Nursing, MSN, Nursing Education Concentration

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Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing Description of the Program

The Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing program (ICMSN) is a cooperative venture among the nursing units at Southeastern Louisiana University, McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The ICMSN is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington DC, 20001, 202-887-6791.

The consortium structure allows students to enroll in courses at any one of the participating universities and receive credit toward the master’s degree. Southeastern Louisiana University, McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, and the University of at Louisiana at Lafayette offer concentrations in Family Nursing, Nursing Education, and Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing. The advanced nursing role concentrations offered through the consortium are nursing education and nurse practitioner. Students successfully completing the MSN curriculum at Southeastern Louisiana University meet educational requirements to take the following national certification examinations:

• Nurse Practitioner Role: Family Nurse Practitioner, or Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Nursing Educator Role: Nursing Education

Purposes

The purposes of the Master of Science in Nursing program are to:

1. Provide a base in nursing theory, nursing research, and issues relative to advanced nursing practice.
2. Provide for advanced clinical specialization in Family Nursing or Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing.
3. Provide for advanced role preparation as a nurse practitioner or nurse educator.

Admission Requirements

All materials must be submitted, for review, by the deadline posted on the graduate nursing website, www.southeastern.edu/graduatenursing, for consideration to begin course work.

Requirements for admission to the MSN Program include: 

1. A completed application form and payment of the application fee submitted on or prior to the application date.

2. Receipt of official transcripts from each degree-granting college or university previously attended. Applicants must be in satisfactory academic standing and eligible to re-enroll at all former graduate institutions. 

3. A baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited undergraduate nursing program 

4. Cumulative GPA of at least 2.7 on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate work including courses repeated as indicated by transcripts. 

5. Completion of a course in elementary statistics with a minimum grade of ‘C’ or equivalent

6. Evidence of valid, unencumbered Louisiana Registered Nurse licensure 

7. Two recommendations from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s capacity for master’s and doctoral study.

a. One recommendation must be from a former faculty member in a nursing program, a current or former nursing supervisor, or nursing leader.

b. One recommendation must be from someone who can attest to the competencies and expertise of the applicant at the advanced practice level.

1. Current resume’ or vitae.

2. A document, prepared by the applicant, that addresses the rationale for pursuing study in the selected concentration and includes a statement of intent/purpose for the degree.
   The document must be typewritten, double-spaced, in 12 point, Times New Roman font and should be no longer than three pages in length.

3. Upon enrollment, students will be required to submit to background checks, drug and alcohol screening, and must meet program health requirements. These screenings will be conducted at the student’s expense.

4. Students should be proficient with methodologies utilized in distance education and must possess computer equipment and technology which is compatible with University learning management systems such as Canvas.

5. A graduating senior in an accredited BS nursing program may be admitted in contingent status and may register for graduate credit if they meet the criteria of Graduate Studies 

Retention and Progression Requirements

• A graduate nursing student must earn a “B” in each course in the program to be eligible for progression.

• A graduate nursing student who earns a grade below a “B” will be placed on probation and must repeat the course within two regular semesters and earn at least a “B.” in the repeated course.  If a grade below “B” is earned in the repeated course, the student will be dismissed from the program.

• A graduate nursing student who earns more than two grades of ‘C’ in any graduate nursing course is not eligible for progression.

• A graduate nursing student who earns more than two grades of “W” in the program is not eligible for progression.

• A graduate nursing student who makes a grade of “D” or “F” in any course taken for graduate credit will be dismissed from the program.

• Graduate nursing students with extenuating circumstances who are not permitted to progress in the program or who are dismissed, may appeal for readmission. 

• Prior to beginning any clinical/practicum course, the student must have evidence of one year of clinical practice experience in an area appropriate to the specialty concentration as an R.N.

• The School of Nursing reserves the right to investigate situations which may affect the student’s ability to function. In addition, a physician or provider’s release may be required. Students who have health conditions that may prevent their meeting the objectives of the program or a course in the program or that may cause potential injury to that student or to the clients for whom they care, will be required to have a personal interview with the Department Head or Dean or with an appropriate School of Nursing Committee.

• Drug testing will be required.

• Students enrolled in practicum graduate courses are required to maintain current certification in CPR and meet other agency requirements.

• Any student who does not enroll in graduate nursing courses toward a degree for 2 consecutive regular semesters must reapply to the program. For reconsideration, students must submit any transcripts reflecting course work elsewhere during that time.

Admission Procedures

Students entering the Consortium must apply to the University and to Southeastern Graduate Nursing Program at the same time. See the Admission to the University section for application deadlines and fees.

Registration Procedures

• Registration for core and role courses will be held at each consortium institution according to their published dates and procedures. An advisor at each institution is available to assist students. Information and downloadable forms are available from the School of Nursing webpage, www.southeastern.edu/graduatenursing.
• The fees assessed a student will be those in effect at the institution offering the course(s) for which the student is registering. A Professional Degree fee will be assessed each semester of coursework. Students will also be assessed fees for proctored testing of online courses.
• All courses offered are subject to resources available and sufficient student enrollment.
• Full-time degree plans require from 7-10 credit hours per semester; part-time degree plans require 6 credit hours per semester.
• For limited course slots, preference will be given to regular admission status.

Graduation Requirements

Graduation from any of the member institutions is based on the satisfactory completion of an approved program of studies. In addition, students must meet all requirements of the institution from which specialty courses are taken.

Residency Requirements

All credit hours earned at any of the consortium institutions are applicable to residency requirements at each member school.

Requirements for Degree

To receive the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with a specialty concentration, the student must:

1. Complete all the requirements of the degree plan, including:
   1. A minimum of 40-43 credit hours for the Nurse Education concentration.
   2. A minimum of 42-45 credit hours for the Family Nurse Practitioner.
   3. A minimum of 48-51 credit hours for the Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration.
2. Complete a Focused Scholarly Project or a Thesis.
3. Achieve a grade of “B” or better in each course.