Minimum number of credits required to complete the program: 40
Minimum cumulative GPA required: 3.0
School: School of Nursing and Health Sciences
Learn more about the program
Nursing Education Concentration
Population Health Concentration
The Master of Science degree in Nursing at Merrimack College is for students with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing looking to advance their practice in either nursing education or population health. The Nursing Department vision is to be a highly reputable and respected nursing department advancing nursing education, research and leadership, which is committed to serving diverse communities. Its mission is to develop caring, professional and exceptional nurse graduates who provide evidence-based, safe, high quality, holistic, ethical and equitable healthcare. Aligning with the College’s Augustinian values, our focus is to prepare lifelong learners who serve as collaborative leaders in healthcare.The nursing programs foster lifelong learning and a spirit of inquiry. Graduates from the Nursing Education concentration can pursue nurse educator careers in clinical or academic settings, and Population Health concentration graduates can advance their clinical practice in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, acute care centers, ambulatory and outpatient clinics, community and public health services, as well as skilled nursing facilities.
The Master’s degree program in Nursing at Merrimack College has applied for accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Course Requirements
A Master of Science degree in Nursing is awarded to students who complete 40 credits.This includes 22 MSN Core credits and 18 MSN Concentration credits (in either Nursing Education OR Population Health).
Application and Admission Requirements
MSN student applicants will be required to comply with the following:
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Bachelor’s degree from an accredited nursing program.
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Undergraduate BSN grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 GPA scale.
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Current résumé.
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Official transcripts for all college and university level work from accredited programs.
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Provide transcript proof of successful completion of a college/university-level general statistics course with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) scale.
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Evidence of a current, unencumbered nursing license as a registered nurse (RN) in the state in which the student is licensed as an RN.
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If the student is pursuing graduate transfer credit, the student can request transfer credit ranging from 3-12 credits, depending on the number of previously completed graduate-level courses and credits earned, with an earned grade of 3.0 or higher in each course.
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Courses accepted for transfer credit: Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, and/or Advanced Physical/Health Assessment. All transfer credit courses must be completed at an accredited graduate nursing program within six years of application to the Merrimack College MSN program and not have been applied to completion of another graduate degree.
Program Requirements
Additional Program Requirements are as follows:
MSN Admission Criteria
MSN applicants are expected to comply with all Merrimack College graduate admissions application and enrollment requirements as noted on the website.
MSN student applicants will be required to comply with the following:
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Official transcripts for all college and university level work from accredited programs.
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Provide transcript proof of successful completion of a college/university-level general statistics course with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) scale.
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Evidence of a current, unencumbered nursing license as a registered nurse (RN) in the state in which the student is licensed as an RN. Currently working as a registered nurse is highly recommended but not required to apply.
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Bachelor’s degree from an accredited nursing program.
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Current résumé.
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If the student is pursuing graduate transfer credit, the student can request transfer credit ranging from 3-12 credits, depending on the number of previously completed graduate-level courses and credits earned, with an earned grade of 3.0 or higher in each course.
-
Courses accepted for transfer credit: Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, and/or Advanced Physical/Health Assessment. All transfer credit courses must be completed at an accredited graduate nursing program within six years of application to the Merrimack College MSN program and cannot have been previously earned as program credits toward another graduate degree.
Post MSN Certificate in Nursing Education Admission Criteria
Post MSN Certificate in Nursing Education student applicants will be required to comply with the following:
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Masters of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited college or university nursing program.
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Official transcripts for all college and university level work from accredited programs.
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Evidence of a current, unencumbered nursing license as a registered nurse (RN) in the state in which the student is licensed as an RN.
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Provide transcript proof of successful completion of a college/university-level general statistics course with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) scale.
Required Core Courses
MSN Core Courses:
NUR5100 Pathophysiology for Advanced Nursing Practice, 4 credits
NUR5110 Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice, 4 credits
NUR5120 Health Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice, 4 credits
NUR5150 Theoretical Frameworks, Evidence-Based Research & Statistical Analysis for Advanced Nursing Practice, 4 credits
NUR6100 Leading Interprofessional Teams for Advanced Nursing Practice, 2 credits
NUR5130 Quality and Safety Principles for Disease Prevention & Health Promotion for Advanced Nursing Practice, 2 credits
NUR5140 Healthcare Informatics for Advanced Nursing Practice, 2 credits
Nursing Education Concentration Courses:
NUR5310 Theoretical Principles & Innovative Teaching Strategies for Nurse Educators, 4 credits
NUR5320 Curriculum Development, Assessment & Evaluation for Nurse Educators, 4 credits
NUR5300 Simulation Teaching Principles for Nurse Educators, 2 credits
NUR6300 Nurse Educator Practicum I A, 2 credits
NUR6310 Nurse Educator Practicum I B, 2 credits
NUR6320 Nurse Educator Practicum II A, 2 credits
NUR6330 Nurse Educator Practicum II B, 2 credits
Population Health Concentration Courses:
NUR5210 Population Health for Advanced Nursing Practice, 4 credits
NUR5220 Epidemiology for Advanced Nursing Practice, 4 credits
NUR5200 Policy and Advocacy: Combating Social Determinants of Health, 2 credits
NUR6200 Population Health Practicum I A, 2 credits
NUR6210 Population Health Practicum I B, 2 credits
NUR6220 Population Health Practicum II A, 2 credits
NUR6230 Population Health Practicum II B, 2 credits
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