Nursing, MSN

School of Nursing

Julka Hall 238
(216) 687-3598
Tonya Runner, DNP, MBA, APRN, CRNO, RN
Graduate Program Director

Programs of Study

Prospective students can choose from any of the following degree or certificate programs after meeting the admission requirements.

• MSN Degree
  • