Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.)
Program Objectives
The objectives of the Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) program are to prepare nurses who are innovative, creative, evidence-informed problem solvers who can collaboratively lead interprofessional teams.
These objectives will be achieved through a course of studies that prepares nurses to:
- Create, translate and use nursing knowledge in all its forms.
- Synthesize and apply diverse perspectives within scholarly nursing research, practice and knowledge development.
- Cultivate advanced ethical reasoning and critical thinking.
- Develop advanced skills and strategies for evidence-informed decision-making and practice. Gain practical experience in the application of healthcare knowledge in diverse environments.
Program Overview
Degree offered: M.S.N.
The Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) program offers opportunities for baccalaureate nurses to develop and advance their professional knowledge, practice, and scholarship. Graduate students will engage in scholarly inquiry within a chosen area of nursing practice. Consistent with the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia (CRNBC) definition, nursing practice is broadly defined as practice within the domains of clinical work, education, administration and research. In addition to a required core of foundation courses, students will select either a course-based or a research-based stream. The course-based stream may be completed in 16 months of full time study. The research-based stream requires a minimum of 24 months of full-time study. Both streams have part-time options and are offered via a combination of flexible delivery and intensive summer courses offered on campus. Graduates will be prepared to participate in knowledge development, application, integration, and translation through leadership roles within their practice setting.
Admission Requirements
The program is governed by policies of the College of Graduate Studies.
To be eligible for admission, an applicant must:
- Be a Registered Nurse with a baccalaureate degree, normally in nursing.
- Have a minimum overall average of B+ (76%) standing in third-and fourth-year levels of their baccalaureate with an A- (80%) in 12 credits of nursing courses.
- Demonstrate competence to pursue studies in the English language.1
- Applicants to the research-based stream require successful completion of an undergraduate university or graduate university statistics course in the past 5 years as prerequisite, or approval of the School of Nursing Graduate Program Coordinator.
1Completion of a Test of English as a Foreign Language 4 (TOEFL4) with a minimum score of 600 (paper version), 100 overall with a minimum score of 22 in Listening, Writing, Reading and Speaking (Internet version), or International English Language Testing (IELTS) with a minimum score range of 6.5 – 7.0.
In addition to meeting minimum admission criteria, applicants will be evaluated in relation to:
- Record of academic and professional achievement.
- Three (3) letters of reference.
- Quality and demonstrated written competency in letter of intent.
Please see College of Graduate Studies page for more information on the English Language Proficiency Requirement.
Program Requirements
The Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) program allows students to choose from one of the following program streams:
MSN Program Streams
| Research-Based Stream | Course-Based Stream |
|---|---|
| 3 Common Core Courses (9 credits) | 3 Common Core Courses (9 credits) |
| 2 Core Research Courses (6 credits) | 1 Elective (3 credits) |
| 1 Focus Course (3 credits) | 4 Focus Courses (12 credits) |
| Thesis (12 credits) | Capstone Course (6 credits) |
| Total: 30 credits | Total: 30 credits |
Master level coursework is normally taken at the 500-level. Three credits of Undergraduate level coursework (300-499) may be taken with the approval of the School of Nursing Graduate Program Coordinator.
Core Courses (Required) for both streams 9 credits:
| NRSG 500 | Nursing Knowledge (3) |
| NRSG 504 | Finding and Integrating Knowledge for Evidence-Informed Practice (3) |
| NRSG 505 | Healthcare Policy (3) |
Additional Courses (Required) for Course-Based Stream 6 credits:
| NRSG 597 | Capstone Practicum (6) |
Additional Courses (Required) for Research-Based Stream 18 credits:
| Nursing 506 | Qualitative Research (3) |
| Nursing 507 | Quantitative Research (3) |
| Nursing 599 | Research Thesis (12) |
Focus Courses (12 credits required for course-based stream; 3 credits required for research-based stream):
| The composition of Focus Courses is aimed at advancing appropriate knowledge and expertise in the learner’s chosen domain of practice. Students have the opportunity to choose from the following courses. | |
| Nursing Education | |
|---|---|
| NRSG 522 | Introduction to Nursing Education (3) |
| NRSG 523 | Teaching and Learning in Nursing Practice (3) |
| Family Nursing | |
| NRSG 530 | Families in Health and Illness (3) |
| NRSG 531 | Advanced Family-Centred Nursing Practice (3) |
| Nursing Leadership and Management | |
| NRSG 542 | Introduction to Nursing Leadership and Management (3) |
| NRSG 543 | Nursing Leadership and Management in Practice (3) |
Electives (Possible substitutions for focus courses with approval of School of Nursing Graduate Program Coordinator.)
| Elective Courses that are relevant to the learner’s chosen domain of practice may be used in fulfilling focus course requirements. Elective courses being substituted for focus courses require the approval of the Graduate Program Coordinator, School of Nursing. Students may choose from the following Nursing (NRSG) or Health-Interprofessional (HINT) electives. Please check Course Schedule for current course offerings; courses with asterisks are regularly offered. | |
| NRSG 512* | Directed Studies in Nursing (3/6 d)1 |
| NRSG 530 | Families in Health and Illness (3) |
| NRSG 531 | Advanced Family-Centred Nursing Practice (3) |
| NRSG 550 | Healthcare Ethics (3) |
| HINT 503 | Psychosocial Oncology (3) |
| HINT 506 | Participatory Inquiry through Action Research (3) |
| HINT 508* | Cultural Safety in Health: Indigenous Perspectives (3) |
| HINT 511 | Special Topics in Interdisciplinary Health Research (3) |
| HINT 512 | Special Topics in Interprofessional Practice (3) |
| HINT 521 | Interprofessional Collaboration (3) |
| HINT 522 | Leadership in Human Service Organizations (3) |
| HINT 523 | Professional Ethics (3) |
| HINT 524 | Interprofessional Practice Issues in Healthy Aging (3) |
| HINT 525 | Disabilities Studies and Interprofessional Health Care (3) |
| HINT 526 | Global Health (3) |
| 1 Students may take a maximum of 6 credits of directed studies within the M.S.N. program. | |
Scholarship Opportunities
A variety of scholarships are available for students pursuing the Master of Science in Nursing program. For a listing of opportunities, please visit MSN Scholarship Opportunities.
