerated pathways for RNs and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) take into account the needs of the working RN and LPN. A 12-month, full-time accelerated pathway for students with a baccalaureate degree outside of nursing also is offered. Students interested in these pathways must contact the nursing program before admission. All pathways lead to completion of the objectives of the undergraduate program.
Clinical nursing begins at the junior level. Students must complete a prenursing curriculum and be admitted to junior standing or to one of the accelerated pathways. This does not apply to students who are already registered nurses.
Attendance at the first meeting of all nursing courses (lectures, on-campus laboratories, and agency laboratories) is mandatory.
Acceptance into Traditional and LPN-BSN Nursing Programs
To be eligible to apply for junior standing, traditional and LPN prenurs-ing students must complete the designated nursing prerequisites and general education requirements by the end of the spring semester preceding entry to the nursing program. Students must earn a C or better in anatomy and physiology (BIOL 124 and 125, 8 credits), microbiology (BIOL 246 and 306, 4 credits), statistics (STAT 250, 3 credits), nutrition (HSCI 295, 3 credits), developmental psychology (PSYC 211, 3 credits), and ethics (PHIL 309, 3 credits).
Students who are interested in pursuing a major in nursing must make an additional and separate application for junior standing through CHHS. Admission to the nursing program is competitive. It is based on a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 in the designated nursing prerequisite course work (wherever taken) required for the degree. The acceptable GPA may increase each year based on the number of spaces available in the nursing program. Transfer students and those changing their majors to nursing are ranked downward from 4.00 on the basis of the number of junior spaces available in any given year. Students admitted as prenursing freshmen must have a minimum GPA of 3.00 in the designated nursing prerequisites.
Students are accepted for junior standing each fall. The application deadline is March 1, and students are notified of their status in June. Permission to register for courses with NURS prefixes requires prior acceptance into junior standing in nursing. Full-time nursing requires carrying a heavy schedule; therefore, outside obligations should be limited to ensure success. Mason provides opportunity for credit by exam in several courses for students presenting evidence of previous education.
Traditional Degree Requirements
Candidates for the degree must present at least 120 credits. Specific requirements for the BSN are as follows.
| Credits | |
|---|---|
| General Education | 30 |
| ENGL 101 and 302 (3 credits of -humanities are a prerequisite to ENGL 302) | 6 |
| Communication | 3 |
| Information Technology | 3 |
| Literature (at 200 level or above; does not include ENGL 101 and 302) | 3 |
| Fine Arts | 3 |
| Western Civilization | 3 |
| Global Understanding | 3 |
| Sociology or Anthropology | 3 |
| Psychology (PSYC 100) | 3 |
| Designated Nursing Prerequisites | 24 |
| Anatomy & Physiology (BIOL 124 and 125) | 8 |
| Microbiology (BIOL 246 and 306) | 4 |
| Ethics (PHIL 151 or 309) | 3 |
| Statistics (STAT 250) | 3 |
| Developmental Psychology (PSYC 211) | 3 |
| Nutrition (HSCI 295) | 3 |
| Traditional Nursing Major NURS 317, 330, 331, 332, 337, 339, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349, 410, 436, 440, 441, 442, 451, 453, 455, 465 |
62 |
| Electives (No more than 3 credits of nursing electives may be used to satisfy this requirement.) |
4 |
| Total | 120 |
BIOL 124 and 125 meet the natural science portion of Mason’s general education requirements. Statistics 250 fulfills the quantitative reasoning portion of Mason’s general education requirements. Nursing students must take an approved synthesis course (NURS 465, 3 credits).
LPN-BSN Degree Requirements
Candidates for the degree must present at least 120 credits. Specific requirements for the BSN are as follows.
| Credits | |
|---|---|
| General Education | 30 |
| ENGL 101 and 302 | 6 |
| Communication | 3 |
| Information Technology | 3 |
| Literature (at 200 level or above, does not include ENGL 101 and 302) | 3 |
| Fine Arts | 3 |
| Western Civilization | 3 |
| Global Understanding | 3 |
| Sociology or Anthropology | 3 |
| Psychology (PSYC 100) | 3 |
| Designated Nursing Prerequisites | 24 |
| Anatomy and Physiology (BIOL 124 and 125) | 8 |
| Microbiology (BIOL 246 and 306) | 4 |
| Ethics (PHIL 151 or 309) | 3 |
| Statistics (STAT 250) | 3 |
| Developmental Psychology (PSYC 211) | 3 |
| Nutrition (HSCI 295) | 3 |
| LPN-BSN Nursing Major NURS 317, 331, 334, 339, 341, 342, 343, 344, 347, 348, 349, 410, 425, 436, 440, 441, 442, 451, 453, 455, 465 (11 AP credits in nursing will be awarded upon successful completion of NURS 334) |
62 |
| Electives (No more than 3 credits of nursing electives may be used to satisfy this requirement.) |
4 |
| Total | 120 |
BIOL 124 and 125 meet the natural science portion of Mason’s general education requirements. Statistics 250 fulfills the quantitative reasoning portion of Mason’s general education requirements. Nursing students must take an approved synthesis course (NURS 465, 3 credits).
Acceptance into Accelerated, Second Degree Nursing Program
The accelerated, second degree BSN nursing program is designed for previously degreed students interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree in nursing. Students must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. This full-time accelerated program begins in the fall semester and is completed in 12 months. Students must earn a C or better in anatomy and physiology (BIOL 124 and 125, 8 credits), microbiology (BIOL 246 and 306, 4 credits), statistics (STAT 250, 3 credits), nutrition (HSCI 295, 3 credits), developmental psychology (PSYC 211, 3 credits), and ethics (PHIL 309, 3 credits).
Admission to the second degree nursing program is competitive. Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 in their first degree or a 3.00 GPA in the last 30 credits of the undergraduate degree, and they must complete the application including an intentional essay. To be eligible to apply to the second degree BSN program, students must complete the designated nursing prerequisites by the end of the spring semester preceding entry into the nursing program.
The application deadline is March 1, and students are notified of their status in June. Permission to register for courses with NURS prefixes requires prior acceptance into junior standing in nursing. Full-time nursing requires carrying a heavy schedule; therefore, outside obligations should be limited to ensure success. Mason provides opportunity for credit by exam in several courses for students presenting evidence of previous education.
Accelerated, Second Degree BSN Requirements
Candidates for the degree must present at least 120 credits: 24 credits are required prerequisites, and 49 credits are transfer credits from the first degree. Specific requirements for the second degree program are as follows.
| Credits | |
|---|---|
| General Education Mason general education requirements are satisfied by the initial degree and fulfilled through transfer credit |
49 |
| Designated Nursing Prerequisites | 24 |
| Anatomy & Physiology (BIOL 124 and 125) | 8 |
| Microbiology (BIOL 246 and 306) | 4 |
| Ethics (PHIL 151 or 309) | 3 |
| Statistics (STAT 250) | 3 |
| Developmental Psychology (PSYC 211) | 3 |
| Nutrition (HSCI 295) | 3 |
| Second Degree Nursing Major NURS 305, 309, 310, 319, 334, 343, 350, 351, 419, 425, 427, 428, 429, 436, 440, 453, 465 |
47 |
| Total | 120 |
Nursing students must take an approved synthesis course (NURS 465, 3 credits).
Acceptance into Accelerated RN-BSN Program
Students who hold current RN licenses need to apply only to the university and have no separate application to the School of Nursing. The accelerated RN-BSN nursing program allows registered nurses to progress quickly through the program while meeting the objectives of the undergraduate curriculum. Upon completion of the general education requirements and designated nursing prerequisites, registered nurse students can complete the BSN in two semesters of full-time study. The program can also be completed on a part-time basis
RN students must satisfy all general education requirements and nursing prerequisites. RN students may use any 6 credits of psychology to satisfy the PSYC 100/211 requirement. Mason provides opportunity for credit by exam in several courses for students presenting evidence of previous education.
Accelerated RN-BSN Requirements
Candidates for the degree must present at least 120 credits. A minimum of 30 credits must be earned at Mason to fulfill requirements for graduation. Specific requirements for the RN-BSN program are as follows.
| Credits | |
|---|---|
| General Education | 30 |
| ENGL 101 and 302 | 6 |
| Communication | 3 |
| Information Technology | 3 |
| Literature (at 200 level or above, does not include ENGL 101 and 302) | 3 |
| Fine Arts | 3 |
| Western Civilization | 3 |
| Global Understanding | 3 |
| Sociology or Anthropology | 3 |
| Psychology (PSYC 100) | 3 |
| Designated Nursing Prerequisites | 21 |
| Anatomy and Physiology (BIOL 124 and 125) | 8 |
| Microbiology (BIOL 246 and 306) | 4 |
| Ethics (PHIL 151 or 309) | 3 |
| Statistics (STAT 250) | 3 |
| Developmental Psychology (PSYC 211) | 3 |
| RN-BSN Nursing Major NURS 334, 425, 436, 440, 441, 442, 453, 465, 400/500 level elective (30 AP credits in nursing will be awarded upon successful completion of NURS 334) |
57 |
| Electives (No more than 3 credits of nursing electives may be used to satisfy this requirement. 3 AP credits will be awarded after successful completion of NURS 334.) |
12 |
| Total | 120 |
BIOL 124 and 125 meet the natural science portion of Mason’s general education requirements. Statistics 250 fulfills the quantitative reasoning portion of Mason’s general education requirements. Nursing students must take an approved synthesis course (NURS 465, 3 credits).
