2020-2021 Graduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Nursing (M.S.) - Family Nurse Practitioner Specialization


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Program Coordinator/Contact

Melinda Tinkle, Associate Dean for Academic Programs
College of Nursing
Wagner Hall 217, Box 2275
605-688-5178 or 1-888-216-9806 Ext. 2

Program Information

Established in 1979, the M.S. in Nursing at South Dakota State University prepares nurses for advanced practice roles in nursing administration, leadership, clinical practice, or education.

Program Outcomes

To prepare Nurse Administrators, Clinical Nurse Leaders, Family Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Educators, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners who:

  • apply knowledge of evidence-based practice,
  • engage in life-long learning,
  • serve South Dakota, the region, the nation, and the world in urban, rural, and frontier health care settings, and
  • function in leadership roles.

Student Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the program, the graduate will successfully demonstrate the following outcomes:  

  • Incorporate knowledge and theories from nursing and other supportive disciplines to promote and translate evidence into practice to effectively tailor health care to diverse populations. (Transferable Skill: Diversity Awareness)
  • Use leadership strategies at the organizational and individual level to work with interprofessional teams to recommend quality improvement initiatives to provide safe healthcare delivery and improve population health. (Transferable Skill: Leadership - Management)
  • Assume accountability to influence health policy, improve healthcare delivery, decrease health disparities, and address the diversity of health care needs. (Transferable Skill: Awareness of Public Policy - Regulatory Affairs)
  • Utilize informatics to enhance delivery of healthcare to a population
  • Communicate effectively with populations to improve health through population- centered strategies of health promotion/disease prevention education (Communication Skills)
  • Collaborate with the interprofessional team in the translation, implementation, analysis, and dissemination of evidence-based practice to improve healthcare outcomes.

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure

Accreditation

The master’s degree in nursing at South Dakota State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, 202-887-6791.

Licensure

Students must provide evidence of professional registration by submitting a copy of the most current RN license.

Certification

After completing the program of study, graduates may be eligible to complete certification through several professional organizations.

Course Delivery Format

A blend of online and face-to-face course delivery ensures convenience and accessibility. Students complete a minimum of 1000 hours of clinical practice preceptorship.

Available Options for Graduate Degrees


Master of Science Option A - Thesis 58 Credit Hours
  Option B - Research/Design Paper 55 Credit Hours
  Option C - Coursework Only 53 Credit Hours

Select one of the following options


Option A - Thesis


Option B - Research/Design Paper


Option C - Coursework Only


  • Coursework only

Total Required Credits: 58 (Option A), 55 (Option B), 53 (Option C)


Additional Admissions Requirements


GRE: Not required
TOEFL: Score of 81 Internet-based, OR
IELTS:  6.5 total band

In addition to meeting basic requirements for admission to the Graduate School, applicants for graduate study in nursing must have:

  • Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in the United States or its’ territories prior to enrollment in first graduate nursing course.
  • 1500 hours of documented nursing practice experience prior to the first clinical course.
  • Completed approved statistical methods course within the past 5 years.
  • Completed and verified application to the Graduate Nursing program via NursingCAS website.
  • Completed Compliance requirements: Clear Background check, clear FBI rolled fingerprint, clear drug screen, Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers, ACLS certification for FNP specialization, professional liability insurance, influenza vaccine, and TB test.
  • Interview assessment reviewed by graduate faculty.
  • Applicants who have begun but not completed a graduate nursing program at another college or university must submit a letter to the College of Nursing indicating their reason for leaving that said program.  A letter of recommendation must also be submitted to the College of Nursing from the dean/director of their former program that includes the applicant’s standing in that program upon exit.

For applicants who completed their higher education within the United States:

  • Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.

For applicants who completed their higher education outside the United States:

  • A degree deemed equivalent (by the World Education Service) to a Bachelor’s degree in nursing (within the United States Education System) with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.

General Requirements


Graduate students should consult with their advisor before registering for graduate coursework.

For additional information refer to the Master’s Degree Requirements .

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