Degree – Master of Science in Nursing, MSN
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner
Description of Program
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Family Nurse Practitioner degree program is designed to prepare graduates to provide global primary health care to diverse and underserved clients across the life continuum.
Learning Outcomes
- Evaluate theoretical and empirical knowledge from nursing and other disciplines and knowledge for use in guiding nursing research, nursing pedagogy, and advanced nursing practice
- Generate new teaching and practice approaches based on the integration of research, theory, and practice knowledge
- Demonstrate mastery of advanced knowledge and skills in advanced practice nursing (FNP)
- Analyze implication of ethical and legal issues affecting health care delivery, education, and research
- Analyze the effect of organizational structure, functions, and resources on the development and delivery of quality health care and educational programs
- Communicate effectively in a scholarly manner using oral, written, and information technology in a variety of settings
- Assume leadership roles to initiate and guide changes that foster collaboration and contribute to the ongoing development of nursing education and practice
- Participate in professional organizations and activities that influence advanced practice nursing and/or health outcomes
Admission Requirements:
Students applying for entrance to the Master of Science in Nursing are required to submit an application for admission, Apply Online (www.alcorn.edu/academics/graduate-studies).
- Three letters of recommendation (professional, academic, personal on official letterhead with original signatures specifying in detail the applicant’s capabilities for graduate study and for future nursing practice)
- Resume
- Goal Statement
- Official transcript from an accredited school (if a student has attended more than one school, transcripts must be submitted from all schools attended). At least one transcript must document the student has a bachelor’s degree with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0. Some departments have additional requirements students must meet for admission
- GPA of 3.0 or above in pre-requisites and nursing courses
- A grade of “C” or better in an undergraduate introductory-level statistics course
- Copy of current unencumbered license to practice nursing in a state or US territory and eligibility for licensure in the state in which you will complete your clinical practicum
- Immunization Record
- An interview with Graduate Nursing faculty
- Individual Nursing Professional Liability Insurance in the amount of $1,000,000/$3,000,000 (prior to first clinical practicum course)
Decisions are made only after receipt of all credentials by the department’s admission committee. The department uses an admission formula to accept students. The entire application packet, including all supporting materials, must be submitted to the Graduate School. Official test scores must be submitted from Education Testing Service (ETS) and must not be older than five years, official transcripts from the sending school, and Credential Evaluations (International students) from an approved Credential Evaluation Service.
Standardized Test:
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test is the official standardized test required for admission to the Master of Science in Nursing. WAIVED
Degree Requirements:
The curriculum for the Master of Science in Nursing in Family Nurse Practitioner requires 44 credit hours of coursework and a thesis or non-thesis project for degree completion. An oral defense of the thesis is required for progression to degree completion.
Graduation expectations require the following:
- A minimum of 38 credit hours of graduate instruction must be completed in residence at Alcorn State University
- Earn no more than two Cs in coursework
- Write an acceptable thesis and defend it orally or complete a non-thesis project
- Official transcripts on file for all transfer credits accepted by the University
Academic advisors are allowed to accept up to six semester credit hours earned at an accredited university with a grade of “B” or higher for graduate coursework completed. Substitutions of coursework are allowed with the approval of an advisor and department administrators up to nine hours if the substitution(s) meet curriculum requirements.
See Transfer of Credits Policy for additional information.
See the Substitution of Courses Policy for additional information.
Academic Track: Thesis or Non-Thesis
The Thesis or Non-Thesis Project is an exit requirement for the Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner. This discipline has specific expectations for selection of topics for the thesis or non-thesis. Students pursue independent research on a question or problem of their choice in the relevant disciplines under the guidance of a graduate faculty to produce a paper that reflects understanding of the topic and in the respective discipline.
Master Degree Audit:
Before candidacy for graduation can be confirmed, each student progression to degree completion will be evaluated to determine if student has met all academic requirements for course work and other aspects of the student’s course of study and Graduate School requirements. When these requirements are met, the student is cleared for graduation.
Time to Degree Completion
Alcorn’s time to degree completion policy allows 6 years to complete the family nurse practitioner program. Degree completion depends on the pace a student completes the curriculum. If the time exceeds six years, the student must petition the Graduate School to consider an appeal for more time to degree completion.
See the Student Academic Appeals Policy for Expiration of Timeline for additional requirements
Degree Plan and Course Sequence
Thesis Track
Fall 1 (11 Hours)
NU 501 Role Development
NU 502 Advanced Pathophysiology
NU 503 Advanced Pharmacology
NU 506 Research Methods
Spring 1 (9 Hours)
NU 505 Advanced Health Assessment
NU 505L Advanced Health Assessment
NU 504 Theoretical Foundations in Nursing
NU 507 Rural Health Care Policy
Summer 1 (6 Hours)
NU 508 Clinical Management Theory I
NU 509 Clinical Management Practicum (120)
NU 514 Introduction to Human Genetics
Fall 2 (11 Hours)
NU 510 Clinical Management Theory II
NU 511 Clinical Management Practicum II (120)
NU 512 Clinical Management Theory III
NU 513 Clinical Management Practicum III (120)
NU 590A Thesis Track
Non-Thesis Track
NU 591A Project
Spring 2 (7 Hours)
NU 518 Synthesis Practicum (240)
NU 590B Thesis Track
Non-Thesis Track
NU 591B Project
For More Information Contact:
Dr. Brenda Collins, 601-304-4303, [email protected] (Department of Graduate Nursing)