Admission Requirements
Admission
Requirements for Graduate Students
The following are required for
admission to the RN to MSN program:
- Completion of all general education and support
course BSN requirements, with the exception of the courses that can be
validated with the Health Care Update Classes (i.e., HC 200, HC 205, HC
210).
- GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Current unencumbered United States registered nurse
license appropriate to the state where practicing and where clinical
experience will occur.
- Completion of Clarkson College application for
admission to the RN to MSN program.
- Essay outlining professional goals
- Two professional reference letters (e.g. from
teachers, supervisors, or managers who have knowledge of your ability; do
not provide references from co-workers and friends)
- Current resume
- Must have equivalent to one year of professional
nursing work experience prior to enrollment in any MSN option course;
however, may take core courses while obtaining experience.
Curriculum Requirements
The RN to
MSN program at Clarkson College is designed to meet the needs of Registered
Nurses (RNs) who wish to complete accelerated Bachelor of Science and Master's
degrees in nursing. Students who are admitted into the RN to MSN program are
initially listed as RN to BSN students; however, upon completion of the BSN
requirements and RN to MSN progression requirements, students will
automatically transition into the MSN program. Health Care Science Update
Courses can be taken to validate knowledge in selected basic undergraduate
science classes. Students may also elect to challenge one fourth-year BSN
nursing theory/clinical course combination, with appropriate nursing
background, and can enroll in up to 9 credit hours of graduate level nursing
courses while completing requirements for their BSN. Exiting at the BSN level
upon completion of all requirements is an option for students deciding not to
pursue the MSN at that time.
Prerequisites
RN
to BSN and progression requirements must be met prior to admission to the
MSN program:
The RN to
BSN curriculum combines theory in general education, support courses, and major
courses. Forty-three semester hours are obtained through either completion of
direct coursework or by validation credit (credit is granted after
demonstration of equivalent knowledge). Nursing and general education courses
completed in associate and baccalaureate degree programs will be transferred
when the coursework is considered comparable. All RN students are required to
complete the Clarkson College Core Curriculum courses as listed in their
specific degree plan. Credit by examination is also available for specific
general education courses. In order to complete a Bachelor of Science in
Nursing (BSN) degree at Clarkson College, students must successfully complete a
total of 129 semester hours.
RN to MSN Program Courses
RN
to MSN Curriculum Plan of Required Courses
BSN
Course Descriptions
MSN
Course Descriptions
General
Education Course Descriptions
Service Learning and Community
Service Graduation Requirements
30 hours
(23 Service Learning)* of Clarkson College Service hours must be completed
prior to graduation. Graduates who do not complete the required number of
Service hours will not receive diplomas or transcripts, until the hours have
been completed. *Note: Service hours
accrued beyond the minimum number of required service hours can be applied
toward the requirements for the Maltese Cross Certificate or Medal.
