College of Nursing & Health Science
- Graduate Programs in Nursing
Graduate Programs
-
Nursing, M.S.N.
The Master of Science in Nursing program is accredited
by the Virginia State Board of Nursing and the National
League for Nursing. The program prepares nurses for a variety
of leadership roles in the health care delivery system. The
adult or gerontological nurse practitioner in primary care and
the family nurse practitioner tracks are part of a
collaborative program with the George Washington University School
of Medicine and Health Sciences. The adult or
gerontological nurse practitioner and the family nurse practitioner
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
M.S.N./M.B.A. program, offered jointly with the School of
Management, prepares nurses for mid- and top-level
administrative, leadership, and health policy roles in health and
health-related organizations. A variety of health care and
health-related settings are used for clinical practice experiences.
Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting the graduate admission
requirements, an applicant to this program must have a cumulative
GPA of 3.000 (on a 4.000 scale) 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 and research
courses as well as a graduate bivariate statistics course.
Students applying to the tracks in advanced clinical
nursing and the adult or gerontological nurse practitioner in
primary care must have a health-assessment course with a skills
component within 18 months of their clinical practicum in
the master's program.
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. Applicants to
the M.S.N./ M.B.A. program must have GMAT scores sent
directly to George Mason University and must meet the
admission requirements for graduate degree status in both the
College of Nursing and Health Science and the School of
Management. It is recommended that students applying to the
advanced clinical nursing and the adult or gerontological
nurse practitioner in primary care tracks 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
examinations and immunizations before enrolling in
practicum courses. Students enrolled in the advanced clinical
nursing, the adult or gerontological nurse practitioner in primary
care, and the family nurse practitioner tracks must be in the
process of completing a hepatitis B immunization series
when they enroll for their first practicum course. Nursing
administration students who have practicum placements in
health care agencies must also 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 College of Nursing and
Health Science Office of Student Academic Affairs, which
charges a small fee for this service. All students are required to
have an active e-mail account.
Degree Requirements
The master's program in nursing requires 37-48
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 health care, and
a course on the organization of nursing and health care
delivery systems. The nursing administration and advanced
clinical nursing tracks require an additional 24 credits; the
nurse practitioner tracks require an additional 29-35 credits.
The M.S.N./M.B.A. program requires 57 graduate credits,
including graduate nursing, business, decision sciences, and
elective courses.
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 programs of study.
RN-M.S.N. Pathway
This pathway allows registered nurses who have
completed 63 general education credits and have demonstrated
substantial involvement in professional nursing within the
past five years to earn the M.S.N. with a minimum of
undergraduate course work. Three credits of the 63 credits are
a computer course. Students entering a major through
this pathway must meet all the requirements for admission
to that major.
Admission Requirements
In addition to fulfilling admission requirements for
degree status in the university, applicants to this pathway must
- hold a current license to practice nursing;
- be graduates of an NLN-accredited nursing program;
have earned a 3.000 GPA in 63 general education
credits in an accredited institution; and
- demonstrate substantial involvement in professional
nursing within the past five years, with a minimum of two
consecutive years of clinical practice as a registered nurse.
Program of Study
Bridge (Established Courses)
|
Credits |
NURS 453 Research in Nursing*
NURS 440 Nursing for Communities
NURS 623 Clinical Concepts in Family
Primary Care
|
3
3
3
|
* For students who have not taken an undergraduate research course
After completion of the bridge courses, students choose
one of the three tracks and meet all requirements of the
graduate program.