Writing-Intensive Requirement
Mason requires all students to complete at least one course in their majors designated “writing intensive” at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in nursing fulfill this requirement by successfully completing NURS 465.
Academic Grade Standards
Students who earn a final grade lower than C in a nursing course must repeat the course and earn a grade of C or higher. In these cases, students are placed on “nursing academic warning.” They must notify the assistant dean for undergraduate programs in writing, within two weeks of final exams, of their intent to repeat the course. Students should be aware that space may not be available in some clinical nursing courses that they may need to repeat. Although placement attempts will be made, students must understand that they may have to sit out a semester or more until space becomes available.
Nursing majors who fail a course must repeat the course and earn a C or higher to resume progression in classes with NURS or HSCI prefixes. Before the course is repeated, the student may not register for any other courses with a NURS or HSCI prefix.
Students may repeat only one time a nursing course in which they earned a grade lower than C. Those who fail to earn a C or higher after repeating the course are dismissed from the nursing program. Those who earn a grade of C or higher may resume progress in the sequence of required courses. Earning a grade of less than C in a second nursing course results in dismissal from the nursing program.
Dismissal from any one of the nursing programs constitutes dismissal from the School of Nursing.
Professional Conduct Policy
All students in the School of Nursing are expected to adhere to the Professional Conduct Policy outlined for CHHS.
Readmission
Readmission to the nursing program for nonacademic or professional infractions is not automatic. Former students must apply in writing for readmission to the assistant dean for undergraduate programs by September 1 for the spring semester, February 1 for the fall semester, or November 1 for Summer Term. The letter should include a description of the circumstances surrounding the nonacademic suspension; a description of interim activities; steps taken to support success upon readmission; reasons readmission is justified; and rationale to support expectation of success upon readmission. Students meeting the above criteria are considered for readmission on a space-available basis. Students have the right to appeal unfavorable decisions.
Leave of Absence
Students in good standing may request a leave of absence from the nursing program of up to two semesters. Readmission following the leave of absence is granted only on a space-available basis.
Appeal Process
Faculty members in the nursing program are generally the best judges of a student’s professional performance. However, some students may feel that their judgment of readmission or dismissal is unfair. In such cases, the student should ask the assistant dean for undergraduate programs to reconsider the decision. If the student remains dissatisfied, the matter may be appealed to the dean. If the dean believes the student may have a legitimate complaint, the dean will appoint a committee of three faculty members and a student peer to review the decision. After the committee thoroughly reviews the student’s case, it will issue a written recommendation to the dean with a copy to the assistant dean.
Student Learning Portfolio
All students in School of Nursing initiate a learning portfolio during the first semester of junior year. The purpose is to provide evidence of a student’s ability to meet programmatic outcomes as a care provider; designer, manager, and coordinator of care; and member of the profession. The portfolio also demonstrates development of professional values and behaviors by providing evidence of work completed throughout the nursing program. A “Best Works” portfolio at the conclusion of the nursing program evaluates program outcomes and is used for ongoing professional development. Each course requires elements of the portfolio and is integrated into the course syllabus.
NCLEX Assessment
All students, with the exception of RN-BSN students, are required to take a computerized version of a practice NCLEX-RN exam in the first semester of their senior year. Students must achieve a score of 80 percent or higher. Students who do not achieve this score must complete an individualized study program, repeat the NCLEX review exam, and score 80 percent or above. Successful completion of the NCLEX review exam is required to receive a passing grade in NURS 465.
Special Requirements
Fees and expenses specific to the nursing program are as follows: laboratory equipment kit, standardized testing, uniforms, stethoscope, name pin, books, course materials, transportation to and from agencies, CPR certification, review of health forms, immunizations, and any other additional fees as mandated by clinical agencies, such as the criminal background check.
A one-time lab fee is required of all students before beginning the first semester of nursing. Criminal background checks are required of all nursing students.
Nursing students are required to obtain a health exam and immunizations before registering for their first clinical course. Students must complete the three hepatitis B immunizations in accordance with current U.S. Public Health Service recommendations before entering the first clinical setting. The cost of the immunizations is the responsibility of the student. Students also must have annual tuberculosis screenings by PPD. Student immunization records are monitored at the CHHS Office of Student Academic Affairs.
