The College of Nursing offers the Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) with three subprogram focus areas: entry into practice (effective spring 2023), clinical nurse leader (CNL), and nursing systems administration (NSA).
Learning Outcomes
Clinical Nurse Leader and Nursing Systems Administration
Graduates will be able to:
- lead change to improve quality outcomes;
- advance a culture of excellence through lifelong learning;
- build and lead collaborative interprofessional care teams;
- navigate and integrate care services across the health care system;
- design innovative nursing practices; and
- translate evidence into practice.
Entry into Practice
(Subprogram effective spring 2023)
Graduates will be able to:
- ensure delivery of safe quality nursing care to diverse individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations throughout the lifespan and across systems of care;
- integrate theoretical and scientific knowledge gained from natural and social sciences and culture, society, and the liberal arts into nursing;
- use leadership skills across systems of care to promote equitable, safe, and quality health care outcomes;
- use the best evidence from multiple ways of knowing to inform practice to make clinical judgments, solve problems, and address systems improvements;
- analyze how health care policy, regulation, technology, and economics impact nursing practice and the delivery of care;
- use effective interprofessional communication and collaboration strategies to promote quality health outcomes;
- apply health promotion and disease prevention strategies to diverse individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations to promote quality health outcomes;
- demonstrate professional values fundamental to the discipline of nursing; and
- apply evidence-based, person-centered care services across the health care continuum.
The Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) requires 33, 39, or 66 s.h., depending on the subprogram students choose to complete. Students maintain a g.p.a. of at least 2.75 in coursework for the M.S.N. degree.
Graduate students in the College of Nursing must adhere to all Graduate College policies regarding academic standing, probation, and dismissal. Transfer credit applicable to the M.S.N. is limited and must be approved by the College of Nursing executive associate dean for academic affairs. Coursework taken 10 years or more before the M.S.N. final examination must be updated according to University policy.
M.S.N. Subprograms
Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
The Master of Science in Nursing with a clinical nurse leader subprogram requires 39 s.h. of credit, including a core component of 21 s.h., which students take with College of Nursing doctoral students, and a specialization component of 18 s.h. that centers on the clinical nurse leader role. The clinical nurse leader subprogram focuses on improving the quality of patient care and helping professional nurses to thrive in the health care system. The clinical nurse leader role has demonstrated effectiveness in improving outcomes, elevating current evidence-based practice, enhancing quality, and providing continuous leadership in the microsystem.
Students must successfully complete a capstone project.
Two-Year Plan
The M.S.N. with a clinical nurse leader subprogram requires the following coursework for a two-year plan.
First Year
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NURS:5009 | Evaluating Evidence for Practice | 3 |
| NURS:5017 | Quality and Safety | 3 |
| NURS:5018 | Clinical Education in the Care Environment | 3 |
| NURS:5021 | Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology I for the Clinical Nurse Leader | 3 |
| NURS:5022 | Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology II for the Clinical Nurse Leader | 3 |
| NURS:5636 | Clinical Nurse Leader Seminar | 3 |
| NURS:5666 | Leadership in the Microsystem | 3 |
| Total Hours | 21 | |
Second Year
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NURS:5007 | Applied Epidemiology | 3 |
| NURS:5010 | Clinical Data Management and Evaluation | 3 |
| NURS:5016 | Health Care Infrastructure and Informatics | 3 |
| NURS:5037 | Health Promotion and Assessment for Clinical Nurse Leaders | 3 |
| NURS:5696 | Clinical Nurse Leader Capstone Clinical Immersion | 6 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Three-Year Plan
The M.S.N. with a clinical nurse leader subprogram requires the following coursework for a three-year plan.
First Year
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NURS:5009 | Evaluating Evidence for Practice | 3 |
| NURS:5018 | Clinical Education in the Care Environment | 3 |
| NURS:5021 | Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology I for the Clinical Nurse Leader | 3 |
| NURS:5022 | Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology II for the Clinical Nurse Leader | 3 |
| NURS:5636 | Clinical Nurse Leader Seminar | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Second Year
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NURS:5007 | Applied Epidemiology | 3 |
| NURS:5017 | Quality and Safety | 3 |
| NURS:5037 | Health Promotion and Assessment for Clinical Nurse Leaders | 3 |
| NURS:5666 | Leadership in the Microsystem | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Third Year
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NURS:5010 | Clinical Data Management and Evaluation | 3 |
| NURS:5016 | Health Care Infrastructure and Informatics | 3 |
| NURS:5696 | Clinical Nurse Leader Capstone Clinical Immersion | 6 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
See the M.S.N. course plan on the College of Nursing website for a semester-by-semester course schedule.
