Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
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Programs at a Glance
Why Complete Your Online MSN Degree at Xavier University?
It’s widely known that a master’s of science in nursing (MSN) can lead to higher earnings and better nursing career opportunities, but earning your MSN from a prestigious university like Xavier can open the door to the nursing career you’ve always wanted.
If you are a registered nurse interested in education, forensics, or becoming a nurse practitioner, Xavier offers exciting online MSN options for you! These online MSN programs are designed for RNs who have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and offer pathways to a wide variety of rewarding careers.
Take the Next Step in Your Nursing Career
The online master’s of science in nursing program trains nurses to serve and lead, empowering nursing students to provide the best possible care while taking on additional responsibilities and higher-level functions in health care. Earn an advanced degree online from a nationally-recognized and highly-accredited program – Xavier’s master’s of science in nursing is one of only 17 schools in the U.S. to be endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Certification Corporation – on a schedule that works for you.
Note: This online master’s of science in nursing (MSN) degree program will not provide licensure in any state.
If you would like to continue your collegiate nursing education beyond a master’s degree, Xavier also offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Population Health Leadership (DNP) program.
This master’s of science in nursing (MSN) online program is an accredited program by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the premier accrediting agency for baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs.
This program is approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN).
This online program is endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC). Only seventeen schools in the nation currently have this endorsement, and this endorsement permits graduates to sit for the Holistic Nurse Certification (HNC) examination.
Xavier University is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission. The Xavier University College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
No. The master’s of science in nursing degree is from Xavier University and is awarded on meeting coursework standards that are independent of course delivery mode. Participants will earn an MSN degree.
Yes! Xavier University and the College of Nursing have been consistently recognized at the national level for having one of the best online master of science in nursing (MSN) programs for nursing education. See a list of all of our accredited programs awards on our Rankings page.
The tuition rate for the online MSN program is $687 per credit hour. The total cost of the degree program will vary, depending upon transfer credits awarded, additional fees and the cost of textbooks/materials. See the Tuition page for more information.
No, online courses for our accredited MSN program are to be the same rates as all other courses.
Students may find that they can get to know their professor/instructor and other students better in an online course than in a traditional face-to-face course. There are many options for interacting with your MSN nursing online program instructors and classmates, including discussion boards, video or audio files from your instructor, email and video conferencing. There may be additional opportunities for interaction available based on the course and instructor.
Participation expectations vary by professor. Courses will be asynchronous with no set meeting times; however, professors have the option of including synchronous online sessions in their courses. Nursing administration faculty in this program are very sensitive to the need for flexibility of working professionals.
Online MSN program courses include components such as readings, activities, video lectures, discussion boards and other peer interaction, tests/quizzes and group projects. Most courses do not include mandatory synchronous meeting times; however, they are synchronously paced – students progress through the course together according to the scheduled course content and activities. Xavier prides itself on upholding the value of “cura personalis,” or “care of the whole person,” in its classes. Nursing administration faculty maintain those values in our online courses by constructing activities that build a sense of community among participants and by making themselves available for questions and instructional support.
If you are not a registered nurse but hold a bachelor's degree in another field and would like to earn your MSN degree, Xavier's MIDAS program may be the right fit. This full-time on-campus 20-month MSN program is designed for individuals who have a bachelor's degree in another discipline but wish to be a licensed registered nurse (RN). Upon successful completion of the program, the student is awarded the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree and is eligible to sit for the National Council Licensing Exam-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN).
An advanced practice registered nurse is a licensed healthcare professional who may select to work independently or partner with a doctor or physician. All advanced practice registered nurses hold an MSN degree. There are multiple specializations that an advanced nurse can have such as acute care, adult health, family health, gerontology health, neonatal health, oncology, pediatric health, psychiatric health and women's health, with sub-specializations in allergy, immunology, cardiovascular, dermatology, emergency medicine, health assessments, endocrinology, gastroenterology, hematology, oncology, neurology, occupational health, orthopedics, sports medicine and urology.
