Master of Science in Nursing
The application deadline for the MSN program has been extended and will remain open until all seats are filled.
Application Requirements are described on the College of Graduate Studies website (link below). We require a General Application, Supplemental Application, Transcripts from all post secondary institutions attended, and three References, two of which should be academic references.
Program Objectives
The objectives of the MSN program are to cultivate leadership, enhance theoretical knowledge, develop scholarly inquiry and scholarship and advance the professional practice of baccalaureate nurses. These objectives will be achieved through a course of studies that engages nursing graduate students in:
- Examining and critiquing historical and contemporary development of knowledge informing theoretical constructions of nursing practice.
- Developing in-depth understandings of contemporary knowledge and discourses on health, illness and healing in particular contexts of practice with local and international emphases.
- Analyzing, critiquing and engaging in processes associated with the ethical, political-economic dimensions of practice, and increasing competencies as a facilitator of change in health and health care.
- Expanding ontological knowledge and skillfulness in relational and reflective practice with individuals, families, groups, institutions, communities and society.
- Enhancing nursing practice through scholarly inquiry.
- Enhancing the application of knowledge from nursing and other disciplines in health care through participating in interprofessional and interdisciplinary studies.
- Enhancing and enriching health care practice through interprofessional team work.
Progam Description
The Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) program offers opportunities for baccalaureate nurses to develop and advance their professional knowledge, practice and scholarship. Graduate students will engage in scholarly inquiry within a chosen area of nursing practice. Consistent with the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia (CRNBC) definition, nursing practice is broadly defined as practice within the domains of: clinical work, education and administration. In addition to a required core of foundation courses, students will select focus courses in which to advance their nursing practice and scholarship. The program will culminate in a scholarly project or thesis. Graduates will be prepared to participate in knowledge development, application, integration and translation through leadership roles within their practice setting.
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for admission, an applicant must:
- Be a Registered Nurse with a baccalaureate degree, normally in nursing.
- Have a minimum overall average of B+ (76%) standing in third and fourth year levels of their baccalaureate with an A- (80%) in 12 credits of nursing courses.
- Demonstrate competence to pursue studies in the English language. *
In addition to meeting minimum admission criteria, applicants will be evaluated in relation to:
- Record of academic and professional achievement.
- Three (3) letters of reference.
- Quality and feasibility of the proposed plan of study as described in the application form.
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*Completion of a TOEFL41 with a minimum score of 600 or IELTS with a minimum score range of 6.5 – 7.0 may be required before an offer of admission is made.
1TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language
Program Requirements
The MSN 33-credit program includes three components: a 18-credit Core of 6 courses, a 9 credit segment of Focus Courses, 3-6 credit segment of elective courses with an option of a Scholarly Project valued at 3-credits or Research Thesis valued at 6-credits.
Master’s level course work is taken at the 500-600 level.
A maximum of 6 credits at the 300-400 undergraduate level may be counted toward requirements of the MSN degree. Electives must be relevant to the program of study and approved by the Master's Program Coordinator prior to enrollment in the course. Graduate level electives (500-600 level) are strongley recommended. Exceptions to this policy may be granted by the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies.
Focus and elective courses must total 12 credits in the overall program.
Core Courses (Required) 18 credits:
- NRSG 500 – Nursing Knowledge (3)
- NRSG 501 – Construction of Health and Healing (3)
- NRSG 502 – Historical, Political and Economic Context of Nursing Practice (3)
- NRSG 503 – Promoting Health through Reflective and Relational Practice (3)
- NRSG 540 – Nursing Leadership and Management (3)
- HINT 501 – Research and Evidence Based Practice (3)
Prior to the completion of the Core Courses, the specific selection of Focus Courses will be planned jointly by the student and faculty advisor in consultation with the Nursing Graduate Studies Committee. The faculty advisor will grant final approval of the learning plan.
Focus Courses (9-12 credits):
The composition of Focus Courses is aimed at advancing appropriate knowledge and expertise in the learner’s chosen domain of practice. Students have the opportunity to focus on one or more of the following areas:
Nursing Education:
- NRSG 520 – Introduction to Nursing Education (3)
Examines issues and trends in nursing education, including implications for the teaching practices of nurse educators. - NRSG 521 – Teaching and Learning in Nursing Practice (3)
Examines theory, research and best practices for teaching and learning in the laboratory and nursing practice courses in acute and community settings.
Advanced Practice in Nursing:
- NRSG 530 – Families in Health and Illness (3)
Focuses on health and illness in the context of family experiences
- NRSG 531 – Advanced Family-Centred Nursing Practice (3)
Focuses on nursing interventions with families experiencing potential or actual health problems.
Nursing Leadership and Management:
- NRSG 541 – Nursing Leadership and Issues in Nursing Practice (3)
Examine historical and contemporary nursing leadership, and the current issues and challenges that confront nursing leaders.
Electives (3-6 credits):
Elective courses may be chosen from a wide variety of disciplines and will compliment the program of study. Elective options in the School of Nursing include:
- NRSG 512 – Directed Studies in Nursing (3)
- NRSG 513 – Special Topics in Advanced Nursing Practice (3)
Elective options within the Faculty of Health and Social Development include courses that encourage effective interprofessional collaboration and understanding among students of health and human service programs, and between the external community and the University. Please note that courses may not be offered each year. Check with the Faculty of Health and Social Development course schedule to determine specific courses offered in the current year.
- HINT 503 – Psychosocial Oncology (3)
- HINT 506 – Participatory Inquiry through Action Research (3)
- HINT 511 – Special Topics in Interdisciplinary Health Research (3)
- HINT 512 – Special Topics in Interprofessional Practice (3)
- HINT 521 – Interprofessional Collaboration (3)
- HINT 522 – Leadership in Human Service Organizations (3)
- HINT 523 – Professional Ethics (3)
- HINT 524 – Interprofessional Practice Issues in Healthy Aging (3)
- HINT 525 – Disabilities Studies and Interprofessional Health Care (3)
- HINT 526 – Global Health (3)
Required Scholarly Work
In recognition of expanded conceptions of scholarly work within the profession, and to enable in-depth work by all participants, a scholarly project or research thesis will completed.
- Scholarly Project (3 credits) - NRSG 598
The scholarly project option will focus on linking research to a complex nursing practice problem and/or change process.
OR
- Research Thesis (6 credits) - NRSG 599
The research thesis option will be based on designing and conducting an analytic, interpretive or critical study and through this experience, be directly preparatory for doctoral studies.
All students pursuing a research thesis are required to take at least one more research course. Students taking research and data analysis courses in their undergraduate studies may be required to take more. The following research courses (or their equivalent) may be selected to support students’ thesis research:
- Statistics
- Participatory Action Research
- Qualitative Methods and Analytical Processes
- Family Research Methods
- Quantitative Methods
Scholarship Opportunities
A variety of scholarships are available for students pursuing the Master of Science in Nursing program. For a listing of opportunities, please visit MSN Scholarship Opportunities.
Last reviewed 
8/12/2011 12:16:14 PM
