College of Nursing

Dr. Susan V. Ball, Dean of the College of Nursing and Interim Dean of the College of Health Sciences
Dr. Marcille Jorgenson, MSN Program Director

Offices of the Dean are located in the College of Nursing

The College of Nursing offers the Master of Science in Nursing as a web-based program.

Purpose

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program at Charleston Southern University is a faith-based graduate nursing program that prepares nurses to serve in advanced roles within healthcare settings.

Programs of Study

This program runs as a web-based cohort model with nine 5-week classes in a 12 month period, allowing completion of the program in 16 months. Students may be required to pass an assessment of computer competency prior to beginning the program.

Curriculum Outlines

Master of Science in Nursing Education (39 hours)   

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 (NURS 365, 409, and 415) in the summer prior to enrolling in the MSN degree courses.  

Master of Science in Nursing with emphasis in Nursing Leadership and Health Care Administration (39 hours)  

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 (NURS 365, 409, and 415) in the summer prior to enrolling in the MSN degree courses.

Post-Masters Certificate in Nursing Education, with practicum option (19 hours)  

Post-Masters Certificate in Nursing Education, without practicum option (14 hours)  

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:
1.      The student has provided the Office of Enrollment Services with an application for admission
2.      An application fee (nonrefundable) must accompany the application
3.      GRE or MAT* taken within the last 5 years with a score that is predictive of success in the program.
4.      BSN or ADN from an accredited school (RN-MSN option available); ADN applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
5.      Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
6.      Copy of an active, unrestricted nursing license - all applicants must hold an unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse in SC or another Nurse Licensure Compact member state.
7.      Prior work experience (recommended to have at least one year of nursing experience)
8.      Undergraduate statistics course completed with a “C” or better within the past ten years (waived for BSN applicants)
9.      Three letters of recommendation
10.  Resume (can be attached to application)
11.  Official transcripts from ALL institutions attended
12. Admissions essay describing academic and professional goals.

*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:
1.      The student has provided the Office of Enrollment Services with an application for admission
2.      An application fee (nonrefundable) must accompany the application
3.      GRE or MAT taken within the last 5 years with a score that is predictive of success in the program.
4.      BSN or ADN from an accredited school (RN-MSN option available)
5.      Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
6.      Copy of active, unrestricted nursing license - all applicants must hold an unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse in SC or another Nurse Licensure Compact member state.
7.      Prior work experience (recommended to have at least one year of nursing experience)
8.      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 from a regionally or nationally accredited institution and have at least a 2.5 undergraduate GPA or permission of the Dean of the College of Nursing. A student may take a MAXIMUM of nine graduate hours in the MSN program under non-degree 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.

If a student earns a “C” in any course, he or she will be placed on academic probation and allowed to progress in the program.  If a student earns an “F” in any course, he or she will not be allowed to progress, will be placed on academic probation, and may be permitted by the Graduate Program Director to repeat the course.

Any student earning more than one grade below a “B” throughout the MSN course of study will be dismissed 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 

MSN/Post-Master’s Certificate

The master’s/post-master’s certificate nursing program at Charleston Southern University at the Charleston campus located in Charleston, South Carolina is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
(404) 975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the master’s/post-master’s certificate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.