Description of MSN Options

The Master of Science in Nursing program builds upon UT Tyler’s undergraduate program in nursing and provides a firm basis for doctoral level education.  Within the MSN degree, the following options are available: Administrative-MSN option, the Education-MSN option, Nursing Education Certificate, the RN-MSN degree option, the MSN-MBA degree option and the MSN/NP degree options.

The Administration-MSN degree option 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.

The Education-MSN degree option 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.

Nursing Education Certificate

The RN-MSN degree option is for RN’s with an associate degree or diploma who may be eligible for early admission into the nursing graduate program.  Combined credit toward the BSN and MSN degrees are earned and the student is awarded the BSN and MSN simultaneously at the end of the program.

The coordinated MSN-MBA degree option 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, 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 Nursing and Business.

The MSN-NP degree options are the result of a partnership between The University of Texas at Tyler, The University of Texas Health Center at Tyler and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock.  Students pursue careers as NP’s with specialties in acute care, pediatric, geriatric, and family.  Foundation courses are taken at the Tyler site.  Clinical courses for the degree are offered at both the Tyler and Lubbock sites, with practicum assignments and preceptors throughout the East Texas area.  The degree is awarded by Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center through the College of Nursing in Lubbock, Texas.  The purpose of this option is to produce a nursing leader who is prepared with specific functional abilities to practice with a specified patient/client population.  The MSN-NP option can also be pursued as a Post-Master’s certification track.

The MSN Specialty NP degree options are the result of a transfer agreement between The University of Texas at Tyler and The University of Texas at Arlington Schools of Nursing.  Students pursue careers as NP’s with specialties in acute care, adult, pediatric, geriatric, family, or psychiatric mental health.  Foundation courses are taken at the Tyler site.  The practicum assignments and preceptors may be completed in the East Texas area, but the clinical courses for the degree are only offered at UT-Arlington.  The degree is awarded through The University of Texas at Arlington.  The MSN-NP option can also be pursued as a Post-Master’s certification track.