Master of Science in Nursing
The School of Nursing provides master’s level educational opportunities for registered nurses and individuals with a bachelor’s degree in other fields who wish to enter the profession or pursue an advanced practice nursing degree.
Registered nurses with bachelor’s degrees in Nursing can enter the master’s program by demonstrating they have met nursing content comparable to that in the SF State baccalaureate program.
Individuals who are not nurses but have a bachelor’s degree may apply to the Entry-Level M.S.N. program. Students in this program complete the pre-licensure curriculum along with graduate-level coursework to earn their M.S.N. in six semesters. Upon completion of pre-licensure courses, the students take a national licensing exam (NCLEX-RN) to become a registered nurse. A two-year accelerated program is also available. Accelerated students enroll through the SF State College of Extended Learning. All students must have successfully completed all prelicensure courses and take the national licensing exam (NCLEX-RN) in California before enrolling in NURS 821.
The master’s level curriculum includes both core courses and specialty courses. The core courses, the portion of the program for all students, include nursing theory, advanced practice nursing roles, pathophysiology, research, leadership, health policy, and ethics for advanced practice nurses. Units taken in addition to the core program are selected with graduate nursing faculty advisement.
Admission/Application Information and Requirements for the Master’s Degree
For all applicants:
- Visit the School of Nursing website for specific application dates.
- Meet general requirements for admission to graduate study at SF State and submit a separate application to the Division of Graduate Studies.
- Complete the School of Nursing supplemental application process.
- Include a written goal statement.
- Students whose native language is not English and whose preparatory education was principally in a language other than English must demonstrate competence in English. For more information visit Graduate Admissions.
- Three references from work colleagues, supervisors, or educators.
- Provide a resume or curriculum vitae.
For RN applicants:
- Courses in inferential statistics and an undergraduate nursing research course are recommended.
- RNs who enter the M.S.N. program without a Nursing bachelor’s degree must complete undergraduate nursing research and a community/public health courses before enrollment or concurrent with semester one M.S.N. coursework.
- Some of the prerequisite courses may be challenged or waived for students who have extensive professional experience and have participated in mandatory continuing education programs for RN licensure.
- Family Nurse Practitioner applicants must have a minimum of one year or 2,000 clinical hours of RN experience.
For Non-RN applicants:
- Entry-level master’s applicants must have completed all prerequisites at the time of application to the program.
- One of the three required references must provide evidence of health-related work or volunteer experience.
Written English Proficiency Requirement
The University has a requirement for graduate written English proficiency that is to be assessed at two different points (Levels) in the student’s program.
Level One (prior to admission)
Personal Statement
Level Two
Demonstration of English proficiency on the final paper for NURS 794.
Master of Science in Nursing — 44 units
Graduate Core (36 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 702 | Health Systems Management | 3 |
| NURS 703 | Education, Informatics, and eTechnology in Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURS 706 | Health Care Policy and Nursing Leadership | 3 |
| NURS 711 | Advanced Physical Assessment Across the Life Span | 3 |
| NURS 715 | Pharmacological Principles Across the Life Span | 3 |
| NURS 716 | Advanced Pathophysiology and Diagnostic Reasoning I | 3 |
| NURS 717 | Advanced Pathophysiology and Diagnostic Reasoning II | 3 |
| NURS 720 | Epidemiology and Biostatistics in Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 721 | Program Planning and Financial Management in Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURS 732 | Ethics in Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURS 794 | Research and Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing | 3 |
| Select One: | 3 | |
| Applied Research in Nursing | ||
| Master's Thesis | ||
Concentration Requirements (8 units)
The concentration will determine which two specialized practicum courses students must take.
Nursing Administration
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 815 | Graduate Nursing Practicum I: Nursing Administration | 4 |
| NURS 816 | Graduate Nursing Practicum II: Nursing Administration | 4 |
Community Public Health Clinical Nurse Specialist
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 808 | Graduate Nursing Practicum I: Community/Public Health | 4 |
| NURS 809 | Graduate Nursing Practicum II: Community/Public Health | 4 |
Adult/Gero Clinical Nurse Specialist
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 819 | Graduate Nursing Practicum I: Adult/Gerontology | 4 |
| NURS 820 | Graduate Nursing Practicum II: Adult/Gerontology | 4 |
Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 813 | Graduate Nursing Practicum I: Neonatal | 4 |
| NURS 814 | Graduate Nursing Practicum II: Neonatal | 4 |
Pediatrics Clinical Nurse Specialist
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 821 | Graduate Nursing Practicum I: Pediatrics | 4 |
| NURS 822 | Graduate Nursing Practicum II: Pediatrics | 4 |
Psychiatric and Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 806 | Graduate Nursing Practicum I: Psychiatric/Mental Health | 4 |
| NURS 807 | Graduate Nursing Practicum II: Psychiatric/Mental Health | 4 |
Woman's Health Clinical Nurse Specialist
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 817 | Graduate Nursing Practicum I: Women's Health/Gender-Related | 4 |
| NURS 818 | Graduate Nursing Practicum II: Women's Health/Gender-Related | 4 |