Master of Science in Nursing
The graduate program in nursing at Albany State University is built on the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree. The program is designed to prepare individuals who are highly knowledgeable in advanced clinical nursing, and whose education will enable them to make significant contributions to health care. The Nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing.
The purposes of the Master's program are to prepare students who are:
- Advanced practice nurses: family nurse practitioners or nurse educators;
- Beginning researchers;
- Highly knowledgeable individuals who are capable of influencing policy-making that impacts health care delivery.
The online program offers two concentrations - Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP) and Nurse Educators (NE). The FNP concentration requires 44 semester hours and the NE concentration requires 36 semester hours. Each area of concentration is designed to be completed within two calendar years.
Skills:
Upon completion of the Master of Science in Nursing degree (MSN), the graduate will be able to:
- Critically analyze health care data in order to promote optimal health;
- Participate as a researcher and a consumer of research in advancing nursing science and practice;
- Integrate synthesized knowledge of behavioral and natural science, humanities, technology and nursing science to perform advanced-practice nursing roles;
- Exhibit expertise in the advanced-practice nursing role of family nurse practitioner or nurse educator;
- Engage in professional and scholarly activities that promote the profession of nursing and individual development in advanced-practice nursing;
- Assume advanced leadership roles, including collaborating with members of interdisciplinary teams, and influencing policy-making that impacts positively on health care delivery.
Enrollment Requirements
To enter the program, students should have the following:
- A baccalaureate degree in nursing;
- An undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0;
- A current RN license to practice in Georgia;
- A personal interview with the Coordinator of the Graduate Nursing Program;
- A Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of 800 or better or a Miller Analogies Test (MAT) score of 44 or better;
- Two letters of reference regarding professional accomplishments and academic potential;
- Completed prerequisite undergraduate courses in statistics, pathophysiology, nursing research, and health assessment.
Admission to the Graduate Nursing Program does not ensure admission to the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Program. The prospective FNP student should have at least one year of nursing experience and should send the required items listed below to the Director of the FNP program well in advance of the planned entry date:
- Letter requesting admission to the FNP program;
- A personal statement of approximately 300 words describing the student's professional goals;
- A resume
