Note: The curriculum and the number of required credit hours vary among programs.

MSN Program Outcome

The Master of Science in Nursing Program is designed to provide an opportunity for the student to become a leader. The graduate makes significant contributions to the improvement of health care and influences health care policy through advanced clinical practice and research in order to meet the current needs of society.

Education at the master’s level prepares graduates to assume leadership roles in clinical practice, nursing administration and nursing education. Advanced nursing practice graduates are prepared for entry into doctoral education.

Graduates are given the opportunity to:

• Demonstrate mastery of specialized knowledge and skills that will promote functioning in an advanced nursing role.
• Integrate nursing science with knowledge from ethics, informatics, and the biophysical, psychosocial, and organizational sciences into advanced nursing practice.
• Integrate best practices and evidence aimed at positively impacting health care to achieve optimal outcomes.
• Foster collaborative interprofessional relationships with other health professionals to promote delivery of safe, value-driven, and high-quality health care.
• Utilize leadership skills in promoting health for individuals, groups, and communities of interest.

The program of study leading to the MSN degree combines online courses with face-to- face classes and clinical experiences offering flexibility to students. The curriculum varies per clinical track the student selects. Students have the following areas from which to choose:

• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Nursing Leadership and Administration (also called Nursing Leadership)

Academic Requirements for Progression

To be eligible for graduation with an MSN degree a student must:

• have a minimum cumulative 3.0 grade point average;
• successfully complete the prescribed curriculum for which they are registered and must meet all other requirements of the Cizik School of Nursing;
• submit official transcripts of any courses taken outside the Cizik School of Nursing to the Office of the Registrar;
• complete the graduate curriculum within five years from admission for MSN students or three years for post-graduate students or have been granted an extension by the Master’s Council.
• apply to graduation in myUTH prior to the established deadline each term;
• pay the required graduation fee of $150;
• complete the clearance packet and clear through all designated offices; and
• be enrolled during the term of graduation program completion.

See policy G5440 Eligibility for Graduation/Completion for more information. 

Transfer of Credit

A student may submit MSN course credits earned at other universities for application toward the MSN Degree. The following restrictions apply:

• The course must clearly relate to the student’s approved program of study.
• Nine semester hours may be transferred from accredited institutions outside The University of Texas System.
• An unlimited number of semester hours may be transferred from institutions within The University of Texas System, but the student must complete a minimum of 26 semester hours in residency at the CSON. Students may not transfer credit hours for clinical courses, preceptorship courses, or synthesis courses (thesis and thesis options).
• Equivalency credit for a required course in the master’s program must be approved by the faculty member. The course must have been taken within the five-year time limit to complete Master’s Program degree requirements.
• The transcript must show a grade of “A”, “B”, or “P” in the course.
• The course may not be transferred if it was used to apply to another completed degree.
• All courses to be transferred must be at the graduate level.

Courses Taken in Other University of Texas System Institutions

All students who have been admitted to the MSN Program and who plan to take courses applicable to a nursing degree in a University of Texas component other than UTHealth must obtain approval in advance from the advisor prior to taking such courses. A transcript must be sent to the Office of the Registrar immediately upon the completion of the course(s).