All students must have CPR certification before entering the first clinical nursing course, and maintain it through the remainder of the program. Either the American Red Cross Professional Rescuer or the American Heart Association Basic Life Support is required. Clinical agencies sometimes require additional records and documentation before student participation. Any cost is the responsibility of the student.
Student assignments are based on the learning needs of the student without regard to the HIV or HBV status of the client. Failure to practice universal precautions and blood-borne pathogen safety results in dismissal from the nursing -program.
No student or faculty member is discriminated against or denied admission to the nursing program for the sole reason that the student or faculty member has been exposed to, infected, or diagnosed with HIV or HBV. In the event that a student has a clinical experience or practicum exposure to body fluids of a client, procedures and appropriate incident reports are to be completed according to institutional and nursing policies. Information related to exposure or infection is confidential, and dissemination of such information is based on the need-to-know criteria that apply generally in healthcare situations. A complete and detailed HIV/HBV policy is available in the CHHS’s Office of Student Academic Affairs.
The drop period for nursing courses offered for fewer than 14 weeks is three weeks.
Because knowledge, skills, and behavior patterns in the major field of this program are so vital to the health and perhaps even the survival of individuals or groups being served, failure or borderline achievement cannot be tolerated. Therefore, the faculty of the nursing program has established, with approval of university faculty and administration, special major field quality standards that go beyond the general university quality standards printed elsewhere in this catalog.
RN and LPN Licensure Requirement
RN and LPN students are required to submit a copy of their license prior to entering the first nursing course.
Graduate Programs
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
The MSN program is accredited by the Virginia State Board of Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The program prepares nurses for a variety of leadership roles in the healthcare delivery system. The adult, adult/gerontological, and family nurse practitioner primary care tracks are part of a collaborative program with George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. These tracks have been approved by the state boards of nursing and medicine in Virginia. The track in advanced clinical nursing prepares nurses to provide and manage care of individuals, families, and groups, including the chronically ill, the elderly, and others with self-care limitations. The track in nursing administration prepares nurses to function in management positions in hospitals, nursing homes, community health agencies, and other health-related facilities. The nurse educator track prepares graduates for faculty positions in schools of nursing, as well as nurse educator positions in hospitals and community health care agencies. The clinical nurse leader track prepares nurses as generalists with solid foundations in health policy and finance to provide competent care and clinical leadership within the health care system.
Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting graduate admission requirements, applicants to MSN programs must have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 for the last 60 credits of undergraduate work, hold an active license as a registered nurse, and submit three letters of recommendation. Although the GRE is not formally required, applicants may be asked to submit GRE scores at the discretion of the school when it believes those scores will lead to a clearer presentation of the applicant’s qualifications. Applicants must have successfully completed undergraduate statistics as well as a graduate bivariate statistics course.
Students applying to the advanced clinical nursing, clinical nurse leader, nurse educator, and all the nurse practitioner tracks must have a health assessment skills continuing education course 18 months prior to taking NURS 514 or 554. In addition, applicants to the nursing administration track are required to have the equivalent of one year’s experience in direct patient care as a registered nurse. Students applying to any nurse practitioner track are required to have a minimum of one year experience in direct patient care. It is recommended that students applying to the advanced clinical nursing track have the equivalent of one year’s experience in direct patient care as a registered nurse.
Special Requirements
Graduate students are required to have annual health exams and immunizations before enrolling in practicum courses. Students must be in the process of completing a hepatitis B immunization series when they enroll for their first practicum course. Student health and immunization records are monitored at the CHHS Office of Student Academic Affairs. Criminal background checks are required of all CHHS students. All students are required to have an active Mason e-mail account.
Degree Requirements
The master’s program in nursing requires 37 to 48 graduate credits. Of these, a 13-credit core consists of course work in the theoretical foundations of nursing, applications in nursing research, a seminar in the ethics of healthcare, and a course on the organization of nursing and healthcare delivery systems. The nursing administration and clinical nurse leader tracks require an additional 24 credits; the nurse educator track, an additional 25 credits; advanced clinical nursing tracks, an additional 25 to 31 credits; adult nurse practitioner primary care track, an additional 29 credits; and the adult/gerontological and family nurse practitioner tracks, an additional 35 credits. A graduate course in which a grade of C or below is earned may be repeated only once. Graduate students (both master’s and doctoral students) may repeat no more than two courses in their total program of study.
RN-MSN Pathway
This pathway allows registered nurses who have completed the general education requirements (as listed in the undergraduate traditional pathway) and have demonstrated substantial involvement in professional nursing within the past two years to earn the MSN degree. Students entering a major through this pathway must meet all the requirements for admission to that major.
