Welcome to the Graduate Nursing Programs at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Our primarily online program is dynamic, flexible, innovative and readily accessible to students preparing for the advanced nursing practice roles of Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), and Nurse Educator (NE). The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is offered for FNP and CNS students. The Master of Science (MS) is offered for NE students. Graduates hold advanced practice nursing positions throughout central and southern Minnesota and northern Iowa, the Twin Cities metropolitan area, and beyond.
Actual quotes from students who have chosen to study in the Graduate Nursing
Programs at Minnesota State Mankato (MSM) include:
"I work in a setting with one of your graduates and she speaks highly of the program and her preparation for advanced practice."
"I came to MSM because the students in the program seemed excited about what they were learning and the faculty; that means a lot."
"MSM offers me the opportunity for taking on-line classes so that I can coordinate my coursework with my work and family life."
"The faculty members at MSM are quality professional people and I know they are dedicated to teaching."
"I am really an excellent match with my advisor; she challenges me in a no-nonsense way but also supports me in my growth."
On behalf of the faculty and administration for MSM School of Nursing, I invite you to consider joining us as a student in the near future. Please contact us if you have questions that are not answered through this website and we will begin to assist you in planning for Advanced Practice Nursing. Best wishes in your educational endeavors.
Sincerely,
Donna Brauer, PhD, R.N
Professor and
Graduate Program Coordinator
The School of Nursing at Minnesota State University, Mankato is a learning community dedicated to educating entry level and advanced practice nurses, developing nursing knowledge and serving diverse communities. The vision of the School of Nursing is that we will be recognized for innovation and excellence in nursing education, scholarship and practice.
The Graduate Programs build upon and extend the body of knowledge and competencies of baccalaureate education in nursing. Graduate study in the School of Nursing is dedicated to educating nurses for advanced practice by creating an academic environment that fosters scholarship, critical thinking, and creativity. Faculty members teaching in this program are prepared in a number of specialties and focus on a variety of practice and research interests.
The graduate courses include theoretical and clinical experiences that provide students with the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills necessary to assume the role of an advanced practice nurse and address the health of persons, families and groups. Graduates are also prepared for doctoral study.
Upon completion of graduate study in nursing, students will:
The graduate curricular model is comprised of three components: 1) nursing science; 2) advanced practice; and 3) supportive fields. Full time and part time plans of study are available in all programs.
^ Courses which are available to non-degree seeking students.
All students complete the graduate thesis (NURS 699: Thesis) and a final clinical practicum as the capstone experience in all programs as measures of Curriculum Outcome achievement.
Please refer to the University's Graduate Bulletin for the most current information each academic year.
Students seeking graduate nursing education but who are not interested in completing a specific program of study, may seek admission to the College of Graduate Studies & Research as a non-degree seeking student. Courses designated with a ^ are open to non-degree seeking students on a space available basis by permission of the professor and the School of Nursing Graduate Programs Coordinator.
All students must complete the program within six years of taking the first course that applies to the nursing science major. Students may progress either full time or part time. Full time students can complete the major in four semesters and two summer terms. A part time plan includes a minimum of six semesters and one summer term.
Since 1998, the School of Nursing has been focused on enhancing student access to learning through use of innovative distance education technologies combined with sound teaching-learning principles. By offering a web-based and ITV (interactive television) courses we have been able to offer distant rural and urban-based students the opportunity to complete the MSN program without re-locating. This allows the student to continue family and employment commitments so important to overall student success.
Beginning in Fall Semester 2004, the majority of courses are offered in a web-based format with on-campus seminars in Mankato 3 - 4 times per semester for the purpose of building community and strong student-faculty partnerships in learning. Multiple classes are scheduled during on-campus seminar days to make efficient use of commuting time. The class schedule gives dates and times of when on-campus meetings are scheduled each semester that complement the online coursework. Some courses may use primarily face-to-face (in the classroom) condensed half-day or full-day seminar teaching methodologies to focus learning time and provide valuable student-teacher interaction time. Students will want to consult with the School of Nursing to determine computer platforms most helpful to support web-based courses. Students and faculty use multiple methods of distance technology (e-mail, telephone, conference call, US mail, fax and videoconferencing) during the thesis phase of study. These are the on-campus meetings associated with the primarily online curriculum.
Guidelines provided by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF), the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) the National League for Nursing (NLN) and the American Nurses' Association Credentialing Center (ANCC), have been utilized in program development. The MSN program is accredited by the NLNAC.
Competencies identified for advanced practice nursing in these standards and guidelines have been used in developing the curriculum, didactic theory and clinical internship courses, and course sequence used in the masters program in nursing.
For more information, contact:
College of Graduate Studies and ResearchPhone: 507-389-2321
Toll Free: 800-722-0544
Fax: 507-389-5974
Email: U.S. inquiries at gradintl@mnsu.edu
For more information about accreditation, contact:
NLNAC, Inc.Phone: 212-363-5555 or 800-669-1656 ext. 153
CCNEPhone: 202-887-6791
For additional information about the graduate program, contact:
Elisabeth Teigen, Administrative Assistant
elisabeth.teigen@mnsu.edu
Phone: 507-389-6826
To contact the MSN Graduate Program Coordinator, please contact Donna Brauer at 507-389-1317 or via email at donna.brauer@mnsu.edu.