Core Courses (Required of All Students)
|
Credits |
NURS 660 Seminar in the Ethics of Health Care
NURS 755 Theoretical Foundations
Related to Nursing
NURS 790 Applications in Nursing Research
NURS 794 Organization of Nursing and
Health Care Delivery Systems
|
3
3
4
3
|
Nursing Tracks (Select One)
Adult or Gerontological Nurse Practitioner in Primary Care
|
Credits |
NURS 623 Clinical Concepts in Family Primary Care
NURS 746 Practicum in Adult Primary Care
Nursing I
NURS 748 Practicum in Adult Primary Care
Nursing II
|
3
6
8
|
Family Nurse Practitioner
|
Credits |
NURS 623 Clinical Concepts in Family Primary Care
NURS 720 Practicum in Family Primary Care
Nursing I
NURS 721 Practicum in Assessment and Management
of the Developing Family
NURS 722 Practicum in Family Primary Care
Nursing II
|
3
4
8
8
|
Nursing Support Courses
|
Credits |
* NURS 552/HCS 205 Assessment and
Management of Health Deviations
* NURS 554/HCS 207 Practicum in Advanced
Health Assessment
|
5
1
|
Related Discipline Support Courses (at George Washington University)
|
Credits |
* HCS 206 Clinical Decision Making
* PHARM 207 Pharmacology
* Colisted with George Washington University School of
Medicine and Health Sciences. All courses
offered at
George Washington University are charged
at
George Washington University tuition. |
2
4
|
Advanced Clinical Nursing
|
Credits |
NURS 773 Advanced Clinical Nursing I
NURS 775 Advanced Specialty Practice I
NURS 776 Advanced Clinical Nursing II
NURS 778 Advanced Specialty Practice II
|
3
3
3
3
|
Nursing Support Courses
|
Credits |
NURS 550 Pathophysiologic Bases for Major
Health Deviations of Individuals
Nursing elective in area of concentration
(chronic care, gerontology, or oncology)
Related discipline support courses
|
3
3
6
|
Nursing Administration
|
Credits |
NURS 763 Administrative Theory in Nursing
NURS 765 Practicum in Nursing
Administration I
NURS 766 Administrative Strategies in Nursing
NURS 768 Practicum in Nursing
Administration II
|
3
3
3
3
|
Nursing Support Courses
|
Credits |
NURS 654 Nursing Administration Financial Management
or HSCI 703 Financial Management of Health Systems
NURS Support Course
|
3
3
3
|
Related Discipline Support Courses
|
Credits |
Management/Organizational Theory
Recommended courses include SOCI 602,
PUAD 620, PSYC 632, or MGMT 600
Related discipline support course
|
3
3
|
-
M.S.N./M.B.A. Program
M.B.A. Courses
MBA 653 Organizational Behavior
MBA 633 Statistics for Business Decision Making
MBA 613 Financial Reporting and Decision Making
MBA 603 Managerial Economics and Decisions ofthe Firm
MBA 643 Managerial Finance
MBA 663 Introduction to Information Technology and Management
MBA 623 Marketing Management
MBA 638 Managing Operations for Competitive Advantage
MBA 673 Legal and Ethical Environment for Management
MBA 612 Managing Costs and Evaluating Performance
MBA 677 Application of Business Theories and Simulation
MBA 678 Strategy and Policy
M.S.N. Courses
NURS 660 Seminar in the Ethics of Health Care
NURS 755 Theoretical Foundations Related to Nursing
NURS 763 Administrative Theory in Nursing
NURS 765 Practicum in Nursing Administration I
NURS 766 Administrative Strategies in Nursing
NURS 768 Practicum in Nursing Administration II
NURS 790 Applications in Nursing Research
NURS 794 Organization of Nursing and Health Care Delivery Systems
HSCI 703 Financial Management of HealthSystems
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New Professional Studies: Health Systems Management, M.S.
The aim of this degree program is to equip working
health care professionals with the skills and tools to serve as
leaders and mid- and executive-level managers in evolving
health systems or as health policy advisors. The 39-credit
curriculum integrates concepts from a variety of disciplines:
business management, economics, philosophy,
organizational behavior, information technology, social psychology,
public policy, law, and ethics.
Admission Requirements
Physicians and health care/allied health professionals
with undergraduate degrees and at least three years of
leadership experience in the health field are eligible to apply. An
accelerated teaching/learning format consistent with
"executive" style programs is used. Class expectations are rigorous
and require that students learn technically complex material at
a fast pace. Students are also expected to have basic
computer skills (familiarity with Windows environments,
e-mail and Internet web browsers). An introductory
noncredit course is available for those who do not have these skills.