In addition to fulfilling admission requirements for degree status at Mason, applicants must hold a current license to practice nursing; be graduates of an accredited nursing program; have earned a 3.00 GPA in the general education courses at an accredited institution; and demonstrate substantial involvement in professional nursing within the past two years as a registered nurse in clinical practice.
RN-MSN Bridge
| NURS 595 RN-MSN Transition: Evidence Based Community Health Nursing | 3 credits |
After completion of the bridge course, students choose one of the five tracks and meet all requirements of the graduate program.
Program of Study
| Credits | |
|---|---|
| MSN Core Courses (required of all students) | 13 |
| NURS 660 Seminar in the Ethics of Healthcare | 3 |
| NURS 680 Theoretical Foundations Related to Nursing | 2 |
| NURS 685 Advanced Nursing Research Methods | 3 |
| NURS 686 Projects in Nursing Research | 2 |
| NURS 688 Organization of Nursing and Healthcare Delivery Systems | 3 |
Nursing Tracks (select one): |
|
| Nurse Practitioner | |
| Choose from one of the following concentrations: | |
| Adult Nurse Practitioner in Primary Care | |
| NURS 623 Clinical Concepts in Community-Oriented Primary Care | 3 |
| NURS 746 Practicum in Adult Primary Care Nursing I | 6 |
| NURS 748 Practicum in Adult Primary Care Nursing II | 8 |
| Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner in Primary Care | |
| NURS 623 Clinical Concepts in Community-Oriented Primary Care | 3 |
| NURS 746 Practicum in Adult Primary Care Nursing I | 6 |
| NURS 748 Practicum in Adult Primary Care Nursing II | 8 |
| NURS 780 Practicum in Gerontological Primary Care Nursing I | 3 |
| NURS 781 Practicum in Gerontological Primary Care Nursing II | 3 |
| Family Nurse Practitioner in Primary Care | |
| NURS 623 Clinical Concepts in Community-Oriented Primary Care | 3 |
| NURS 720 Practicum in Family Primary Care Nursing I | 4 |
| NURS 721 Practicum in Assessment and Management of the Developing Family | 8 |
| NURS 722 Practicum in Family Primary Care Nursing II | 8 |
| Related Discipline Support Courses (at George Washington University, required of all Nurse Practitioner students) |
|
| NURS 552/HCS 205 Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology * | 4 |
| NURS 554/HCS 207 Practicum in Advanced Health Assessment* | 2 |
| NURS 561 Clinical Decision Making* | 2 |
| NURS 547 Pharmacology* | 3 |
| NURS 548 Advanced Pharmacology in Disease and Pathophysiology* *Co-listed with George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. All courses offered at GWU are charged at GWU tuition rates. Nurse Practitioner students must have a continuing education health assessment course with a skills component within 18 months prior to taking NURS 554. |
1 |
Advanced Clinical Nursing |
|
| Advanced Clinical Nursing Major Courses | 7 |
| NURS 514* Application of Advanced Health Assessment Methods in Advanced Clinical Nursing | 1 |
| NURS 550 Pathophysiologic Bases for Major Health Deviations of Individuals | 3 |
| NURS 513 Advanced Pharmacology in Nursing | 3 |
| *Note: A continuing education health assessment course with a skills component is required within 18 months prior to taking NURS 514. | |
| Choose from one of the following concentrations: | |
| Basic Concentration | 18 |
| NURS 773 Advanced Clinical Nursing I | 3 |
| NURS 776 Advanced Clinical Nursing II | 3 |
| NURS 775 Advanced Specialty Practice I | 3 |
| NURS 778 Advanced Specialty Practice II | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist Concentration | 24 |
| NURS 773 Advanced Clinical Nursing I | 3 |
| NURS 776 Advanced Clinical Nursing II | 3 |
| NURS 775 Advanced Specialty Practice I | 6 |
| NURS 778 Advanced Specialty Practice II | 6 |
| Electives | 6 |
Nursing Administration |
|
| Nursing Administration Major Courses | 12 |
| NURS 763 Administrative Theory in Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 765 Practicum in Nursing Administration I | 3 |
| NURS 766 Administrative Strategies in Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 768 Practicum in Nursing Administration II | 3 |
| Nursing Administration Support Courses | 12 |
| NURS 654 Nursing Administration Financial Management | 3 |
| or HSCI 703 Financial Management of Health Systems | 3 |
| Management/organizational theory (Recommended courses include LRNG 601 or PUAD 620.) |
3 |
| Nursing or related discipline electives | 6 |
Nurse Educator |
|
| Nurse Educator Major Courses | 15 |
| NURS 657 Perspectives in Nursing Education | 3 |
| NURS 610 Curriculum Development | 3 |
| EDRS 531 Educational and Psychological Measurement | 3 |
| NURS 658 Practicum and Seminar in Nursing Education I | 3 |
| NURS 668 Practicum in Nursing Education II | 3 |
| Nurse Educator Support Courses | 10 |
| NURS 550 Pathophysiologic Bases for Major Health Deviations of Individuals | 3 |
| NURS 514* Application of Advanced Health Assessment Methods | 1 |
| Nursing or related discipline electives… *Note: A continuing education health assessment course with a skills component is required within 18 months prior to taking NURS 514. |
6 |
Clinical Nurse Leader |
|
| Clinical Nurse Leader Major Courses | 17 |
| NURS 588/HSCI 586 Process Improvement for Health Services | 3 |
