Master of Science in Nursing, MSN

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Take the Next Step: Master of Science in Nursing

The demand for master’s level nursing candidates will continue to grow. Many health care institutions are requiring a master’s degree for staff positions once held with a BSN. Increase the value of your BSN degree and set yourself apart by applying for the online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program.

Why Davenport?

Our advanced practice degree opens doors to innovative job opportunities for your career, including:

Nursing leadership
Nurse educator
Nurse informatics
Clinical nurse practice
Administration
Policy and advocacy

The DU Advantage

Davenport University is a global provider of degrees in business, technology and health professions. Through our unique online approach, Davenport gives you a high-quality education with the advantage of small (sometimes virtual) classes, experienced faculty and cutting-edge programs for today's most in-demand careers.

Convenient Online Curriculum

This is an online program, for convenience and flexibility. In addition to your online classes, you will participate in required clinical and practicum experiences. Our MSN program features:

Small, interactive online class sizes encourage collaboration and faculty support
Expert instructors in their fields, committed to the personalized attention you deserve.
Classes offered through BlackBoard®, the latest in innovative, user-friendly e-learning.

As an accredited program, the DU Master of Science in Nursing program will prepare you for licensing, certification exams, and the professional registration you need to set yourself apart.

Courses reflect:

Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing (AACN, 2011)
Outcomes and Competencies for Graduates of Master’s Programs in Nursing (National League of Nursing 2010)
Specialty courses that follow the Core Competencies for Nurse Educators (NLN, 2005).

STAR Program® University Certification

Davenport is the first university in the nation to offer the STAR Program University.The online program provides leading-edge comprehensive training in cancer rehabilitation for healthcare professionals including nursing and allied health.

The program enables you, as a current professional, to advance your knowledge and clinical skills in the rapidly expanding areas of survivorship training and cancer rehabilitation that have many unmet needs. You will become STAR Clinician® Certified upon completion of the 10 three-hour online STAR Program University Training Modules and graduation from DU—providing you an important distinction on your resume in the healthcare marketplace.

View the Master of Science in Nursing Application Procedures

Full Curriculum

The online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) at Davenport University offers an advanced level of graduate study expanding on the knowledge, skills, and competencies acquired at the baccalaureate or entry-level nursing education program. It prepares individuals for advanced roles in practice, education, administration or other specialties, including nursing informatics, policy, and advocacy.

The core curriculum for this program reflects the Essentials of Master's Education in Nursing (AACN, 2011) and the Outcomes and Competencies for Graduates of Master's Programs in Nursing (National League of Nursing, 2010). The program includes specialty courses in the advanced role of the nurse educator. Thus, these courses also reflect the Core Competencies for Nurse Educators (NLN, 2005) to prepare individuals for beginning roles in nursing education.

Admission to the MSN program is competitive. We seek highly-motivated nurses who have obtained their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and desire to further professional development to advance their career. Once students have been admitted into the program, they become members of a cohort. This means that the same group of students goes through the program together. The cohort experience provides the students with the opportunity to develop a sense of community with their classmates as they study, network, and support each other in the graduate learning experience. The cohort learning experience begins with a two day residency at the Grand Rapids W.A. Lettinga Campus and ends with another two day residency for the NURS795 MSN Special Project or NURS799 MSN Thesis.

The MSN Program is a 28-month program that begins once a year. Courses within the program are delivered entirely online except for the practicum components of NURS765 and NURS787 courses. Practicum sites for the NURS765 and NURS787 courses will be arranged for students based on student's geographic locations.

* Students must earn a cumulative 3.0 GPA or better in the MSN Core Courses.
** Upon discussion with MSN Advisor, Student will elect to conduct either a Special Research Project (NURS795) or do the traditional thesis (NURS799).
# Students, in consultation with their MSN advisor, will choose two 3 credit graduate-level elective courses. An overall grade of B- or better must be achieved in these two courses.

**Which class should I take? When should I take it? Please click here for a recommended program sequence.

Core Courses*		33 cr.
NURS600	Theoretical Foundation for Advanced Nursing Practice	3 cr.
NURS601	MSN Orientation Seminar	0 cr.
NURS640	Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice	3 cr.
NURS670	Transforming Nursing Practice through Leadership, Policy and Advocacy	3 cr.
NURS710	Advanced Pharmacology	3 cr.
NURS735	Advanced Pathophysiology	3 cr.
NURS740	Advanced Health Assessment	2 cr.
NURS740V	Advanced Health Assessment Lab (virtual)	1 cr.
NURS765	Concepts of Advanced Nursing Practice	3 cr.
NURS765C	Concepts of Advanced Nursing Practice/Clinical	3 cr.
NURS780	Theoretical Foundations of Teaching and Learning	3 cr.
NURS787	Role of the Nurse Educator	3 cr.
NURS787C	Role of the Nurse Educator/Clinical	3 cr.