Entry into Practice
This subprogram is effective spring 2023.
The Master of Science in Nursing with an entry into practice subprogram requires 66 s.h. of credit. The subprogram is an innovative program located on the Iowa City campus. It can be completed on a one-and-one-half year plan (five semesters). The entry into practice subprogram leads to a M.S.N. degree that prepares students who do not currently have a nursing degree an opportunity to enter the health care workforce quickly. Class sizes are small and offer unparalleled educational excellence and clinical practice.
The M.S.N. with an entry into practice subprogram requires the following coursework.
First Year
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NURS:3128 | Health Assessment and Communication Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| NURS:3138 | Nursing and Pharmacological Interventions I | 5 |
| NURS:3151 | Introduction to Clinical Concepts for Nursing | 2 |
| NURS:3438 | Nursing and Pharmacological Interventions II | 5 |
| NURS:3451 | Basic Clinical Concepts for Nursing | 1 |
| NURS:3640 | Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing | 3 |
| NURS:3645 | Mental Health Nursing Practicum | 2 |
| NURS:3650 | Community and Public Health Nursing | 3 |
| NURS:3651 | Advanced Clinical Concepts for Nursing | 1 |
| NURS:5017 | Quality and Safety | 3 |
| NURS:5210 | Foundations of Professional Nursing | 1 |
| NURS:5215 | Medical Surgical Care of Chronically Ill Adults | 3 |
| NURS:5220 | Medical Surgical Care of Acutely Ill Adults | 3 |
| NURS:6808 | Population Health for Advanced Practice | 3 |
| NURS:6811 | Social Determinants of Health and Health System Inequities | 3 |
| Total Hours | 41 | |
Second Year
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NURS:3620 | Gerontological Nursing | 3 |
| NURS:3631 | Nursing Care of Children and Families | 2 |
| NURS:3632 | Nursing Care of Childbearing Families | 2 |
| NURS:4155 | Senior Nursing Internship | 5 |
| NURS:5002 | Leadership and Management Essentials | 3 |
| NURS:5009 | Evaluating Evidence for Practice | 3 |
| NURS:5015 | Health Systems, Finance, and Economics | 3 |
| NURS:5225 | Community Health Across the Lifespan Practicum | 4 |
| Total Hours | 25 | |
See the M.S.N. course plan on the College of Nursing website for a semester-by-semester course schedule.
Nursing Systems Administration (NSA)
The Master of Science in Nursing with a nursing systems administration subprogram requires 33 s.h. of credit. It can be completed on a two-and-a-half year plan (five semesters). The subprogram focuses on preparing nurse leaders to serve in a variety of managerial and leadership capacities in all practice environments. The program focuses on graduate-level practice in nursing and health care leadership and the interventions that influence health care outcomes for individuals, populations, or systems.
Students must successfully complete a graduate-level guided capstone program implementation project.
The M.S.N. with a nursing systems administration subprogram requires the following coursework.
First Year
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NURS:5002 | Leadership and Management Essentials | 3 |
| NURS:5009 | Evaluating Evidence for Practice | 3 |
| NURS:6550 | Advanced Leadership and Management | 3 |
| NURS:6553 | Seminar on Innovations | 4 |
| Total Hours | 13 | |
Second Year
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NURS:5010 | Clinical Data Management and Evaluation | 3 |
| NURS:5017 | Quality and Safety | 3 |
| NURS:6551 | Financial Management | 4 |
| NURS:6808 | Population Health for Advanced Practice | 3 |
| Total Hours | 13 | |
Third Year
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NURS:5016 | Health Care Infrastructure and Informatics | 3 |
| NURS:5697 | Specialty Practice in Nursing Systems | 4 |
| Total Hours | 7 | |
See the M.S.N. course plan on the College of Nursing website for a semester-by-semester course schedule.
Applicants to College of Nursing graduate programs must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.
Applicants must have a g.p.a. of at least 3.00. A criminal background check is required for all students upon admission. The College of Nursing has additional application requirements, as follows.
Admission to the M.S.N. Program
Application requirements specific to the M.S.N. program are:
- transcripts from institutions for all undergraduate and graduate coursework; and
- completion of an upper-level statistics course within five years of the application deadline (acceptable University of Iowa courses include BIOS:4120 Introduction to Biostatistics, PSQF:4143 Introduction to Statistical Methods, STAT:3510 Biostatistics, and STAT:4143 Introduction to Statistical Methods).
Applications are reviewed once a year. To be reviewed, the application must be complete with all materials submitted.
Due to the level of web-based coursework required, international students in the M.S.N. subprograms are not eligible for F-1 or J-1 student immigration status. Questions regarding visas and immigration documentation should be directed to International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS).
