Master of Science in Nursing

Fact Sheet

Degree Offered

A master of science in nursing (MSN) degree is available from Capital University with a concentrate in one of six areas.

1. Administration (with Capital's School of Management)
   Completion of this concentrate provides the requisite course work for certification in Advanced Nursing Administration through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
   

2. Family/Community Health Nursing
   Completion of this concentrate provides the requisite course work for certification as a clinical specialist in medical/surgical nursing or community health nursing through the ANCC.

3. Legal Studies (with Capital's Law School)

4. Nursing Education
   Completion of this concentrate prepares nurses for education roles in either collegiate or health care settings.

5. School Nursing
   Completion of this concentrate leads to school nurse licensure by the Ohio Department of Education.

6. Theological Studies (with Trinity Lutheran Seminary)

Dual-Degree Options

• MSN/MBA is available in cooperation with the School of Management. Review the MSN/MBA core classes.

• MSN/JD is available in cooperation with the Law School. Review the MSN/JD core classes.

• MSN/MTS is available in cooperation with Trinity Lutheran Seminary. Review the MSN/MA core classes.

Admission Requirements

• Current Ohio RN licensure

• Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) from an NLN—or CCNE—accredited program or with the completion of core undergraduate nursing courses if a bachelor's degree is held in another discipline

• 3.0 undergraduate grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale

• Undergraduate prerequisite courses
  • Statistics course
  • Research methods course

  • Health assessment course (required only for the family/community nursing and the school health nursing concentrates)

• Writing sample (300-500) words
• Current resume
• A minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL for international students
• Names of three professional references

Transfer and Transient Course Work

• Previous course work evaluated by the faculty for transfer credit
• 75 percent of the degree completed at Capital University
• No more than six semester hours taken as a non-degree student

Degree Requirements

• 36-42 semester hours minimum for the MSN
• Completion of thesis or project
• Part-time or full-time study (Full-time enrollment is at least six semester hours per term.)
• Program completed within five years
• Students admitted every term*

* Law School admits students fall semester only. Law classes meet fall and spring only.

Calendar and Class Times

• Classes are available three terms each year.*
• Students follow School of Management, Law School or Trinity Lutheran Seminary calendars and class meeting times when enrolled in interdisciplinary course work.
  • School of Management and the School of Nursing offer evening classes.
  • The Law School has day and evening classes.
  • The Trinity Lutheran Seminary offers day classes.

* Law School admits students fall semester only. Law classes meet fall and spring only.

Tuition and Fees

Effective fall semester 2004.

• Application fee is $25.
• Course work in Nursing is $360 per semester hour.
• School of Management is $360 per semester hour.
• The Law School is $760 per semester hour.
• Trinity Lutheran Seminary is $180 per quarter hour.
• Applicable fees for dual degrees.

Financial Aid

MSN students are eligible for financial aid. More information on Financial Aid for Graduate Students is available from Capital's Financial Aid Office. Contact the Financial Aid Office at 614-236-6115.

• Federal Stafford Loans are available.
• Capital students may receive tuition waivers from the university if they are employed by institutions that serve as clinical sites in Central Ohio. You may request a tuition waiver through your employer's personnel department.
• The Ohio Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program provides a maximum of $3,000 per year and may be renewed for a maximum of $12,000. You may be eligible for debt cancellation at a rate of 20 percent per year for a maximum of five years. If you are a practicing nurse, you may receive 100 percent debt cancellation. Contact the State Grants and Scholarships Department at 888-833-1133, extension 46629 for more information.
• Additional scholarship opportunities are available.

Philosophy of Capital's Nursing Program

Adult learning theory guides faculty in program design with emphasis on interdisciplinary competency development as an integral component of the curriculum.

• Graduates will assume leadership roles in health care.
• Nursing courses are offered in the evening.
• Individually developed learning contracts guide precepted learning experiences.
• Multiple field experiences are available.
• Project or thesis completion enhances graduates' career paths.