| HSCI 730 Healthcare Decision Analysis | 2 |
| NURS 730 Leadership Strategies for the Clinical Nurse Leader | 3 |
| NURS 731 Clinical Nurse Leader Role Integration | 2 |
| NURS 732 Practicum—Clinical Nurse Leader | 7 |
| Clinical Nurse Leader Support Courses | 7 |
| NURS 513 Advanced Pharmacology in Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 550 Pathophysiologic Bases for Major Health Deviations of Individuals | 3 |
| NURS 514* Application of Advanced Health Assessment Methods *Note: A continuing education health assessment course with a skills component is required within 18 months prior to taking NURS 514. |
1 |
Master’s International
The MSN prepares nurses for a variety of leadership roles in the healthcare delivery systems. Courses are scheduled on the Fairfax Campus and in 12 distributed local healthcare facilities. Most classes are offered after 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Mason is a public institution with excellent tuition rates for those who qualify for Virginia residency. Peace Corps volunteers accepted into the MSN program who are not Virginia residents may be eligible for the tuition support program to obtain the in-state rate. Students benefit from a program that has been rated in the top 50 graduate nursing programs by US News & World Report.
The Master’s International (MI), a joint program of Mason and the Peace Corps, enables participants to prepare for Peace Corps service while earning the MSN. Participants apply separately to the Peace Corps and Mason. The MSN offers five tracks, but two are more appropriate to the Peace Corps experience: the MSN in advanced clinical nursing is a 38-credit program, and the MSN in nursing administration is a 37-credit program. Students are able to complete initial requirements of 31 or 32 credits within one year (to include summer sessions). Six credits are earned as practicum credits for the overseas Peace Corps service. Students return to Mason for their final project presentation, during which they discuss and share their Peace Corps experiences with faculty and other MSN students.
Requirements
Applicants should hold a BS in nursing. They must submit a completed application for graduate admission along with the nonrefundable application fee; application for Virginia in-state rates for those claiming eligibility; original transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities; GRE scores (cumulative undergraduate GPA may allow for waiver of entrance exam requirement); two letters of recommendation from professional sources; resume; and a goals statement.
Applications are reviewed throughout the year for admission to either the fall or spring semester, although new students make take their initial course during the summer session. Students accepted into the program but waiting for notification of acceptance from the Peace Corps may begin their master’s program, but will not be eligible for tuition support until they are accepted into the Peace Corps.
For more information about MI, contact the Peace Corps regional office at 1-800-424-8580. For the Fellows/USA program, call the above number and then extension 1440.
MSN/MBA Program
The MSN/MBA program, offered jointly with the School of Management (SOM), prepares nurses for mid- and top-level administrative, leadership, and health policy roles in health and health-related organizations. A variety of healthcare and health-related settings are used for clinical practice experiences. The program requires 59.5 graduate credits, including graduate nursing, business, decision sciences, and elective courses.
Applicants must have GMAT scores sent directly to Mason, and must meet admission requirements for graduate degree status in both CHHS and the School of Management.
| MSN Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| NURS 660 Seminar in the Ethics of Healthcare | 3 |
| NURS 680 Theoretical Foundations Related to Nursing | 2 |
| NURS 685 Advanced Nursing Research Methods | 3 |
| NURS 686 Projects in Nursing Research | 2 |
| NURS 763 Administrative Theory in Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 765 Practicum in Nursing Administration I | 3 |
| NURS 766 Administrative Strategies in Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 768 Practicum in Nursing Administration II | 3 |
| NURS 794 Organization of Nursing and Healthcare Delivery Systems | 3 |
| HSCI 703 Financial Management of Health Systems | 3 |
| MBA Courses | |
| MBA 603 Managerial Economics and Decisions of the Firm | 3 |
| MBA 612 Managing Costs and Evaluating Performance | 1.5 |
| MBA 613 Financial Reporting and Decision Making | 3 |
| MBA 623 Marketing Management | 3 |
| MBA 633 Statistics for Business Decision Making | 3 |
| MBA 638 Managing Operations and Technology for the Digital Enterprise | 3 |
| MBA 643 Managerial Finance | 3 |
| MBA 653 Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management | 3 |
| MBA 663 Introduction to Information Technology and Management | 3 |
| MBA 673 Legal Environment for Management | 3 |
| MBA 678 Strategy and Organizational Leadership | 3 |
Graduate Certificates in Nursing
Certificate in Nursing Administration
This program offers formal study in theory and practice in nursing administration in the healthcare delivery system.