Applicants to the program must submit transcripts from
all previous college studies, a letter of interest specifying
study goals, a curriculum vitae, and a completed copy of
the George Mason University Graduate Admissions form.
Standardized graduate admission tests may be requested.
Applicants are competitively selected to constitute each
program cohort, commencing studies in January and September
of each year.
The program is scheduled to be convenient for working
professionals. It employs a two-and-one-half year,
part-time study schedule of two classes (six credits) per semester.
Most classes are held on Friday evenings and Saturday days,
every other week. Selected courses are taught online.
Degree Requirements
The program of study for the M.S. in Health Systems
Management comprises 13 courses for a total of 39 credits.
Core Courses (Required)
|
Credits |
PUAD 620 Organizational Behavior
HSCI 701 Quantitative Decision Making
in Health Systems Management
HSCI 702 Managerial Accounting in
Health Systems
HSCI 703 Financial Management of
Health Systems
HSCI 704 Contemporary Issues in
Health Systems Leadership
HSCI 705 Strategic Management and
Marketing in Health Care
HSCI 706 Integrated Health Systems Management
HSCI 707 Health Care Management Policy, Law, and Ethics
HSCI 708 Operations/Quality Management
of Health Systems
HSCI 709 Medical Informatics for
Health Systems Managers
HSCI 710 Health Management Practicum and Capstone Seminar
HSCI 712 Health Services Research
HSCI 715 Health Economics
Total |
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
39
|
For further information, or to discuss questions about
the program or application process, contact P.J.Maddox
at (703) 993-1982 or by e-mail at pmaddox@wpgate.gmu.edu.
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Certificate in International Health
The certificate in international health allows students
to develop an understanding of international health through
a practicum and a sequence of courses that include
global health, anthropology, international relations,
communications, geography, and other courses.
Certificate Requirements
Students applying to the certificate program must hold
a bachelor's degree, be in degree status in a graduate
program, or hold a master's degree. Application is made through
the College of Nursing and Health Science.
|
Credits |
Required courses
NURS 543/HSCI 543, Global Health:
Trends & Policy
HSCI 698 International Health Care:
Theoretical and Practical Dimensions
HSCI 699 Practicum in International Health Care
CONF 501 Introduction to Conflict Resolution |
12
3
3
3
3
|
Students must complete all courses with a 3.000 GPA
to earn the certificate.
-
Certificate in Quality Improvement and Outcomes Management in
Health Care Systems
The purpose of the certificate program is to prepare
working clinicians and administrative support staff in health
care organizations to implement quality improvement
initiatives and manage populations of patients to optimize the
efficiency and effectiveness of care and services.
Participants acquire the knowledge and ability to work in
interdisciplinary health care teams and to use the tools and
techniques of statistical process control and selected methods and
tools from operations research and quality improvement.
Additionally, they will be able to use information
management technology and qualitative decision-making applications
to identify opportunities for clinical and
administrative improvement, support decision making optimization,
and improve health service outcomes for identified populations.
Certificate Requirements
Students applying to the certificate program must hold
a bachelor's degree. Application is made through the
College of Nursing and Health Science.
|
Credits |
Required courses
HSCI 701 Quantitative Decision Making in Health Systems Management
HSCI 708 Operations/Quality Management of Health Services
HSCI 709 Health/Medical Informatics for Health System Managers
HSCI 730 Clinical and Managerial Optimization in Health Care
|
12
3
3
3
3
|
|
Credits |
Elective courses
Graduate courses as approved by the student's advisor
Note: Courses considered optional for students who already
possess the requisite
knowledge and skills and required for those
who do
not include a course in basic computer skills (credit or noncredit) and HSCI 678
Introduction to the U.S. Health System (must be
taken if a student has not had recent working
experience in the U.S. health system).
|
3-6
|
Students must complete all courses with a 3.000 GPA
to earn the certificate.
-
Certificate in Nursing Administration
The certificate program offers formal study in theory
and practice in nursing administration in the health care
delivery system.
