Academic Bulletin

SCHOOL OF NURSING AND HEALTH STUDIES - GRADUATE

Department Code: NUR

www.miami.edu/nursing

• Admission | Master of Science | MSN Specialty Tracks | Degree Requirements | Doctor of Nursing Practice | Doctor of Philosophy | Financial Assistance

The School of Nursing and Health Studies offers three graduate degrees: the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) with a major in Nursing.

MSN ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Admission to graduate programs in the School is subject to the rules, regulations, and procedures as determined by each graduate nursing program and/or set out in the Graduate Bulletin of the University of Miami. It is the responsibility of each student to understand these requirements and to be sure that they are met. 

All of those wishing to take courses for graduate credit, whether or not they wish to become candidates for the Master of Science in Nursing degree (M.S.N.), must complete an application for admission well in advance of registration. Professional nurses holding a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in nursing are eligible to apply for admission to the Master of Science program. Admission to the masters program requires:

1. The completed application form.
2. Official transcripts of all previous coursework, both undergraduate and graduate (with undergraduate G.P.A. of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale).
3. A satisfactory score on the quantitative and verbal portions of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test. A waiver of the GRE for the MSN in Nurse Education is permitted on a case by case basis.
4. A satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) by those international applicants whose native language is not English.
5. Three written references from persons qualified to comment upon the applicants' academic abilities and probable success in graduate study; references will be acceptable from a major professor, supervisor/employer, and other professional persons, preferably professional nursing personnel.
6. A current Florida license is required for clinical courses.
7. A statement of professional goals and objectives for graduate study.
8. An interview with one or more faculty.
9. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification for the Acute Care and Nurse Anesthesia specialties.
10. One year of critical care nursing experience for Nurse Anesthesia specialty.

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MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING

The Master of Science in Nursing degree focuses upon selected areas of advanced practice nursing consisting of 30 to 44 semester hours credits. The degree requirements may be completed in three to seven semesters of full-time study depending on the specialty. Part-time study is also available for the Acute Care, Nurse Education, and Family Nurse Practitioner tracks. MSN programs are lock-step and students must successfully complete a semester to progress to the next semester. Further information about each program can be obtained from the Office of Student Services, School of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Miami, P.O. Box 248153, Coral Gables, FL 33124-3850; ph (305) 284-3666.

The MSN Program is accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One DuPont Circle NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 887-6791. Additional national accreditations are from the American College of Nurse Midwives Division of Accreditation, 8430 Colesville Road, Suite 1550, Silver Spring, MD 20910, (204) 485-1845, and the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs (COA), 222 South Prospect Avenue, Park Ridge, Illinois, 60068-4001, (847) 692-7050 (ext. 1154).

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MSN SPECIALTY TRACKS:  ACUTE CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER, NURSE ANESTHESIA, FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER

The curriculum leading to the Master of Science in Nursing degree prepares students for advanced practice nursing in Acute Care, Nurse Anesthesia, and Family Nursing.

Family Nurse Practitioner Plans of Study - 37 Credits

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Plans of Study - 44 credits

Nurse Anesthesia - Plan of Study 43 credits (Full-time only)

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Nurse Education – Plan of Study 30 credits (Part-time only)

MSN DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

GRADUATE STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Students in the School of Nursing and Health Studies are responsible for meeting the degree requirements. It is the student's responsibility to understand fully, and comply with all the provisions of the Bulletin and written changes to their program of study. Students are provided assistance by advisors and faculty members. Requests for deviation from the program of study or school requirements are granted only by written approval from the Dean. Students who are in violation of the provisions of this Bulletin may be withdrawn unilaterally by appropriate School officials from classes, deleted as Nursing and Health Studies students or have a stop placed upon their future enrollment. The school reserves the right to change academic requirements to include course offerings to ensure that students are receiving the latest knowledge. Changes are transmitted by written notice in the current year of the School of Nursing and Health Studies Master's Handbook located at www.miami.edu/sonhs or by the Dean.

PROGRESSION POLICY

In order for MSN students to progress through their programs to completion, the academic policy is as follows:

1. Any graduate student who receives a “C” in a nursing course will be dismissed from his or her program.

2. A grade of “B-” or “C+” for a course is below graduate standards, and the student must repeat that course. However, a student may only repeat one course, one time.