Certificate Requirements
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Application is made through CHHS.
| Credits | |
|---|---|
| Required courses | 6 |
| NURS 763 Administrative Theory in Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 765 Practicum in Nursing Administration I | 3 |
| or NURS 768 Practicum in Nursing Administration II | 3 |
| Electives Graduate courses as approved by the student’s advisor |
9 |
| Total | 15 |
To earn the certificate, students must complete all courses with a 3.00 GPA.
Certificate in Nursing Education
This program combines foundation courses in education with courses in the principles and practices of nursing education. It prepares students to function in nursing educational roles in both academic and nonacademic settings.
Certificate Requirements
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Application is made through CH
| Credits | |
|---|---|
| Required courses | |
| EDRS 531 Educational and Psychological Measurement | 3 |
| NURS 610 Curriculum Development | 3 |
| NURS 657 Perspectives in Nursing Education | 3 |
| NURS 658 Practicum and Seminar in Nursing Education (Those who qualify for a 3-credit practicum because of their educational experiences may choose the remaining 3 credits from courses designated by the graduate nursing program.) |
3–6 |
| Total | 15 |
To earn the certificate, students must complete all courses with a 3.00 GPA.
Adult Nurse Practitioner Certificate
A postmaster’s adult nurse practitioner certificate program is offered jointly with CHHS and GWU’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences. This program is designed for nurses who have already earned a master’s degree in nursing. The curriculum includes didactic, seminar, and practicum course work. Upon successful completion of the 16-credit course work and a minimum of 500 documented, supervised clinical hours, students earn the certificate of adult nurse practitioner. Graduates are eligible to take a national nurse practitioner certification exam though the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), and become certified as an adult nurse practitioner. Application is made through the Mason graduate application process and CHHS as well as through GWU graduate programs. Courses are offered at GWU’s Washington, D.C., campus; tuition is based on GWU tuition rates.
Course of Study
| Credits | |
|---|---|
| NURS 552/HSCI 205 Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology | 4 |
| NURS 561/HSCI 206 Clinical Decision Making | 2 |
| NURS 554/PHARM 207 Practicum in Advanced Health Assessment | 2 |
| NURS 547/PHARM 208 Pharmacology for Health Science Students | 3 |
| NURS 548/HSCI 208 Pharmacology in Disease and Pathophysiology | 1 |
| NURS 754/HSCI 209 Advanced Adult Primary Care* | 4 |
* NURS 754/HSCI 209: Due to GWU tuition structure, both didactic and practicum are included in this 4-credit course.
Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
This postmaster’s advanced family nurse practitioner certificate program is offered jointly with CHHS and the GWU School of Medicine and Health Sciences. It is for master’s prepared nurses who have already been certified as nurse practitioners. The program helps expand the scope of practice using the present practice site as a clinical practicum while students acquire the knowledge and skills needed to provide primary care for families, including children and parents. Classes and seminars are scheduled to allow students to study via distance learning from a Washington, D.C., campus located at GWU. Students are required to attend a one-week intensive didactic session on GWU’s Washington, D.C., campus. The session usually is held in the early part of September. Upon successful completion of 17 credits of didactic work via distance learning and a minimum of 500 documented, supervised clinical hours, students earn a certificate as a family nurse practitioner and will be able to apply for certification as a family nurse practitioner through the American Nurse’s Credentialing Committee (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). Application is made through Mason’s graduate application process and CHHS as well as through GWU. Courses are offered at GWU’s Washington, D.C., campus. Tuition is based on GWU distance learning tuition rates.
| Credits | |
|---|---|
| NURS 751/ HSCI 212 Primary Care of the Developing Family | 5 |
| NURS 753/HSCI 214 Diagnosis and Management of the Developing Family | 4 |
| NURS 752/HSCI 213 Advanced Family Primary Care | 8 |
PhD in Nursing
The PhD program in nursing builds on the MSN degree and requires 61 credits beyond the master’s degree. The objective of the program is to prepare nurses for executive and educational roles in selected areas of nursing and healthcare. Graduates of the program will exemplify administrative and leadership characteristics essential to assuming executive roles; conduct and support research in nursing and healthcare ethics, healthcare administration, health policy, and nursing education; and influence the formation and implementation of public policy in healthcare through analysis of sociocultural, economic, fiscal, political, ethical, and governmental processes.
