Coursework
- Prerequisites
- Course Requirements
- Specialties and Combined Programs
- Elective Courses
- Frequently Asked Questions
Prerequisites
During the admission process for the Master of Science in Nursing Program, a review of academic transcripts is performed to assess whether or not the applicant has completed the prerequisite courses listed below. Students must complete the following prerequisite courses as part of their MSN before continuing to advanced practice courses (e.g., take undergraduate health assessment before advanced health assessment; take applied statistics and a nursing research course before the advanced practice research course).
| Prerequisite Courses for MSN | 23 units | |
|---|---|---|
| UNRS 220 | Health Assessment* | 3 |
| Course cannot be found.(UNRS 325) | ||
| UNRS 367 | Pathophysiology* | 3 |
| GNRS 546 | Theory and Practice in Health Care Systems in the Community** | 6 |
| GNRS 547 | Nursing Leadership in Acute Care Settings** | 6 |
| PSYC 299 | Applied Statistics* | 3 |
| (community college credit not accepted) | ||
Note: Please click on the course numbers above for descriptions of these undergraduate courses listed. All prerequisite requirements must be completed before enrolling in graduate courses.
*At least one of these four courses must be taken or challenged at Azusa Pacific University.
**These courses must be taken at Azusa Pacific University.
Course Requirements
For the Master of Science in Nursing, the following are required of graduate students:
| Academic Core Courses | 10 units | |
|---|---|---|
| GNRS 504 | Bioethics and Health Policy | 3 |
| GNRS 506 | Spiritual Care | 3 |
| GNRS 508A | Research and Theory in Advanced Practice Nursing | 4 |
| Advanced Practice Core Courses | 11 units | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||
| GNRS 513 | Advanced Nursing Practice Role | 2 | |||||||||
| GNRS 515 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 2 | |||||||||
| GNRS 594 | Pharmacology in Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 | |||||||||
| Advanced Practice Specialty Courses | units vary | |
|---|---|---|
In addition to the academic core, advanced practice core, and concluding courses, students select their clinical focus in one of the advanced practice clinical specialties. For more information, see the Specialties and Combined Programs section below. |
||
| Concluding Courses | 1-3 units | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||
| GNRS 598 | Thesis* | 1 | |||||||||
*Students must choose either the thesis or comprehensive exam option for one unit of credit to complete the program. For students choosing the thesis, the two-unit course GNRS 514 is a prerequisite to proposing a thesis.
Specialties and Combined Programs
Students pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing must also complete coursework for a specialized clinical area of nursing, such as a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Practitioner, Parish Nursing, or School Nurse Services Credential.
Students may also fulfill the specialty requirement through one of the School of Nursing’s unique combined programs.
Nurses who already have an MSN from APU or another institution may enroll in a Post-Master’s Credential program.
Elective Courses
Students may select additional elective courses to support their programs of study as directed by faculty. To read more about the electives available, see the online course descriptions listing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a semester?
15 weeks (12 in the summer)
How many evenings per week do I attend classes?
Students generally attend class one to two nights per week, depending on
the number of classes in which they are enrolled.
How soon can I finish this program?
Most students complete the program in three years, including the specialty.
How are clinicals arranged?
The School of Nursing faculty and staff arrange clinical settings with some student
input as needed.
What kind of clinical settings are available?
The School of Nursing identifies appropriate clinical settings based on the student’s specialty. Settings may include hospitals, primary
care clinics, churches, and schools, to name a few.
How do I figure out my schedule?
Knowledgeable faculty advisors assist students with a comprehensive course planner to ensure course continuity throughout the program.
