The online Master of Science in Nursing provides two options, nurse educator and nursing leadership. 

The option in nurse educator. This option provides a comprehensive foundation in nursing education with a clinical focus in adult health. Graduates of this option are prepared to teach in schools of nursing or within health care agency staff development departments. They are also prepared to provide advanced nursing care in a variety of health care delivery settings.

The option in nursing leadership. This option prepares graduate-level nurses with advanced training in leadership and management to assume formal leadership roles in a variety of health care settings. The online program is geared to meet the needs of working nurses in rural areas. All the major theory courses are offered online; clinical and practice teaching courses can be arranged in the student's local community. The courses are offered in a part-time, two-and-a-half-year cycle. Students are admitted biennially (fall semester) and must begin at the beginning of the cycle.

Requirements for the MS in Nursing

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

1. Completion of an approved program consisting of 30 units of 400/500/600-level course work as follows:
   1. Thirty units in the discipline of nursing.
   2. 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 Professional & Continuing Education. Correspondence courses and UC Extension coursework are not acceptable for transfer.
   3. Not more than four units of Nursing Professional Paper (NURS 697P); Master's Thesis (NURS 699T); or Master's Project (NURS 699P).
2. Demonstrated writing competence.
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; the Graduate Coordinator; and the Graduate Council on behalf of the faculty of the University.

Course List

Course	Title	Units
Major Option
Select one of the following options:		14
Nurse Educator
Nursing Leadership
Core Courses
NURS 610	Information and Technology in Advanced Nursing Practice	2
NURS 620	Advanced Nursing Research and Theory	4
NURS 630	Dynamics of the Advanced Nursing Role	2
NURS 645	Issues and Ethics in the Delivery of Health Care	2
NURS 660	Research Proposal Seminar	2
Culminating Activity
Select four units from the following:		4
NURS 697P	Nursing Professional Paper 1
NURS 699P	Master's Project 1
NURS 699T	Master's Thesis 1
Total Units		30

¹

Must be taken for two units.

Core Courses

Plan of Study Grid

Semester III		Units
Fall
NURS 610	Information and Technology in Advanced Nursing Practice	2
NURS 620	Advanced Nursing Research and Theory	4
	Units	6
Semester IV
Spring
NURS 630	Dynamics of the Advanced Nursing Role	2
NURS 645	Issues and Ethics in the Delivery of Health Care	2
NURS 660	Research Proposal Seminar	2
	Units	6
	Total Units	12

The Option in Nurse Educator: 14 units

Plan of Study Grid

Semester I		Units
Fall
NURS 650	Instructional Process in Nursing Education	4
NURS 651	Curriculum Process in Nursing Education	2
	Units	6
Semester II
Spring
NURS 640	Advanced Concepts of Adult Nursing Care	4
NURS 647	Advanced Practicum in Adult Nursing Care	2
	Units	6
Semester III
See Core Courses above
	Units	0
Semester IV
See Core Courses above
	Units	0
Semester V
Fall
NURS 685	Practicum for the Instructional Process in Nursing Education	2
	Units	2
	Total Units	14

The Option in Nursing Leadership: 14 units

Plan of Study Grid

Semester I		Units
Fall
NURS 670A	Advanced Nursing Leadership I	4
NURS 680A	Financial Management I	2
	Units	6
Semester II
Spring
NURS 670B	Advanced Nursing Leadership II	4
NURS 680B	Financial Management II	2
	Units	6
Semester III
See Core Courses above
	Units	0
Semester IV
See Core Courses above
	Units	0
Semester V
Fall
NURS 683	Practicum in Nursing Leadership	2
	Units	2
	Total Units	14

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 Chico State subsequent to admission to the program; and all courses on the approved master's degree program.

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 Professional & 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 for complete details on general degree requirements.

Graduate Requirement in Writing Proficiency

All students must demonstrate competency in writing skills as a requirement for graduation. Nursing students will demonstrate their writing competence through successful completion of NURS 620.

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

1. An acceptable baccalaureate degree in nursing, including public health nursing, from a program accredited by a national nursing accredited body.
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 three-unit course in statistics that includes inferential statistics with a grade of B or higher. The course must have been completed within the five years prior to admission to the graduate program.
5. A cumulative GPA in the last 60 units of coursework of 3.0
6. A completed application on file at the California State University, Chico Office of Graduate Studies.
7. A letter of intent/purpose submitted to the Graduate Coordinator in the School of Nursing to document why the applicant is seeking admission to this MSN program and what the applicant's future goals are for this degree.

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.