Having a master's degree in nursing opens the door for many different career opportunities. Some potential career paths for a nurse holding an MSN degree may include:
- Family nurse practitioner
- A family nurse practitioner is an APN who may work individually or with a healthcare practice to provide family-focused medical care. A family nurse practitioner is able to develop treatment plans for acute and chronic illnesses, educate patients on disease prevention, conduct exams, perform diagnostics and screening evaluations, prescribe medications and emphasize preventative care.
- Pediatric nurse practitioner
- Similarly to a family nurse practitioner, a pediatric nurse practitioner may work independently or with a healthcare organization. A pediatric nurse practitioner works to provide services such as well-child exams, childhood immunizations, routine developmental screenings, diagnostic and treatment of childhood illnesses, provide counseling to families on health-related issues and interrupt lab results.
- Nursing informatics specialist
- Nurses working as nursing informatics specialists use their nursing education combined with information technology and apply them to patient care. Nursing informatics specialists can often work remotely while still maintaining a career within the health profession.
- Geriatic nurse practitioner
- A gerontological nurse practitioner focuses on serving the aging population. A gerontological nurse practitioner will often diagnose and treat age-related impairments such as blindness, hearing loss, dementia and malnutrition. A gerontological nurse practitioner is able to order diagnostic tests, interrupt results, design, coordinate and manage patient care, prescribe medications and counsel patients and their families.
- Clinical nurse researcher
- Clinical nurse researchers are vital to pharmaceutical and medical research. Using their clinical nurse education, they write proposals for grants, evaluate data, and analyze large amounts of information.
- Psychiatric nurse practitioner
- A psychiatric nurse practitioners treat patients with organic and function psychiatric disorders. Working alongside other mental health professionals, psychiatric nurse practitioners will use their nursing leadership qualities and nursing education to treat disorders ranging from depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. In order to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner, you must have a minimum of two years of nursing experience, 2,000 hours of clinical practice in a mental health setting, and will be required to complete 30 hours of continuing nursing education in mental health every three years.
- Forensic nurse consultant
- Forensic nursing merges the healthcare profession with the justice system. Forensic nurses perform a variety of roles including evaluating and caring for victims of assault and abuse, neglect, and sexual crimes. While they treat the victims, forensic nurses collect the evidence and information needed for court. Forensic nurses may be asked to provide medical testimony in court. Forensic nurses can work in a variety of areas. While typically found in hospitals, they may also be available to work with non-profit organizations, be on call for law enforcement, teach community education classes or work in correctional facilities.
- Nurse ethicist
- Solving ethical issues that arise in the science of nursing is an art in itself. Nurses in the career path will use their nursing leadership qualities to weigh in on tough ethical issues such as quality of life decisions and capital punishment. Using their nursing education, nurse ethicists work on interdisciplinary teams to solve ethical issues that require careful conversation and research.
- Nurse educator
- Nurse educators shape the next generation of nurses. Educators develop lesson plans, supervise students' clinical practice, and serve as mentors to students. Many educators are able to teach nursing education classes and work in a career path, caring for patients.
- Legal nurse consultant
- Nurses who specialize in law, either as a consultant or lawyer understand the ins and outs of many legal cases. A legal nurse consultant helps provide insight on evidence and medical records to law professionals.
Choosing the right nursing online program for your MSN degree is important. When evaluating different masters programs, keep the following in mind:
- Make sure the master's programs are accredited.
- Graduating from an accredited MSN program ensures that you received the best education possible for your degree.
- Research the state licensing requirements of where you want to practice
- Make sure to research the state you plan to practice in. Knowing the state licensing requirements and if they will accept the MSN degree program you completed is critical to being able to use your degree once it's completed.
- Determine the tuition cost and financial aid options
- Each school MSN program varies in overall tuition cost. Research the best option for you and speak with a financial aid officer about any grants, scholarships, or other ways to receive assistance with the tuition cost of the masters program.
- Ask about in person requirements
- Most accredited MSN programs require students to attend clinical and practicum parts of the program. See what the requirements are for the program you are interested in and think about how far you are willing to travel in order to complete these.
- Take inventory of your technology
- Make sure to take inventory of your technology equipment to ensure you have the right hardware and software needed for nursing online.
