Bronson School of Nursing

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

The Master of Science in Nursing program at the WMU Bronson School of Nursing is designed specifically for RNs who want to expand their knowledge and expertise. Our graduates are leaders in promoting health care in individuals and communities.

We welcome nurses with bachelor's degrees to apply to the program, whether you have your BSN, or an associate degree in nursing with a bachelor's degree in another field.

View admission requirements

Why MSN at WMU?

Two great concentrations: addiction and nurse educator
Our courses are 100% available online
Highly engaged faculty who are experts in the field
Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and incorporates the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing

Apply to MSN program

Apply today for fall admission.

WMU uses an online graduate application system for all students (domestic and international). You will be asked to provide general application information for the University, and MSN-specific information for this program.

APPLY NOW

Your enrollment in a Fall cohort is subject to the department enrolling a minimum number of students into the cohort. If the fall cohort does not run, then you will be notified and conditionally admitted to the next fall cohort.

For more information about the program or the application process, email MSN Coordinator Elissa Allen at elissa.allen@wmich.edu.

Admission requirements

Admission is competitive; therefore, these criteria should be considered minimum standards.

BSN or a bachelor's degree with a nursing major from an accredited nursing program. Nurses with a bachelor's degree in another discipline will be considered on an individual basis.
Registered nurses with an ADN and a BS or BA in another discipline. Prerequisites to be completed after conditional acceptance into the MSN program:

Undergraduate course in descriptive and beginning inferential statistics
NUR 3330 - Health Informatics
NUR 3400 - Transition to Professional Nursing
NUR 3430 - Nursing Research

A GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.0 in the last 60 credit hours of the undergraduate nursing studies.
Current unencumbered license to practice as an RN in a U.S. state or territory.
Submission of scores on TOEFL if your undergraduate degree was obtained internationally with minimum score of 80.
Evidence of personal and professional qualifications for graduate study, as reflected in:

Response to questions related to graduate study
Current resume or curriculum vitae

Official transcripts
Other assessment procedures as indicated.

Prerequisite courses

* Required for any applicant who does not have a BSN degree.

Undergraduate course in descriptive and beginning inferential statistics (can be obtained at WMU or another academic institution)
NUR 3330 - Health Informatics
NUR 3400 - Transition to Professional Nursing
NUR 3430 - Nursing Research-RN

Prerequisite descriptions

NUR 3330 - Health Informatics
This course is designed to familiarize the undergraduate student with the present and potential impact of information and its systems on the allied health disciplines. Additionally, this course will explore informatics processes, tools, and systems in terms of providing solutions to health care stakeholders in education and practice. An emphasis is placed upon the student's role as a leader and advocate for change in this rapidly emerging field

NUR 3400 - Transition to Professional Nursing
This transition course introduces the associate degree or diploma nurse to Professional Practice. Theoretical foundations, concepts of evidence-based practice and critical thinking are introduced and applied.

NUR 3430 - Nursing Research-RN
This course is designed to provide a foundation for the use of research findings as a basis for nursing practice. The course focuses on nursing research as it relates to the theoretical foundations of the discipline of nursing and the development of a scientific basis for nursing practice. It prepares the learner to understand the language of science and the processes of scholarly inquiry. It also prepares the learner to read, interpret and evaluate selected nursing studies and appropriately determine the clinical (nursing) relevance of study findings and their implications for practice. The primary goals of the course are to explore the impact of research upon the profession of nursing, and to examine the research process as it relates to the practice of nursing.

Required courses

NUR 5010 - Advanced Pathophysiology
NUR 5020 - Advanced Physical Assessment
NUR 5030 - Advanced Pharmacology
NUR 5300 - Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice
NUR 6320 - Health Policy and Advocacy
NUR 6400 - Professional Inquiry: Qualitative and Quantitative Methods
NUR 6410 - Methods for Measuring Quality in Health and Educational Systems
NUR 6420 - Quality and Safety in Promoting Health

Course descriptions for all nursing courses are available in the WMU Graduate Catalog View Course Descriptions

Concentrations

Addiction Concentration

NUR 6640 - Field Practicum

And three of the following:

ADA 6200 - Introduction of Substance Use and Addiction
ADA 6330 - Cultural Humility and Social Justice in the Addiction Field
ADA 6350 - Addiction Treatment Services
ADA 6400 - Co-Occurring Disorders and Addictions
ADA 6410 - Addiction in Family Systems and Primary Relationships

Nurse Educator Concentration

NUR 6600 - Curriculum and Teaching of Theory in Health Disciplines
NUR 6610 - Clinical Teaching and Evaluation in Health Disciplines
NUR 6630 - Role Development of the Nurse Educator
NUR 6640 - Field Practicum

MSN Program Outcomes

MSN Graduate Program Outcomes (adapted from AACN Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing, March 21, 2011)

Integrate scientific findings from nursing biopsychosocial fields, genetics, public health, quality improvement, and organizational sciences for the continual improvement of nursing practice across diverse settings.
Demonstrate leadership skills that emphasize ethical and critical decision-making, effective working relationships, and a systems-perspective.
Use the methods, tools, performance measures and standards related to quality, as well as apply quality principles within an organization.
Demonstrate the ability to apply research outcomes within the practice setting, resolve practice problems, work as a change agent, and disseminate results.
Use patient-care technologies to deliver and enhance care and use communication technologies to integrate and coordinate care.
Demonstrate the ability to intervene at the system level through the policy development process and employ advocacy strategies to influence health and health care.
Engage as a member and leader of interprofessional teams, communicate, collaborate, and consult with other health professionals to manage and coordinate care.
Applies patient-centered and culturally responsive evidence-based strategies in the delivery of clinical prevention and health promotion interventions and/or services to individuals, families, communities, and aggregates/clinical populations.