Graduate Programs

The master of science in nursing program broadens the scope of practice and provides for the acquisition of expertise in an area of specialization. This education is directed toward preparing students to manage clients of diverse cultural backgrounds in various multidisciplinary settings and promotes traditional as well as complementary approaches appropriate to client care.

Please be aware that new national guidelines for nurse practitioner education have recently been issued, and the MSN curriculum will be revised to meet these. Credits may increase slightly to accomplish this.

Full-time program

Total Credits: 45

Part-time program

Total credits: 45

Full-time program

Total credits: 49

Part-time program

Total credits: 49

1. Synthesize theoretical and scientific knowledge in order to practice holistically in a specialized area of nursing
2. Incorporate critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and independent judgment to provide culturally competent specialized health care to diverse communities
3. Assume a leadership and management role to affect health care policy and the delivery of cost-effective health care services within a variety of health care systems
4. Demonstrate professional role competency through social consciousness, advocacy and political acumen commensurate with advanced nursing preparation, and a commitment to life-long learning
5. Integrate effective communication skills and current technology into advanced holistic nursing practice
6. Evaluate and use theory and research findings to inform clinical practice and organizational decision-making
7. Integrate professional, ethical, and legal standards and principles of collaboration into advanced holistic  nursing practice

An applicant to the master of science in nursing program must be a registered nurse or NCLEX eligible nurse and have a bachelor's degree in nursing or another field. An undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better is required.

Applicants should submit the following to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

• A completed admissions application including a resume and a personal statement addressing the following: 1) professional goals and motivations, 2) a nursing experience that has influenced or shaped your practice, 3) a health care problem that interests you
• Official transcripts from all schools previously attended
• Official recent results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or (IELTS) International English Language Testing System for international applicants
• Two letters of recommendation from persons with authority to evaluate your professional ability
• Proof of current licensure or eligibility for licensure as a registered nurse in the state of Connecticut

The preferred application deadline is June 1. Applications will be considered after June 1 on a space available basis. When all application materials are received, an interview with the graduate nursing program director and/or member of the faculty will be arranged for eligible candidates.

For additional information please contact:
Office of Graduate Admissions
Phone: 203-582-8672 or 800-462-1944
E-mail: graduate@quinnipiac.edu

Transportation
Select learning experiences in hospitals, physicians' offices, clinics and community health agencies begin with the first nursing practicum course and continue throughout the program. Students are responsible for their transportation to and from clinical agencies.

CPR Certification
CPR Certification for the Health Care Provider must be obtained before enrolling in any nursing course and kept current through graduation from the program.

Health Requirements
The school has several additional health requirements in addition to those specified by the admissions office. Submission of documentation of a physical examination and PPD on the form supplied by the nursing department is required of all students upon admission and annually thereafter. If the student has a positive PPD or has previously received BCG vaccine, a chest X-ray is required. Documentation of hepatitis B vaccination (or signed waiver declining immunization), proof of immunity to measles, mumps, rubella and varicella, and current tetanus booster is required upon admission to the professional component. Some clinical sites may have additional health or clinical requirements.

Background Check
A completed criminal background check is now required of each student in the School of Nursing. This has become necessary as many agencies now require that students have a background check before beginning clinical experiences. Quinnipiac University currently uses a third-party vendor to conduct background checks for students in all of our health professional programs. Since background checks vary, all undergraduate and graduate nursing students must obtain the background check from the Quinnipiac University vendor regardless of whether they have had additional checks at their place of employment. Further details about cost and procedures will be provided by the nursing school's clinical coordinators and the criminal background check policy is posted on the Nursing Student Community Blackboard website. Students who do not pass the background check may not be able to fully matriculate into the clinical portion of the program.

Technical Standards
Given that nursing is a practice discipline, there are certain performance expectations that must be met. To that end, the faculty have developed a set of guidelines known as technical standards. They are intended to ensure the safety of the student and those who are entrusted to his/her care. The technical standards include: sensory, communication, motor, intellectual/conceptual abilities, and behavioral, social, and professional attributes.