master of nursing graduates leave commencement carrying diplomas

Master of Science in Nursing

Master of Science in Nursing Degree
(Nursing Education Or Nursing Administration)

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Combining a unique blend of online courses, hybrid classes, and clinical experiences, the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) education program provides advanced degree options for BSN graduates. As an MSN student, you will have the opportunity to complete your master's in  nursing education or nursing administration.

Our accredited MSN program is offered through three different plans of study to best fit your needs: Part-time (three years), Full-time (two years) or Full-time Accelerated (18 months).

MSN Degree Core Classes

All MSN students will take the following 18 hours of core classes:

  • NUR 5013 Nursing Science
  • NUR 5033 Concepts of Advanced Practice Nursing
  • NUR 5043 Ethics and Policy Issues in Advanced Practice
  • NUR 5083 Nursing Research
  • NUR 5123 Information Systems
  • NUR 5533 Statistics & Data Analysis for Nursing

Nursing Education

The nursing education track will prepare you for academic, staff development, and patient education roles. The program will provide you with an excellent foundation in nursing education knowledge, leadership, and evidence-based practice, as well as adult educational theory and teaching strategies.

Nursing Administration

The nursing administration track will provide you with an in-depth study of nursing leadership principles and practices promoting nursing excellence and process improvement. You will gain valuable skills in communication, relationship-building, knowledge of the healthcare environment, leadership, professionalism and business skills.

Want to Learn More?

To learn more about the MSN education program, application, financial aid and cost information, visit the MSN Graduate Studies page.

MSN Cost and Financial Aid Information

 

100%
Job
placement
rate

(employed as a MSN-prepared RN at the time of graduation)

Program Outcomes

SBU students

The SBU Advantage

  • Receive a high-quality, Christian higher education in partnership with a nationally recognized healthcare system, Mercy Health System.
  • Competitive tuition rates and available tuition assistance programs make an MSN degree from SBU's Mercy College an affordable option.
  • Part-time, full-time and accelerated options enable you to complete the MSN at a pace that works for you; it is possible to earn your MSN degree in as little as 18 months.
  • Courses are offered in an 8-week block format allowing you to begin the program at any point throughout the year.

Faith Integration

Southwest Baptist University is a Christ-centered university and is committed to the integration of faith and academics in all programs and degrees. Class discussions include open dialogue about how faith impacts the academic discipline. Students are encouraged to consider their own faith and how they will incorporate their faith in their chosen career paths. SBU's goal is to produce academically qualified career professionals who are also servant leaders in today's global society.

The MSN program was such a blessing to me in so many ways. The faculty were right there with me and I was always more than just a name — I was someone they took the time to get to know and pray for. I know attending and graduating from Mercy College of Nursing and Health Sciences of SBU was one of the best choices I could have made to prepare for a career in nursing education.

Kendra Bradford, Instructor with Arkansas Rural Nursing Education Consortium

Admissions

Admission criteria for a new applicant with the BSN degree:

  1. Submit application to the graduate program in nursing.
  2. Satisfactory completion of undergraduate courses in health assessment, pathophysiology, and statistics
  3. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; if a student’s GPA is less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, submission of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required
  4. BSN degree from an accredited college or university
  5. Licensure as a registered nurse in the State of Missouri, or eligible for licensure in the State of Missouri
  6. Submission of two reference forms from faculty and employer or others who can address the applicant's potential to succeed in graduate study (forms are provided).
  7. Submission of an essay (no longer than two pages) outlining how an MSN will facilitate the accomplishment of the applicant's professional goals and career path
  8. Official transcripts submitted from all prior nursing programs - must be sent directly to the Mercy College of Nursing and Health Sciences (Attn: MSN Department)
  9. Submission of the following documents:
    -Current RN license
    -Current CPR card
    -Photo ID/Driver's license
    -Certified Background Check (Includes Criminal Background check, Family Care & Safety Registry Background Check, and Urine Drug Screen) at an additional cost to the student. Final acceptance into the MSN program is contingent on a negative drug screen
    -Immunization and TB testing verification form
    -Current RN liability/malpractice insurance verification prior to beginning clinical courses – NUR 5523, NUR 550(1-3), and NUR 5323

Admission criteria for an existing SBU student with the BSN degree:

  1. Submit application to the graduate program in nursing.
  2. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. If the student's GPA is less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, submission of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required.
  3. Certified Background Check (Includes Criminal Background check, Family Care & Safety Registry Background Check, and Urine Drug Screen) at an additional cost to the student. Final acceptance into the MSN program is contingent on a negative drug screen.
  4. Immunization and TB testing verification form
  5. Current RN liability/malpractice insurance verification prior to beginning clinical courses – NUR 5523, NUR 550(1-3), and NUR 5323
  6. Copies of admission documents from SBU BSN file

Course Transfer Equivalency

Nine graduate semester hours completed at another regionally accredited institution may be transferred and applied to the degree. These credits must be comparable to courses offered at Southwest Baptist University and must be approved by the MSN Faculty and Dean. Southwest Baptist University maintains a current database of course transfer equivalencies from hundreds of accredited colleges and universities. Students are welcome to search for and find course equivalents for pre-requisite courses and program requirements within the Mercy College of Nursing and Health Sciences degree programs.

Pre-Requisites

Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Current RN License

Contact Information

Shonna Fore
Assistant Director of Admissions
(417) 447-8672
sfore@SBUniv.edu

Full-Time Faculty

Suzie Morrow

Suzie Morrow, D.N.P., Assistant Professor
Sharon Zahn

Sharon Zahn, D.N.P., MSN Program Chair, Assistant Professor
 

I chose to return to SBU for my master's degree because of the quality I know is associated with the institution, program, and overall education opportunities available at SBU. I gained a wealth of knowledge and had intense faculty interactions which enhanced my educational experience.

Pamela Sandvig '14, Director of RN-BSN Program at Oklahoma Panhandle State University
Pamela Sandvig, BSN alum

Sample Course Plans

Use this plan if you are completing the Nursing Administration Concentration as a full-time student starting during a Fall semester:

ADMINISTRATION FALL FULL-TIME

Use this plan if you are completing the Nursing Administration Concentration as a full-time student starting during a Spring semester:

ADMINISTRATION SPRING FULL-TIME

Use this plan if you are completing the Nursing Administration Concentration as a part-time student starting during a Fall semester:

ADMINISTRATION FALL Part-time

Use this plan if you are completing the Nursing Administration Concentration as a part-time student starting during a Spring semester:

Administration Spring Part-time

Use this plan if you are completing the Nursing Education Concentration as a full-time student starting during a Fall semester:

Education Fall Full-time

Use this plan if you are completing the Nursing Education Concentration as a full-time student starting during a Spring semester:

Education Spring Full-time

Use this plan if you are completing the Nursing Education Concentration as a part-time student starting during a Fall semester:

Education Fall Part-time

Use this plan if you are completing the Nursing Education Concentration as a part-time student starting during a Spring semester:

Education Spring Part-time