Degree: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Field of Study: Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Program Overview

This program prepares graduates to serve as psychiatric nurse practitioners. The curriculum will prepare you to address more efficiently the often unmet psychiatric mental health and substance use/abuse needs of people of all ages.

The work of an advanced practice psychiatric nurse practitioner is dynamic in scope, ranging from prevention and health promotion to early detection and assessment to integration and culturally appropriate, client-centered intervention. Similarly, they can practice in a multitude of environments, including community mental health clinics; hospitals systems; private physician offices; prison systems; military bases and Veteran’s Affairs Hospitals; treatment facilities; and psychiatric mental health community centers, among others.

Path to the MSN

The Master of Science in Nursing program prepares registered nurses for advanced practice either as a nurse practitioner or nurse midwife. Students in the MSN program choose from several different majors, but virtually all students must take at least ten core courses. Students must complete a required number of credit hours as well as clinical hours. Most majors require an average of 40 credit hours, usually completed in three or four semesters (including summer for some majors).  MSN majors also require at least 600 or more clinical hours depending on major.

Students can choose either a part-time or full-time program, with full-time consisting of 9 or more credit hours per semester and part-time being anything less. Dual degree programs are offered in Bioethics (MSN/MA), Anthropology (MSN/MA), and Public Health (MSN/MPH). Post-master's certificates can be provided for most programs and are crafted according to individual needs and background education.

Course Grades

Progression in the MSN program is contingent on a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and passing grades in all courses (A, B, C, P, or S). If the cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 during any semester, the student will be placed on academic probation.  In addition, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) students in the MSN program must maintain an APRN GPA of 3.0 or higher in all APRN core courses (advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and advanced physical assessment) and APRN clinical courses.  If either the cumulative or APRN GPA falls below 3.0 during any semester, the student will be placed on academic probation. To be removed from probation, the student must have a cumulative and APRN GPA of 3.0 or higher in the next academic semester they are registered. If the student fails to be removed from academic probation at this time, they may be separated from the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing.

The grade of Incomplete (I) can only be assigned by the discretion of the instructor when: 1) There are extenuating circumstances, explained to the instructor before the assignment of the grade, which clearly justifies an extension of time beyond the requirements established for and met by other students in the class, and 2) The student has been passing the course and only an evaluative component of the course, such as a term paper, final exam, or project remains to be completed.  The "Arrangement to Resolve a Grade of Incomplete" form must be completed prior to the end of the semester, or the instructor may assign a grade of U or F.  The instructor shall enter a final evaluative grade if and when the completed work has been submitted.  A grade of Incomplete must be removed by the 11th week of the semester following the one in which the courses were taken.  If the student does not complete the required work by the date established, the Registrar will convert the I to an F when the deadline for completion has  passed.  Students may not sit in the same course in a later semester to complete the work required for the original course. Please see the University Incomplete Policy.  

A student who receives a grade of F or U for a required course must register for the course the next semester it is offered to continue in the MSN program. If the grade of U or F is in a course that is not required for the MSN program, the student may register for the same course or a substitute course and achieve a passing grade to continue in the MSN program. MSN students who receive 2 failing grades (F, U, NP) will be separated from the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing.

Majors and Sample Full-Time Curriculum

Virtually all MSN students must take at least ten core courses in Professional Development, Scientific Inquiry, and Nursing Practice. Although the MSN program itself requires a minimum of 36 credit hours to graduate, most majors require an average of 40 credit hours, usually completed between 18 and 30 months depending on the MSN major.  Students are required to complete 600 or more clinical hours depending on MSN major.  Post-master's certificates can be provided for most programs and are crafted according to individual needs and background education.  Sample full-time curriculum are listed for each major.

Program Requirements

The Family Systems Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing major, as part of the MSN program, requires 46 credit hours of coursework and 720 hours of clinicals. The coursework is usually completed within four semesters.

Sample Plan of Study