MSN Courses Online
Curriculum Details
- Total courses: 11–13
- Total credits: 36–42
- Specialization tracks: 5
- Semester duration: 15–16 weeks
Excel in today’s diverse health care field by completing the CCNE-accredited Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program from Sacred Heart University. Through our online MSN curriculum, you’ll prepare to achieve superior outcomes for patients while learning to lead other nurses.
You can complete the MSN courses in two to six years, benefiting from an asynchronous format that provides flexibility for studying when and where you prefer. In addition to completing the online MSN classes, you will apply your knowledge during in-person learning experiences with the option to complete a two-week term at SHU’s Ireland campus.
Core Courses
Credits
This core course focuses on history, policy, and ethics in nursing and health care. It examines health care policy, including global health considerations, health care financing, quality and safety in health care, and the ethics of health care. Current practices in nursing and health care are viewed from the past and present as a way to contemplate the future. The course builds on a framework of critical thinking, as students explore aspects of the history of nursing and medicine, analysis of current policy development, and implications of the past for present and future actions in nursing and health care.
This course is one of the graduate core classes that provides the foundation for advanced practice nursing. The role of the advance practice nurse as a member of the profession will be emphasized. Students will be introduced to theories from nursing, natural, social, biological and organizational sciences to frame their future practice. Further, students consider issues of cultural diversity and competence to assure the delivery of culturally competent care and minimization of health disparities.
Students in the following tracks will take NU 575: Clinical Nurse Leader, Nursing Education, Nursing Management and Executive Leadership
Nursing Informatics combines knowledge and skills from nursing science, computer science, information science, and cognitive science to identify, define, manage and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in nursing practice. Core concepts will be discussed in relation to the application of nursing informatics to support nursing practice and enhance outcomes of care. Major topics related to nursing informatics will be explored. The use of informatics to enhance patient care delivery, quality, and safety in healthcare systems will be emphasized.
Students in the CNL, NE and NMEL tracks will complete this course.
This course examines the field of research and its relationship to problems related to nursing and health care. Each step of the research process is explored in-depth to develop the skills to apply research to practice. Students apply critical analysis to relevant research literature to determine its usefulness and application. Statistical methods and concepts are reviewed and integrated throughout the course to promote an understanding of those concepts within the context of health care research. Emphasis is placed on evaluating research evidence for nursing practice. Prerequisite: MA 131
Students in the CNL, NE and NMEL tracks will complete this course.
The primary focus of this course is on learning the process of evidence-based practice and how to incorporate it into nursing practice to achieve quality outcomes of care. Students will learn how to differentiate among evidence-based practice, research, and quality improvement methods of inquiry. Select evidence-based practice models will be explored as a basis for development of an evidence-based practice project in a practice setting.
Prerequisite: NU 601
NU 603 is for FNP and PMHNP students only in lieu of NU 601 and NU 602
This course studies the field of research and its relationship to problems related to nursing and health care. Each step of the research process is explored in-depth to develop the skills to apply research to practice. Students apply critical analysis to relevant research literature to determine its usefulness and application. Statistical methods and concepts are reviewed and integrated throughout the course to promote an understanding of those concepts within the context of health care research. Emphasis is on understanding the research process through proposal development.
Required Courses For Specializations
Credits
Advocate for superior patient care and lead a team of integrated health care professionals, including social workers, pharmacists, physicians and fellow nurses. This specialization includes these courses:
- NU 550 Family and Community Context for Health Care
- NU 553 Advanced Pathophysiology
- NU 554 Application of Comprehensive Health Assessment Methods
- NU 605 Pharmacology for the Nurse Leader
- NU 611 Care Management and Resources Across the Continuum
- NU 612 Disease Management and Outcomes Assessment
- NU 680 Clinical Nurse Leader Role Practicum
- NU 681 CNL Capstone
Complement your clinical experience with teaching skills and learn to design curricula, evaluate student performance and step into the role of instructor. This specialization includes these courses:
- NU 553 Advanced Pathophysiology
- NU 554 Application of Comprehensive Health Assessment Methods
- NU 588 Theoretical Basis of Teaching and Learning in Nursing Education
- NU 589 Curriculum Development and Evaluation in Nursing Education
- NU 605 Pharmacology for the Nurse Leader
- NU 619 Principles of Patient and Staff Education
- NU 690 Nursing Education Role Practicum
- NU 691 Nursing Education Role Capstone
Discover how to manage a budget, create and implement administrative processes, make certain your procedures meet professional standards and more. This specialization includes these courses:
- NU 511 Role Development for Nursing Management and Executive Leadership
- NU 521 Creating a Professional Work Environment
- NU 576 Management of Financial Resources
- NU 617 Health Care Delivery System
- NU 665 Quality and Safety in Practice
- NU 672 Nursing Management and Executive Leadership (NMEL) Practicum
- NU 673 Nursing Management and Executive Leadership (NMEL) Capstone
Learn to conduct physical examinations, diagnose illnesses and help patients improve or maintain their personal well-being. This specialization includes these courses:
- NU 550 Family and Community Context for Health Care
- NU 551 Advanced Pharmacology for the Nurse Practitioner
- NU 552 Advanced Health Assessment for the Nurse Practitioner
- NU 561 Primary Care I: Comprehensive Primary Care of the Adult
- NU 566 Advanced Pathophysiology for the Nurse Practitioner
- NU 606 Primary Care of Children
- NU 607 Primary Care for Women
- NU 621 Primary Care II
RNs who are interested in advancing into psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner roles can achieve their goals by earning their MSN online with Sacred Heart. This specialization includes these courses:
- NU 550 Family and Community Context for Health Care
- NU 551 Advanced Pharmacology for the Nurse Practitioner
- NU 552 Advanced Health Assessment for the Nurse Practitioner
- NU 566 Advanced Pathophysiology for the Nurse Practitioner
- NU 509 Advanced Psychopharmacology for the PMHNP
- NU 571 PMHNP I: Role Development of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- NU 572 PMHNP II: The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner’s Role with Children and their Families
- NU 573 PMHNP III: Advanced Role Development of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in Complex Systems
Request More Information
Fill out the form below and a skilled and knowledgeable Admissions Representative will get in touch to answer your questions and help with the application process.