Certificate Requirements
Applicants to the certificate program must hold a
bachelor's degree in nursing. Application is made through the
College of Nursing and Health Science.
|
Credits |
Required courses
NURS 763 Administrative Theory in Nursing
NURS 765 Practicum in Nursing
Administration I
orNURS 768 Practicum in Nursing
Administration II
|
6
3
3
3
|
|
Credits |
Elective courses
Graduate courses related to nursing administration
as approved by the student's advisor.
|
9
|
Students must complete all courses with a 3.000 GPA
to earn the certificate.
-
Certificate in Nursing Education
The graduate certificate in nursing education combines
foundation courses in education with courses in the
principles and practices of nursing education. The program
prepares students to function in nursing educational roles in
both academic and nonacademic settings.
Certificate Requirements
Persons applying to the graduate certificate in nursing
education must hold a bachelor's degree in nursing.
Application is made through the College of Nursing and
Health Science.
|
Credits |
Required courses
NURS 657 Perspectives in Nursing Education
NURS 658 Practicum and Seminar in Nursing Education
(Those who qualify for a three-credit practicum because of their educational
experiences may choose the remaining three credits
from courses designated
by the graduate nursing program.)
EDRS 531 Educational and Psychological Measurement
EDCI 701 Educational Program Development
or NURS 610 Curriculum Development
|
3
3-6
3
3
3
|
Students must complete all courses with a 3.000 GPA
to earn the certificate.
-
Certificate in Gerontology
The graduate certificate in gerontology combines
theoretical and applied course work in aging with the
student's graduate curriculum in one of several departments.
Because gerontology is by definition multidisciplinary, students
in the program are required to take course work outside
their major field. Various academic units participate in the
program: the College of Nursing and Health Science,
and Departments of Psychology, and Sociology and
Anthropology. The program is administered by the college and
supervised by a committee with representatives from
the participating academic units.
Certificate Requirements
Students applying to the certificate program must have
a bachelor's degree in nursing or related discipline.
Application is made through the College of Nursing and
Health Science. The certificate requires 18 graduate credits: 6
credits in a field of study, 6 credits outside the field of
study, and 6 credits of practicum. A maximum of three credits
may be transferred from outside the university. For more
information, call (703) 993-1911/1900.
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Nursing, Ph.D.
The Ph.D. in Nursing program at George Mason
University builds on the M.S.N. degree and requires 60 credits
beyond the master's degree. The objective of the program is to
prepare nurses for executive roles in selected areas of
nursing and health care. The graduate of the Ph.D. in Nursing
program will do the following:
- Exemplify administrative and leadership
characteristics essential to assuming executive roles
- Conduct and support research in nursing and health
care ethics, health care administration, and health policy
- Influence the formation and implementation of
public policy in health care through analysis of
sociocultural, economic, fiscal, political, ethical, and
governmental processes
Admission Requirements
In addition to fulfilling the admission requirements
for graduate degree status, the applicant must have earned
a master's degree from an accredited program and have a
minimum GPA of 3.250 on a 4.000 scale in the master's
program. The applicant must submit evidence of at least
one year of professional nursing experience, and Miller
Analogies Test (MAT) scores, along with evidence of current
licensure to practice professional nursing. (Students on
foreign student visas must present evidence of professional
standing in their respective countries.) Three letters of
recommendation are required from professional or
academic sources. At least two of the references must be from
persons in contact with the applicant within the last two
years. An interview with one or more persons on the
Graduate Admissions Committee and a short essay describing
the applicant's doctoral study goals are also required. A
graduate bivariate statistics and organizational behavior
course must be completed before enrollment.
The Graduate Admissions Committee may offer
provisional admission to a degree-seeking applicant even though
all admission requirements for degree status have not been
met if there is sufficient evidence to suggest capacity to
pursue graduate work. Students admitted provisionally must
resolve all deficits and be moved to degree status by
completing 12 credits of doctoral-level courses.
