Master of Science in Nursing

Master of Science in Nursing

The PHSSN graduate nursing programs prepare students to assume roles in a variety of healthcare agencies and organizations. This includes advanced preparation in health care delivery as advanced family nurse practitioners, researchers, educators, or nurse executives.

The graduate nursing programs build upon a baccalaureate nursing education. Faculty believe that nursing is a profession that is responsive to the changing health care needs of individuals and is exclusively supported by an expanding body of knowledge. Faculty expect graduate students to expand their understanding of health, environment, person, and nursing roles.

Faculty believe that development of critical thinking, communication, clinical skills, clinical judgment, and self-direction are essential elements in graduate nursing education. Faculty seek to promote awareness of social, cultural, and ethnic diversity, believing it enriches professional growth and development. Faculty believe collaborative education promotes progressive mastery and increased learner maturity. Faculty promote accountability for lifelong learning, professional growth, competent practice, and effective leadership.

Our programs include:
MSN Education – Fully Online
  • Flexible for working nurses
  • Only two courses a semester
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) – Fully Online
  • Small class sizes
  • Personalized attention

Note: Coursework is delivered entirely online, and students will complete preceptored clinical experiences in person in their own community.

MSN: Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a regionally accredited school or university whose nursing program is ACEN or CCNE accredited. Additionally, applicants must hold an unencumbered license to practice as an RN in the United States. A minimum of one year of clinical nursing practice is recommended.

Academic Requirements
  • Undergraduate cumulative GPA must be a minimum of a 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
  • Undergraduate nursing coursework must be a minimum of a 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
Provisional admission to graduate study in nursing requires meeting one of the two GPA academic standards listed above and obtaining departmental endorsement. Students granted provisional admission must maintain a 3.00 GPA during their first nine hours of graduate study. The applicant is encouraged to submit the application and all supporting documents by June 1st to receive full consideration for admission to the fall semester. PHSSN admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at this school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, or ethnic origin in administration of educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
MSN: Application Process
Students must first complete an application to the School of Nursing Graduate Program using the Nursing Centralized Application Service (NursingCAS) and secondly complete any parent university application requirements to graduate studies.
Parent University Degree Plans:
Parent University Application Instructions
  • Students will choose one parent university.
  • Complete graduate application requirements to the specific parent university. (Note: Official Transcripts may also be required for the parent university, separate from the NursingCAS transcripts.)
National Certification Exam/Licensure
Graduates of the Education and Family Nurse Practitioner MSN tracks and the Post-Masters FNP Certificate track are eligible to sit for national certification in their respective disciplines. Graduates of the Family Nurse Practitioner MSN and Post-Masters Certificate tracks are eligible to apply for licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.

NursingCAS Application Instructions

  1.  Click here to apply using NursingCAS
  2. The following documents will be required in the NursingCAS application
    • Three (3) professional references from supervisor having knowledge of your clinical skills, work ethic, style, and/or professors attesting to your academic achievements and potential success in a graduate nursing program.
    • Official transcripts of all university level work sent to NursingCAS.
    • Unencumbered licensure to practice as an RN in Texas and in good standing with the Board of Nurse Examiners.
    • The following forms are also required and should be uploaded in the Documents section of NursingCAS:
      • PHSSN health form / proof of current immunization status
      • Completion of personal statement
      • Resume
      • Verification of licensure
      • Proof of ACLS provider certification (FNP option only)
      • Proof of health insurance coverage