Application Deadlines : March 15th for the fall and October 15th for the spring

DESCRIPTION OF MSN OPTIONS

The online MSN program builds on UT Tyler’s undergraduate program in nursing and provides a firm basis for doctoral level education.  There are several options within the MSN degree:  administration, nurse practitioner, and education.  There is also a Nursing Education Certificate option, a UTSW Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner Completion option, a RN-MSN option, and a coordinated MSN/MBA degree plan.  The deadline to apply for the spring admission is October 15th and for the fall admission, March 15th.  Please note that applications for the Nurse Practitioner program are only received for fall admission.

The Nursing Administration-MSN degree track prepares the graduate to apply leadership and management skills to become the essential link between the vision and mission of the larger health care organization and the unit-based system of patient care. Students develop expertise in resource allocation through using professional skills in assessing and analyzing health care needs in the practice setting.  After completing five core courses, the role area of administration requires four courses (three theoretical/practicum courses consisting of 37.5 practicum hours each and one cognate course). The student has the option of writing a thesis or conducting a scholarly project. The student may also select electives of interest (2 electives if non-thesis option chosen) to complete the 36 SCH required for the degree.

The Nursing Education-MSN degree track prepares the graduate to apply principles of education in the role of educator in various patient care settings and in institutions of higher education. The graduate develops expertise in the teaching of nursing students, patients, consumers and other individuals.  After completing five core courses, the role area of education consists of four required courses (two theoretical nursing education courses; one theoretical/practicum course consisting of 112.5 practicum hours; and one cognate course) The student has the option of writing a thesis or conducting a scholarly project. The student may also select electives of interest (2 electives if non-thesis option chosen) to complete the 36 SCH required for the degree.

The Nurse Practitioner track prepares the graduate for advanced clinical practice roles in acute care, pediatric, geriatric or family health. This option is designed to produce a nursing leader who is prepared to practice with a specified patient/client population. The graduate develops expertise as a primary care provider with advanced practice skills in the assessment and management of health needs as well as in patient education, consultant and researcher roles. The Nurse Practitioner degree option is 48 semester credit hours in length.  Although not totally on-line, 30 of these hours are offered on-line with the remainder 18 hours of clinical courses offered in a web-enhanced format requiring some class time on the Tyler campus. The MSN-NP option can also be pursued as a Post-Master's certification track. 

The RN-MSN degree is for RN’s with an associate degree or diploma in nursing who may be eligible for early admission into the nursing graduate program. Combined credit toward the BSN and MSN degrees is earned and the student is awarded the BSN and MSN simultaneously at the end of the program. Students complete 22 SCH at the undergraduate level and then are admitted to the selected master’s option. Twenty-one SCH of graduate core courses are completed by all RN-MSN students. Advanced Pathophysiology and Advanced Health Assessment are considered core courses for the RN-MSN student. Course work for the advanced role of nursing administration, nursing education, or nurse practitioner is then taken as described above. The RN-MSN student also has the option of writing a thesis or conducting a scholarly project. A total of 36-39 SCH or 48 SCH (NP) of graduate course work is required depending upon whether thesis or non-thesis option is selected.

The Coordinated MSN-MBA degree prepares the nurse executive to ensure excellence in client care services, and also to impact the business environment in which nurses practice. This degree option incorporates content in management, leadership, economics, finance, and marketing into a framework for nursing service and health care administration. Students enrolling for this coordinated degree option must meet the admission requirements for both Colleges of Nursing and Business. Students complete a total of 57-60 SCH depending upon whether the thesis or non-thesis option is selected and are awarded the MSN and the MBA degrees simultaneously.

Nursing Education Certificate Program prepares the nurse to apply teaching-learning theory, principles of curriculum development, evaluation methodology, and role socialization as a nurse educator in a variety of settings. The program is designed to provide essential knowledge and skills required by nurse educators and facilitate the transition of the nurse from the clinical setting into the role of nurse educator. A total of 12 SCH are required to complete the certificate program. The curriculum is identical to the nursing education role courses. The role area of education consists of four required courses (two theoretical nursing education courses, one theoretical/practicum course consisting of 112.5 practicum hours, and one cognate course).

UT Southwestern Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner (UTSW-WHCNP) MSN Completion Program allows the UTSW-WHCNP graduate to complete the degree requirements for the Master of Science in Nursing. WHCNP graduates who earned a baccalaureate degree in nursing prior to entering the UTSW program and who are nationally certified as a WHCNP are eligible for admission.  A total of up to 12 SCH advanced credit is given for the UTSW course work.  The student then completes 24-27 SCH of coursework at The University of Texas at Tyler.