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 graduates for developing and leading nursing and healthcare simulation programs in academic and 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 nursing theories to support advanced nursing practice.
- Plan, evaluate and implement the delivery of health care using critical thinking skill in an advanced nursing role.
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.
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 in the state in which you practice.
- Undergraduate Statistics Course.
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 gradnurseadvisor@ucf.edu 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. Courses not listed will require advisor approval:
- 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)
- CAP6671 - Intelligent Systems: Robots, Agents, and Humans (3)
- NGR6771L - Healthcare Simulation Practicum (1 - 99)
Grand Total Credits: 31
Application Requirements
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.
College of Nursing Master's Program Handbook
All master's students are required to read the College of Nursing Master's Program Handbook regarding policies for each program and for academic progression. Information about each program, particularly clinical placements, and forms for appeals to the Master's APG Committee, are located in the Nursing MSN Handbook.
Equipment Fee
Full-time students in all Master of Science in Nursing programs pay a $90 equipment fee each semester that they are enrolled. Part-time students pay $45 each semester.
Independent Learning
An independent scholarly work is a requirement for the Master of Science in Nursing degree. The scholarly work consists of an evidence-based nursing project. The scholarly project that is required in Evidence Based Practice NGR 6813 (completed in the final semester of study) is an evidence-based scholarly clinical paper. The evidence-based project should reflect the latest evidence for the student's MSN track. This is a formal paper that must adhere to published guidelines in the syllabus and must be presented.