Accreditation is very important for online nursing degree programs. Employers often want to verify the legitimacy of an online nursing degree, and agencies such as the CCNE are reliable authorities on legitimate programs. CCNE works to ensure that schools maintain quality nursing education and curriculum in their master's and baccalaureate degree programs. In order for schools to be CCNE accredited, they must have a nursing degree program established for a minimum of one year. Next, the school's program's mission, goals, and expected outcomes are evaluated. Once the BSN degree program and master's nursing degree program have met the standards of CCNE, an onsite visit is conducted by accredited nursing and health professionals who then send a report to the council. The council will then inform the schools if they are accredited for the BSN and master of nursing programs.
Xavier’s online MSN programs (education track – 37 credit hours; forensics track – 36 credit hours; FNP – 47 credit hours) offer unique and advanced courses that include the Xavier MSN core, specialized elective courses, and synthesis and application courses (including 2 practicum courses and a scholarly project*) aimed at preparing nurses to excel in a variety of desired healthcare careers.
*We encourage students to research opportunities for practicum/projects and professional roles for the specific tracks (forensics and education) as part of the application process. Understanding local opportunities will help applicants determine the best tracks for their professional advancement.
Online MSN Core Courses (20 credits)
The MSN core courses include theoretical and practical knowledge, which serve as the foundation for advanced nursing education in a variety of roles. Core courses focus on three major themes which are consistent with the philosophy for the graduate program: Critical systematic inquiry, professional and personal development and management of information and resources in a rapidly changing healthcare environment. Courses include:
This course examines ethical frameworks, such as theories of justice, rights-based ethics and virtue ethics and their significance to the delivery of health care. Analysis of ethical dilemmas focuses on differentiating what is called traditional and modern ethical frameworks for decision-making. Application will be made within the parameters of nursing's metaparadigm (person, nursing, caring, healing, health, environment) using personal and professional processes of valuing, unconditional acceptance and deciding in the preservation of wholeness and dignity.
Introduction to the role of theory in knowledge development and its relationship to nursing research, practice, and administration. Critical analysis of selected theoretical models within the discipline of nursing and of theories and concepts from other disciplines as used in nursing. Concepts related to the application of the theoretical concepts in providing holistic care are explored. Examination of the application models, theories and concepts in nursing practice, administration and research.
Exploration of modes of inquiry for systematic study of the application, use and evaluation of nursing innovations in clinical practice. Emphasis is placed on the identification and solution of clinical problems through scientific inquiry. Research is examined for evidence-based practices which include a critical review of research studies, nurse's expertise and patient/family preferences. Discussion entails the importance of dissemination of research findings.
This course is designed to facilitate the acquisition of knowledge essential for the master's prepared holistic nurse working in complex interprofessional technological healthcare systems. This course addresses basic computer and information management competencies. The student will also learn to manage and use healthcare data in decision making. Legal, ethical and practical ramifications of information technology in healthcare are examined. The major focus in this course is the management of information that supports improve health outcomes.
This course provides an overview of health care policy, including formulating and analyzing policy at the institutional, local, state, federal and global levels. Issues regarding the nursing work environment as well as social determinants and healthcare delivery/ regulation will be discussed. The influence of socio-cultural, economic, political, ethical, legal and historical context on nursing and health care policy will be explored. The role of the master's prepared holistic nurse in health policy decisions in the public and private sectors will be explicated.
This course focuses on leadership and management concepts that are essential for holistic nurse leaders at various levels throughout the healthcare organization. The focus is to prepare holistic nurse leaders for collaborative practice in complex healthcare organizations through examination and application of effective leader behaviors.
Principles and biostatistical methods used in the study of the distribution and determinants of injury and disease through the interaction of environment and genetics in human populations (HP2020) are presented for use in the holistic development, implementation, and evaluation of primary, secondary and tertiary preventive and acute health care services in a variety of settings. Resources for epidemiological investigations within organizations and communities are introduced. Opportunities are provided to use the epidemiological and biostatistical methods of reasoning for determining causal inferences about the distribution and determinants of injury and disease (HP2020). Evidence-based innovative and evaluative health care delivery plans for clinical prevention and population health are developed using epidemiological and biostatistical data.
Prerequisites: NURS 502
This course is designed for application of theory and principles from all previous courses, with particular emphasis in the area of concentration (administration, forensics, informatics, education, school nursing, etc.). Individually modified course objectives, supervised experiences, periodic seminar discussions and written practicum logs are methods used to facilitate the learning experience.
