Master of Science in Nursing

Degree Requirements

The RN to MSN program requires the completion of ten "bridge" courses (30 credits) with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in order to progress to MSN-level course work.

Graduate (MSN) Courses: 36 Credits

Students who have successfully completed the "bridge" courses and have achieved a minimum GPA of 3.0 progress directly to the MSN level courses.

Admissions Requirements to the MSN Program

At the time of application to the MSN program, the applicant also applies for admission to Gonzaga University. The applicant must have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, be licensed as a Registered Nurse and submit one official transcript from each college, university, and nursing program attended. The decision to admit an applicant to the MSN program is based on consideration of the individual's overall portfolio including:

1. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better (4.0 scale)
2. Evidence of a current unencumbered RN license
3. One official transcript from every college and university or nursing school attended.  Only degrees and courses from a reionally accredited institution will be accepted.
4. Current curriculum vitae (CV)
5. Two letters of recommendation from individuals such as employers, colleagues, or professors who can attest to the applicant’s leadership, interpersonal skills, professional practice, critical thinking and judgment, and potential for advanced study
6. Satisfactory score on the Miller Analogy Test or the Graduate Record Exam within the last five years
7. Typewritten statement (maximum 500 words) that describes the applicant’s:
8. a. interest in the RN to MSN Program and specific MSN option, e.g., Nurse Educator or Health Systems Leader
9. b. professional goals
10. c. personal and professional strengths
11. d. professional experiences
12. Non-native English speakers are required to provide proof of English proficiency.  Gonzaga University accepts the following:
13. a. score of 6.5 or better on the IELTS
14. b. official TOEFL score of at least 88 ibt or 580 pbt
15. c. completion of an Associate's degree in Nursing or a diploma in Nursing from an institution where English is the primary medium of instruction.
16. Submission of a financial declaration and supporting documentation by international applicants

Leadership Core Required for All Four MSN Options: 15 Credits

All of the Leadership Core courses are offered online and must be completed for all of the specialty options. These courses provide the theoretical foundation for role development and expose the students to concepts and issues that undergird all areas of advanced nursing practice. Courses include content in health policy analysis and development, health care ethics, evidence-based practice, advanced role theory and concepts, and leadership.

Health Systems Leadership (HSL) Option: 36 Credits (including Leadership Core)

This option prepares registered nurses to assume leadership and administrative positions in inpatient, outpatient, community-based, and academic settings. Students gain knowledge and competency in financial and human capital management, as well as strategies for responding to the ethical and legal issues encountered in administrative roles. The HSL core courses are offered online. Practicum experiences are arranged by the student to meet identified learning needs.  There is a required two-day, on-campus residency during the last practicum course.

Nurse Educator (NE) Option: 36 Credits (including Leadership Core)

This option prepares registered nurses to work as educators in academic, hospital, and community-based settings. Students develop an area of clinical specialization as well as competency in curriculum development, teaching-learning strategies, and assessment of student learning. Particular emphasis is placed on tailoring content and practicum experiences to individual needs. The NE core courses are offered online. Practicum experiences take place in a variety of educational settings. There is a required two-day, on-campus residency during the last practicum course.

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Option: 44 Credits (including Leadership Core)

This option prepares students to provide a holistic approach to primary care for individuals and families of all ages and to manage a wide variety of acute and chronic health problems. They emphasize health promotion and patient involvement in the management of health care problems. Family Nurse Practitioners work in independent as well as collaborative practice settings, such as private practices, urgent care centers, health maintenance organizations, clinics, health departments, student health centers, and clinics for the homeless or uninsured. The FNP core courses are offered online. When students begin their practicum courses, they are required to participate in two on-campus residencies during each of the three practicum courses as well as when taking the Health Assessment course. These residencies are two days in length. Students residing in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and Montana also have at least one site visit from a clinical faculty during each practicum course.  Students living outside of this four-state region are required to arrange for an additional on-campus day in conjunction with one of the residencies during each practicum course in order to complete the faculty site visit requirement.

Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Option: 47 Credits (including Leadership Core)

This option prepares students to work as Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners. They are prepared to provide the full range of services that comprise primary mental health care in diverse settings with a variety of clients/patients, to provide clinical and professional leadership, and facilitate system improvements. Their clinical practice focuses on persons of all ages with diagnosed psychiatric disorders and individuals, families, or populations at risk for mental illness. The PMHNP core courses are offered online. When students begin their practicum courses, they are required to participate in one on-campus residency during each of the four practicum courses and two on-campus residencies when taking the Health Assessment course. These residencies are two days in length. Students also have at least one site visit from a clinical faculty during each practicum course.

Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing Programs (Second Master's Degree Program)

The Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing (PMCN) programs are designed for the Registered Nurse who already possesses a Master’s degree in Nursing but desires additional preparation in another specialty area. The PMCN programs are structured to meet the needs and schedules of working Registered Nurses through the same distributive learning formats used in the MSN program.  The total credits required may vary depending on each student’s background and preparation.

Admission Requirements for Post Master's Certificate in Nursing Program

At the time of application to the PMCN program, the applicant also applies for admission to Gonzaga University. The applicant must have a Master's degree in Nursing from an accredited college or university and be licensed as a Registered Nurse and must submit one official transcript from each college, university, and nursing program attended. The decision to admit an applicant to the MSN program is based on consideration of the individual's overall portfolio including:

1. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better (4.0 scale)
2. Evidence of a current unencumbered RN license
3. One official transcript from every college and university or nursing school attended.  Only degrees and courses from a reionally accredited institution will be accepted.
4. Current curriculum vitae (CV)
5. Two letters of recommendation from individuals such as employers, colleagues, or professors who can attest to the applicant’s leadership, interpersonal skills, professional practice, critical thinking and judgment, and potential for advanced study
6. Satisfactory score on the Miller Analogy Test or the Graduate Record Exam within the last five years
7. Typewritten statement (maximum 500 words) that describes the applicant’s:
8. a. interest in the RN to MSN Program and specific MSN option, e.g., Nurse Educator or Health Systems Leader
9. b. professional goals
10. c. personal and professional strengths
11. d. professional experiences
12. Non-native English speakers are required to provide proof of English proficiency.  Gonzaga University accepts the following:
13. a. score of 6.5 or better on the IELTS
14. b. official TOEFL score of at least 88 ibt or 580 pbt
15. c. completion of an Associate's degree in Nursing or a diploma in Nursing from an institution where English is the primary medium of instruction.
16. Submission of a financial declaration and supporting documentation by international applicants

PMCN Program Options:

Health Systems Leadership Option: 21-24 Credits

This option prepares registered nurses to assume leadership and administrative positions in inpatient, outpatient, community-based, and academic settings. Students gain knowledge and competency in financial and human capital management, as well as strategies for responding to the ethical and legal issues encountered in administrative roles. The HSL core courses are offered online. Practicum experiences are arranged by the student to meet identified learning needs.  There is a required two-day, on-campus residency during the last practicum course.

Nurse Educator Option: 21-24 Credits

This option prepares Registered Nurses to work as educators in academic, hospital, and community-based settings. Students develop an area of clinical specialization as well as competency in curriculum development, teaching-learning strategies, and assessment of student learning. Particular emphasis is placed on tailoring content and practicum experiences to individual needs. The NE core courses are offered online. Practicum experiences take place in a variety of educational settings. There is a required two-day, on-campus residency during the last practicum course.

Family Nurse Practitioner Option: 29-32 Credits

This option prepares students to provide a holistic approach to primary care for individuals and families of all ages and to manage a wide variety of acute and chronic health problems. They emphasize health promotion and patient involvement in the management of health care problems. Family Nurse Practitioners work in independent as well as collaborative practice settings, such as private practices, urgent care centers, health maintenance organizations, clinics, health departments, student health centers, and clinics for the homeless or uninsured. The FNP core courses are offered online. When students begin their practicum courses, they are required to participate in two on-campus residencies during each of the three practicum courses as well as when taking the Health Assessment course. These residencies are two days in length. Students residing in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and Montana also have at least one site visit from a clinical faculty during each practicum course.  Students living outsite of this four-state region are required to arrange for an additional on-campus day in conjunction with one of the residencies during each practicum course in order to complete the faculty site visit requirement.

Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: 35-38 Credits

This option prepares students to work as Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners. They are prepared to provide the full range of services that comprise primary mental health care in diverse settings with a variety of clients/patients, to provide clinical and professional leadership, and facilitate system improvements. Their clinical practice focuses on persons of all ages with diagnosed psychiatric disorders and individuals, families, or populations at risk for mental illness. The PMHNP core courses are offered online. When students begin their practicum courses, they are required to participate in one on-campus residency during each of the four practicum courses and two on-campus residencies when taking the Health Assessment course. These residencies are two days in length. Students also have at least one site visit from a clinical faculty during each practicum course.