Master of Science in Nursing
The Online Master of Science in Nursing offers a flexible, 35- to 43-credit hour program leading to the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Students may pursue full-time or extended-time study.
The Master of Science in Nursing program offers concentrations in Nursing Education and Family Nurse Practitioner. For students who have already obtained a master's degree, the department offers a post master’s certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner and Nursing Education.
Graduate Coordinator
Dr. Michelle Robertson
graduatenursing@apsu.edu
931-221-7489
School of Nursing website
Application Deadlines
Fall admission: April 1
Spring admission: October 1
Summer admission: February 1
Semester Start Terms
Fall admission: Summer II (students will take a 1 hr transition course during this
term)
Spring admission: Wintermester (students will take a 1 hr transition course during this term)
Summer admission: Maymester (students will take a 1 hr transition course during this term)
Curriculum
NURS 5100 Transition to Graduate Nursing
NURS 5106 Healthcare Policy
NURS 5107 Scientific Inquiry
NURS 5108 Advanced Role Development
NURS 5005 Advanced Pathophysiology
NURS 5006 Advanced Pharmacology for Primary Care Practice
NURS 5007 Advanced Health Assessment
NURS 5008 Advanced Health Assessment
NURS 5901 Capstone Project I
NURS 5902 Capstone Project II
The nurse educator concentration prepares graduates for faculty positions in higher education and education
roles in health-related settings. The Nurse Educator concentration has a total of
35 credit hours with 240 clinical hours. Students take approximately two courses per
semester. Students have the option to enroll in full-time (6 semesters) or extended
(7 semesters) plans of study. There are three required on-campus visits.
There are two required on-campus visits. Both concentrations are also offered as post-master
certificates. The FNP concentration is a 20-hour program, and the nurse educator concentration
is a 12-hour program. The clinical hour requirements are the same as the MSN, and
there are on-campus requirements.
NURS 5611 Advanced Adult Health Nursing OR NURS 5612 Advanced Pediatric Nursing
EDUC 5530 Classroom Assessment
EDUC 5550 Teaching and Learning
NURS 5719 Nurse Education Practicum (240 Clinical Hours)
The family nurse practitioner concentration prepares nurses to deliver care and improve health outcomes in the
outpatient primary care setting. Students who complete the FNP concentration are prepared
the FNP specialty certification exam.
The FNP MSN concentration is a 43-hour program with 600 clinical hours. Students take
approximately two courses per semester Students have the option to enroll in full-time
(6 semesters) or extended (8 semesters) plans of study. There are three required on-campus
visits.
NURS 5701 Advanced Family Practice I
NURS 5702 Advanced Family Practice II
NURS 5801 Primary Care Practicum I (120 Clinical Hours)
NURS 5802 Primary Care Practicum II (180 Clinical Hours)
NURS 5809 Family Practice Residency (300 Clinical Hours)
State Residency Notification:
Austin Peay State University is not able to accept students who are residents of certain states for enrollment in courses and programs delivered via distance education at this time. This decision is based on the following: Federal law requires that an institution offering postsecondary education through distance education to students in a State in which it is not physically located meet that State's requirements for approval and/or licensure. At present, APSU has determined that the administrative requirements, including the fee charged to obtain proof of authorization, are prohibitively burdensome.
If you are a student that does not reside in the state of TN you must email msnadvising@apsu.edu and request information to determine if your state of residence allows you to participate in our program. Email your name, what concentration you are considering, what semester you would like to begin the program, and your state of residence.
1. Application for admission to APSU
2. $45 application fee. (Non-refundable)
3. Official transcripts from all colleges attended (graduate and undergraduate) verifying that a bachelor’s degree in nursing has been earned with an overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
4. Applicant Resume.
5. Applicant Goal Statement (e.g., reasons for pursuing graduate studies). The personal goal statement should be a one-page essay. It must be written in your own words. It should contain the following:
- Details on your decision to obtain a Master's degree in nursing
- Description of your particular interest in and potential for contributing to the nursing profession, specifically as a Master's prepared nurse
- Career objectives
- Plan to be successful in the MSN program, specifically addressing your goal of full or part-time study and the many hours required studying and in clinical.
6. Licensure Verification (proof of an unencumbered, current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in Tennessee or the state in which the clinical assignments are completed).
7. Military documents if applicable.
8. Successful completion of a 3 semester hour or 4 quarter hour undergraduate level Statistics course is required.
9. Reply from Nursing Admission committee. Admission decision will be rendered from APSU’s School of Nursing Graduate Admissions Committee.
Admission Requirements
The Master of Science in Nursing program admits for all terms governed by admission deadline dates listed above. Admission decisions for APSU are made by the admissions committee in the School of Nursing.
MSN Progression Policy
Graduate nursing students complete all required courses with a grade of B or better. If student’s grade is lower than B, s/he may repeat the course. However, no more than one required course can be repeated. In repeating a course, the previous grade as well the grade earned from the repeated course will be included in the calculation of the GPA.
Students will be dismissed from the MSN program if they do not meet the requirements in this policy.
Concentrations
The Master of Science in Nursing offers concentrations in Nursing Education and Family Nurse Practitioner.
Post-Masters Certificates
Students who have received a MSN are eligible to apply for a Post-Master’s Certificate. Post-Masters Certificates are available in Family Nurse Practitioner and Nursing Education. A post-master’s applicant must have a minimum of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the Master’s degree. The Bachelor’s degree GPA will also be considered. Post Master’s students choosing the FNP option will be required to provide proof of completion of Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credit hours), Advanced Pharmacology (3 credit hours), and Advanced Physical Assessment (3/1 credit hours). If the student has not successfully completed the required courses, or the courses taken are not comparable to those required by the MSN program at APSU, the student will be required to complete those before beginning the clinical components of the curriculum.