The University of Akron College of Nursing Master of Science in Nursing curriculum is designed to provide a sequential plan of study in several advanced practice options and other advanced role specialties.  The purposes of the program are to provide preparation for advanced nursing practice as a clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, or nurse anesthetist; preparation for the role of nurse educator, or administrator of nursing service; and to provide a foundation for doctoral study.  Areas of advanced practice specialization include adult/gerontological health nursing, child and adolescent health nursing (primary and acute care), behavioral health nursing, and nursing anesthesia.  Areas of advanced role specialization include nursing services administration and a certificate program in nursing education.

Admission Requirements
Individuals intending to enroll in the Masters Program must have a current Ohio state license as a registered nurse and evidence of malpractice insurance; and a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from an NLN accredited baccalaureate program. They must also complete all prerequisites; provide 3 letters of reference; write a 300 word essay; take the Graduate Record Examination (if the undergraduate GPA is less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale); and complete an interview with the Coordinator of the Graduate Program prior to admission.

Addressing the Needs of the State and the Region
The Masters Program in Nursing meets the needs of the State in several ways. The graduates of the  master’s program have specialized in a practice role to become expert clinicians, administrators, or educators.  The majority remain in the state to pursue their post-degree careers. These professionals advance the practice of nursing and health care to improve clinical and economic outcomes for patients/clients, nursing personnel and organization/network systems both independently and in collaboration with other health care professionals.  Nurse anesthetists are the only providers of anesthesia in 70% of all rural hospitals in the US.  Care provided by nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists has been associated with high patient satisfaction, cost effectiveness, and similar patient outcomes to care provided by physicians.  With a recent Ohio State Medical Association survey indicating 34 percent of Ohio physicians expect to close their practices within the next two years due to rising medical liability insurance, the advanced practice nurses of Ohio are needed now more than ever to enable its population to have increased years of quality life and reduced health disparities for diverse and underserved populations of Ohio citizens.

Placement Objectives for Graduates
Graduates of the Master’s Program in Nursing are expected to fulfill positions in nursing and in other fields as advanced health care providers, educators, executives, and consultants.  Advance nursing practice positions are found in a variety of primary, secondary, and tertiary care environments.  The market for graduates with advanced practice roles is exceedingly strong.  Many of these master’s prepared nurses will go on to doctoral study and assume a role of nurse researcher in communities, hospitals, and faculty in higher education.

Prerequisite courses are undergraduate health assessment and statistics and a graduate level course in inferential statistics.