Division of Health Sciences and Post-Licensure Nursing

Master of Science in Nursing

Program Description

The MSN program is an online option designed for registered nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Applicants must be graduates of a nationally accredited nursing program and hold an unencumbered nursing license. The program prepares nurses for advanced roles through a combination of core courses and specialized coursework in Nursing Education. The MSN degree requires the completion of 39 credit hours. Grounded in the belief that graduate education builds on prior knowledge and experience, the program equips students with foundational nursing concepts and prepares them for specialized practice in their chosen field.

Nursing Education Track

Nurses are prepared to function in academic, staff development, or patient education roles. The program provides an excellent foundation in nursing knowledge, informatics, research, adult educational theory, and strategies to function within an educational environment. For individuals who plan to teach nursing at a baccalaureate or graduate level, this program will prepare them for doctoral study.

Admission Requirements

Admission to Unclassified Status

Students who do not wish to pursue a degree but who are eligible for graduate study may take up to six graduate credit hours of graduate level nursing course work. The ability to transfer credit for the courses completed toward the graduate program at SBU, or another college or university, depends upon the course of study provided at the time of transfer by the receiving program. Applicants who have not completed the application process are also placed in this status until requirements are met.

MSN Admission Requirements

1. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an accredited college or university.
2. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in previous nursing degree. If the student’s GPA is less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, submission of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores may be required.
3. Submission of the following documents:
   1. MSN Application
   2. Official Transcript(s) from all prior nursing programs
4. *Records and/or requirements:
   1. Current, unencumbered RN license in the state of residence/employment. Education regulations of the National Council of State Authorization for Distance Education may prohibit acceptance of applicants from certain states. See www.nc-sara.org for further details regarding states that are impacted.
   2. Current BLS certification
   3. Photo ID/driver’s license
   4. Background & Urine drug screening
   5. Immunization record 

*Students accepted into the MSN program are required to submit the following records within designated time limits. Admission is conditional until records and requirements are met. Admission criteria subject to change.

International Students

As part of the admissions process, an international credential evaluation is required reporting prior to university study. SBU accepts evaluations from World Education Services (WES), found at www.wes.org or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) found at www.ece.org. An official international credential evaluation should come directly to Southwest Baptist University electronically or through the mail in a sealed envelope. Transfer credit will be applied according to information reported on the official evaluation. International students who transfer work to SBU from foreign institutions are responsible for any evaluation fees associated with the transfer of credits. A letter of acceptance will be issued only when an applicant is found eligible for admission.

Transfer Credit

Nine graduate semester hours completed at another regionally accredited institution may be transferred and applied to the degree. These credits must be comparable to courses offered at Southwest Baptist University and must be approved by the MSN faculty and dean.

MSN Program Outcomes:

1. Integrate skills in nursing judgement to advocate for the provision of safe, compassionate, and culturally competent care to promote human flourishing from the perspective of an advanced practice nursing role. 
2. Utilize interprofessional communication processes to influence health care, health care policy, and collaboration among advanced nursing roles. 
3. Synthesize concepts, information technology, and research to formulate evidence-based systematic strategies to enhance the quality of health care, address social determinants of health, and respond to the changing needs of diverse populations.  
4. Employ responsible legal and ethical practices using leadership principles and decision-making skills that demonstrate professionalism and integrity in the advanced nursing role. 
5. Exemplifies servant leadership through a conscious application and assimilation of a Christian Worldview in the implementation of the advanced nursing role. 

Nurse Education Specialty Outcomes 

1. Employ knowledge, skills, and professional attitude to facilitate dynamic learning experiences, academic growth, and learner socialization for (various) student populations. 

2. Integrate educational concepts, practices, and standards into the design, implementation, and evaluation of nursing curriculum. 

3. Execute standards of professional communication, collaboration, and critical thinking to foster positive change and leadership in the role of nurse educator. 

4. Appraise strategies to assess student learning and evaluate curricular outcomes in nursing education 

Assessment

In the Master of Science in Nursing degree program, periodic measurements of student perceptions and intellectual growth are obtained for the University to assess and improve its academic programs and student learning. The information obtained is used to measure and develop student competencies and to determine and improve the quality of the educational experience for students. 

All students seeking the Master of Science in Nursing are required to take the Graduate Capstone course, including completion of the Master’s Project, for the purpose of demonstrating the program and specialty outcomes have been met. 

Master’s Project 

The Master’s Project completed in NUR 5523 provides students an opportunity to demonstrate achievement of MSN program/track learning outcomes and readiness to enter the profession of nursing education. Throughout the MSN program, students can expect to acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to serve as a nurse educator. The Master’s Project is the culmination of this learning and demonstrates readiness to enter the profession.

Degree Requirements

Students are eligible to graduate after fulfilling the requirements described below. Students who enroll in another college or university without prior permission of the Division Head are considered to have withdrawn from Southwest Baptist University. Students wishing to transfer work from another institution and not withdraw from SBU must obtain prior approval from the Division Head as well as the Dean of the Mercy College of Health Professions.   

To receive the MSN degree a student must:

1. Complete all course and clinical requirements outlined in the program of study.
2. Maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale with no grade below a C (2.0).
3. Earn a passing grade on the MSN comprehensive examination.
4. Complete all requirements within 5 years of the date admitted to the graduate program.
5. Participate in commencement exercises unless absence is approved.

Progression in the MSN Program

If a student’s GPA falls below 3.0 the student is placed on academic probation by the Division Head or Dean of the Mercy College of Health Professions.

If a student fails a course with a “D” or below, they will be permitted to repeat the course one (1) time, this may delay progression in the program. 

The Dean or Division Head will monitor the student on academic probation and may prescribe additional support activities and/or prescribe a course within the curriculum to repeat. Any MSN student who fails two (2) nursing courses or fails the same course twice will be automatically dismissed from the graduate program. Students have the option to file an appeal through the Mercy College of Health Professions and the decision will be determined by the SBU Graduate Council. Students may reapply for admission after a mandatory one-year suspension.