Advancement to Candidacy
Application for Admission
Conditional Admission
Faculty
General Information
Special Instructions
Specific Requirements for the Master of Science Degree
Patricia R. Wahl, Ph.D., F.A.A.N., Professor of Nursing, Director of School Janet L. Blenner, Ph.D., F.A.A.N., Professor of Nursing Janet R. Heineken, Ph.D., Professor of Nursing John M. Lantz, Ph.D., Professor of Nursing Catherine E. Loveridge, Ph.D., Professor of Nursing Martha J. Shively, Ph.D., Professor of Nursing Carolyn L. Walker, Ph.D., Professor of Nursing (Graduate Adviser) Dolores A. Wozniak, Ed.D., Professor of Nursing, Dean of the College of Health and Human Services Betty L. Broom, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Nursing Lorraine T. Fitzsimmons, D.N.S., Associate Professor of Nursing Joan M. Flagg, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Nursing Lorraine Freitas, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Nursing, Associate Director of School Sue A. Hadley, D.N.S., Associate Professor of Nursing Rita I. Morris, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Nursing Richard C. Reed, Ed.D., Associate Professor of Nursing Barbara Jean Riegel, D.N.Sc., F.A.A.N., Associate Professor of Nursing Lembi Saarmann, Ed.D., Associate Professor of Nursing Myrna J. Moffett, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Nursing
A multitude of research opportunities are available to students in the program. The School of Nursing has clinical contracts with all of the leading research and clinical teaching health care agencies within the county. Furthermore, all graduate faculty are doctorally prepared, and students may have the opportunity to be involved in ongoing faculty research projects.
Application materials to obtain tentative admission to the program leading to the Master of Science degree in nursing can be obtained by writing directly to the School of Nursing. Detailed instructions including information concerning application procedures will accompany the application form.
Students for the Family Nurse Practitioner and the Midwife and OB/GYN Nurse Practitioner, and Advanced Practice Nursing of Adults and Elderly programs are admitted for fall semester only and applications must be received by January 15 for fall admission.
Students for all other programs are admitted in the fall and spring semesters of each year. All applicants must file an Application for Admission to the San Diego State University Office of Admissions and Records and to the School of Nursing.
In addition to the general requirements for admission to the University with classified graduate standing, as described in Part Two of this bulletin, a student must satisfy the following requirements before being recommended for admission to a program with classified standing:
1. Have a baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing. Graduates from baccalaureate programs not having an upper division major in nursing or who have deficiencies will be considered on an individual basis and may be required to enroll in designated undergraduate courses and graduate courses beyond the minimum units necessary for advanced degrees.
2. Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate upper division courses.
3. Must have satisfactory score on GRE General Test.
4. Have a California license to practice registered nursing.
5. Have a minimum of one year full-time nursing experience in a hospital, ambulatory care facility, or public health agency. For Midwife and OB/GYN Nurse Practitioner applicants, the experience must be in labor and delivery. For the Advanced Practice Nursing of Adults and Elderly, three years of related experience is highly recommended.
6. Have satisfactorily completed Nursing 500, Advanced Health Assessment and Health Promotion, or equivalent physical assessment in undergraduate program with a grade of C or better. (N.S.A. students are exempt from this requirement). Students in the School Nursing Specialization must also have satisfactorily completed Communicative Disorders 540, Hearing Conservation and Audiometry for School Nurses.
7. Have satisfactorily completed a course in statistics. (Statistics 250 or equivalent with a grade of C or better.)
8. Submit three letters of recommendation attesting to capability to do graduate work in nursing.
9. Submit a personal statement.
Students who do not satisfy all admission requirements to the School of Nursing may, with special consideration, be admitted in a conditionally classified graduate standing. At the deadline date specified on the conditional form (at time of acceptance), the faculty of the School of Nursing shall recommend to the graduate dean that the student:
1. Be disqualified from further study in the program, or
2. Be continued in conditionally classified status, or
3. Be granted full graduate classified standing.
Students enrolled in the graduate program in nursing are required to provide their own professional liability insurance (minimum $1,000,000) and transportation to off-campus health care agencies.
All students must satisfy the general requirements for advancement to candidacy as described in Part Two of this bulletin. Students must satisfactorily complete all four core courses (Nursing 602, 604, 608, and 684) with a minimum grade point average of 3.0, and no less than a B- grade in each of the four core courses, and be recommended by the graduate faculty.
In addition to meeting the requirements for classified graduate standing and the basic requirements for the master's degree, as described in Part Two of this bulletin, the student must complete an officially approved 39-54.06 unit course of study. The program includes:
1. Twelve units of core courses to include Nursing 602, 604, 608, and 684.
2. A minimum of 18-45.06 units of graduate courses in the area of concentration or specialization.
3. Zero to six units of electives.
4. Nursing 799A, Thesis, OR Plan B Option, Comprehensive Examination, Nursing 798.
Students in all concentrations may choose between Plan A, Thesis or Project, or Plan B, Comprehensive Examination. The choice of Plan A or Plan B should be made early in the program. Students should consult with the graduate adviser and the concentration chair for current policies. Up to 12 semester units may be accepted in transfer from an accredited School of Nursing.
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