Master of Science in Nursing — Informatics, Quality and Safety
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Interested in learning more about the UT Tyler School of Nursing Online?
Improve Patient Care With Informatics and Technology
Nursing informatics is the specialty that transforms data into needed information and leverages technologies to improve health and healthcare equity, safety, quality and outcomes (ANA, Nursing Informatics Scope and Standards of Practice, 3rd Edition, 2022).
The introduction of information systems and healthcare technology has changed how patient care is delivered. With a Master of Science in Nursing — Informatics, Quality and Safety (MSN-IQS) from The University of Texas at Tyler, you can gain the skills needed to optimize medical treatment and empower patients to take charge of their well-being. Earn advanced practical skills in data analysis, quality improvement and information systems and prepare for the ANCC Informatics Nursing board certification exam with our online program.
Why Earn an MSN in Informatics, Quality and Safety From UT Tyler?
The MSN-IQS degree equips you with the tools to integrate healthcare technology and information systems into daily nursing practice. Physicians, staff, fellow nurses and patients can rely on you to make data-based decisions about workplace operations, health regimens and clinic initiatives. The foundation you gain through your studies forms a launching pad to senior positions, leadership roles and future doctoral studies.
UT Tyler’s Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)-accredited program puts you at the forefront of the nursing profession:
- Flexible and Online: Earn your degree from any location and within your own schedule with 100% online classes. Designed with the working Registered Nurse in mind, the program features a student-friendly format and the ability to learn at your own pace.
- Nationally Ranked: U.S. News & World Report ranks our online MSN programs as some of the best in the nation. From one of the largest nursing schools in Texas, your degree carries a brand name employers widely recognize.
- Highly Effective: The curriculum closely aligns with the material for the American Nurses Credentialing Center Informatics Nursing board certification exam. Prepare for this and other credentials throughout your studies.
- Renowned Faculty: Helmed by Dr. Cheryl D. Parker, the 2020 president of the National Board of Directors for the American Nursing Informatics Association, program faculty are known for providing individualized attention. Our faculty are experienced informatics nurse specialists with varied backgrounds, including healthcare systems, public health and industry.
- Hands-on, Collaborative Education: Coursework simulates the teamwork that is common in clinical settings. Together, you and your peers work through real-world scenarios to find effective solutions with the software tools and technologies that professionals use. Complete the degree with a capstone project, where you and other students use simulated data sets for real-world assignments.
- Affordable: Our tuition is a fraction of the cost of other comparable programs while yielding a high return on investment. Students further have the option to earn certification in other nursing specialties while enrolled in a School of Nursing master’s program.
Curriculum
The MSN-IQS program consists of 36 credit hours divided among 12 credit hours of MSN core courses, 15 credit hours of nursing specialization requirements and nine elective credit hours. The program is mapped to the AACN Test Plan for Board Certification in Informatics Nursing, Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society Certified Associate in Healthcare Information and Management Systems certification, AACN Essentials and the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses competencies.
The coursework focuses on quality improvement initiatives, data analysis and visualization and information systems. By the time they graduate, students can:
- Use industry-standard software to analyze data and represent information using visual tools like charts, graphs and maps.
- Create and implement quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.
- Manage simulated projects to define scope, stay within budget and meet objectives in a timely manner.
- Develop executive summaries and status reports that effectively convey relevant information to different stakeholders.
- Utilize Structured Query Language, Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, Word and other frequently used technologies required for the informatics nurse specialist role.
- Collaborate effectively with others and apply their strengths to achieve common goals.
Review All MSN-IQS Course Descriptions
Careers in Nursing Informatics
The U.S. healthcare industry is booming and shows no signs of slowing down. It currently employs 11% of the national workforce, and the demand for capable, specialized practitioners remains high. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job prospects for medical and health services managers — which can include nurse informaticists — to grow 28 percent from 2021 to 2031 — much faster than the average for all occupations.
Nurses who specialize in informatics are found in virtually every healthcare setting. Graduates can advance their careers in:
- Clinics
- Community care centers
- Counseling centers
- Health systems
- Healthcare companies
- Hospitals
- Government
- Laboratories
- Medical record companies
- Private practices
- Research institutes
How to Apply
To apply, you must meet the following requirements:
- Submit a one-page personal statement.
- Submit transcripts verifying a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 for the last 60 semester credit hours of undergraduate work*.
- Hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from a nationally accredited nursing program.
- Complete an undergraduate statistics course with a grade of “C" or better.
- Show proof of current unencumbered licensure as a Registered Nurse in the state(s) where clinical practicum will occur.
- Applicants to advanced practice degree programs are strongly encouraged to submit a CV or a resume.
- Applicants from countries other than the United States must also meet the admission requirements for international students seeking a graduate degree as listed in the University catalog.
- Consideration for admission is also given to one or more of the following: the applicant’s demonstrated commitment to his or her chosen field of study; socioeconomic background; and involvement and level of responsibility related to other factors, including extracurricular activities, employment, community service, first generation of family to graduate from an undergraduate program, family responsibility for raising children, multilingual proficiency, or geographic region of residence
International Students
Applicants from countries other than the United States must also meet the admission requirements for international students seeking a graduate degree. Review all admission requirements for international students.