Degree Requirements
In addition to meeting graduate admission
requirements, students must satisfy the specific Ph.D. degree
requirements. To earn the Ph.D. degree at George Mason University,
the doctoral candidate must have earned a minimum of 90
graduate credits beyond the baccalaureate degree and a
minimum of 60 graduate credits beyond the master's degree. A
minimum of 48 graduate credits after admission to degree
status in the Ph.D. program at George Mason University are
required, 36 of which must have been earned at George Mason
University. The candidate may apply a maximum of
12 graduate credits toward the Ph.D. degree, but may present only
graduate credits in which satisfactory grades have been
earned and that meet the requirements of the Ph.D. curriculum.
A written comprehensive examination must be
successfully completed in addition to the program of studies outlined
in the curriculum of the Ph.D. in Nursing program.
Successful completion of a dissertation for which nine credits
are awarded but to which no grade is assigned and the final
oral doctoral examination are required.
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 programs of study.
Program of Study
The curriculum of the Ph.D. in Nursing program
includes the nursing core (26 credits), research core (22 credits),
and nursing and related discipline electives (12 credits).
Before advancing to candidacy and enrolling for dissertation
credit, the student must have his/her program of study approved
by the College of Nursing and Health Science and by the
coordinator of the doctoral program of the College of
Nursing and Health Science.
Internship in Health Care Administration
Students are required to enroll in a one-semester
internship, NURS 874 Internship in Health Care
Administration/Policy/Ethics (5), for experiential learning in health care
administration, which includes planned seminars. For the
internship, a student is assigned to a doctorally prepared executive
who serves as the preceptor in the student's field of emphasis.
A field experience of 200 hours is required and NURS
874 Internship is scheduled at the end of the course sequence
in the program of study.
Advancement to Candidacy
After a student has successfully completed the
qualifying examinations and all required course work, the
coordinator of the doctoral program of the College of Nursing and
Health Science approves advancement to candidacy.
Doctoral Dissertation Committee
The Doctoral Dissertation Committee is composed of at
least three George Mason faculty: the director and reader in
nursing and a reader from outside nursing. The Doctoral
Dissertation Committee must be approved by the dean of
the College of Nursing and Health Science. Additional
members who hold membership in the George Mason faculty
or individuals from outside the university who present
credentials equivalent to criteria for faculty may join the
committee at the discretion of the committee and with the
approval of the dean of the College of Nursing and Health Science.
Doctoral Dissertation Proposal
The proposal must focus on a topic in nursing and must
be approved by the Doctoral Dissertation Committee,
doctoral program coordinator, and College of Nursing and
Health Science dean. The dissertation proposal and written
dissertation must be consistent with the guidelines of the
university 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 student also must have
an approved program of study and an approved doctoral
dissertation proposal. The student's completed dissertation
must be approved by the Doctoral Dissertation Committee,
doctoral program coordinator, and College of Nursing
and Health Science dean.
Final Oral Doctoral Examination
The chair of the Doctoral Dissertation Committee,
upon preliminary approval of the doctoral dissertation by the
committee, petitions the doctoral program coordinator,
College of Nursing and Health Science, to schedule the final
oral doctoral examination, which includes a defense of the
doctoral dissertation. The final oral doctoral examination
also demonstrates the Ph.D. 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
examination, the Doctoral Dissertation Committee makes a
final judgment regarding approval of the doctoral dissertation
and successful completion of the Ph.D. degree requirements.
The original and two copies of the approved doctoral
dissertation must be submitted to the university doctoral
coordinator, College Hall.
Time Requirements
The student 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
Ph.D. program. The student must successfully complete the
doctoral dissertation, final oral doctoral examination, and
all Ph.D. degree requirements within five years following
the semester of advancement to candidacy.
Continuing Professional Development
Continuing nursing education is a commitment of the
College of Nursing and Health Science and the university.
Activities are planned to meet the special needs of
individuals and groups in the community. The College of Nursing
and Health Science offers opportunities for credit and
noncredit courses. Contract courses are offered in a variety of
health care agencies in the Northern Virginia area. These
credits can be applied to a program of study in nursing.
George Mason University:1999-2000 University Catalog: Catalog Index: College of Nursing & Health Science: Graduate Programs
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