Jun 02, 2024  
2024-2025 Catalog DRAFT (working copy for edits) 
    
2024-2025 Catalog DRAFT (working copy for edits)

School of Nursing


Graduate Faculty

Professors Felts and Haley (Dean)

Mission Statement

The mission of the SON is to strive for excellence in the preparation of nursing graduates to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to advance the discipline of nursing. 

The MSN Program strives for excellence in the preparation of advanced nursing graduates through the following goals:

  • demonstrate excellence through practicum experiences with populations across the lifespan:
  • demonstrate nursing judgment to guide nursing practice specializing in public health, and;
  • demonstrate leadership through a commitment to professional practice, lifelong learning, and implementation of evidence-based practice.

Degrees Offered

The School of Nursing offers two advanced degrees, both of which are fully online.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Public Health

The purpose of the MSN degree in Public Health is to prepare RNs to plan, manage, and evaluate public health care services; to function as public health professionals in public agencies, the private sector, and other settings; and to provide leadership in the field of public health.

Post-masters Certificate in Public Health

The purpose of the post-masters certificate in Public Health is to prepare RNs to plan, manage, and evaluate public health care services; to function as public health professionals in public agencies, the private sector, and other settings; and to provide leadership in the field of public health.

Admission Requirements

The deadline for admission is March 1. Admission review takes place through March and final decisions are made six to eight weeks after the application deadline. The student must have full acceptance to the University and be issued a UAM student ID number prior to making application to the SON.

Applicants to the MSN program must meet the following admission requirements:

  • Unencumbered AR or compact state RN license
  • Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.75 or above (on a 4-point scale). Students with less than a 2.75 GPA may be considered if program space is available. The GPA is calculated on the last 60 undergraduate credit hours.
  • BSN degree from an accredited nursing program.
  • Letter grade of “C” or better in a basic undergraduate statistics course.
  • One year of RN working experience is required. The requirement is waived for RNs entering the RN to MSN track if the student is working while in the program.
  • Complete SON application to the MSN in Public Health program.

Admission to the MSN program is competitive and applicants are ranked by the GPA calculated from the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework. There is no standardized entrance exam for application.

Applicants to the Post-masters in Public Health certificate program must meet the following admission requirements:

  • Unencumbered state or compact state RN license
  • MS or MSN degree from an accredited nursing program.
  • Completion of the three direct care courses in their MS/MSN program (Advance Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Health Assessment). 
    • Students who did not take those courses in their MS/MSN program may enroll and take them in the UAM MSN degree prior to starting required certificate coursework.
  • Complete SON application to the MSN in Public Health Post-masters certificate program.

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the MSN program, the graduate will be prepared to:

Strands Outcomes
Critical Thinking Synthesize theoretical and empirical knowledge from nursing and other healthcare team members that are vital for nursing judgement and practice.
Research Translate evidence to develop health care practices in a culturally and ethnically diverse global society
Nursing Process Implement the role of a master’s-prepared nurse as part of the interprofessional team with a focus on improving patient outcomes.
Leadership Function as a leader and change agent to promote holistic patient-centered care and population health
Communication Express self professionally both orally and in writing, and with clarity, persuasiveness, and coherence using standard conventions of communication
Teaching/Learning Integrate scholarship, a spirit of inquiry, and innovation to support healthcare organizations and nursing excellence.
Professionalism Exemplify professional values and standards, best practices, and the commitment to lifelong learning in the role of the mater’s pre-pared nurse.