Program Overview
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The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program is designed for experienced nurses with a BSN degree who are independent learners and who want the convenience and flexibility an online program can offer. The MSN degree requires a minimum of 36 credits consisting of different combinations of courses: core, direct-care core, electives, specialty, and Practicum. Two years’ experience in nursing is recommended, and a BSN degree from an accredited program is required.
Three areas of nursing specialty are offered:
Nurse Educator
The Nurse Educator program prepares graduates for teaching roles in healthcare and academic settings.
Nursing Informatics
The Nursing Informatics program prepares graduates to function as a nursing informatics specialist.
Nursing Administration
The Nursing Administration program prepares graduates for the role of nurse administrator in healthcare settings.
A certificate in the selected area of specialty is awarded along with the MSN degree.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and doctor of nursing practice program at Thomas Edison State University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Admissions Requirements
For MSN applicants, admission to the graduate nursing program is on a rolling basis.
Applicants must have earned a BSN degree from an institutionally accredited college or university recognized under the TESU Transfer Credit Policy and Guidelines, and must be ready to participate in an online environment. Admission is based on:
- Students with a GPA of 3.0 or above as reflected on the official transcript of the institutionally accredited institution recognized under the TESU Transfer Credit Policy and Guidelines awarding their BSN degree are considered to have demonstrated the requisite knowledge and skills to handle graduate-level work and will be admitted without further requirements. Students whose GPA is less than 3.0 are invited to submit a resume and a personal statement describing their background and goals for consideration.
- Relevance of work experience and career objectives to the program objectives. Two (2) years of work experience is recommended.
Applicants to all programs offered by the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and Health Professions must:
- Have a current RN license valid in the United States
IMPORTANT: For a student's application to be processed, the University must be able to validate the student's RN license. If the student's state does not have an online RN license validation process, the student must submit a notarized copy of current RN license valid in the U.S. to Office of Admissions and Enrollment Services, Thomas Edison State University, 111 W. State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608.
- Have proficiency in using a computer, browsing the web and sending and receiving email, including attachments.
- Have minimum system requirements to access an online course: access to the internet, an internet browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or newer, Firefox 2.0 or newer, or Google Chrome. Additional requirements that may apply to nursing courses are specified in the University Catalog and W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and Health Professionals Student Handbook. Some courses require access to PowerPoint and/or Excel software and a webcam.
- Submit a completed application with a nonrefundable fee.
- For more information, visit the MSN Admission Requirements page.
Program Progression FAQs
Can I transfer credits from other colleges and universities into the master’s program? How do I know whether or not you’ll accept my previous graduate credit?
At the time of enrollment in the MSN program, courses from other accredited colleges and universities can be evaluated for transfer credit. Courses for transfer must have been completed within the past seven years at an institutionally accredited institution recognized under the TESU Transfer Credit Policy and Guidelines with an earned grade of B or higher. A maximum of 12 graduate level credits will be accepted in transfer toward the MSN degree. A maximum of 6 graduate level credits will be accepted in transfer toward the Nurse Educator and Nursing Administration certificates. A maximum of 9 graduate level credits will be accepted toward the Nursing Informatics certificate. It can take several weeks for transfer credit to be reviewed and updated to academic evaluations.
When are nursing courses offered?
Graduate nursing courses are offered four times a year: July, October, January, and April. View the updated registration dates for these terms.
Graduate electives are offered as per the online schedule.
Can I take more than one master’s course at a time?
Most students enrolled at Thomas Edison State University work full-time, and take one or two courses a term. Graduate students may register for up to 9 credits per term. For students wanting to take more than 9 credits per term, please contact the graduate nursing advisor.
Can I take a master’s course before I complete my BSN?
Keep in mind that four courses in the BSN program at Thomas Edison State University are graduate level courses. Students will take these courses as part of the BSN degree.