Applicants must submit evidence of English proficiency before admission is granted. Applicants whose primary language is not English (the undergraduate degree is from a foreign institution) must submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language, Pearson Test of English or the International English Language Testing System. The minimum score requirements are as follows:
- 79 TOEFL iBT (internet-based test)
- 550 TOEFL PBT (paper-based test)
- 53 PTE
- 6.5 overall band score and 6.0 in each subsection IELTS
Other Admissions Considerations
UT Tyler also gives consideration for admission to one or more of the following:
- The applicant's demonstrated commitment to their chosen field of study.
- Socioeconomic background.
- The involvement and level of responsibility in other matters, including extracurricular activities, employment and community service.
- First generation of family to graduate from an undergraduate program.
- Family responsibility or raising children.
- Multilingual proficiency.
- Geographic region of residence.
Levels of admissions:
- Full Acceptance Status: Applicants who have met all admission requirements.
- Conditional Acceptance Status: UT Tyler may accept MSN applicants who have met some but not all of the requirements listed above into the graduate program on a conditional basis following review by the Graduate Studies Committee. Full acceptance is granted after the successful completion of designated coursework from the student's degree plan.
- Provisional Acceptance Status: Students may be admitted provisionally to the MSN-IQS program. Refer to the Provisional Admission section for more information: Graduate School FAQs.
STEP 1: Apply to the University
All applicants must apply to the university prior to applying to the nursing program. Go to The Graduate School to complete the application.
Current or previous UT Tyler students must complete a new application if applying for a higher level of degree (i.e., BSN to MSN, MSN to PhD, MSN to DNP, MSN to post-master’s certificate).
If you are an online out-of-state applicant, please be aware of reciprocity agreements that may impact clinical hours: State Authorization.
How Much Does It Cost to Apply?
The application cost is $50 for domestic students; $75 for international students. The fee is nonrefundable and required before your application is processed. Make credit card payments at the time of application by Visa or MasterCard only.
The university waives fees for all UT Tyler alumni. Please select the “Pay by Check” option. Fees are waived once your application is processed. Please do NOT send a check, as no refunds are given.
STEP 2: Submit Official Transcripts
MSN Domestic Applicants: UT Tyler requires an official transcript showing a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited institution. Previous institutions should send official copies to the university. UT Tyler transcripts are available from the Registrar's Office; applicants need not forward them.
If your BSN transcript does not contain at least 60 credit hours of coursework, you
are required to submit community or junior college transcripts directly to the Office
of Graduate Admissions.
Your previous institution can send official electronic copies directly to gradadmissions@uttyler.edu.
MSN International Applicants: Please send an official transcript showing a four-year baccalaureate degree in nursing or its U.S. equivalent from an accredited institution of higher learning and official transcripts from ALL post-secondary institutions, TOEFL scores, entrance exams scores (GRE or GMAT for MBA) and evidence of financial support (Affidavit of Support) to:
Office of Graduate Admissions HPR 248
The University of Texas at Tyler
3900 University Blvd.
Tyler, TX 75799
For details and a list of forms, visit the International Students page.
Transfer Students: You must submit an official letter from your previous institution’s nursing department stating you are in good standing and eligible to return to their program. To review individual transfer course eligibility, you must also submit course syllabi from the time of enrollment. The maximum allowed transfer credit hours is nine, subject to review for equivalency. Submit both the letter of eligibility and any syllabi to nursing-graduate@uttyler.edu with the subject line “Transfer Student Application Documents.”
STEP 3: Submit Nursing Documents
- Submitted via the Nursing Document link.
- Submit a personal statement via the above link. View prompts by selecting the program of choice on the nursing application page.
- Submit a résumé/CV including your academic history, work history (with particular attention to nursing experience), certifications and any other service or activities you wish to include.
- Show proof of current unencumbered licensure as a Registered Nurse.
- Complete an undergraduate statistics course with a grade of “C" or better.
- Submit transcripts verifying a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 for the last 60 semester credit hours of undergraduate work. The university may grant Conditional admission to students who do not meet the GPA requirement for full admission based on other criteria.
- Applicants from countries other than the United States must also meet the admission requirements for international students seeking a graduate degree. Review international admission requirements.
The UT Tyler School of Nursing offers programs year-round with multiple start dates. Applications are accepted throughout the year, and prospective students need to be admitted two weeks before the session start date. In case of non-admission by that date, the start date will be deferred to the next session. For inquiries about the application process, please contact an enrollment advisor.
Applicants offered acceptance into a graduate nursing program may be assessed a nonrefundable seat deposit of $200.00 by the date indicated in the acceptance letter. Failure to pay the deposit will result in forfeiture of the acceptance. The university applies the $200.00 toward the first semester’s tuition. Applicants who accept an offer of admission but later decide not to attend forfeit the seat deposit.
Be Part of a Nationally Recognized Program
U.S. News & World Report listed UT Tyler’s Master of Science in Nursing programs as #2 in the UT System, #2 in the state of Texas and #7 for veterans nationwide in its 2023 report. Learn more about these highly regarded rankings.
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The next phase of your career starts here. Discover where a Master of Science in Nursing in Informatics, Quality and Safety from UT Tyler can take you.