Master's Programs

Nursing Education:

The M.S.N. education track prepares nurses for career paths in staff development, vocational-technical or community college education. This degree serves as a foundation for doctoral study for those interested in teaching in B.S.N. or higher programs. 15 semester hours of core foundational nursing courses are taken online with students in all M.S.N. tracks. An additional 21 semester hours of nursing education courses are required for this track including 3 semester hours of a nursing education practicum* that provides a mentored educational experience. These courses are taught online by nursing department faculty members with advanced preparation and extensive experience in higher education. Thus, a total of 36 semester hours are required to complete the M.S.N. education track.

Executive Nurse Leadership:

The M.S.N. executive nurse leadership track is for a working registered nurse and that holds a bachelor's degree in any field. This track prepares nurses for career paths in health care leadership. All students in M.S.N. tracks take 15 semester hours of core foundational nursing courses online. An additional 21 semester hours of health systems leadership courses are required for this track including 3 semester hours of a health systems leadership practicum* that provides a mentored leadership experience. Thus, a total of 36 semester hours are required to complete the M.S.N. Executive Nurse Leader nursing track.

Nursing Informatics:

The MSN nursing informatics track prepares nurses for a career in nursing informatics which focuses on the data analysis as it relates to complex health care systems. Nursing informatics is a specialty that integrates nursing science, computer science, and information science to manage and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in nursing practice. Students in the MSN tracks take 15 semester hours of core foundational nursing courses online. An additional 21 semester hours of nursing informatics courses are required for this track including 3 semester hours of a nursing informatics practicum* that provides a mentored experience. Thus, a total of 36 semester hours are required to complete the M.S.N nursing informatics track.

*Practicum may occur in a setting local to the student as long as the setting and preceptor meet the learning outcomes of the course.

Thank you for your interest in our Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. Here you will find information on admission to our MSN tracks - MSN Nursing Education, Executive Nurse Leader and Nursing Informatics. Additional program pages provide further information, so please explore the rest of the website.

Prospective Master of Science in Nursing students are selected for admission based on the candidate's application content, academic record, curriculum of completed required courses, and professional nursing licensure.

Admission to the M.S.N. program requires the following:

1. Bachelor of Science Degree and/or RN to MSN Degree
   • For those with a major in Nursing (BSN) a B.S.N. GPA of 3.0 is required
   • For those with a BS or BA in a field other than nursing an overall GPA of 3.0 is required and satisfactory completion of NSG 5000B, Transition to Advance Nursing Practice, prior to beginning the MSN program. NSG 5000B course is only offered in the fall term.
2. A Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from a regionally accredited college or university, and the nursing degree must be accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) (formerly National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, (NLNAC) or by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accreditation.
3. Current active professional nursing (R.N.) licensure. Licensure must remain current in the jurisdiction of the practicum throughout the program.
4. Pay $50 NSU application fee. 

The Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing participates in the centralized applications service called NursingCAS. NursingCAS is used for document verification, but does not take part in the student selection. You can obtain the NursingCAS application

The deadline to complete and submit the NursingCAS and the NSU application for Fall admission will be August 1st and for Winter admission the deadline is December 9th. The Office of Admissions works on a rolling basis. Applications are accepted year-round. 

1. Sending supporting documents to NursingCAS. All official college transcripts from undergraduate, graduate, and professional institutions attended must be sent to NursingCAS directly from the institutions attended.

   Send all transcripts to:

   NursingCAS
   P.O. Box 9201 
   Watertown, Massachusetts, 02471

   Coursework taken at foreign institutions must be evaluated for U.S. institutional equivalence by an approved National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) organization such as one of the services listed below.

   World Education Services
   Bowling Green Station
   P.O. Box 5087
   New York, New York 10274-5087
   www.wes.org

   Josef Silny and Associates
   2nd Avenue
   (305) 273-1616
   (305) 273-1338 fax
   www.silny.com

   Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
   P.O. Box 514070
   Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53203-3470
   (414) 289-3400
   www.ece.org

   It is the applicant's responsibility to have this coursework evaluated. An official course-by-course evaluation with a cumulative grade point average must be sent directly from the evaluation service.

2. Once the NursingCAS application is completed, an applicant needs to complete a NSU application, which is available online.
3. If, at any time, you wish to withdraw your application from consideration, please do so in writing. Direct this correspondence to:

   Nova Southeastern University
   College of Health Care Sciences
   College of Nursing Office of Admissions
   3200 South University Drive
   Fort Lauderdale-Davie, Florida 33328-2018

Students entering the program without a B.S.N. (Bridge)

*For those with a BS or BA in a field other than nursing, an overall GPA of 3.0 is required and satisfactory completion of NSG 5000B, Transition to Advance Nursing Practice, prior to beginning the M.S.N. program. NSG 5000B course is only offered in the fall term.

Students entering the program with a B.S.N.

Students entering the program without a B.S.N. (Bridge)

*For those with a BS or BA in a field other than nursing, an overall GPA of 3.0 is required and satisfactory completion of NSG 5000B, Transition to Advance Nursing Practice, prior to beginning the M.S.N. program. NSG 5000B course is only offered in the fall term.

Students entering the program with a B.S.N.

Students entering the program without a B.S.N. (Bridge)

*For those with a BS or BA in a field other than nursing, an overall GPA of 3.0 is required and satisfactory completion of NSG 5000B, Transition to Advance Nursing Practice, prior to beginning the M.S.N. program. NSG 5000B course is only offered in the fall term.

Students entering the program with a B.S.N.

For the MSN course descriptions please see the HPD Catalog.

Course descriptions for courses offered outside the Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing can be found in the catalog of the school offering the course.

TUITION

Tuition for the 2018-2019 academic year (subject to change by the board of trustees without notice) is $685.00 per semester credit hour.

There are a number of Florida and hospital grants available for the Nursing student. Additionally, student loan interest for nursing students is lower than for students seeking other degrees. The Financial Aid Office is eager to assist you to explore all possible financial aid options.

FEES

• One Time Application Fee - $50: This fee is non-refundable and is required with each application.
• One Time Acceptance Fee - $200: This fee is required to reserve the accepted applicant's place in the entering first-year class. This advance payment will be deducted from the tuition payment due on registration day, but is not refundable in the event of a withdrawal. It is payable within two weeks of an applicant's acceptance.
• Health Professions Division General Access Fee - $145: may be required each year.
• NSU Student Services Fee - $1,350 - Student Services Fee is required annually. The fee is pro-rated for part-time students. (Split between 3 Semesters Fall/Winter/Summer)
• Extra Fees - Students will incur additional cost such as; Books, FNSA dues, uniforms, lab coat and Graduation Costs.
• Background Checks: The college pays for the first background check per student any additional background check will be funded by the student.
• All tuition charges and fees are subject to change by the board of trustees without notice.

The first semester's tuition and fees, less than the $200 previously paid (acceptance fee), are due on or before registration day. Tuition for each subsequent semester is due on or before the appropriate registration day. Students will not be admitted until their financial obligations have been met. The financial ability of applicants to complete their education at the college is important because of the limited number of positions available in each class. Applicants should have specific plans for financing 60 semester hours of professional education. This should include tuition, living expenses, books, equipment, and miscellaneous expenses.