The purpose of the MSN degree program is to prepare professional nursing leaders in advanced specialty areas of nursing. Areas of concentration in this graduate program can be practiced in a variety of health care delivery systems and settings.?

The program builds upon baccalaureate preparation in nursing and is based on processes of advanced clinical practice; advanced theoretical application; social, economic, and political interpretation; professional role development; and legal and ethical analyses. The program provides the opportunity for students to think and write analytically and theoretically, to strengthen an area of practice, to apply theory to practice, to apply meaning and understanding in practice, and to develop skills of inquiry.

Clinical credit hours are on a 1:4 ratio (1 credit = 4 contact hours).

• The?Family Nurse Practitioner?(FNP) track prepares registered nurses to fulfill the role of a competent health care provider responsible for managing the care of families in the primary care setting. The focus of the FNP track is to provide the knowledge and clinical skills necessary for health promotion, disease prevention, assessment, and management of common acute and chronic illnesses.
• The?Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner?(AGACNP) track prepares nurses to manage adults across the life span that have acute, critical, and complex chronic conditions in acute care settings.? Nurse practitioners with this specialty provide care ranging from disease prevention to acute and critical care management, restoring health, and/or providing symptom management.
• The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Post-Master's Certificate.? This curriculum plan option is designed for nurses who have a master's degree in nursing and are certified as an advanced practice nurse seeking eligibility for AGACNP certification.
• The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Post-Master's Certificate.? This curriculum plan option is designed for nurses who have a master's degree in nursing an are certified as an advanced practice nurse seeking eligibility for FNP certification.? Information forthcoming.?