Master of Science in Nursing - Courses and Structure
MSN Program Structure - Students Enrolled from May 2009 Forward
The MSN programme seeks to prepare nurses for leadership roles in nursing practice, policy and education. To this end there are core course requirements and then students may select courses that align with their substantive interests and courses that will prepare them for completing their thesis. The programme has a minimum requirement of 33 credits.
Normally, students are required to have completed all core MSN courses prior to or concurrently with the development of the MSN thesis proposal and prior to proposal approval by the supervisory committee. They are also expected to have obtained further preparation in the research methods to be used in their thesis through research coursework other relevant learning activities (e.g. directed study, research practicum)
Required Core Courses
- N502 (3 credits) Ethics and Politics of Nursing
- N504 (3 credits) Research and Evidence Based Practice * [For students enrolled as of September 2012 N504 is optional, for student enrolled prior to or in September 2011 N504 is required]
- N505 (3 credits) Statistical Literacy in Nursing
- N511 (3 credits) Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice
- N552 (3 credits) Methods in Nursing Science
- N599 (6 credits) Thesis
- Elective (3 credits) - Non-Nursing
Additional Courses – Students may select from all research, focus, and substantive domain courses based on their individual study plan – the selection should support the goals of your study plan; selection will be made in consultation with your provisional advisor or supervisor
Additional Courses
Research Focused Courses:
- N504 (3 credits) Research and Evidence Based Practice (optional for student enrolled from September 2012)
- N548 (3 credits) Qualitative Research Methods
- N549 (3 credits) Quantitative Research Methods
Leadership
- N512 Leadership in Nsg
- N520 Admin Leadership
- N577 (3-6 credits) Graduate Practicum in Nursing
- N540 Educational Processes
- N541 Clin Nsg Education
- N577 (3-6 credits) Graduate Practicum in Nursing
- N506 Health Promotion
- N530 Advanced Clinical Pr
- N577 (3-6 credits) Graduate Practicum in Nursing
- N560 Health Policy
- N586A – History of Nursing and Health Care
- N586B – Curriculum Development in Nursing
- N586C – Healthy Infant and Child Development
- N586M – Multidisciplinary Perspectives in Adolescent Health
- N586V – Violence in families: Advanced understanding and responses (cross-listed with SOWK570E)
- N585 (3-6 credits) Special Topics
- N590 (3-6 credits) Directed Studies in Nursing
Courses are offered in a variety of delivery formats including on campus, on-line and ‘hybrid’ delivery.
Information about when all courses are scheduled is available in schedule of courses on the School of Nursing website
MSN Program Structure - Students Enrolled Prior to May 2009
Students must complete a minimum of 33 credits to meet the graduation requirements. All students will take 15 credits of core nursing courses, and at least 6 additional credits in nursing (3 of these in a focus course). At least 3 credits of electives outside of nursing must be completed. All students will complete a thesis (NURS 599 - 6 credits) or a major essay (NURS 595 - 3 credits). Students undertaking the thesis option are required and others are encouraged to complete NURS 552 and EPSE 592 (or equivalent).
Core (Required) courses (15 credits)
- NURS 502 (3) Ethics and Politics of Nursing
- NURS 504 (3) Introduction to Research Synthesis
- NURS 505 (3) Statistical Literacy in Nursing
- NURS 511 (3) Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice
- NURS 512 (3) Leadership in Nursing
NURS 511 must be taken prior to or concurrently with other core courses. Nursing 505 must be taken prior to or concurrently with NURS 504.
Focus Courses (3 credits minimum)
Students have the opportunity to focus on one or more areas within their program: administration, advanced practice, education, health policy, and research. Please note that for student enrolled prior to 2009 these courses normally have different pre-requisites (see below). Following a focus course, students may elect to do a Practicum (NURS 577) or a Directed Studies course (NURS 590) to develop and refine their skills and knowledge .
General Program information
Courses with prerequisites for student enrolled from 2009:- NURS 552 (3) Methods in Nursing Science
(Pre-requisite NURS 505, N511) - NURS 548 (3) Qualitative Research
(Pre-requisite NURS 552) - NURS 549 (3) Quantitative Research
(Pre-requisite NURS 552) - NURS 541 (3) Clinical Nursing Education
(Pre-requisite NURS 540, or permission of instructor)
NB. Normally core courses N505 and N511 are taken in the first year of the program, core courses N502 and N552 are taken in the first year or beginning of the second year. All core courses need to be completed prior to the Thesis Proposal approval.
Courses with prerequisites for student enrolled prior to 2009:- NURS 520 (3) Administrative Leadership in Nursing
(Pre-requisite NURS 511, NURS 512, or permission of instructor) - NURS 530 (3) Advanced Practice Nursing
(Pre-requisite NURS 511, or permission of instructor) - NURS 540 (3) Educational Process in Nursing
(Pre-requisite NURS 511, or permission of instructor) - NURS 541 (3) Clinical Nursing Education
(Pre-requisite NURS 511, NURS 540) - NURS 552 (3) Methods in Nursing Science
(Pre-requisite NURS 504, NURS 505, NURS 511; Pre- or co-requisite NURS 586 sec 592 or EPSE 952) - NURS 560 (3) Health Policy
(Pre-requisite NURS 502, NURS 511, or permission of instructor)
- NURS 586 (3) Specialized Domains of Nursing Practice
This is an elective course that will be offered with a rotating menu of options. Stay tuned for further announcements!
- NURS 595 (3) Major Essay OR NURS 599 (6) Thesis
- 500-level courses from any discipline (with prior Graduate Advisor approval)
- NURS 577 (3-6) Graduate Practicum in Nursing
- NURS 590 (3-6) Directed Studies
These courses may be taken at any point in the program. Students should consult with the MSN Advisor before registering.
Course Planning and Timetable
We attempt to offer the core courses in two terms of the academic year. The focus and domain courses may not be offered each year; their scheduling depends on student interest and faculty availability. Some courses are offered in an alternating pattern of in-class (seminar) and on-line delivery.