Admission Requirements
In addition to fulfilling admission requirements for degree status in CHHS, applicants must hold a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited program equivalent to 30 credits, or a master’s degree in a related health field with a baccalaureate degree in nursing. They must have earned a minimum GPA of 3.50 on a 4.00 scale in a master’s program. They also must show evidence of one year of experience as an RN prior to enrollment. Other requirements are as follows:
- GRE scores and for international students, a TOEFL score of at least 250 (computer-based) or 600 (paper-based)
- Evidence of current licensure to practice professional nursing. Students on foreign student visas must present evidence of their country’s nursing licensure or the equivalent.
- Three letters of recommendation from professional or academic sources, with at least two of the references from people who have had contact with the applicant within the last two years.
- Interview with one or more members of the Graduate Admissions Committee
- Writing sample describing goals in pursuing preparation for the PhD
- Evidence of prerequisite graduate level course work in applied statistics (past two years) and organizational behavior in (past five years)
Students are admitted for fall semester only. All materials for admission must be submitted to Mason’s Admissions Office by March 1 of the year of application.
Degree Requirements
To earn the PhD in nursing, students must have earned a minimum of 91 graduate-level semester credits beyond the baccalaureate degree, and a minimum of 61 graduate-level semester credits beyond the master’s degree. Of the 61 credits, 49 must have been earned at Mason; 12 may be transferred and applied with approval. Students must supply official transcripts documenting satisfactory grades for graduate level semester credits (as designated by the educational institution where taken) as well as official catalog descriptions of each course petitioned for transfer. All transfer credits must receive approval from the director of the program. Other requirements are as follows:
- Successfully complete the program of study outlined in the PhD curriculum.
- Successfully complete a written doctoral candidacy comprehensive exam after completing all PhD credit requirements, except NURS 998 and 999.
- Successfully pass the final oral doctoral dissertation defense, and submit the doctoral dissertation approved by the Doctoral Dissertation Committee, director of doctoral program, and CHHS dean. This is submitted in the approved format to the Mason library and director of the doctoral program.
- Complete application material for graduation and the PhD degree in accordance with prevailing Mason policies.
Program of Study
The curriculum includes the nursing core (21 credits), research core (19 credits), and nursing and related discipline electives (9 credits). Before advancing to candidacy and enrolling for dissertation credit (12 credits), students must have their program of study approved by CHHS and the director of the CHHS doctoral program.
Internship in Healthcare Administration/Policy/Ethics
Students are required to enroll in NURS 874 Internship in Healthcare Administration/Policy/Ethics, a one-semester, 4-credit internship that includes seminars, for experiential learning in healthcare administration. Students are assigned to a doctorally prepared executive, who serves as the preceptor in the student’s field of emphasis. A field experience of at least 120 hours is required. NURS 874 is scheduled at the end of the course sequence in the program of study.
Advancement to Candidacy
After students have successfully completed the qualifying exam and all required course work, the director of the CHHS doctoral program approves advancement to candidacy.
Dissertation Proposal
The proposal must focus on a topic in nursing, and must be approved by the Doctoral Dissertation Committee, doctoral program director, and CHHS dean. The dissertation proposal and written dissertation must be consistent with the guidelines outlined in Guide for Preparing Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Projects.
Doctoral Dissertation
Before enrolling for dissertation credit, the student must have advanced to candidacy. The completed dissertation must be approved by the Doctoral Dissertation Committee, doctoral program director, and CHHS dean.
Final Oral Doctoral Exam
The chair of the Doctoral Dissertation Committee, upon preliminary approval of the doctoral dissertation by the committee, petitions the doctoral program director in the CHHS to schedule the final oral doctoral exam, which includes a defense of the doctoral dissertation. The final oral doctoral exam also demonstrates the candidate’s intellectual command and maturity of judgment in the area of emphasis chosen by the candidate and approved by the Doctoral Dissertation Committee. At the close of the final oral doctoral exam, the Doctoral Dissertation Committee makes a final judgment regarding approval of the doctoral dissertation and successful completion of PhD degree requirements.
Time Requirements
Students must complete all planned course work, excluding electives, and must advance to candidacy within six years of admission to degree or provisional status in the PhD program. The student must successfully complete the doctoral dissertation, final oral doctoral exam, and all PhD degree requirements within five years following the semester of advancement to candidacy.