School of Nursing

http://www.ohiou.edu/nursing/

The School of Nursing offers a graduate program leading to the Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) degree. The curriculum will prepare advanced practice nurses who can: provide expert direct client care, teach in a variety of capacities including undergraduate nursing programs, manage agencies that deliver health care, and provide leadership in a variety of nursing and health care services. Graduates will be prepared to work collaboratively with professionals from a variety of disciplines and mobilize resources for care of clients and families, especially those from rural communities.

Graduates will be able to identify and implement changes in complex health care delivery systems that enhance the quality and cost-effectiveness of client care.

Students can select a concentration from one of three options: Nurse Administrator, Nurse Educator, and Family Nurse Practitioner. To be awarded the Master of Science in Nursing degree, you must earn 55 quarter credit hours that includes clinical practica ranging from 200 to 600 hours depending on the track selected.

The maximum time allowed between the date that you first initiate graduate study toward the M.S.N. and the date that you complete the requirements for the degree is six calendar years. The full time M.S.N. program requires six quarters to complete. The M.S.N. program requires prerequisite introductory courses in statistics, management, and research. These courses must be completed with grades of “C” or higher from an accredited undergraduate institution.

The M.S.N. program will admit students with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (B.S.N.) from an accredited undergraduate institution. Students who are RNs but have earned their bachelor’s degrees in other disciplines will be considered for full or conditional admission. Students must have attained an overall g.p.a.of 3.0 out of a possible 4.0. Students may apply to the program prior to completion of the B.S.N., although they will not be accepted into the program until they have completed the B.S.N. degree. One may transfer a maximum of 12 quarter hours of graduate credit from an accredited university, providing the credit to be transferred has been designated graduate credit at the institution where taken, is letter graded B or better, was earned in the past five years, was applicable toward an advanced degree at the institution where taken, and is approved by your advisor and graduate coordinator. Credit for courses taken by correspondence cannot be accepted toward the required minimum hours.

Eligibility

You must meet the following requirements to be considered for unconditional admission to the graduate program in the School of Nursing graduate program:

1 Earned bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited college or university.

2 Minimum overall undergraduate gradepoint average (g.p.a.) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

3 Satisfactory completion of undergraduate prerequisites in statistics, management, and research (must obtain a grade of “C” or better).

4 Satisfactory Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. If you do not meet the above standards, you may be admitted on a conditional basis and informed of the conditions you must meet for unconditional acceptance. Courses taken to remove conditions may or may not be taken for graduate credit and may have to be completed prior to starting M.S.N. coursework. If you are admitted on a conditional basis, you are not eligible for financial assistance.

Application Process

Applications for admission are accepted for fall, winter or spring admission. Typically applications for both admission and financial aid for the next academic year must be received by March 1. International students must apply by February 1.All non-native speakers of English must demonstrate proficiency by submission of official TOEFL (550 minimum paperbased test/213 computer-based test) or IELTS score (7.0 overall average). Tests older than two years are not accepted. See elsewhere in this catalog for exemptions and more details regarding English proficiency requirements.

Note: you must request official scores for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) be sent directly from the testing agency. Student-supplied photocopies are not accepted as official, but may be included for review and to assist with official score matching. The Ohio University reporting code is 1593.

When you submit an ONLINE APPLICATION, you need to provide printed copies of the following materials to complete your application. You will need two separate envelopes for these materials.

In envelope #1 put items 1-3 (as applicable). Mail this envelope to: Graduate Studies, McKee House, 44 University Terrance, Athens, OH 45701-2979.

1 Copy of Application Submission page or the application transaction (order) ID.

2 Two copies of official transcripts from each U.S. postsecondary institution attended. (Official transcripts are those in envelopes sealed by the issuing institution). Ohio University transcripts will be obtained by the Office of Graduate Studies on your behalf.

3 Two copies of official or registrarcertified transcripts/mark sheets and two certified English translations for each non-U.S. postsecondary institution attended (in envelopes sealed by the issuing institution, if possible). Transcripts must reflect all courses taken, including courses that were repeated or taken outside a degree program.

In envelope #2 put items 4-7. Mail this envelope to: Graduate Chair, School of Nursing; c/o Molly deLaval; Grover Center W361; College of Health and Human Services, Athens, OH 45701-2979.

4 Three (3) letters of recommendation from people who are qualified to evaluate your capability for graduate study, in envelopes sealed by the person writing the recommendation. These letters are to be on the form available through the Office of Graduate Studies (http://www.ohio.edu/graduate/). Please make certain to include the program and concentration you plan to pursue on the form prior to giving the form to the person providing the reference.

5 A resume, including your educational background and professional work experience.

6 A statement of goals and objectives (2-3 double-spaced typed pages), which serves as a writing sample and helps to convey to the Graduate Committee a sense of who you are, what your experiences have been, and how these factors relate to your desire to pursue a graduate degree within the School of Nursing. Be sure to include your goals for graduate study, how your goals for study relate to what you plan to do following graduation, and why you want to be a student in our school. Also, indicate whether you plan to pursue the degree full-time or parttime.

NOTE: if submitting a Web application, do not submit a paper copy of the application for the same term/degree program.

When you submit a PAPER APPLICATION, you need to provide printed copies of the following materials to complete your application.

You will need two separate envelopes for these materials.

In envelope #1 put items 1-7 (as applicable). Mail this envelope to: Graduate Studies, McKee House, 44 University Terrance, Athens, OH 45701-2979.

1 One completed, signed application (Form 1).

2 One completed, signed Residency Information Form (Form 2).

3 One completed, signed Background Information & References Form (Form 3)

4 Non-refundable application fee (check, cash or money order) payable to Ohio University.

5 Two copies of official transcripts from each U.S. postsecondary institution attended. (Official transcripts are those in envelopes sealed by the issuing institution). Ohio University transcriptswill be obtained by the Office of Graduate Studies on your behalf.

6 Two copies of official or registrarcertified transcripts/mark sheets any two certified English translations for each non-U.S. postsecondary institution attended (in envelopes sealed by the issuing institution, if possible). Transcripts must reflect all courses taken, including courses that were repeated or taken outside a degree program.

7 International applicants who need a certificate of eligibility, include one completed, signed Financial Affidavit of Support (Form 4).

In envelope #2 put items 8-10. Mail this envelope to: Graduate Chair, School of Nursing; c/o Molly deLaval; Grover Center W361; College of Health and Human Services, Athens, OH 45701-2979.

8 Three (3) letters of recommendation from people who are qualified to evaluate your capability for graduate study, in envelopes sealed by the person writing the recommendation. These letters are to be on the form available through the Office of Graduate Studies (http://www.ohio.edu/graduate/index.cfm).

9 A resume, including your educational background and professional work experience.

10 A statement of goals and objectives (2-3 double-spaced typed pages), which serves as a writing sample and helps to convey to the Graduate Committee a sense of who you are, what your experiences have been, and how these factors relate to your desire to pursue a graduate degree within the School of Nursing. Be sure to include your goals for graduate study, how your goals for study relate to what you plan to do following graduation, and why you want to be a student in our school. Also, indicate whether you plan to pursue the degree full-time or parttime.

All documents received by the University in connection with an application for admission become theproperty of Ohio University. They will not be returned or forwarded to another agency or college/university. Portfolio materials will be returned if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The university retains portfolios of students accepted for admission.