Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Overview
The Berkeley College Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program prepares nurse professionals for advanced practice in Family Nurse Practitioner. This program, which is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), offers students the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge of nursing theory, research, and health policy. Students will be prepared to provide direct patient care to patients in clinical and community-based systems, and to implement safe and quality practices in a variety of settings and roles. Students enrolled in the MSN program will be eligible to apply for advanced practice positions that will move their careers forward and will also be eligible to pursue future opportunities through doctoral education. Graduating from a CCNE accredited program also enables graduates to participate several national certification examinations, including American Nurses Credentialing Center Board Certification (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANP).Berkeley College offers a flexible program leading to the Master of Science in Nursing degree. Master’s students at Berkeley pursue their educational endeavors with faculty and clinical/consulting associates who have expertise and research in the student's chosen area of study.
Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner Program
The role of a Nurse Practitioner (FNP) is a highly sought level of practice in the nursing profession, and demand is projected to continue increasing. This specialization within the MSN program is designed to be flexible for working nurses and helps develop expertise in delivery of advanced health services and health promotion through evidence-based practice. Graduates of this specialization will be prepared to provide a wide range of preventive and acute health care services to individuals of all ages.
The MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner program is a 46-credit curriculum with a combination of synchronous online courses and 630 clinical practice hours. Students also are required to attend mandatory on-campus simulation sessions as outlined by the course instructor.
MSN Core
- NUR5000 Transition to Advanced Nursing Practice: Expanded Practice, Communication, and Collaboration
- NUR5005 Population Health in a Global Society, Legislation and Social Policy
- NUR6000 Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice
Direct Care Core
- MED5005 Advanced Clinical Pharmacology
- MED5000 Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology
- NUR6010 Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Reasoning
FNP Clinical Component
- NUR6030 Primary Care for Adolescents and Adult Patients
- NUR6035 Clinical I: Advanced Practice Nursing in Adolescents and Adults Care (180 clinical hours offsite with 2 full days of on-site simulations)
- NUR6040 Primary Care for Geriatric Patients
- NUR6045 Clinical II: Advanced Practice Nursing in Geriatric Care (135 clinical hours offsite with 2 full days of onsite simulations)
- NUR6050 Primary Care for Pediatric Patients
- NUR6055 Clinical III: Advanced Practice Nursing in Pediatric Care (135 clinical hours offsite with 2 full days of onsite simulations)
- NUR6060 Primary Care for Maternal-Child
- NUR6065 Clinical IV: Advanced Practice Nursing in Women’s Health and Perinatal Care (90 clinical hours offsite with 2 full days of onsite simulations)
- NUR7035 Advanced Practice Nursing in Family Practice Capstone (90 clinical hours offsite with 2 full days of onsite simulations)
SAMPLE PROGRAM SEQUENCE - FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER - PART-TIME
SAMPLE PROGRAM SEQUENCE - FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER - FULL-TIME
The Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner Specialization program is designed for clinicians who have experience in direct patient care, defined as nursing care provided to individuals or families intended to achieve specific health goals or achieve selected health outcomes. Additional admission requirements can be found on the Admission page of the Graduate Catalog: https://berkeleycollege.edu/catalogs/graduate-2024-2025/admissions/msn-admissions/index.html
Final acceptance into the program will be determined by the Graduate Nursing Programs Admissions Committee composed of nursing and School of Health Studies faculty, nursing administrators, and the MSN Admission Director.
An offer of admission will be valid for 12 months from the start date of the program. Applicants denied admission will be allowed to reapply after 180 days.
* Applicants not meeting GPA requirement of 3.0 may be considered for conditional admission with the following provision: Student will take six (6) credits of graduate courses at Berkeley College. Students will be required to demonstrate successful graduate work with a GPA of 3.0 at the end of the first semester in order to progress in the program. Students not achieving a 3.0 GPA at the end of the first semester will be dismissed from the program.
The MSN program is available in a hybrid format with lecture courses being conducted online in a synchronous format. The program also contains clinical courses, which are to be completed at off-site facilities. Several courses contain a simulation requirement, which must be completed at the Woodland Park campus.
For the clinical component of the program, students are required to secure preceptors and complete their rotations in a primary care setting such as a physician’s office or clinic. To ensure the correct facility is selected, students are encouraged to speak with the MSN Program Director before finalizing their preceptor agreement.
For additional information about the academic policies and procedures, students are encouraged to review the MSN Student Handbook Supplement.
Berkeley College reserves the right to add, discontinue, or modify its programs and policies at any time. Modifications subsequent to the original publication of this document may not be reflected here. For up-to-date and detailed information, please visit BerkeleyCollege.edu and view our catalogs at BerkeleyCollege.edu/Publications.