Master of Science in Nursing
Greetings from the Graduate Programs in Nursing!
Our graduate program, the Masters of Nursing, is designed not only to further your professional development as a nurse but also your personal growth to provide you with the emotional skills to fully contribute to our community. All of us are cognizant of the complexities that our patients, families and friends encounter on a daily basis. As a registered nurse, we are quite often the first person to whom others seek assistance. Your decision to pursue graduate nursing studies is demonstration of your conviction to perform at the highest level. At Mount St. Marys College, Los Angeles, we value the rigor and excitement of nursing research done together as a community of learners and we respect the dignity and value of the individual thus the emphasis on refining ones emotional intelligence. A graduate nursing degree strengthens our ability to work with others and accept differences for this is absolutely essential as we dialogue and learn from one another.
Dr. Marsha Sato, Director of MSN Programs
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- Program Objectives
- Mission and Curriculum
- Admission Requirements
- Course Listings
- Course Descriptions
- Specialty Tracks
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Program Objectives
The Master of Science in Nursing program prepares nurses in advanced nursing theory and provides them with experience in specialized nursing roles within the changing patterns of health care. Graduates are equipped to assume leadership roles in interprofessional health groups and conduct independent nursing research or clinical projects.
Primary program objectives for the MSN graduate is to: 1) model accountability for the ethical quality of one's own practice, 2) utilize research data as a change agent to improve health care systems and influence public policy, 3) assume leadership positions in a variety of health care agencies, colleges or universities and 4) take on the role of educator, leader, and/or advanced practice nursing in health care agencies, colleges or universities.
The MSN graduate is able to design and implement strategies for improving nursing care and initiating changes in the health care system. As the graduate interfaces with community members, he/she is prepared to engage in collaborative relationships with members of interprofessional health care teams to improve health care and influence the nursing profession.
Mission and Curriculum
The Master of Science in Nursing program is based on Mount St. Mary’s mission of providing a superior education enhanced by an emphasis on building leadership and fostering a spirit to serve others. The curriculum incorporates the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's Essential Curriculum Elements (1996). These elements include:
- The utilization of research;
- The development of knowledge about health care policies, financing and health care organizations;
- The ability to identify, understand and analyze ethical issues and become accountable for one’s own actions in practice;
- The knowledge and experience in professional role development;
- An increased knowledge and application of theory as a foundation for practice;
- The enhancement of one’s knowledge about several aspects of human diversity and societal issues that affect and influence the nursing profession, as well as the application of this information to community education.
Admission Requirements
- Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing or other baccalaureate degree. Clear and current license to practice nursing in the state of California. NUR 243 Theoretical Foundations of Leadership and Community Health (1 unit) is a required transition course for non-BSN degree holders.
- A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in the last 60 semester units or last 90 quarter units of undergraduate and/or graduate course work
- Complete Application and $50 fee
- Application Essay
- Two letters of recommendation
- One copy of an official transcript must be mailed directly to MSMC from ALL Colleges/Universities attended
- All licensure, certification, malpractice insurance and health requirements as stated in the application materials.
- Applicants have completed a minimum one year full-time continuous employment as a licensed Registered Nurse within the last five years. New RN graduates who do not meet the minimum of one year full-time continous employment as a licensed RN must be currently employed in a clinical setting as a RN. If unable to meet the requirement, the student must enroll in the RN externship course (NUR 210) every term until approved RN employment is secured or experience requirement is met. The Admissions Committee of the MSN Program will review and approve the quality of the experience.
Course Listings
The MSN program is offered year long and courses are offered in Fall, Spring and Summer on weekends, during the weekday evening hours and online.
Financing Your Education
For Mount St. Mary's College Scholarship information please click here.
For outside scholarships, please consult the American Association of Colleges of Nursing website (http://www.aacn.nche.edu/education/financialaid.htm).
For Student Financing, please click here.