Nursing (MSN)

This program is offered by the College of Science and Health. It is available online (asynchronous) to students licensed as RNs in the U.S. and possessing a bachelor of science degree in nursing. Students complete online modules each week, which may include recorded lectures, videos, readings, case studies, podcasts and more to meet the lesson and course outcomes for the week. Each course will offer a few virtual class meetings and/or office hours which will be recorded. Students are not required to attend the virtual class meetings or office hours. Students will have access to the recordings for review when convenient with their schedules. In some courses, students complete face-to-face practice experiences with clients and/or preceptors.    

Program Description

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the MSN program, students will be able to:

• Evaluate organization and systems leadership skills necessary for quality healthcare.
• Examine quality and safety principles of a healthcare organization.
• Analyze evidence and research for improvement of practice.
• Implement the use of information and other technologies into practice.
• Apply knowledge of policy and advocacy strategies to influence health and healthcare.
• Examine the impact of inter professional collaboration on quality care.
• Apply prevention and population health concepts to implement culturally relevant care.
• Integrate advanced knowledge and skills in a Nurse Leader or Educator role.

Program Curriculum

The following core courses must be completed for the MSN:

In addition, students must complete one of the following tracks:

Educator Track

Students selecting this option must complete the following courses:

Leader Track

Students selecting this option must complete the following courses:

Requirements

The student in this graduate program is subject to the policies and procedures for graduate studies and the MSN program.

Continuous Enrollment

Students in the MSN program must maintain continuous and consecutive enrollment in this program at Webster University. Students who do not enroll for three or more consecutive eight-week terms will be withdrawn from the program. The student may request a waiver of this requirement.

Practicum Evaluation

In courses with a clinical/practicum/practice experience component, students must receive a grade of “Satisfactory” in the clinical/practicum/practice experience portion to pass the course. Unsatisfactory completion of the clinical/practicum/practice experience component of the course results in automatic failure of the course.

Admission

See the Admission section of this catalog for general admission requirements. Students interested in applying must submit their application online at www.webster.edu/apply. Transcripts should be sent from your institution electronically to transcripts@webster.edu. If this service is not available, send transcripts to:

Office of Admission
Webster University
470 E. Lockwood Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63119 

Additional Requirements

Requirements for admission to the master of science in nursing (MSN) program include:

• Completion of the online graduate application.
• An unencumbered U.S. Nursing license.
• A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited program (ACEN, CCNE, or NLN CNEA) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Official transcripts (all undergraduate and graduate transcripts) reflecting Bachelor of Science in Nursing attainment.
• A curriculum vitae or resume* describing the scope, responsibilities and function of all work experience.
• An interview (upon request) of the MSN nursing department faculty/staff or the applicant. 

*These required materials must be electronically uploaded to the application account. A screenshot of the licensure report from the Nursys QuickConfirm website must be uploaded to the application file.

Admission to the MSN program is based on intellectual capacity, academic record, professional performance, clarity of goals, initiative and other qualities appropriate to graduate study in nursing. These qualities are difficult to measure in absolute terms, and the decision to offer admission is based on appraisal of the total application record. Special consideration may be given to applicants who excel in some criteria but do not meet all minimum requirements.

Admission to the MSN program does not guarantee eligibility for employment in all areas of nursing. 

Note to prospective students - the MO State Board of Nursing requires the following for appointment to a faculty position after graduation:

• Current active RN license.
• No disciplinary action currently on license.
• If there is past disciplinary action, it may have NO nexus to patient safety. 

Application Process

All applicants are invited to apply to begin the program in the Fall 1 (August) OR Spring 1 (January) terms each year.  

All documents must be received by July 15 for the Fall 1 term or by  December 15 for the Spring 1 (January) term. 

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are admitted to their graduate program upon completion of all admission requirements. Students are advanced to candidacy status after successfully completing 12 credit hours with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. In specialized programs, courses required as prerequisites to the program do not count toward the 12 credit hours required for advancement.