Curriculum

Master of Science in Nursing

Curriculum

Course work in the Master of Science in Nursing program incorporates the classroom, laboratory, and clinical modes of instruction. All nursing students have experiences with rural and/or underserved populations as part of the State initiatives for primary health care. The Master of Science in Nursing program requires the completion of a minimum of 41 hours of credit for the family nurse practitioner area of emphasis, 36 hours of credit for the nursing administration area of emphasis; 36 hours of credit for the nursing education area of emphasis; 44 hours of credit for the Nurse Midwifery area of emphasis; and 46 hours for the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner area of emphasis.

Upon successful completion of the MSN-FNP program, graduates are eligible to take the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Certification Examination for Adult and Family Nurse Practitioners and/or the American Nurses' Credentialing Center (ANCC) Certification Examinations for Family Nurse Practitioners. The Nurse Midwifery graduates are eligible to take the American College of Nurse Midwives certification exam. Psychiatric Mental Health Practitioners are eligible to take the ANCC Certification Examination for Psychiatric Mental Health Practitioners. Graduates of the MSN-NUR ADM program are eligible to take the ANCC Certification Examination for Nursing Administration or Nursing Administration, Advanced depending on their experience and stage of professional development. The MSN-Nursing Education graduates are eligible to take the NLN Certification Nurse Educator Exam depending on their experiences.

The program purpose is achieved through three program components. The core curriculum (12 credits) focuses on knowledge and skills related to nursing and related theories, leadership, advanced nursing research, and issues.

The family nurse practitioner area of emphasis (29 credits) provides an opportunity to develop competency as a family nurse practitioner.

The nurse midwifery area of emphasis (13 credits from Marshall and 19 from Shenandoah University) provides an opportunity to develop competency as a nurse midwife.

The psychiatric mental health component (13 credits from Marshall and 23 from Shenandoah University) provides an opportunity to develop competency as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.

The nursing administration component (18 credits) provides an opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills necessary to administer/manage rural/underserved primary care agencies, home health care, and other health care agencies or units.

The nursing education component (18 credits) provides an opportunity to apply advanced nursing knowledge to nursing education and to develop competency in the areas of educator, scholar and collaborator.

The elective component (3 credits) for the NE and (6 credits) NA areas of emphasis allows students to choose one of four options: 1) thesis, 2) role development courses in teaching, or 3) elective courses related to the student's area of interest, or 4) organizational dynamics or financial strategies in administration.
 

Plans of Study

Family Nurse Practitioner
Nursing Administration
Nursing Education
Nurse Midwifery
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner