The Master of Science in Nursing degree is designed for Registered Nurses (RNs) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited program who are interested in pursuing an advanced practice degree to further their professional knowledge and skills.
The MSN is professionally-focused to prepare students with advanced nursing knowledge for career advancement in their selected concentration of study: Nursing Education or Nursing Leadership. The program culminates in capstone practicums and a project devised by the student, with guidance from a faculty advisor and qualified preceptor, focused on an area of nursing practice in their concentration of study. The practicum and project offer opportunities for significant experiential learning and demonstration of specialized knowledge and skills developed throughout the MSN program.
The MSN program consists of 36 semester hours. This includes 15 credit hours of core coursework and 21 credit hours in the student’s chosen concentration, nursing education or nursing leadership.
Master of Science in Nursing Admission Criteria
All admission decisions are made by the MSN Program Director and the School of Nursing Graduate Faculty Committee.
Admission requirements of SSU Graduate programs include an earned bachelor’s degree in an acceptable field of study for the intended graduate degree and a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (4.0 system).
Conditional degree status may be granted to applicants with an overall GPA less than 3.0 but have a discipline-specific GPA higher than 3.0 in last 60 credit hours of undergraduate nursing degree, contingent on approval of the Graduate Program Director.
In addition to these requirements, MSN program applicants must submit:
- Transcripts of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (traditional BSN or RN-BSN) from a regionally accredited college or university
- Documentation of 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA. If Conditional Degree Status, applicants must have an undergraduate 2.75 – 2.99 GPA minimum OR 3.0 GPA minimum in last 60 credit hours of undergraduate nursing degree
- Current, unencumbered Registered Nursing License
- 1000 hours of work experience as a Registered Nurse
- Personal statement of purpose
- Current Resume/Vita
- Two letters of recommendation from employers or professors addressing the applicant’s potential to succeed in a graduate program
- Undergraduate course in Statistics
MSN Program Outcomes
- Disseminate scholarly inquiry findings from nursing science and related disciplines to facilitate clinical judgment and improve outcomes. (AACN Essentials, 2021, Domain 1 Knowledge for Nursing Practice; Domain 4 Scholarship for the Nursing Discipline; Domain 5 Quality and Safety)
- Collaborate across professions to optimize healthcare and strengthen outcomes. (AACN Essentials, 2021, Domain 2 Person-Centered Care; Domain 6 Interprofessional Partnerships)
- Promote policy change or development to incorporate principles of social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. (AACN Essentials, 2021, Domain 3 Population Health)
- Apply informatics processes and communication technologies in accordance with best practice, professional and regulatory standards, and workplace policies. (AACN Essentials, 2021, Domain 8 Informatics and Healthcare Technologies)
- Demonstrate moral and ethical comportment in practice and leadership roles. (AACN Essentials, 2021, Domain 9 Professionalism)
- Demonstrate flexibility in promoting change within complex environments to advance the profession of nursing. (AACN Essentials, 2021, Domain 7 Systems-Based Practice; Domain 10 Personal, Professional, & Leadership Development)
Deadline for Receipt of ALL Application Materials for the MSN program:
Fall 2025: August 18, 2025
Spring 2026: January 5, 2026
Summer 2026: May 4, 2026
After the application deadlines listed below, students who have completed application materials may be considered for acceptance on the basis of space available in the program and the academic qualifications of the student.
