Master of Science in Nursing
University of West Georgia School of Nursing ranked 31st in the nation for "Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs" (U.S. News & World Report, 2020).
2 years/5 semesters | Credit Hours: 35-38
The School of Nursing at the University of West Georgia offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree with role options in either education or health systems leadership. The School of Nursing also offers post masters certification in these areas.
There is also a part time plan of study available, completed in eight semesters.
For more information, please see the Academic Catalog.
The mission of the MSN Program is to offer high quality graduate education that prepares registered nurses for advanced practice roles in diverse health care settings, provides regional outreach related to graduate nursing education through off-campus programs, and provides a caring, supportive, personal environment for learning that:
- Affirms the holistic nature of individuals
- Reflects caring as the essence of nursing
- Expects that nurses use critical thinking in decision making
- Supports evidence-based practice
- Utilizes disciplinary rigor to support MSN student progress toward assuming leadership and education roles
Career Opportunities
Link to Additional Career Information:
https://www.buzzfile.com/Major/Nursing
External Resource
Program Location
Online
Method of Delivery
Coursework is provided 100% online. A 100% online orientation must be completed before the beginning of the semester.
Accreditation
The University of West Georgia is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
This program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Credit and transfer
Total semester hours required: 35-38
Maximum Hours Transferable into program: 6
A transfer credit evaluation will be completed by the UWG Transfer Team (transfer@westga.edu). Course application to a program is subject to review by the department.
Graduate students may be able to reduce their cost through prior learning, previous degrees earned at UWG, or transfer credits. We have created a tool to help students estimate their tuition costs.
This program is offered entirely online. Though a student may choose to sign-up for a face-to-face elective or core course, one can earn this degree completely online.
Save money
UWG is often ranked as one of the most affordable accredited university of its kind, regardless of the method of delivery chosen. In addition, online courses and programs can mean a huge cost-savings in many non-evident ways: No more high gas charges. No childcare needed. The flexibility can allow one to maintain a job while attending school. Regardless of state residency, out-of-state non-resident students are not charged non-resident tuition for online course credit hours.
Details
- Total tuition costs and fees may vary, depending on the instructional method of the courses in which the student chooses to enroll.
- The more courses a student takes in a single term, the more they will typically save in fees and total cost.
- Face-to-Face or partially online courses are charged at the general tuition rate and all mandatory campus fees, based on the student's residency (non-residents are charged at a higher rate).
- Fully or entirely online course tuition rates and fees my vary depending on the program. Students enrolled in exclusively online courses do not pay non-Resident rates.
- Together this means that GA residents pay about the same if they take all face-to-face or partially online courses as they do if they take only fully online courses exclusively; while non-residents save money by taking fully online courses.
- One word of caution: If a student takes a combination of face-to-face and online courses in a single term, they will pay both all mandatory campus fees and the higher eTuition rate.
- For the cost information, as well as payment deadlines, see the Student Accounts and Billing Services website
There are a variety of financial assistance options for students, including scholarships and work study programs. Visit the Office of Financial Aid's website for more information.
Coursework
Coursework completion is possible in as little as 5 semesters. Degrees are conferred in May.
Not all courses listed below are required. Be sure to check the program sheet specific to the track you choose. Please see the plans of study on the Master of Science in Nursing page.
The Health Systems Leadership Track: Leader/Manager
The Health Systems Leadership Track is a program of study designed to increase knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a variety of nursing leadership positions in the evolving healthcare environment. Courses focus on nursing leadership/management, managed care/case management strategies, outcome measurement, quality improvement, cost effectiveness, and implementing change in the health delivery system. Coursework is 100% online.
