The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program is designed to prepare advanced population health nurses to address the health needs of vulnerable populations and communities as they currently exist and as they will evolve in the future. Students acquire advanced knowledge and skills in community needs assessment, analysis of aggregate data, health planning, as well as program development, implementation, and evaluation. The curriculum builds on the foundation of baccalaureate education and requires 38 hours of coursework, including two courses in population health with clinical practicum. A disaster management component is integrated into various courses in the curriculum. Courses in the MSN program are offered online.
Application Deadlines
To complete the admission process, the items listed below must be submitted by:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 1 | Fall Admission |
| November 1 | Spring Admission |
| April 1 | Summer Admission |
Applicants are not allowed to register or pre-register until all admission requirements have been completed and the applicant is admitted to Graduate Studies.
Application Materials Required for the MSN in Population Health
Applicants for the MSN - Population Health must submit all of the following documentation to Graduate Studies to be considered for admission:
Graduate Admissions
Jacksonville State University
700 Pelham Road North
Jacksonville, Alabama 36265-1602
- Completed JSU Graduate Application for Admission.
- Non-refundable $35 application processing fee.
- Bachelor’s degree with a major in nursing from an institutionally accredited university with a professionally accredited nursing program.
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities with degrees posted. To be considered for admission, applicants must hold a degree from a institutionally accredited institution or its foreign equivalent. (Students who have previously attended JSU do not need to request a transcript from the university.)
- Overall undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale (cumulative or last 64 credit hours).
- A current unencumbered RN license.
- Admission test scores are not required (GRE, MAT).
- International student applicants must see the International Student Applicants section of this catalog for other application and enrollment requirements.
Admission Requirements for the MSN in Population Health
Unconditional Admission
Applicants are admitted on a selective basis upon review of the completed application package. The Graduate Nursing Programs Admissions Committee will review applicant admission packets and determine eligibility for admission. The admissions committee will submit to the Director of Graduate Studies its recommendation on the admission of each candidate. Overall undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale (cumulative or last 64 hours) is required.
Conditional Admission
To be considered for Conditional Admission for the MSN, applicants must meet all of the above requirements with the following exception: Overall undergraduate GPA of 2.50 or higher on a 4.00 scale (cumulative or last 64 credit hours).
Students who are granted conditional admission must achieve a GPA of at least 3.00 on the first 12 graduate hours attempted. Failure to comply will result in the student being dismissed from the program.
Retention and Progression
In accordance with the University policy, graduate students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all graduate courses attempted. A student whose GPA falls below the required minimum of 3.0 will be placed on academic probation and will receive notification from Graduate Studies of the requirements to reestablish good standing. Any student who does not attain good standing, as specified in their notification letter, will be dropped from graduate studies. A grade of “C” or below will not be permitted to count toward the graduate or doctoral level degree or certificate programs. All grades of “C” or below are factored into a student’s GPA. Only one “C” grade or lower is permitted to be re-taken in the graduate or doctoral level degree or certificate program. A grade of “C” or below in any graduate nursing programs must be repeated. A student must achieve an “A” or “B” in the repeated course. The course may only be repeated once. A student’s progression in the program will be impacted. If the student is unsuccessful after the re-take, the student will be dismissed from the program. If a student earns a grade of “C” or below in any coursework in any graduate nursing program, the student should consult their academic advisor and the Dean of Graduate Studies for advisement. Should a student earn more than 3 semester hours of a C grade, the student will be ineligible to continue in the graduate nursing program and should consult the graduate catalog for guidance. Failure to resolve an incomplete within the established time frame will result in an inability to progress in the program. Registration for the upcoming semester will not be allowed until the incomplete is resolved. Review the graduate catalog for processing instructions and deadlines. MSN: All graduate coursework and degree requirements toward a master’s degree, education specialist degree, or a graduate certificate (including credit transferred from another university or graduate program) must be completed within a period of six calendar years, which would include the summer term.
Minimum Requirements for the MSN in Population Health
An overall 3.00 GPA is required on all coursework attempted for the master’s degree. Transfer credit cannot be used to raise the GPA to the required 3.00.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| NU 501 | MSN Online Orientation | 0 |
| NU 504 | Theories in Nursing | 2 |
| NU 507 | Advanced Health Assessment | 3 |
| NU 513 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NU 518 | Organizational & Systems Leadership in Population Health | 3 |
| NU 520 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| NU 522 | Nursing Research | 3 |
| NU 527 | Epidemiology | 3 |
| NU 540 | Population Health I | 6 |
| NU 542 | Transcultural Nursing & Healthcare | 3 |
| NU 544 | Statistical Methods in Health Care | 3 |
| NU 545 | Population Health II | 6 |
| Total Hours | 38 | |
38 Graduate Semester Hours Required for this Degree
Graduation and Comprehensive Exam
No comprehensive exam is required for this degree. All students must apply for graduation by the given deadline of the semester in which they plan to graduate. Please see the Graduation and Comprehensive Exam section of this catalog for more information.