College of Nursing

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

Faculty: Dr. Karen Arnold, Dr. Vicki Ball, Dr. Sherry Dial, Dr. Julia Ferguson, Dr. Marcey Jorgenson, Dr. Kerri Nelson, Dr. Donna Timko, Dr. Kathleen Williams

Offices of the Dean and MSN Director are located in the College of Nursing

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

Mission Statement

To prepare advanced practice nurses who are committed to the pursuit of excellence and a life of service and leadership through a high quality educational program with a Biblical model of caring and serving individuals, families, groups, and society; ministering to the whole person, both physically and spiritually.

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.

Program of Study

This program runs as a web-based cohort model with 5-week class sessions in Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters, one 3-week Maymester course, and one 15-week practicum course in the final Fall semester. The program can be completed 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 and have completed the prerequisite non-nursing course work 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 and have completed the prerequisite non-nursing course work 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

An admission decision at Charleston Southern University is based on a balanced appraisal of the applicant’s overall scholastic and professional record, aptitude for graduate study, and character. All students, regardless of admission status, must submit a graduate application to the Office of Enrollment Services.

Application Procedures

Prospective students are encouraged to submit their initial application as soon as possible. After the application has been received, the MSN Program Director and MSN Graduate Program Enrollment specialist are available to help guide the applicant through all remaining admissions steps.

An application will be considered complete when ALL of the following has been submitted:
1.      Submit complete application to the Office of Enrollment Services.
2.      GRE or MAT taken within the last 5 years for applicants whose undergraduate GPA <3.0. 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.
3.      BSN or ADN from an accredited school (RN-MSN option available); Post-licensure ADN applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree in a related field and/or have completed the prerequisite non-nursing course work.
4.      Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
5.      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.
6.      Prior work experience (recommended to have at least one year of nursing experience)
7.      Undergraduate statistics course completed with a “C” or better within the past ten years (waived for BSN applicants)
8.  Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) detailing professional experience.
9.  Official transcripts from ALL institutions attended.
10. Admissions essay describing academic and professional goals.

Preferred Application Deadlines:

CSU’s Graduate School has a rolling admissions policy. Newly admitted MSN students begin their program in the fall semester. Deadlines for admission are flexible, but for full consideration, applicants are encouraged to ensure that all materials required for the application are received at least two weeks prior to the first day of the Fall semester they intend to begin.

Enrollment Status

Enrollment for graduate study in nursing is granted in the following categories:

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.      Statistics within the past 10 years (for RN-MSN students only)
9.      Applicants should ask two individuals who are familiar with his/her character, work performance, academic ability, and leadership potential to allow them to submit their email addresses on the application. Recommenders will complete a recommendation survey about the applicant’s professional work experience. Applicants are encouraged to request recommendations from (1) current or past supervisors, 2) current or past professors, 3) academic or business professionals, 4) pastors or religious leaders; or any combination thereof. At least one letter should come from an individual familiar with the applicant’s professional work record. At least one of the recommendations should come from an individual who can attest to the applicant’s character and ethical standards. All recommendations should come from objective sources. Applicants should generally avoid using family members or persons who they currently supervise for the recommendation survey.
10.  Resume (can be attached to application)
11.  Official transcripts from ALL institutions attended
12. Career and Professional Goals Statement

*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

A student seeking a graduate degree from Charleston Southern University who has not submitted all of the required documentation and materials for Regular Admission may be accepted on the provision that he or she submit the missing required materials as determined by The Graduate School prior to preregistration for the next term. The minimum requirements for Provisional Admission are (1) submit complete application including professional goal statement, (2) evidence of a BSN or ADN from an accredited school (ADN candidates must have evidence of completed non-nursing prerequisite coursework, (3) Evidence of cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale - unofficial transcripts submitted, and (4) copy of active unrestricted nursing license to practice as a Registered Nurse in SC or another Nurse Licensure Compact member state. Enrollment cannot exceed 9 credit hours of graduate-level courses during the provisional period. Students admitted under Provisional Admission will not be eligible for financial aid. 

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.  The student will be required to meet with the MSN Program Director to detail a plan for improvement.

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 must meet with the MSN Program Director. He/she may be permitted by the MSN Program Director to repeat the course. The student must submit a written request to repeat the course including actions to be taken to improve academic performance. A student who receives an “F” in any course due to academic dishonesty will not be permitted to repeat the course and will be dismissed from the program.

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.

Graduation Requirements

1. Completion of a minimum of 39 semester credit hours.

2. Completion of nursing courses in compliance with the CON Graduate Progression Policy.

3. Attainment of an overall 3.0 GPA in all nursing course work.

4. Completion of CSU requirements.

5. Recommendation by the faculty.

In addition to meeting academic requirements for graduation, all graduating students are required to submit a dgree application. Please refer to the Academic Calendar for graduation application deadlines.

Time Limits

All program requirements must be completed within 6 years of initial enrollment in the nursing program.

Accreditation 

The Master of Science/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 Rd. NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Master of Science/Post-Master’s Certificate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website.