About the Program
The Master of Sciences in Nursing prepares advanced practice nurses who can:
- Provide expert direct client care
- Teach in a variety of capacities including undergraduate nursing programs
- Manage agencies that deliver health care
- Provide leadership in a variety of nursing and health care services
Graduates will be prepared to work collaboratively with professionals from a variety of disciplines and mobilize resources for care of rural clients, families and communities. Graduates will be able to identify and implement changes in complex health care delivery systems that enhance the quality and cost-effectiveness of client care
Students can select one of three concentrations:
- Nurse Administrator
- Nurse Educator
- Family Nurse Practitioner
To be awarded the master of science in nursing degree, you must earn 55-quarter credit hours that includes clinical courses that require 200 to 600 hours, depending on the option selected.
The maximum time allowed between the date that you first initiate graduate study toward the MSN and the date that you complete the requirements for the degree is six calendar years. Eight quarters is the average time for completion.
The MSN program requires prerequisite introductory courses in statistics, management, and research. These courses must be completed with grades of "C" or higher from an accredited undergraduate institution.
Admission
To be considered for unconditional admission to the program, you must meet the following requirements:
- Earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited college or university.*
- Minimum overall undergraduate grade point average (g.p.a.) or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Satisfactory completion of undergraduate prerequisites in statistics, management, and research (must obtain a grade of "C" or better).
Satisfactory Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.
Students may apply to the program prior to completion of the BSN, although they will not be accepted into the program until they have completed the BSN degree.
It is possible to transfer a maximum of 12-quarter hours of graduate credit from an accredited university, providing the credit to be transferred has been designated graduate credit at the institution where taken, is letter graded B or better, was earned in the past five years, and is approved by the graduate coordinator. Credit for courses taken by correspondence cannot be accepted toward the required minimum hours.
If you do not meet the standards listed, you may be admitted on a conditional basis and informed of the conditions you must meet for unconditional acceptance. Courses taken to to meet the conditions may or may not be taken for graduate credit and may have to be completed prior to starting MSN coursework. If you are admitted on a conditional basis, you are not eligible for financial assistance.
The following materials must be received before your application can be considered for admission:
- Application found at the OU Office of Graudate Studies.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.
- Official transcripts(s) from each post-secondary institution attended (transcripts of coursework completed at Ohio University do not need to be submitted.)
- A statement of goals and objectives (2-3 double-spaced typed pages), which serves as a writing sample and helps to convey to the Graduate Committee a sense of who you are, what your experiences have been, and how these factors relate to your goals for graduate study, how your goals for study relate to what you plan to do following graduation, and why you want to study in this school.
- A resume, including your educational background and professional work experience.
- Three letters of recommendation (see forms at the OU Office of Graudate Studies) from people who are qualified to evaluate your capability for graduate study. Please make certain to include the program and concentration you plan to pursue on the form prior to giving it to the person providing the reference.
Submit your completed application, GRE scores, transcripts, an application fee to:
Office of Graduate Student Services
Ohio University
McKee House
Athens, OH 45701-2979
The resume, statement of goals and objectives, and letters of recommendation should be sent directly to:
Graduate Coordinator
School of Nursing
Ohio University
Grover Center E365
Athens, OH 45701-2979
Applications for admission are accepted for fall, winter, or spring admission. Typically, applications for both admission and financial aid for the next academic year must be received by March 1.
International students must present TOEFL scores and apply by Feb/ 1.
Program Contact
Kathleen Rose-Grippa, PhD, RN
E365 Grover Center
(740) 593-4494
grippa@ohio.edu