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- Student Services: Teresa Adams | tadams27@kent.edu | 330-672-8761
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Kent State's Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program prepares registered nurses for roles in advanced practice, education, and health care administration. Students in this program develop a foundation for further post-graduate and doctoral-level study in nursing.
We offer both full- and part-time curriculum plans, allowing you to continue working while you are in the program. Many courses are online, giving you the flexibility to do coursework around your busy schedule. In addition, some concentrations are 100% online and can be completed remotely by nurses living in any eligible state.
The Master of Science in Nursing degree meets the educational eligibility requirements for national certification in the respective area of study. The degree program can be completed in four to five semesters (two full academic years) for full-time students. Part-time students typically take three to four years to complete the program. Completion of a thesis is optional.
The Nursing major comprises the following concentrations:
This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.
For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.
Admission to the M.S.N. degree is competitive and never guaranteed. Priority will be given to candidates with:
An additional interview video may be required. Students selected for admission to the nursing program must meet the College of Nursing's Clinical Compliance Policy.
Applicants with an RN license and a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field will be considered based on faculty review of a portfolio submitted with the application.
Applicants with a lower GPA may be considered for conditional admission according to the University's Graduate Student Admission Policy.
Applications submitted by these deadlines will receive the strongest consideration for admission.
Graduates of this program will be able to:
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Major Requirements | ||
NURS 60010 | ADVANCED NURSING INFORMATICS | 3 |
NURS 60025 | HEALTH POLICY AND ADVANCED NURSING PRACTICE | 3 |
NURS 60101 | THEORETICAL BASIS FOR NURSING PRACTICE | 3 |
NURS 60403 | METHODS OF INQUIRY | 3 |
Concentrations | ||
Choose from the following: | 23-34 | |
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 35-46 |
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Concentration Requirements | ||
NURS 60015 | ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT | 3 |
NURS 60045 | PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR THE ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE | 3 |
NURS 60129 | ADULT GERONTOLOGY ACUTE CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER I | 3 |
NURS 60130 | ADULT GERONTOLOGY ACUTE CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER II | 1 |
NURS 60230 | ADULT GERONTOLOGY ACUTE CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER III | 4 |
NURS 60330 | ADULT GERONTOLOGY ACUTE CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER IV | 2 |
NURS 60441 | PHARMACOLOGY FOR THE ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE | 3 |
NURS 60506 | CLINICAL DIAGNOSTICS FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSES | 3 |
NURS 61092 | ADULT GERONTOLOGY ACUTE CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER I PRACTICUM | 2 |
NURS 61392 | ADULT GERONTOLOGY ACUTE CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER II PRACTICUM | 2 |
NURS 62392 | ADULT GERONTOLOGY ACUTE CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER III PRACTICUM | 2 |
NURS 63392 | ADULT GERONTOLOGY ACUTE CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER IV PRACTICUM | 2 |
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 30 |
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Major Requirements | ||
NURS 60015 | ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT | 3 |
NURS 60045 | PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR THE ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE | 3 |
NURS 60110 | ADULT GERONTOLOGY CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST I | 3 |
NURS 60210 | ADULT GERONTOLOGY CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST II | 3 |
NURS 60310 | ADULT GERONTOLOGY CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST III | 3 |
NURS 60441 | PHARMACOLOGY FOR THE ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE | 3 |
NURS 60506 | CLINICAL DIAGNOSTICS FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSES | 3 |
NURS 61192 | ADULT GERONTOLOGY CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST I PRACTICUM | 2 |
NURS 62192 | ADULT GERONTOLOGY CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST II PRACTICUM | 2-3 |
NURS 63192 | ADULT GERONTOLOGY CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST III PRACTICUM | 2-3 |
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 27 |
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Concentration Requirements | ||
NURS 60015 | ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT | 3 |
NURS 60045 | PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR THE ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE | 3 |
NURS 60120 | ADULT/GERONTOLOGY PRIMARY CARE I | 3 |
NURS 60125 | FAMILY AND ADULT GERONTOLOGY NURSE PRACTITIONER ROLE | 1 |
NURS 60220 | PRIMARY CARE II: CHRONICALLY ILL ADULTS | 3 |
NURS 60320 | ADULT/GERONTOLOGY PRIMARY CARE III | 3 |
NURS 60441 | PHARMACOLOGY FOR THE ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE | 3 |
NURS 60506 | CLINICAL DIAGNOSTICS FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSES | 3 |
NURS 61292 | ADULT/GERONTOLOGY PRIMARY CARE I PRACTICUM | 2 |
NURS 61892 | FAMILY AND ADULT/GERONTOLOGY NURSE PRACTITIONER ROLE PRACTICUM | 1 |
NURS 62292 | PRIMARY CARE II PRACTICUM: CHRONICALLY ILL ADULTS | 2 |
NURS 63692 | ADULT GERONTOLOGY COMPREHENSIVE PRIMARY CARE III PRACTICUM | 2 |
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 29 |
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Concentration Requirements | ||