These courses are:
| NUR-516 | Advanced Health Assessment | 3 |
| NUR-529 | Health Policy | 3 |
| NUR-531 | Nursing Informatics: Concepts and Issues | 3 |
| NUR-582 | Financial Management in Nursing Practice | 3 |
How long will it take to complete the MSN program?
The MSN degree requires a minimum of 36 credits consisting of different combinations of courses: core, direct care core, electives, specialty, and practicum. Courses are offered during four terms a year, which begin in January, April, July, and October. Each student progresses at their own pace. Many students are able to arrange their work and family schedules to take two courses a term. Some students complete the MSN in as little as 18 months, and the maximum time allowed is seven years.
Factors that influence the time to completion include: tuition assistance, family obligations, and work responsibilities.
RN’s who have completed their degree requirements for the BSN degree but have not been awarded the degree may apply for admission to the MSN degree program on a provisional basis and register for a graduate nursing course.
Outcomes and Program Competencies
On completion of the Master of Science in Nursing degree program, the graduate will be able to:
- demonstrate the use of scholarly inquiry to evaluate current knowledge from nursing theory, nursing science, and related disciplines to inform and/or initiate change in nursing practice;
- apply ethical decision making to nursing practice;
- analyze the effect of health policy, finance, technology, and the organizational context on the development and implementation of quality nursing practice;
- demonstrate the use of leadership strategies that advance the design, implementation, and evaluation of nursing practice;
- analyze the effect of sociopolitical, cultural, and global influences on nursing practice;
- utilize interprofessional communication to improve healthcare outcomes; and
- integrate advances in technology into healthcare.
MSN Program Competencies:
In addition to the MSN degree outcomes, the graduate of the Nurse Educator program will be able to:
- apply theories of education and related sciences to the development and evaluation of nursing and healthcare curricula;
- facilitate learning of individuals and groups using theories of education, nursing, testing and evaluation, and technological innovation;
- apply leadership strategies to contribute to the ongoing development of the profession of nursing and nursing education;
- utilize research to analyze the outcomes of nursing interventions and improve nursing practice and nursing pedagogy;
- apply strategies that recognize multicultural factors in teaching and learning;
- utilize theories of change to advance the profession of nursing;
- analyze ethical theories and ethical decision-making in the educational setting;
- analyze trends in healthcare and nursing education and their impact on the profession of nursing, nursing education, and the delivery of patient care; and
- design curriculum and implement, and evaluate curriculum based on sound educational principles, theory, and research.
In addition to the MSN degree outcomes, the graduate of the Nursing Informatics program will be able to:
- integrate knowledge, skills, and scientific findings from nursing science, computer science, information science, and cognitive science in the professional practice of nursing informatics;
- analyze the concepts of, and relationships between data, information, knowledge and wisdom for implications to nursing practice;
- demonstrate leadership in the professional practice of nursing informatics through the use of effective communication, interdisciplinary collaboration, and administrative skills;
- participate at each stage within the health information systems life cycle as a leader and team member;
- promote the use of healthcare informatics-related education for consumers and healthcare providers;
- integrate legal, ethical, regulatory, technical, and professional standards into the development and implementation of healthcare related information systems;
- use research, evidence based practice, quality improvement and safety methodologies in the evaluation and improvement of healthcare information systems; and
- advance nursing informatics professional practice and values.
In addition to the MSN degree outcomes, the graduate of the Nursing Administration program will be able to:
- utilize systems thinking to lead and manage complex healthcare organizations;
- provide leadership in the professional design of nursing care grounded in ethical, multicultural, and professional standards and healthcare policy;
- utilize financial, material, human, and environmental resources to benefit nursing divisions in complex healthcare organizations;
- use information management systems to facilitate organizational decision-making;
- demonstrate communication skills and relationship building competencies to support organizational goals;
- demonstrate leadership in the professional community;
- integrate best evidence to provide quality nursing care and promote improvement in healthcare outcomes; and
- use an interdisciplinary approach to execute nursing administration practice.