Dr. Tara Hulsey, Dean of the School of Nursing
Caiti Mahaffey, Executive Assistant to the Dean of the School of Nursing
Offices of the Dean are located in the Derry Patterson Wingo School of Nursing.
The School of Nursing offers the Master of Science in Nursing Education as a web-based program.
Purpose and Objectives
Purpose
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Nurse Educator program at Charleston Southern University is a faith-based graduate nursing program that prepares nurses to serve in the faculty/nurse educator roles within the health care setting. The curriculum prepares graduates to develop and evaluate curriculum and to effectively implement innovative teaching strategies using multiple learning formats while emphasizing the spiritual, ethical, and moral dimensions of the art of nursing. The MSN degree in Nursing Education prepares nurses to teach at a faculty level in nursing programs as well as to accept educator positions within hospital and clinic settings.
Objectives
Upon completion of the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, the graduate will be able to perform the following competencies (based on NLN Certified Nurse Educator Competencies and AACN Essentials for Master’s Education for Advanced Practice Nursing):
- Synthesize research from education, nursing, the humanities and the sciences.
- Evaluate a broad range of change, leadership, teaching and management strategies for influencing health policy, improving nursing practice and health care systems.
- Analyze the ethical, legal, financial, social, political and spiritual issues impacting diverse client populations, health care, nursing practice and education, with an emphasis on identifying and implementing strategies for enhancement or resolution.
- Synthesize theoretical foundations for nursing, education, and health sciences.
- Apply knowledge, concepts, strategies, and evidence-based research findings to promote health, prevent disease, enhance the quality of health care and improve the environment in which health care is provided.
- Synthesize knowledge from nursing science, learning theory and information technology to facilitate the application and practice of teaching in the classroom, clinical and community arenas.
- Function effectively in the role of nurse educator by working collaboratively within an academic, institutional or community setting to establish a climate that fosters the development of learners and facilitates a commitment to excellence in nursing education and lifelong learning.
- Develop and implement educational curriculum and teaching-learning activities based on theories, knowledge, and principles of learning and pedagogy and andragogy
- Engage in formative and summative evaluation of teaching-learning and use results of evaluation to revise and enhance nursing education.
Program of Study
This program runs as a web-based cohort model with ten 5-week classes in a 12 month period, allowing completion of the program in 16 months. Students will be required to pass an assessment of computer competency prior to beginning the program.
Curriculum Outline
Master of Science in Nursing Education
RN-MSN option: Graduates from an Associate Degree in Nursing program who are Registered Nurses with a current, active license will take three undergraduate nursing courses in the summer prior to enrolling in the MSN degree courses.
Admissions Process and Requirements of the Master of Science in Nursing Education
Regular Admission
Regular Admission requires that the student has met ALL of the following requirements:
- The student has provided The Graduate Center with an application for admission
- An application fee (nonrefundable) must accompany the application
- The student has taken the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller’s Analogy Test (MAT) within the last 5 years and submitted scores to The Graduate Center.* The student must obtain an acceptable score as follows:
- GRE minimum score of 1000 (500 quant, 500 verbal)-writing analysis score of 3.5.
- MAT minimal score of 375 for tests taken after October 2005. A score of 37 or higher will be accepted for tests taken prior to October 2005.
- BSN or ADN from an accredited school (RN-MSN option available)
- Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Copy of an active, unrestricted nursing license - all applicants must hold an unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse
- Prior work experience (recommended to have at least one year of nursing experience)
- Undergraduate statistics course completed with a “C” or better within the past five years
- Three letters of recommendation
- Resume (can be attached to application)
- Official transcripts from ALL institutions attended
*GRE or MAT required only for applicants whose undergraduate GPA <3.5
**GRE or MAT requirement may be waived if previous graduate level courses have been taken. Decisions to waive this requirement will be made on an individual basis.
Provisional Admission
Provisional Admission can only be given upon the specific recommendation of the Dean of Nursing. Provisional admission may be granted to a student who holds a BSN or ADN from an accredited institution but has not met all requirements for regular admission. Provisional Admission requires that the student has met the following requirements:
- The student has provided The Graduate Center with an application for admission
- An application fee (nonrefundable) must accompany the application
- The student has taken the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller’s Analogy Test (MAT) within the last 5 years and submitted scores to The Graduate Center.*The student must obtain an acceptable score as follows:
- GRE minimum score of 1000 (500 quant, 500 verbal)-writing analysis score of 3.5.
- MAT minimal score of 375 for tests taken after October 2005. A score of 37 or higher will be accepted for tests taken prior to October 2005.
- BSN or ADN from an accredited school (RN-MSN option available)
- Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Copy of active, unrestricted nursing license - all applicants must hold an unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse
- Prior work experience (recommended to have at least one year of nursing experience)
- Unofficial transcripts
**Note: Financial aid is NOT available to students under provisional admission.**
Nondegree Admission
Nondegree Admission is granted to students who do not intend to apply for regular admission. Such students must have a baccalaureate degree or associate nursing degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution and have at least a 2.5 undergraduate GPA or permission of the Dean of the School of Nursing. A student may take a MAXIMUM of nine graduate hours in the MSN program under nondegree admission status.
**Note: Financial aid is NOT available to nondegree seeking students.**
Transfer Credit
Graduate credits accepted for transfer from other accredited institutions must be completed within the six year period allowed for a master’s degree. Only coursework completed with a grade of “B” or better will be considered for transfer credit. No coursework evaluated by “pass/fail” grades will be accepted. A maximum of 9 hours will be accepted for transfer credit from other accredited institutions for those seeking a Master of Science in Nursing.
Student Progress
The student must maintain an overall 3.00 GPA. If the GPA falls below 3.00 it must be raised to the required GPA the next semester or the student will be ineligible to continue in the program. The GPA is calculated only on work at CSU. A student cannot earn more than one grade below a “B” in their program of study. If a student earns more than one grade below a “B”, the student’s record will be reviewed by the Director of the Graduate Program in Nursing. The student may be required to withdraw from the program.
Residency Requirements
Students will be required to attend two full-day workshops on campus. The first will include orientation and will occur in the beginning of the first semester of the program. The second will occur in the last semester of the program.
Accreditation
The MSN program has been granted Candidacy status by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) with a site visit for initial accreditation scheduled for Spring 2012.
National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission
3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850
Atlanta, GA 30326
P. 404.975.5000
404.975.5015
F. 404.975.5020