NURS 60015 | ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT | 3 |
NURS 60045 | PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR THE ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE | 3 |
NURS 60120 | ADULT/GERONTOLOGY PRIMARY CARE I | 3 |
NURS 60125 | FAMILY AND ADULT GERONTOLOGY NURSE PRACTITIONER ROLE | 1 |
NURS 60160 | PRIMARY CARE PEDIATRICS | 3 |
NURS 60220 | PRIMARY CARE II: CHRONICALLY ILL ADULTS | 3 |
NURS 60325 | PRIMARY CARE: FAMILY HEALTH AND CHRONIC ILLNESS | 4 |
NURS 60441 | PHARMACOLOGY FOR THE ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE | 3 |
NURS 60506 | CLINICAL DIAGNOSTICS FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSES | 3 |
NURS 61292 | ADULT/GERONTOLOGY PRIMARY CARE I PRACTICUM | 2 |
NURS 61692 | PRIMARY CARE PEDIATRICS PRACTICUM | 1-2 |
NURS 61892 | FAMILY AND ADULT/GERONTOLOGY NURSE PRACTITIONER ROLE PRACTICUM | 1 |
NURS 62292 | PRIMARY CARE II PRACTICUM: CHRONICALLY ILL ADULTS | 2 |
NURS 63292 | PRIMARY CARE: FAMILY HEALTH AND CHRONIC ILLNESS PRACTICUM | 2 |
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 34 |
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Major Requirements | ||
NURS 60015 | ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT | 3 |
NURS 60045 | PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR THE ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE | 3 |
NURS 60441 | PHARMACOLOGY FOR THE ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE | 3 |
NURS 60592 | NURSING EDUCATION PRACTICUM | 3 |
NURS 60601 | CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION IN NURSING EDUCATION | 3 |
NURS 60602 | ROLES AND EVALUATION FOR NURSING EDUCATION CURRICULA | 3 |
NURS 60605 | NURSING EDUCATION WITH TECHNOLOGY | 2 |
NURS 60607 | CLINICAL NURSING AND EDUCATION ISSUES IN A SPECIALTY AREA | 1 |
NURS 67092 | CLINICAL NURSING AND EDUCATION ISSUES IN A SPECIALTY AREA PRACTICUM | 2 |
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 23 |
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Major Requirements | ||
NURS 60014 | LEADERSHIP IN NURSING AND HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT | 3 |
NURS 60020 | LEGAL AND REGULATORY MANAGEMENT FOR NURSE ADMINISTRATORS | 3 |
NURS 60024 | HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE AND BEHAVIOR | 3 |
NURS 60315 | BUDGETARY AND FISCAL MANAGEMENT FOR NURSES | 3 |
NURS 64002 | PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION FOR NURSE ADMINISTRATORS | 3 |
NURS 64202 | NURSING ADMINISTRATION AND HEALTH SYSTEMS LEADERSHIP I SEMINAR | 2 |
NURS 64292 | NURSING ADMINISTRATION AND HEALTH SYSTEMS LEADERSHIP I PRACTICUM | 2 |
NURS 64302 | NURSING ADMINISTRATION AND HEALTH SYSTEMS LEADERSHIP II SEMINAR | 2 |
NURS 64392 | NURSING ADMINISTRATION AND HEALTH SYSTEMS LEADERSHIP II PRACTICUM | 2 |
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 23 |
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Concentration Requirements | ||
NURS 60015 | ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT | 3 |
NURS 60045 | PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR THE ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE | 3 |
NURS 60170 | PEDIATRIC ASSESSMENT FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSE | 3 |
NURS 60270 | PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER I | 3 |
NURS 60370 | PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER II | 1 |
NURS 60372 | ADVANCED NURSING CARE OF THE CHRONICALLY ILL CHILD | 3 |
NURS 60441 | PHARMACOLOGY FOR THE ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE | 3 |
NURS 60470 | PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER III | 2 |
NURS 61792 | PEDIATRIC ASSESSMENT FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSE PRACTICUM | 2 |
NURS 62792 | PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER I PRACTICUM | 2 |
NURS 63792 | PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER II PRACTICUM | 1 |
NURS 63992 | ADVANCED NURSING CARE OF THE CHRONICALLY ILL CHILD PRACTICUM | 2 |
NURS 64792 | PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER III PRACTICUM | 1 |
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 29 |
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Concentration Requirements | ||
NURS 60012 | ADVANCED MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT AND PSYCHOPATHOLOGY | 4 |
NURS 60015 | ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT | 3 |
NURS 60045 | PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR THE ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE | 3 |
NURS 60051 | NEUROBIOLOGY AND PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY OF MAJOR PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS | 4 |
NURS 60151 | INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY | 3 |
NURS 60251 | FAMILY AND GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY | 3 |
NURS 60353 | INDIVIDUAL, ORGANIZATION AND COMMUNITY CONSULTATION | 3 |
NURS 60441 | PHARMACOLOGY FOR THE ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE | 3 |
NURS 61592 | INDIVIDUAL THERAPY PRACTICUM | 2 |
NURS 62592 | MEDICATION MANAGEMENT AND INDIVIDUAL THERAPY PRACTICUM | 2 |
NURS 63592 | FAMILY AND GROUP THERAPY | 2 |
NURS 64592 | PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICUM IV: NURSE PRACTITIONER ROLE | 2 |
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 34 |
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Concentration Requirements | ||
NURS 60015 | ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT | 3 |
NURS 60045 | PATHOPHYSIOLOGY FOR THE ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE | 3 |
NURS 60441 | PHARMACOLOGY FOR THE ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE | 3 |
NURS 60506 | CLINICAL DIAGNOSTICS FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSES | 3 |
NURS 66100 | WOMEN'S HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER I | 3 |
NURS 66192 | WOMEN'S HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER I PRACTICUM | 2 |
NURS 66200 | WOMEN'S HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER II | 2 |
NURS 66292 | WOMEN'S HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER II PRACTICUM | 2 |
