MSN Program

The MSN Program offers the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree in the advanced practice nurse concentrations of Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Family Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (FPMHNP), and Nursing Administration (ADMN). Admission requirements and curriculum plans for the concentrations follow.

MSN End-of-Program Student Learning Outcomes

The graduates of the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program will be able to:

1. Apply knowledge from science and related disciplines, including principles of evidence- based practice to improve care delivery and health outcomes.
2. Apply knowledge of organizational and leadership theories with an emphasis on ethical and critical decision making to improve quality, manage risks, and provide cost-effective care using a systems perspective.
3. Improve quality, manage risks, and provide cost- effective care through the application of quality improvement methods and tools, performance measures, and best practice standards.
4. Demonstrate analytic techniques used to appraise the quality of existing evidence for best clinical practices, determine and evaluate outcomes, identify gaps in nursing science, and contribute to the dissemination of nursing knowledge.
5. Demonstrate technological and informational literacy in evaluating data management systems, healthcare information systems, consumer health information sources, and patient care technology to improve the effective and ethical use of information to improve health outcomes.
6. Advocate for ethical health care policies at the system level that ensure equity, stewardship of resources, and improvement of health outcomes.
7. Demonstrate effective communication and interprofessional collaboration, employing consultative and leadership skills to manage and coordinate care and improve health outcomes.
8. Analyze and apply scientific data to develop and implement culturally appropriate interventions to promote health, address disparities, reduce risk, and manage disease trajectories to improve health outcomes of individuals, communities, populations, and systems.
9. Apply advanced nursing knowledge and competencies to assess health and illness parameters, design, implement, and evaluate interventions to improve care delivery and health outcomes, while seeking life-long learning, and the promotion of practice excellence.

MSN Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Family Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (FPMHNP), and Nursing Administration (ADMN) concentrations are provided in this catalog. See also the LMU CSON MSN Student Handbook for details regarding additional requirements for admitted students including things such as health status forms, proof of health insurance, current immunizations, CPR certification, drug screens, and criminal background checks.

Undergraduate (BSN) Degree Conferral and RN Licensure Policy

Exceptional students will be considered for conditional acceptance to the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), the Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (FPMHNP), or the Nursing Administration (ADMIN) MSN concentrations prior to undergraduate degree (BSN) completion and Registered Nurse (RN) licensure.

Admission to the MSN program including the FNP, FPMHNP, or Nursing Administration Concentrations will not be granted if an official transcript with the conferral of the Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN) is not received on or before the first day of class.

Proof of an unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license will be required. If the student has not received RN licensure by the withdrawal date with a WD published in the academic calendar each semester, the student will be administratively withdrawn from the MSN program for failure to meet full admission criteria. 

Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration

Admission requirements for the Family Nurse Practitioner concentration include:

1. Graduation from an accredited baccalaureate nursing program.
2. An overall academic record with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of"B" (3.0) or better.
3. All applicants must have a basic understanding of statistics and basic computer skills.
4. Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required but is recommended.
5. You will need three (3) professional references, one (1) of those preferably from a faculty who has seen your academic performance, the other two (2) from supervisors or professional colleagues, preferably with a graduate degree including health related fields (Examples include: Licensed Clinical Social worker). If your manager has a BSN that will be an acceptable reference as well.
6. In a letter to the committee, discuss your goals and reasons for wanting to undertake graduate nursing study. Indicate what you hope to do (your career plans) upon program completion. Address the reason for selection of the concentration. The letter does not have to be in APA format.
7. An unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse is required for enrollment; clinical practicum may necessitate licensure in neighboring states.
8. Medical profile including immunizations record and urine drug screen completed no more than 60 days prior to enrollment in the MSN program.
9. A criminal background check and drug screen will be completed prior to enrollment and no more than 60 days prior to enrollment in the FNP concentration.
10. Proof of health insurance at all times when enrolled in the program.

Students dismissed from another advanced practice nurse program for academic, clinical, or behavioral reasons will not be admitted to the LMU-CSON Family Nurse Practitioner concentration. Students who have been enrolled in another program and withdrew in good standing or are still enrolled in good standing must have a letter from the program director stating that they are, or withdrew, in good standing. Students who are in good standing or who left a program in good standing will be considered for admission.

Family Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration

Admission requirements for the Family Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration include:

1. Graduation from an accredited baccalaureate nursing program.
2. An overall academic record with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of"B" (3.0) or better.
3. All applicants must have a basic understanding of statistics and basic computer skills.
4. Completion of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required but is recommended.
5. You will need three (3) professional references, one (1) of those preferably from a faculty who has seen your academic performance, the other two (2) from supervisors or professional colleagues, preferably with a graduate degree including health related fields (Examples include: Licensed Clinical Social worker). If your manager has a BSN that will be an acceptable reference as well.
6. In a letter to the committee, discuss your goals and reasons for wanting to undertake graduate nursing study. Indicate what you hope to do (your career plans) upon program completion. Address the reason for selection of the concentration. The letter does not have to be in APA format.
7. An unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse is required for enrollment; clinical practicum may necessitate licensure in neighboring states.
8. Medical profile including immunizations record and urine drug screen completed no more than 60 days prior to enrollment in the MSN program.
9. A criminal background check and drug screen will be completed prior to enrollment no more than 60 days prior to enrollment in the FPMHNP concentration.
10. Proof of health insurance at all times when enrolled in the program.

Students dismissed from another advanced practice nurse program for academic, clinical, or behavioral reasons will not be admitted to LMU-CSON Family Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration. Students who have been enrolled in another program and withdrew in good standing or are still enrolled in good standing must have a letter from the program director stating that they are or withdrew in good standing. Students who are in good standing or who left a program in good standing will be considered for admission.

MSN Nursing Administration Concentration

Admission requirements for the Nursing Administration concentration include:

1. Graduation from an accredited baccalaureate nursing program.
2. An overall academic record with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of "B" (3.0) or better.
3. All applicants must have a basic understanding of statistics and basic computer skills.
4. Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required but is recommended.
5. You will need three (3) professional references, one (1) of those preferably from a faculty who has seen your academic performance, the other two (2) from supervisors or professional colleagues, preferably with a graduate degree including health related fields (Examples include: Licensed Clinical Social worker). If your manager has a BSN that will be an acceptable reference as well.
6. In a letter to the committee, discuss your goals and reasons for wanting to undertake graduate nursing study. Indicate what you hope to do (your career plans) upon program completion. Address the reason for selection of the concentration. The letter does not have to be in APA format.
7. An unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse is required for enrollment; clinical practicum may necessitate licensure in neighboring states.
8. Medical profile including immunizations record and urine drug screen completed no more than 60 days prior to enrollment in the MSN program.
9. A criminal background check and drug screen will be completed prior to enrollment no more than 60 days prior to enrollment in the Administration concentration.
10. Proof of health insurance at all times when enrolled in the program.

Students dismissed from another advanced practice nurse program for academic, clinical, or behavioral reasons will not be admitted to the LMU-CSON Nursing Administration concentration. Students who have been enrolled in another program and withdrew in good standing or are still enrolled in good standing must have a letter from the program director stating that they are or withdrew in good standing. Students who are in good standing or who left a program in good standing will be considered for admission.