The Health System Leadership Track: Clinical Nurse Leader
The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) is a role developed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN, 2003). The CNL is a generalist who is a provider and manager at the point of care for individuals and cohorts of populations. The CNL assumes accountability for client care outcomes through the assimilation and application of research-based information to design, implement, and evaluate plans of care. The CNL coordinates delegates and supervises the care provided by the health care team, including licensed nurses, technicians and other health professionals. Courses focus on patient centered care, evidence-based practice, pharmacology, case management, client-care coordination, holistic health assessment, care for diverse populations, health policy, health systems, business and economics, statistics, leadership and management, quality improvement, risk management, and public/community health. Coursework is 100% online.
The Nursing Education Track
The Nursing Education track is a program of study that addresses innovations in curriculum, instructional skills and strategies, the development and use of educational technology, and educational assessment and evaluation. Students will develop expertise in health education and promotion, patient education, professional development, and college/university teaching. Course work is 100% online.
The School of Nursing MSN Website includes a program handbook, directory of instructors and their credentials, as well as other vital information.
CONTACT
THSSON Graduate Studies Associate songraduate-list@westga.edu 678-839-5115
General
An exploration and application of theories to health care delivery and to the role of the master?s prepared nurse in the context of caring science.
A course that explores the roles of the healthcare professional, theoretical models, and research related to caring science.
A course designed to equip the master?s prepared nurse with advanced health assessment and health promotion skills with the knowledge to focus on various physiologic systems across the lifespan and within diverse populations.
A course designed to prepare master?s prepared nurses with the skills and knowledge needed to use evidence-based findings to provide high quality nursing care, initiate change, and promote evidence-based practice in the context of caring science.
A course that addresses current and emerging challenges related to patient care quality and safety within a healthcare system. Emphasis will also be placed on the political and economic forces that influence the development of health policy related to quality and safety outcomes.
This is the first of two courses designed to provide scientific knowledge of pathophysiology and pharmacotherapeutics associated with health and disease as the basis of nursing management. Requires Admission to the Graduate program.
This course introduces students to the concepts of epidemiological methods and their practical applications to nursing education and practice.
This course focuses on the theoretical basis of healthcare informatics with an emphasis on management and processing of healthcare data, information, and knowledge.
This course provides students with a variety of teaching strategies and evaluative approaches designed to promote a productive, effective, and caring learning environment.
This course provides opportunities for the student to apply advanced clinical knowledge and skills within a selected population for the future nurse educator.
This course is designed for students to utilize their selected area of advanced practice knowledge and related practicum experiences by serving as nurse educators.
This course provides students with the fundamental knowledge and skill set needed to effectively design, develop, implement, and evaluate nursing education focused curricula.
A course designed to provide an introduction to health systems leadership issues, theories, and evidence-based interventions based upon caring science.
This course builds capability related to practice in a dynamic and complex healthcare financial environment. The course covers principles of healthcare economics; third party reimbursement; costing; budgets and budgeting; variance; economic evaluation methods; and writing a business plan to successfully defend or market a healthcare program.
This course is designed to provide the knowledge and skills to promote an effective and efficient human resource system for patient care services at multiple levels. The processes and skills for coaching individuals and groups are also part of this course's content and student learning objectives.
This course provides the opportunity to analyze the role of a health systems leader. The focus is on the development of knowledge and skills for operational and regulatory management, and interprofessional relationships.
This course will provide further development of the health systems leader role. As such, the health systems leader's focus will allow opportunities to evaluate, modify, and maximize the knowledge and skills needed for operational and regulatory management and interprofessional relationships.
This course is a practicum designed to demonstrate competencies of the various roles of the health systems leader. The course provides opportunities to integrate theory, evidence, and best practices in the development of a targeted healthcare improvement project.
This practicum provides the competencies of the health systems leader. As such, the course will afford opportunities to integrate theory and evidence to maximize effective leadership. The opportunities will create best practices and health systems improvements through the completion and evaluation of a targeted healthcare improvement project.
This course is a practicum designed to demonstrate competencies of the vairous roles of the CNL.