3. A passing grade in all clinical experiences is required to pass a course having a clinical component (generally listed as a “lab section” by UM). Students will be counseled during their mid-term evaluations as to their status or progress. Students who are not making satisfactory progress may also receive an academic alert at mid-semester or mid-course.

4. All grades are included in the computation of the UM overall grade point average including those that are failed or repeated.

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DOCTOR OF NURSING PRACTICE

The Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) requires 38 credits of coursework beyond the master’s degree. The DNP degree is a practice-focused doctorate designed for nurses seeking a terminal degree in nursing practice. The outcome objectives for graduates of the DNP program are to:

• Integrate knowledge, theories, and concepts from the biophysical, psychosocial, analytical, and organization sciences to develop ethical health care systems and new frontiers for nursing practice that addresses health care disparities.

• Evaluate research methods and findings to create an evidence base for nursing practice and health care delivery systems that reflect best practices and alleviate health care disparities.

• Synthesize knowledge gained from traditional and innovative learning methods to lead quality, cost-effective health care collaborations addressing health care disparities.

• Demonstrate expert clinical judgment and knowledge of health care systems to design, deliver and evaluate evidence-based care interventions to reduce health care disparities.

• Model expert nursing practice and serve as mentors to nursing colleagues in their efforts to improve nursing practice and health care systems.

• Employ knowledge of health care policy and economics to develop and evaluate programs to address health care disparities.

DNP ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants to the program must submit an online application form located at www.miami.edu/grad and the required application fee.

• A Baccalaureate degree and a Master’s degree in nursing (MSN), and an RN license are required. Applicants with Master’s degrees in other areas will be considered for admission on a case by case basis.

• Official transcripts from undergraduate and graduate institutions if the applicant is not a graduate of the University of Miami.

• The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required.

• Three strong letters of recommendation are required preferably from individuals with doctorates in nursing. At least one recommendation should be from an academic source.

• Statement of professional goals for graduate study

• Current résumé

• Applicants for whom English is not the native language must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language

• All applicants will be scheduled for an interview.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

To receive the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, the candidate must:

1. Complete all coursework as required with an overall GPA of 3.0 or better.
2. Complete the clinical hours required.
3. Successfully complete the capstone project.
4. Successfully pass a comprehensive examination. The exam is an integrative experience to demonstrate students’ mastery of the outcome objectives of the program.

GRADUATE STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Students in the School of Nursing and Health Studies are responsible for meeting the degree requirements. It is the student's responsibility to understand fully, and comply with all the provisions of the Bulletin and written changes to their program of study. Students are provided assistance by advisors and faculty members. Requests for deviation from the program of study or school requirements are granted only by written approval from the Dean. Students who are in violation of the provisions of this Bulletin may be withdrawn unilaterally by appropriate School officials from classes, deleted as Nursing and Health Studies students or have a stop placed upon their future enrollment. The school reserves the right to change academic requirements to include course offerings to ensure that students are receiving the latest knowledge. Changes are transmitted by written notice in the current year of the School of Nursing and Health Studies DNP Handbook located at www.miami.edu/sonhs or by the Dean.

PROGRAM OF STUDY

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DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

The Ph.D. with a major in Nursing Science requires a minimum of 40 credits of coursework beyond the master's degree or 61 credits of coursework beyond the bachelor's degree.  The principal goal of the Ph.D. with a major in Nursing Science is to prepare scholars and researchers who will contribute to the growth of science in nursing through recognized methods of scholarly inquiry. Admission to the doctoral program is competitive.

PHD ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

I. Entrance Requirements

A. Admission. The regular admission procedures include:

1. The completed application form

2. The official transcripts of all college work previously taken, including both undergraduate and graduate

3. The official report of the appropriate entrance examination, taken within five years of the application. Applicants must submit the scores from the Graduate Record Examination; International applicants whose native language is not English must also take and pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

B. Selection of students. Factors considered for admission include:

1. Completion of the masters degree with an outstanding record from an accredited institution

2. Adequacy of previous study in advanced clinical nursing

3. Relevant experience as evidenced in curriculum vitae

4. Recommendations

5. Written evaluations by key professors

6. Statement of professional goals and interests in doctoral study

7. Admissions interview

8. Portfolio of scholarly work related to some aspect of nursing for evaluation by the doctoral admissions committee for evidence of scholarly potential

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

To receive the Doctor of Philosophy degree the candidate must meet all the general requirements for the Ph.D. degree with respect to residency, and written and oral examinations. 12 credits of dissertation seminar and approval of the dissertation prospectus are required. 

