Harris College

Harris College, Nursing offers an innovative online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

There are three majors within the degree programs: Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) and Nursing Education. There are two role foci for the CNS major: adult/gerontology nursing or pediatric nursing. There are two role foci for the nursing education major: adult/gerontology or parent-child nursing.

Additionally, a post-master's certificate option is available in all majors for nurses with a previous master's degree in another nursing specialty. The amount of coursework required for the post-master's CNS Certificate is based on transcript review and the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) requirements for CNS-Advanced Practice Nurse recognition. The 12-hour Post-Master's Nursing Education Certificate comprises three online didactic courses and one precepted teaching practicum course. The 15-hour post-master's CNL certificate comprises three online didactic courses, one precepted practicum and one precepted residency course. This major is offered in collaboration with clinical practice partners. Contact the graduate program director for an updated list of clinical practice partners.

All didactic coursework is offered online. Clinical practicum and teaching practicum courses are supervised by TCU faculty in concert with qualified preceptors. Generally, students complete their practicum/residency courses in agencies located in their geographic area. If adequate practicum/residency or preceptor resources are not available in the student's geographic area, concentrated practicum experiences are available in the Fort Worth area.

The MSN has two tracks ADN to MSN and BSN to MSN. The ADN to MSN Program is undergoing revision and not admitting students at this time. Contact Dr. Kathy Baldwin, graduate program director, nursing, for further information.

Admission

Admission to the graduate program is open to qualified registered nurses.

Admission is competitive and an individualized approach is used to identify applicants with demonstrated academic achievement and potential, who have strong motivation to succeed in academic study and professional practice, and the potential to function as a leader in advanced practice and health care delivery or nursing education. The applicant's GPA, performance on standardized exams, writing and speaking skills, and prior professional experience are used to assess applicants for admission. A profile of each applicant is developed based on an admission portfolio consisting of

  • Baccalaureate degree in nursing.
  • Evidence of a current unencumbered licensure in the state of Texas or the state where clinical coursework will occur.
  • Evidence of current CPR certification that meets facilities' requirements.
  • Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended with a preferred cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a four-point scale) from the applicant's basic nursing program. (Two official transcripts must be sent from each institution).
  • Submission of the GRE or MAT score.
  • A preferred work history that includes two years of full-time experience or its equivalent as a registered nurse in an area of adult, geronotology or pediatric care, if entering the CNS major.
  • A preferred work history that includes two years of full-time experience or its equivalent as a registered nurse, if entering the nursing education major or the CNL major.
  • For applicants for whom English is a second language, demonstrated English language proficiency is measured by an acceptable score on the Test of Spoken English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the institutional version of the Test of Spoken English (TSE).
  • An assignment demonstrating written communication skills and computer proficiency.
  • Three letters of reference, of which two are from health care professionals and the third is preferably from an instructor in the basic nursing program.

Prior to beginning clinical courses, students must present satisfactory evidence of the following:

  1. Immunizations
    • Tetanus/Diphtheria (TD): Must have DTaP if TD is more than 2 years old.
    • Measles: Those born since January 1, 1957, must have two doses since 12 months of age. The two doses must be at least 30 days apart.
    • Mumps: Those born since January 1, 1957, must have at least one dose since 12 months of age.
    • Rubella: At least one dose since 12 months of age is required.
    • Hepatitis B: The completed three-dose series must be received before contact with clients in practica.
    • Varicella (chickenpox): All practicum students must document evidence of immunity to varicella (chickenpox) by 1) documentation of varicella immunization. Immunization for adolescents and adults is a series of two doses 4-8 weeks; 2) signed statement by the student, student's parent or student's physician stating that the student had chickenpox and when the disease occurred. This statement should include contact information for the historian (person recalling the illness); or 3) documentation of positive varicella titer.
    • Annual seasonal and other recommended influenza vaccination or declination forms on file.
  2. Current health insurance coverage.
  3. Acceptable results from a drug screening test and a criminal background check within the 30 days prior to beginning practicum course work. Screening tests and background checks must be completed by TCU nursing approved vendors.




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