Nursing, MS

Department of Nursing Goals

The Department of Nursing goals are consistent with the mission of the University and reflect the philosophy of the nursing faculty. The Department of Nursing goals are to:  

• Provide quality programs supportive of the learning needs of diverse learners so that they may accomplish their educational goals. 

• Provide an environment supportive of quality instruction, the use of technology, scholarly endeavors, and critical thinking. 

• Maintain faculty support systems and staff development programs that foster creativity and facilitate the faculty’s contribution to higher education and the nursing profession. 

• Maximize opportunities for students and faculty to participate in the internal operations of the University for optimal communications, and involvement in the development and maintenance of programs and services. 

• Engage in cooperative and collaborative relationships with regional communities that will promote health and nursing. 

End of Program Student Learning Outcomes  

The Master of Science in Nursing program prepares graduates as advanced practice nursing who will:  

1. Integrate theoretical models from nursing science and related disciplines to guide practice that is designed to promote the health and wellness of clients across the lifespan. 

2. Utilize evidence-based practices to guide to promote the development of professional nursing roles, ensure quality improvement, client safety, and the application of best practices.  

3.  Translate current research evidence into practice to improve policies, procedures, and practices in clinical and educational settings. 

4.  Employ communication technologies and information systems to improve outcomes in nursing education and in practice settings. 

5.  Advocate for policies that improve health outcomes for vulnerable and under-served populations, and the profession of nursing. 

6. Demonstrate organizational and systems leadership in nursing education, and in clinical practice to improve the quality of care to clients. 

7. Engage in inter-professional collaboration for the improvement of health and learning outcomes of individuals and populations. 

8. Demonstrate cultural competence, high quality nursing care, and educational standards in the design and delivery of health care services to vulnerable and under-served populations. 

9. Incorporate legal and ethical principles in clinical practice and nursing education. 

Admission Requirements

• Applicants must be granted general admission to Bowie State University (BSU) School of Graduate Studies. 

• Candidates must have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited institution. 

• Candidates must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Graduates of Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree programs in countries other than the United States must have their BSN degree transcripts evaluated by the Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. organization www.ece.org or the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nurse Schools (CGFNS). A copy of this evaluation must be submitted with the application to the program. 

• Candidates must possess a current unencumbered RN licensure in the State of Maryland. 

• Candidates must have a minimum of one to three years of professional registered nursing experience (acute care nursing experience preferred) prior to admission to the MSN program. 

• All candidates must complete a Graduate Nursing Application from the BSU Department of Nursing. The application can be accessed on the BSU Department of Nursing Master of Science in Nursing webpage via www.bowiestate.edu/academics/colleges/college-of-professional-studies/departments/nursing/master-of-science-in-nursing. 

The documents listed below must be submitted with the Graduate Nursing application. The completed packet must be submitted to the Department of Nursing by April 1 (fall admission). Candidates must submit official academic transcripts from each institution attended. 

• Candidates must submit three (3) professional recommendations. Recommendations from an immediate supervisor and two professional colleagues are required. Recommendation forms are included with the nursing application and located on the Department of Nursing webpage. 

• One copy of each of the following:  

• Current unencumbered Maryland RN licensure verification 

• Current CPR certification 

• A personal statement of goals and objectives for pursuing graduate nursing study (140-200 words, typed and double-spaced) 

• A completed physical examination/health history (Form provided in application) 

• Current professional resume 

• Student profile sheet (Form provided in application) 

Program of Study - Master of Science in Nursing

•  NURS 799 *  Comprehensive Exam

Core Courses

• NURS 502 - Conceptual and Theoretical Foundations For Advanced Practice Nursing
• NURS 509 - Nursing Research
• NURS 730 - Seminar in Critical Issues for Advanced Practice Nursing

Supporting Courses

• NURS 604 - Epidemiology
• NURS 607 - Advanced Health Assessment
• NURS 608 - Pharmacotherapeutics
• NURS 610 - Advanced Pathophysiology
• NURS 621 - Specialty in Advanced Practice Nursing
• INSS 558 - Health Informatics

Role Courses

Transfer Credit

Only students classified as Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) family nurse practitioner, MSN nurse educator, post-master’s certificate - certificate of advanced study family nurse practitioner or post-master’s certificate nurse educator students are permitted to enroll in graduate nursing courses.