Students in the School of Nursing and Health Studies are responsible for meeting the degree requirements. It is the student's responsibility to understand fully, and comply with all the provisions of the Bulletin and written changes to their program of study. Students are provided assistance by advisors and faculty members. Requests for deviation from the program of study or school requirements are granted only by written approval from the Dean. Students who are in violation of the provisions of this Bulletin may be withdrawn unilaterally by appropriate School officials from classes, deleted as Nursing and Health Studies students or have a stop placed upon their future enrollment. The school reserves the right to change academic requirements to include course offerings to ensure that students are receiving the latest knowledge. Changes are transmitted by written notice in the current year of the School of Nursing and Health Studies PhD Handbook located at www.miami.edu/sonhs or by the Dean.

MSN to PhD Program Curriculum

Year 1 - Fall semester
NUR 662 Nursing Epistemology (4 cr)
NUR 665 Quantitative Research Methods (3 cr)
  Co-requisite NUR 662
EPS 671 ANOVA (3 cr)

Year 1 - Spring semester
NUR 670 Qualitative (3 cr)
  Pre-requisite NUR 662\
EPS 672 Regression (3 cr)
Elective (3 cr)

Year 2 - Fall semester
NUR 667 Research Practicum (1 cr)
  Pre-requisites NUR662, NUR 665, EPS 671
NUR 671 Scientific Writing (2 cr)
  Pre-requisites NUR662, NUR 665, EPS 672
EPS 673 (SEM) or EPS 674 Multilevel Modeling (3 cr)
Elective (3 cr)

Qualifying Exam at end of Fall semester

Year 2 - Spring Semester
NUR 730 Dissertation (4 cr)

Defend proposal by end of spring semester

Year 2 - Summer semester
NUR 730 Dissertation (4 cr)

Year 3 - Fall semester
NUR 730 Dissertation (4 cr)

Length = 6 full time semesters of study

Total course credits = 28
Total dissertation credits = 12
Total credits = 40 (post masters)

BSN to PhD Program Curriculum

Year 1 - Summer semester 1
NUR 652 Intro to Clinical Inquiry I (3 cr)
Year 1 - Summer semester 2
EPS 553 Intro Statistics (3 cr)

Year 1 - Fall semester
NUR 662 Nursing Epistemology (4 cr)
NUR 665 Quantitative Research Methods (3 cr)
  Co-requisite NUR 662
EPS 671 ANOVA (3 cr)

Year 1 - Spring semester
NUR 670 Qualitative (3 cr)
  Pre-requisite NUR 662
EPS 672 Regression (3 cr)
Elective (3 cr)

Year 2 - Summer semester 1
NUR 653 Intro to Clinical Inquiry II (6 cr)

Year  2 - Fall semester
NUR 667 Research Practicum (1 cr)
  Pre-requisite NUR 662, NUR 665, EPS 671
NUR 671 Scientific Writing (2 cr)
  Pre-requisite NUR 662, NUR 665, EPS 671
EPS 673 (SEM) or EPS 674 Multilevel Modeling (3 cr)
Elective (3 cr)

Year 2 - Spring semester
Cognates/Electives (9 cr)

Qualifying Exam at end of Spring semester

Year 3 - Summer semester
NUR 730 Dissertation (4 cr)

Defend proposal at end of summer semester

Year 3 - Fall semester
NUR 730 Dissertation (4 cr)

Year 3 - Spring semester
NUR 730 Dissertation (4 cr)

Length = 9 full time semesters
Total course credits = 49
Total dissertation credits = 12
Total credits = 61 (post baccalaureate)

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FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

The School of Nursing and Health Studies provides the following sources of financial assistance for full time graduate students who are not employed full time by other agencies:

1. Tuition Scholarships.These awards vary in amount and are intended to assist the recipient in pursuit of study and research as required by the degree. These scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis.

2. Graduate Stipends.These cash awards, paid monthly, are intended as part of an educational assistance program for Doctoral degree students. The stipends require service in the form of teaching, research assistance, or other appropriate educational activities that may be designated by the supervisor of the recipient.

For further information, contact: Office of Student Services, School of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Miami, P.O. Box 248153, Coral Gables, FL 33124-3850, ph (305) 284- 3666.

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