The Master of Science in Nursing

The online Master of Science in Nursing provides two options. The first provides a comprehensive foundation in nursing education with a clinical focus in adult health. The second provides a comprehensive foundation in nursing leadership and management with a clinical focus in leadership. The courses are offered in a part-time, two-and-a-half-year cycle. The student must begin at the beginning of the cycle.

Course Requirements for the Master's Degree: 30 units

Continuous enrollment is required. At the discretion of the academic program, a maximum of 30 percent of the units counted toward the degree requirements may be special session credit earned in non-matriculated status combined with all transfer coursework.  This applies to special session credit earned through Open University, or in courses offered for academic credit through Regional and Continuing Education.

Graduate Time Limit:

All requirements for the degree are to be completed within five years of the end of the semester of enrollment in the oldest course applied toward the degree. See Master's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements.

Prerequisites for Admission to Conditionally Classified Status:

The School of Nursing does not admit students to conditionally classified status.

Prerequisites for Admission to Classified Status:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

In addition to the requirements for admission to the Office of Graduate Studies, individuals seeking admission with Classified Status to the Master of Science Program in the School must have:

1. An acceptable baccalaureate in Nursing, including public health nursing, from an institution accredited by the National League for Nursing (NLN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), or an equivalent approved by the School of Nursing.

2. A current California license to practice as a registered nurse.

3. At least one year of clinical practice as a Registered Nurse within the last five years prior to enrolling in any practicum.

4. A 3-unit course in basic statistics with a grade of C- or higher. The course must have been completed within the seven years prior to admission to the graduate program.

5. Completion of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) within the last five years with a Writing Score of 3.5 or higher.

6. A cumulative GPA in the last 60 units of coursework of 3.0

7. A completed application on file at the CSU, Chico Office of Graduate Studies.

8. A letter of intent/purpose submitted with the application.

Advancement to Candidacy:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Classified graduate standing and completion of 12 semester units of nursing program.

2. Development of an approved program in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.

3. Successful completion and presentation of thesis, professional paper, or project proposal, with approval by the Graduate Committee of the School of Nursing.

Requirements for the MS in Nursing:

Completion of all requirements as established by the School graduate committee, the student's thesis committee, and the Office of Graduate Studies, to include:

1. Completion of an approved program consisting of 30 units of 400/500/600-level course work as follows:

(a) 30 units in the discipline of Nursing.

(b) At the discretion of the academic program, a maximum of 30 percent of the units counted toward the degree requirements may be special session credit earned in non-matriculated status combined with all transfer coursework. This applies to special session credit earned through Open University, or in courses offered for academic credit through the Center for Regional and Continuing Education. (Correspondence courses and UC Extension coursework are not acceptable for transfer).

(c) Not more than 4 units of Independent Study (NURS 697); not more than 3 units of Master's Thesis (NURS 699T) or 3 units of Master's Project (NURS 699P).

2. Demonstrated writing competence (see "Literacy Requirement" below).

3. Completion of an approved culminating activity of adequate scope and depth.

4. Satisfactory defense of the thesis, or presentation of the completed project, or completion of the professional paper.

5. Approval by the student's thesis, project, or professional paper committee and the Graduate Coordinator, and the Graduate Coordinators Committee on behalf of the faculty of the University.

Core Courses: 12 units

Note: All courses must be taken in the sequence outlined.

Semester I (Fall):

2 courses required:

Semester II (Spring):

3 courses required:

Major Option Course Requirements: 16 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required dependent upon the option chosen. Students must select one of the following options for completion of the major course requirements.  Use the links below to jump to your chosen option.

• Nurse Educator Option
• Nursing Leadership Option

The Option in Nurse Educator: 16 units

Note: All courses must be taken in the sequence outlined.

Semester III (Fall):

2 courses required:

Semester IV (Spring):

2 courses required:

Semester V (Fall):

1 course required:

The Option in Nursing Leadership: 16 units

Note: All courses must be taken in the sequence outlined.

Semester III (Fall):

2 courses required:

Semester IV (Spring):

2 courses required:

Semester V (Fall):

1 course required:

Culminating Activity: 2 units

All core and option courses must be completed before enrolling in the culminating activity.

2 units selected from:

Students must take 2 units of NURS 697P, NURS 699P or NURS 699T.

Graduate Requirement in Writing Proficiency:

Writing proficiency is a graduation requirement.

Nursing majors will demonstrate their writing competence through successful completion of NURS 620, Advanced Nursing Research and Theory.

Graduate Grading Requirements:

All courses in the major (with the exceptions of Independent Study - 697, Master's Project - 699P, and Master's Thesis - 699T) must be taken for a letter grade, except those courses specified by the department as ABC/No Credit (400/500-level courses), AB/No Credit (600-level courses), or Credit/No Credit grading only. A maximum of 10 units combined of ABC/No Credit, AB/No Credit, and Credit/No Credit grades may be used on the approved program (including 697, 699P, 699T and courses outside the major). While grading standards are determined by individual programs and instructors, it is also the policy of the University that unsatisfactory grades may be given when work fails to reflect achievement of the high standards, including high writing standards, expected of students pursuing graduate study.

Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average in each of the following three categories: all coursework taken at any accredited institution subsequent to admission to the master's program; all coursework taken at CSU, Chico subsequent to admission to the program; and all courses on the approved master's degree program.

Graduate Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory each semester for all Nursing majors. Consult the Graduate Coordinator for specifics.