Graduate work taken at other regionally accredited institutions must be evaluated and approved by the Graduate Nursing Program Coordinator to satisfy degree requirements at BSU. Such transfer credit:  

• cannot be for courses over five years old and must satisfy the five-year time limit rule to count toward degree credit 

• cannot be combination courses 

• cannot exceed 6 semester hours 

• cannot reduce residency requirements 

• cannot reduce certification requirements of courses completed at the MSN granting institution 

Incomplete (I) Grade (Specific to Graduate Nursing only) 

The Department follows the Bowie State University Graduate School Academic Catalog with regard to students who receive a grade of “Incomplete”, with the following exception:  

Students may only apply for an Incomplete for exceptional circumstances and the request must be made in collaboration with the course Instructor. Not having a preceptor agreement in place at the time for the practicum experience does not constitute an exceptional or extenuating circumstance. The Contract for an Incomplete Grade must be completed and submitted.  

Students receiving an incomplete grade in a Primary Care role course or Nursing Education role course, may not progress in the program track until the incomplete grade is removed. Primary Care role courses and practicum courses must be taken concurrently.  

Students who receive a grade of “Incomplete” must meet with the faculty responsible for the course at least four times during the semester to discuss their progress in removing the “I”. The student must submit all required course materials to remove the incomplete at least one month prior to the end of the semester, in which they are completing the course work.  

Academic Advisement

All graduate nursing students must meet with their assigned graduate Faculty or Staff Academic Advisor to prepare for registration each semester and in a proactive manner throughout the semester. Advisement sessions are used for planning student progression, discussing professional issues and concerns, and obtaining assistance that may be needed. Students are encouraged to make an appointment for advisement. An academic advisement assignment roster can be accessed at the central office of the Department of Nursing.  

Practicum Preceptor Guidelines (Specific to Nursing only):  

Practicum sites selected by the student must be approved by the Graduate Program Coordinator in the Department of Nursing (DON) prior to the BSU and preceptor agreement and practicum affiliate contract being promulgated. The practicum affiliate contract must be approved by BSU’s General Counsel and on file in the Department of Nursing with signatures from the affiliate designee, and the Provost before the student can begin the practicum experience. The preceptor agreement must be on file in the Department of Nursing with signatures from the preceptor and the student. Approved preceptors for FNP students include family nurse practitioners, primary care family physicians, and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine practitioners who treat clients across the lifespan. Nurse practitioners in specialized areas (i.e. women’s health, obstetrics, pediatrics, and geriatrics), and internal medicine physicians will be considered only for the following courses for that specific specialty: NURS 712-713 Adult Clients, NURS 714 - 715 Women’s Health, Obstetrics, and Pediatric Clients, and NURS 716-717 Older Adult Clients. Approved practicum settings include Family Practice Primary Care settings, Adult Primary Care settings (specific program specialties), Urgent Care (specific program specialties), Women’s Health, Pediatrics, Obstetrics (specific program specialties), and Geriatric Primary Care settings (specific program specialties).

Students must be prepared to enter the practicum setting within two weeks of the time the practicum experience is to begin.

Graduation Requirements and Post Master’s Certificate Requirements

• Advancement to candidacy. MSN students must achieve a grade point average of 3.25 or higher in the first 12 credit hours of coursework to advance to candidacy in the graduate nursing program. These credits must be taken at Bowie State University and count toward the degree.  

• Successful completion of all coursework and degree requirements within a period of five consecutive years.  

• Successful completion of the Graduate School Comprehensive Examination. Students who have previously earned a Master of Science in Nursing degree, with evidence of successfully completing a master’s thesis or comprehensive nursing examination, may be exempt from this requirement.

• MSN students must maintain a 3.0-grade point average after advancement to candidacy. 

Please refer to the Graduate Nursing Student Handbook via 

 www.bowiestate.edu/academics/colleges/college-of-professional-studies/departments/nursing/master-of-science-in-nursing for further information on the Bowie State Department of Nursing Graduate Nursing Program.