The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program builds upon the student's baccalaureate nursing education and professional experience.
The MSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The Nursing and Health Care Simulation Track is delivered online with some required campus activities. It prepares simulation-based educators for positions in colleges and universities, as well as in practice settings.
Program Objectives
The program prepares students to:
- Analyze social, economic, ethical, cultural, legal, and political issues influencing nursing practice and health care in a global context.
- Develop and implement leadership, management, and teaching strategies for the improvement of health and health care quality and safety.
- Develop practice models of evidence-based nursing practice incorporating nursing research.
- Influence health and public policy in collaboration with other disciplines to improve systems of care and health of communities.
- Participate in research and disseminate research findings through presentation and publication.
- Synthesize advanced knowledge from the sciences, humanities, and theory to support advanced nursing practice.
- Plan, evaluate and implement the delivery of health care using critical thinking skill in an advanced nursing role.
You may pursue this UCF College of Nursing online program as long as you will be physically located in a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state for the duration of your education.
UCF College of Nursing faculty are authorized to teach in NLC states. Due to nursing education restrictions imposed by non-NLC states, UCF is unable to offer courses, clinicals, or other educational services regardless of modality within non-NLC states. Should you be physically located within a non-NLC state for more than a vacation or brief visit, regardless of your legal state of residence or the type of license you have, you will be unable to apply or continue your nursing degree program at the UCF College of Nursing. This includes, but is not limited to, students accepting traveling nurse positions in a non-Nurse Licensure Compact state.
Please note: Nursing (MSN) - Nursing and Health Care Simulation may be completed fully online, although not all elective options or program prerequisites may be offered online. Newly admitted students choosing to complete this program exclusively via UCF online classes may enroll with a reduction in campus-based fees.
You may pursue this UCF College of Nursing online program as long as you will be physically located in a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state for the duration of your education.
UCF College of Nursing faculty are authorized to teach in NLC states. Due to nursing education restrictions imposed by non-NLC states, UCF is unable to offer courses, clinicals, or other educational services regardless of modality within non-NLC states. Should you be physically located within a non-NLC state for more than a vacation or brief visit, regardless of your legal state of residence or the type of license you have, you will be unable to apply or continue your nursing degree program at the UCF College of Nursing. This includes, but is not limited to, students accepting traveling nurse positions in a non-Nurse Licensure Compact state.
International students (F or J visa) are required to enroll in a full-time course load of 9 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters. Only 3 of the 9 credit hours may be taken in a completely online format. For a detailed listing of enrollment requirements for international students, please visit http://global.ucf.edu/. If you have questions, please consult UCF Global at 407-823-2337.
Track Prerequisites
BSN degree from an accredited institution.*
RN license the state in which you practice.
Students with a bachelor's degree in a discipline other than nursing will be required to take the following courses prior to taking required program courses. Consistent with graduate nursing program policies, courses must be completed with a grade of 'B' or better.
- NUR 3805 - Dimensions of Professional Practice 3 Credit Hours
- NUR 4637 - Public Health Nursing 3 Credit Hours
- NUR 3165 - Nursing Research 3 Credit Hours
*Licensed RNs who have completed an accredited AS in Nursing or diploma nursing program and Bachelor's degree in a discipline other than nursing, please contact the College of Nursing Graduate Office at [email protected] for additional options.
Degree Requirements
Required Courses
28 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
Core Courses- Take the following:
- NGR5141 - Pathophysiological Bases for Advanced Nursing Practice (3)
- NGR5190 - Core Clinical Concepts for Nurse Educators (3)
- NGR5800 - Theory for Advanced Practice Nursing (3)
- NGR5884 - Legal and Professional Behavior in Advanced Practice Nursing (3)
- NGR6801 - Research Methods (3)
- NGR6813 - Evidence Based Nursing Practice (3)
- NGR6945L - Clinical Specialty Practicum (1)
Required Simulation Courses- Take the following:
- NGR6717 - Introduction to Healthcare Simulation (3)
- NGR6794 - Organizational Leadership and Operations in Healthcare Simulation (3)
- NGR6978 - Healthcare Simulation Capstone Project (3)
Elective Courses
3 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- May be taken in other colleges with permission of adviser and faculty presenting the course.
- Earn at least 3 credits from the following:
- NGR5003 - Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning (2)
- NGR5003L - Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning Lab (1)
- NGR5638 - Health Promotion (3)
- NGR5720 - Organizational Dynamics (3)
- NGR6722 - Financial Management and Resource Development (3)
- NGR6713 - Curriculum Development in Nursing Education (3)
- NGR6718 - Evaluation in Nursing Education (3)
- NGR6791 - Teaching Strategies for Nurse Educators (3)
- IDS6147 - Perspectives on Modeling and Simulation (3)
- IDS6147 - Perspectives on Modeling and Simulation (3)
- CAP6671 - Intelligent Systems: Robots, Agents, and Humans (3)
- NGR6771L - Healthcare Simulation Practicum (1 - 99)
Grand Total Credits: 31
Application Requirements
For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.
In addition to the general UCF graduate application requirements, applicants to this program must provide:
- One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
- BSN degree from an accredited institution.*
- Undergraduate Statistics course.
- The GRE is not required for admission to this program.
- RN license the state in which you practice.
- Address the following 3 items in a written essay. Total word count for all (not each) answers should be 500 words or less, double-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font, and 1-inch margins:
- Describe your future career plans and how the program to which you are applying will help you achieve your career goals.
- Describe the changes you would make in your personal and professional life to ensure success in your graduate nursing education.
- Identify one significant contemporary issue/ problem in U.S. health care and explore how members of the nursing profession can help address that issue or solve that problem.
- Curriculum Vitae should reflect prior education, recent clinical/practice accomplishments, any recent scholarly work (publications, presentations, grants, research participation), awards, scholarships, additional professional certifications, volunteer activities, and membership/leadership/activities with professional organizations and community service organizations. For recent graduates, this can include accomplishments as a student.
- Requires 3 professional recommendations.
- Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
Before submitting your application, it is recommended that applicants call the College of Nursing Graduate Office at 407-823-2744 to schedule an appointment with an MSN adviser to discuss your goals for graduate study. It is advantageous to discuss the program before writing the required essay because the essay must address your goals for Masters-level preparation for advanced nursing practice.
*Licensed RNs who have completed an accredited AS in Nursing or diploma nursing program and Bachelor's degree in a discipline other than nursing, please contact the College of Nursing Graduate Office at [email protected] for additional options.
Upon admission to the program, students will be required to complete FDLE/FBI fingerprinting and certified background checks, and health screening. A student must be able to meet clinical partner background requirement to continue in the program.
The College of Nursing uses a student information management system, LEAP*RN (Project Concert). This database houses information regarding plans of study, clinical placements, clinical hours, logs, and evaluation data to assist in maintaining standards required for CCNE accreditation, facilitate student progression, and enhance clinical tracking. Students will need to access LEAP*RN for clinical course requirements, course evaluations, and portfolios. Upon graduation, students will continue to have no-cost access to their information. All students will be responsible for a one-time subscription of $150 per degree program payable at https://secure.projectconcert.com/ucf and due prior to registering for first semester courses. If students register for courses prior to paying the subscription, a "hold" service indicator will be placed to prevent future enrollment and other progression functions.
Financial Information
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowship Information
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