NURS 66300 | WOMEN'S HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER III | 3 |
NURS 66392 | WOMEN'S HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER III PRACTICUM | 2 |
NURS 66400 | WOMEN'S HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER IV | 2 |
NURS 66492 | WOMEN'S HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER IV PRACTICUM | 2 |
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 30 |
Minimum Major GPA | Minimum Overall GPA |
---|---|
- | 3.000 |
The Master of Science in Nursing degree at Kent State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) play an essential role in healthcare. Similar to their Nurse Practitioner (NP) colleagues, many CNSs provide specialized advanced nursing care. However, CNSs also work behind-the-scenes to ensure that patients in their units and across their organizations are receiving the highest quality care.
Today, many Americans do not have access to mental health services, in part due to a lack of qualified mental health professionals. Nurses who become Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) help bridge this gap and provide holistic care to those who are struggling with mental illnesses and addictions.
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) students gain competency in advanced nursing management of common acute and chronic conditions.
You will learn how to practice directly or in collaboration with other health professional to provide continuity of health care and to maximize the effectiveness of community and health care system services. You will also learn clinical judgment and primary care skills through faculty mentorship and clinical preceptors in a variety of ambulatory care settings and specialty clinics.
The Nurse Educator concentration allows students to develop in-depth knowledge and expertise in selected areas of nursing practice and the role of the nurse educator. Emphasis of the nurse educator role focuses on best practices in curriculum development, instruction, and evaluation that will prepare students for teaching within a variety of learning environments in academic and staff professional development settings.
The 100% online Nursing Administration & Health Systems Leadership MSN/Post-graduate Certificate concentration integrates management and nursing knowledge for students to develop skills and competencies in management, health care leadership, and advanced nursing. The 100% online Nursing Administration & Health Systems Leadership MSN/Post-graduate Certificate concentration integrates management and nursing knowledge for students to develop skills and competencies in management, health care leadership, and advanced nursing.
Courses are 100% online – students are never required to come to campus.
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Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (AGACNP) students learn a wide variety of procedures and gain experience in moderate to high-acuity clinical settings where patient care requirements include complex monitoring and therapies.
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP (AGPCNP) students develop advanced practice nursing competencies in health promotion, risk detection, illness prevention, and management of acute and chronic illnesses in adults and older adults. Clinical experiences involve direct care in collaboration with other health professionals to maximize the effectiveness of community and health care system services.
Family Nurse Practitioner students acquire advanced practice nursing competencies to provide continuity of health care to persons across the life span and to maximize the effectiveness of community and health care system services through collaboration with other health professionals.
Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioners (referred to as PPCNPs, CPNP-PCs, or PNPs) are primary care providers who offer preventative health services, health education, and disease management to the pediatric population. They specialize in diagnosing, treating, and managing illness for acutely ill and chronically ill children. They also provide thorough wellness exams for healthy pediatric patients.
31.5%
much faster than the average
422,300
number of jobs
$104,280
potential earnings
52.4%
much faster than the average
211,300
number of jobs
$111,680
potential earnings
17.6%
much faster than the average
72,900
number of jobs
$75,470
potential earnings
The Kent State University College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Education and approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing to award the Baccalaureate of Nursing Degree. Graduates of this program meet educational eligibility requirements to take the National Certification and Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). For specific state RN licensure, students should contact the states in which they are interested in working. See the National Council of State Boards website and the Kent State Professional Licensure website for specific information about each state.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Kent State University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. Kent State University College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) concentrations within the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program and APRN Certificates, along with the Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN-to-DNP) program qualify graduates to sit for national APRN certification and APRN licensure in Ohio. States other than Ohio may have additional requirements to apply for or obtain an APRN license, including but not limited to specific state examinations, letters of recommendation, or proof of completion of an accredited nursing program. The College of Nursing is in the process of collecting information from all states and has not yet made a determination whether graduates from the Kent State University College of Nursing MSN, Certificate, and BSN-to-DNP programs meet the requirements for APRN licensure outside the state of Ohio.
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