University of Southern Maine

Master of Science in Nursing for Non-Nurses with a Baccalaureate Degree - The Options Program

Recognizing the ability of the holder of a baccalaureate degree to enter nursing as an advanced learner, this program allows students to earn a Master's degree in nursing in three years. Students build their education in nursing on previous academic and life experiences.

During their first year students complete upper-division undergraduate courses with regularly enrolled baccalaureate nursing students. In the summer or fall of the second year, students begin graduate non-clinical nursing courses with regularly enrolled master's students.

Areas of Specialization:

• Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (AHCNS)*
• Adult Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (APMH/CNS)
• Adult Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (APMH/NP)
• Family Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (FPMH/NP)
  
  * This concentration is not available to students applying to the MS-Options program.

Admission to the M.S. Option Program:

Admission: Admission to the accelerated MS Option Program in Nursing is open to students holding a Baccalaureate degree or higher in other disciplines. Admission is competitive and limited. This accelerated graduate program requires full-time enrollment in the planned sequence of study. Some scholarship monies are available. Each student's application will be evaluated based on a composite of the following recommended standards.

Admission Requirements: The applicant must:

• Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college.
• Have a minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or a B average.
• Obtain a score in the 45th percentile (or higher) for intended major on the Miller Analogy Test or combined aptitude scores of 1000(V.Q.) (or higher) on the Graduate Record Examination taken within the last five years.
• Have two letters of reference.
• Complete an essay reflective of professional goals.
• Current resumé.
• Successfully completed a college/university course in statistics with a minimum grade of B-.

Prior course work that could strengthen an application:

• Microbiology & Lab
• Chemistry & Lab - particularly organic or biochemistry
• Growth & Development - life-span preferred
• Anatomy & Physiology

Application Deadlines: November 1 for May admission. Applications are available on line from the USM Graduate home page.

Application:

Application for Grad Admission

Admission Requirements for Graduate School and CONHP Admission Requirements

Prerequisite Course Requirements

• Completion of a course in introductory statistics (applied statistics is recommended; including descriptive and inferential statistics) with a grade of B- or above (must be taken prior to NUR 604 Nursing Research ).

• Completion of a course in pathophysiology with a grade of B- or above.
• Completion of a research methods course with a grade of B- or above.

Course Recommendations:

• Completion of a course in Anatomy and Physiology is highly recommended.
  

The Graduate Admissions Committee will review each individual's undergraduate coursework and make individual prerequisite requirement recommendations if any one or more areas are significantly under represented. (For instance, an individual whose major includes no social sciences may be required to take sociology/psychology courses.)

Graduates who complete this program are eligible to sit for national certification in the advanced practice nursing specialty completed.

For more information on this program of study and courses, go to the CONHP area of the USM graduate catalog

For questions or comments, please contact us.

Last updated - 04/2011

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