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 802.
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.
Emphases/Specialty Areas
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
This emphasis offers students in both the Entry Level MSN and the regular MSN programs the opportunity to take courses for certification by the California State Board of Registered Nursing and/or the American Nurse Credentialing Center. The CNS is an advanced practice nurse holding a master’s degree with an emphasis in a specific area of clinical nursing such as adult, women’s health, psychiatric and pediatrics. The role of the CNS is defined by the needs of a select client population and clinical expertise of the nurse.
Nursing Administration
This emphasis enables students in both the Entry Level MSN and the regular MSN programs to combine the nursing perspective and principles of business to become effective and successful managers and administrators. Elective courses can be taken through the College of Business with the advice and approval of an academic advisor.
Public/Community Health
Students completing this emphasis are prepared to assume nursing roles in a variety of care settings including public health, home health, and schools.
RN-MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration
Please refer to the Master of Science in Nursing: Concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner page in the Bulletin.
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.
- All graduate students are required to establish written English proficiency (see information below) by submitting results of the analytical writing section of the GRE at the time of application. A score of 4.0 or above is required.
- 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)
A score of 4.0 or above on the analytical writing section of the GRE.
Level Two
Demonstration of English proficiency on the final paper for NURS 794.
Entry Level Masters Nursing Courses — 97 units
First Year | ||
---|---|---|
First Semester | Units | |
NURS 311 | Human Development and Health Assessment Lab | 2 |
NURS 314 | Health Promotion in Nursing | 3 |
NURS 315 | Health Promotions in Nursing - Practicum | 2 |
NURS 706 | Health Care Policy and Nursing Leadership | 3 |
NURS 720 | Epidemiology and Biostatistics in Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 |
Units | 13 | |
Second Semester | ||
NURS 326 | Reproductive Health Theory | 3 |
NURS 327 | Reproductive Health Practicum | 3 |
NURS 328 | Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Theory | 3 |
NURS 329 | Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practicum | 3 |
NURS 350 | Nursing Interventions Practicum I | 2 |
NURS 703 | Education, Informatics, and eTechnology in Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
Units | 17 | |
Second Year | ||
First Semester | ||
NURS 410 | Nursing Care of Children Theory | 3 |
NURS 411 | Nursing Care of Children Practicum | 3 |
NURS 420 | Nursing Care of Adults Theory | 3 |
NURS 421 | Nursing Care of Adults Practicum | 3 |
NURS 450 | Nursing Interventions Lab II | 2 |
NURS 721 | Program Planning and Financial Management in Nursing Practice | 3 |
Units | 17 | |
Second Semester | ||
Pre-licensure Courses | ||
NURS 520 | Advanced Medical Surgical and Critical Care Nursing | 3 |
NURS 521 or NURS 523 | Advanced Medical Surgical and Critical Care Nursing Capstone Practicum or Advanced Medical Surgical and Critical Care Nursing Capstone Practicum | 3 |
NURS 522 | Chronic Care and End of Life Care Theory | 3 |
NURS 530 | Community Health and Global Perspectives Theory | 3 |
NURS 531 | Community Health and Global Perspectives Practicum | 3 |
NURS 794 | Research and Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing | 3 |
Units | 18 | |
Third Year | ||
First Semester | ||
Graduate Core Courses | ||
NURS 702 | Health Systems Management | 3 |
NURS 711 | Advanced Physical Assessment Across the Life Span | 3 |
NURS 715 | Pharmacological Principles Across the Life Span | 3 |
NURS 801 | Graduate Nursing Practicum I | 4 |
NURS 716 | Advanced Pathophysiology and Diagnostic Reasoning I | 3 |
Units | 16 | |
Second Semester | ||
NURS 732 | Ethics in Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
NURS 802 | Graduate Nursing Practicum II | 4 |
NURS 895 or NURS 898 | Applied Research in Nursing or Master's Thesis | 3 |
NURS 717 | Advanced Pathophysiology and Diagnostic Reasoning II | 3 |
Units | 13 | |
Total Units | 94 |
Emphasis or Electives (8–12 units)
Units on advisement
Emphases
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
This emphasis offers the graduate student the opportunity to take additional courses for certification by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) and to take a national certification exam through the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC). The CNS is an advanced practice nurse holding a master’s degree in a specific area of clinical nursing specialization such as adult and critical care, women’s health, and pediatrics. The role of the CNS is defined by the needs of a select client population and clinical expertise of the nurse. Specialized role content is included in NURS 801 and NURS 802.
Community Public Health
Students completing this emphasis are prepared to assume nursing roles in a variety of care settings including public health, home health, and schools and may be eligible for CNS certification by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). Specialized role content is included in NURS 801 and NURS 802.
Nursing Administration
This emphasis enables students to combine the nursing perspective and principles of business to become effective and successful managers and administrators. Courses may also be taken in the College of Business with the advice and approval of the advisor.
Students in this emphasis are not required to take NURS 711, NURS 715, NURS 716 or NURS 717 in the nursing core.