College Catalog 2024-2025

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) School Nurse

The MSN in School Nursing curriculum consists of 30 units completed in 5 semesters. The coursework is primarily offered asynchronously online. In the evenings, the program has 3-4 web synchronous meetings per term, which are optional and recorded for students unable to attend in person. During term five, students will complete a clinical project in their work setting. Students must work as school nurses throughout the program.

This program uses a cohort model where students follow a set study plan. The study plan is designed by the faculty to give students the best learning experience and to ensure courses are taken in a specific sequence to accommodate all the necessary prerequisites for each course. Online coursework through the School of Nursing is structured similarly to face-to-face classes in that you will have assignments to complete based on a schedule with definite due dates. Students do not work through courses at their own pace but rather stay on track together to foster collaborative discussions with classmates and instructors throughout the whole semester.

Admission Criteria

  1. BSN from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning; BLS provider status
  2. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale in all undergraduate coursework
  3. Unencumbered/Unrestricted active RN Missouri License; Current CV or Resume
  4. Official transcripts from all institutions attended
  5. Currently working as a school nurse in Missouri

Graduates of the MSN-School Nurse will:

1. Integrate, translate, and apply scientific underpinnings to improve nursing practice, clinical judgment and patient outcomes within the four spheres of care.

2. Design, implement, and evaluate safe, evidence-based, person-centered, compassionate care.

3. Influence population health, including improvements in health care policy, utilizing effective collaboration and advocacy strategies to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion.

4. Employ nursing scholarship to advance nursing practice, optimize care, address health inequities, and take actions that target high-priority social determinants of health.

5. Apply principles of quality improvement, ethics, and safety at both the individual and systems levels.

6. Effectively communicate and collaborate with care team members, patients, families, communities, and other stakeholders to optimize care, enhance the healthcare experience, and strengthen outcomes.

7. Design innovative strategies that promote the provision of safe, cost-effective, equitable care to diverse patient populations across complex healthcare systems.

8. Utilize information systems, communication technology, and informatics to improve and transform healthcare systems.

9. Demonstrate professionalism, including participation in activities that support nursing’s professional identity, accountability, ethical principles, and values.

10. Participate in activities and self-reflection that foster personal health, resilience, well–being, lifelong learning, competence, and leadership.

Program of Study

This is the suggested program of study to complete the program in five terms.

Term 1

NURS 6420Health Promotion Theory and Population Health

3

NURS 6523Foundations of Scholarly Writing and Evidence-Based Practice

3

Term 2

NURS 6327Health Systems Policy

3

NURS 6500Leadership and Collaboration for Quality and Safety

3

Term 3

NURS 5971Family Centered Care for Infants, Children, and Adolescents

3

NURS 6311Grant Writing

3

 

Term 4

NURS 6312Child Health Appraisal

3

NURS 6313Focus on Student Mental Health Issues

3

 

Term 5

NURS 6314School Health Management

3

NURS 6315Clinical Project

3

For program specific accreditation information follow the link below. 

Accreditation