This course is an immersion experience in the role of the clinical nurse leader. Opportunities are provided to integrate theory, research, and evidence-based practice in a clinical microsystem through completion of capstone project.
This course is an in depth examination of the roles of the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL). Additionally, this course will examine leadership and organizational theories as well as financial concepts related to the CNL roles.
This course is designed to provide students the opportunity to discuss the knowledge needed in the development and implementation of the CNL role in clinical microsystems.
This course will address the basic mechanics of scholarly writing, peer review, self-editing and APA format.
Must be admitted to the MSN program as a prerequisite to register for this course. Independent study involving in-depth, individual research and study of a specific nursing problem and/or issue.
Cynthia Brown, DNS, RN, AHN-BC, NBC-HWC, CNE
Professor
Nancy Capponi, EdD, RN, CNE, CCRN, CEN
Assistant Professor
Laura Caramanica, PhD, RN, CENP, FACHE, FAAN, CNE
Graduate Program Director & Professor
Kelly Dyar, EdD, RN, CNN, CNE
Director of Inquiry and Scholarship & Associate Professor
Tammy McClenny, EdD, RN
Assistant Professor
Laura Phillips, EdD, RN, CNE
Assistant Professor
Sally Richter, EdD, RN
Associate Dean of Nursing Graduate Programs & Associate Professor
Michelle Venn, DNP RN CNE CLNC C-OB C-EFM
Assistant Professor
Amy Yarbrough, EdD, RN, RNC-MNN, CNE
Associate Professor
Guidelines for Admittance
- All graduate applicants must complete the online Grad Application. A one-time application fee of $40 is required.
- Applicants should also review the Graduate Studies Website for individual program specific requirements and tasks that must be completed prior to admission. See Graduate Studies Application Process.
- International applicants are subject to additional requirements and application deadlines. See Procedures for International Students.
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended are required and should be sent directly to the UWG Graduate Admissions Office.
Program Specific Admittance Guidelines
- Earned Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an accredited program.
- Completion of a basic undergraduate statistics course with a grade of C or higher prior to enrollment or during the first semester of the program.
- Current licensure as a registered nurse (RN) in the United States upon the start date of MSN coursework.
- An overall GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) for all nursing courses.
- Professional resume
Application Deadlines
The MSN program admits only in the Fall of each year.
Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School
*A review of applications will begin after February 1st and will continue until the cohort of students for the MSN in Nursing program is full.
Please visit the Tanner Health System School of Nursing to view program specific requirements.
Admission Process Checklist
Please submit all transcripts to:
UWG Graduate Admissions
Mandeville Hall
1601 Maple Street
Carrollton, GA 30118
The program specific admission checklist is available here
Contact
Graduate Admissions
graduate@westga.edu
678-839-1394
The Tanner Health System School of Nursing Website includes a program handbook, directory of instructors and their credentials, as well as other vital information.
CONTACT
THSSON Graduate Studies Associate
songraduate-list@westga.edu
Phone: 678-839-5115
Fax: 678-839-2462
*A review of applications will begin after February 1st and will continue until the cohort of students for the MSN in Nursing program is full.
Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School
The purpose of the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is to prepare registered nurses for advanced practice in the areas of health systems leadership and nursing education.
The major objectives of the MSN program are to:
1. Integrate scientific findings from nursing, biopsychosocial fields, genetics, public health, quality improvement, and organizational sciences for the continual improvement of nursing care across diverse settings.
2. Utilize leadership skills to promote ethical and critical decision making and effective working relationships.
3. Apply quality improvement and safety principles within an organization to improve educational and practice outcomes.
4. Translate scholarship into practice by applying research outcomes within educational and practice settings.
5. Employ client care and communication technologies to deliver quality care.
6. Employ advocacy strategies to influence health and health care.
7. Serve as a member and leader of inter-professional teams to create caring and collaborative relationships.
8. Apply organizational, client-centered, and culturally appropriate concepts to enhance population based care for individuals, families, and aggregates.