Additional Application Requirements
- Admission to the Clinical Nurse Leader Subprogram
- Admission to the Entry into Nursing Practice Subprogram
- Admission to the Nursing Systems Administration Subprogram
Admission to the Clinical Nurse Leader Subprogram
Additional application requirements specific to the M.S.N. with a clinical nurse leader subprogram are:
- a bachelor's or advanced degree with a major in nursing from an accredited program;
- approximately one year of experience;
- satisfaction of the legal requirements for the practice of nursing;
- current written recommendations from three persons knowledgeable about the applicant's competence in the practice of nursing and potential for leadership and scholarship (forms required); and
- a current résumé, goal statement (statement of purpose), statement of disclosure, and supplemental/information form.
Applicant interviews are required, and in some cases, virtual interviews may be arranged.
Admission to the Entry into Nursing Practice Subprogram
This subprogram is effective spring 2023.
Additional application requirements specific to the M.S.N. with an entry into practice subprogram are:
- a bachelor's or advanced degree in a discipline other than nursing from an accredited college or university;
- completion of natural sciences courses within ten years and/or a combination of related experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to meet objectives of the courses;
- completion of prerequisite coursework at time of application (statistics coursework, six of eight natural sciences courses, and two of three social sciences courses);
- successful background and abuse checks;
- current written recommendations from three persons knowledgeable about the applicant's potential for the practice of nursing and leadership and scholarship (forms required); and
- a current résumé, goal statement (statement of purpose), statement of disclosure, and supplemental/information form.
Applicant interviews are required, and in some cases, virtual interviews may be arranged.
Applicants to the M.S.N. entry into practice subprogram whose first language is not English and do not meet the requirements for a waiver are required to submit English proficiency scores. For a complete list of accepted English proficiency exams, score requirements, and waiver eligibility, please refer to Graduate College English Proficiency Requirements on the Graduate Admissions website.
Prerequisites for Natural and Social Sciences
To be considered for admission, a maximum of two natural sciences courses and one social science course can be incomplete at application deadline; all must be completed prior to enrollment in the M.S.N. entry into practice subprogram.
Natural Science Prerequisites
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| These are the courses that are considered prerequisites; applicants need equivalent coursework to these UI courses: | ||
| BIOL:1141 | Human Biology: Health Professions | 4 |
| CHEM:1070 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM:1080 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| HHP:1300 | Fundamentals of Human Physiology | 3 |
| HHP:2310 | Nutrition and Health | 3 |
| MICR:3164 | Microbiology and Human Health | 4 |
| NURS:3518 | Pathology | 3 |
| And one of these: | ||
| ACB:3110 | Principles of Human Anatomy | 3 |
| HHP:1100 | Human Anatomy | 3 |
Social Science Prerequisites
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| These are the courses that are considered prerequisites; applicants need equivalent coursework to these UI courses: | ||
| ANTH:1101 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| NURS:1030 | Human Development and Behavior | 3 |
| PSY:1001 | Elementary Psychology | 3 |
| And one of these: | ||
| SOC:1010 | Introduction to Sociology | 3-4 |
| SOC:1030 | Contemporary Social Problems | 3-4 |
Admission to the Nursing Systems Administration Subprogram
Additional application requirements specific to the M.S.N. with a nursing systems administration subprogram are:
- a bachelor's or advanced degree with a major in nursing from an accredited program;
- approximately one year of experience;
- satisfaction of the legal requirements for the practice of nursing;
- current written recommendations from three persons knowledgeable about the applicant's competence in the practice of nursing and potential for leadership and scholarship (forms required); and
- a current résumé, goal statement (statement of purpose), statement of disclosure, and supplemental/information form.
Applicant interviews are required, and in some cases, virtual interviews may be arranged.
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines to the M.S.N. subprograms are:
- M.S.N. with clinical nurse leader subprogram: February 1 for fall entry.
- M.S.N. with entry into practice subprogram: March 15 for spring entry (subprogram effective spring 2023).
- M.S.N. with nursing systems administration subprogram: February 1 for fall entry.
The M.S.N. clinical nurse leader and nursing systems administration subprograms prepares nurses to be equipped with knowledge and skills to lead change, promote health, and elevate care in various roles and settings. Graduates of these subprograms are prepared for critical action with complex, changing systems, including health, educational, and organizational systems.
The M.S.N. entry into practice subprogram prepares non-nurse college graduates of all academic backgrounds to become practicing nurses. Upon graduation, students will be prepared to take the NCLEX-RN nursing licensure exam to be licensed as an registered nurse. The entry into practice subprogram is effective spring 2023.