This course is designed for application of theory and principles from all previous courses, with particular emphasis in the area of concentration (administration, forensics, informatics, education, school nursing, etc.). Individually modified course objectives, supervised experiences, periodic seminar discussions and written practicum logs are methods used to facilitate the learning experience.
This course is the development of a scholarly project that addresses a phenomenon, issue, or problem-related to the discipline of nursing. A variety of options are available to demonstrate the comprehensive and scholarly nature of the final product. The following options are possibilities, but the student is not limited to these, for the scholarly project: conducting a research study; developing a concept analysis paper; providing an innovation solution to a clinical, administrative or educational problem or opportunity; developing a health-related technological application; developing a creative potentially fundable, health-related proposal; or developing a business or educational proposal. This is a capstone course; demonstration of synthesis of previous coursework is expected.
Online Elective Courses
MSN students will specialize their degree to their career goals by taking 10 credit hours of online elective courses in one of the following tracks:
AVAILABLE STARTS FOR MSN PROGRAMS:
| AUGUST START ONLY
(fall semester) |
AUGUST, JANUARY & MAY STARTS AVAILABLE
(fall, spring & summer semesters) |
| MSN- Family Nurse Practitioner | MSN- Education Track |
| Post-Masters Certificate FNP available for those with an MSN | MSN- Forensic Track |
| Post-Masters Certificate Education available for those with an existing graduate degree in nursing | MSN-Forensic Track / MS (Criminal Justice major) Dual Degree |
ADMISSION INFORMATION FOR MSN APPLICANTS:
- Applications for MSN programs are accepted throughout the year.
- Applicants are encouraged to submit completed applications in a timely manner to allow for review and processing.
- Admission is competitive and applications are processed immediately upon receiving all required materials.
- The admission committee considers all information contained in the admission application, including prior grades, test scores and evidence for potential for success in graduate study.
- Applicants are notified of the admission decision as soon as possible.
- No admission tests (i.e. GRE) are required for applying to this graduate nursing program.
APPLICANTS TO THE ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:
- Be a registered nurse with an unencumbered RN license in the state where practicum experiences are to be completed. A minimum of 1 year of experience is required, a strong candidate will have a minimum of 2 years of nursing experience.
- Hold a BSN and be a graduate of a regionally accredited college or university’s nursing program with CCNE or ACEN (formerly NLNAC) accreditation (College of Nursing will verify).
- Undergraduate statistics course with a minimum grade of C
- Applicants who do not have a BSN (BS in Nursing) cannot be accepted into the online MSN programs. Applicants who are bachelor’s prepared in a non-nursing program should consider the MSN direct entry as a second degree – MIDAS Program.
TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ADMISSION, STUDENTS MUST SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING:
Xavier University's free online application.
One official transcript directly from all colleges or universities that you have attended for any undergraduate and graduate course work. Applicants must have a degree from a regionally accredited university. Send transcripts to:
Xavier University
ATTN: Admission Processing Center
3800 Victory Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45207-5131
For electronic transcripts, send to:
xugrad@xavier.edu
Current résumé or curriculum vitae outlining nursing experience.
A 1-3 page, typed, double spaced, narrative statement describing career goals, future plans for employment and expectations for graduate study is required.
3 professional recommendations, (Please provide contact information for recommenders in the online application. An electronic form will be sent via email.)
A personal or phone interview may be required.
Applications for this program are accepted throughout the year; Students may start online classes in January, May or August. Applications are processed immediately upon receiving all required materials. Applicants are notified of the admission decision as soon as possible. The admission committee considers all information contained in the admission application, including prior grades, test scores and evidence for potential for success in graduate study.
No admission tests (i.e. GRE) are required for applying to this graduate nursing program.
Note: International students who reside outside of the United States cannot be accepted into the MSN degree program. International students in the U.S. cannot enroll in an online degree program to fulfill the legal requirement for an F-1 or J-1 visa.
State Authorization
Xavier University is authorized to offer fully-online programs in most states. View the complete list of approved states by programs on the State Authorization page. Students must reside and complete practicum hours in approved states only.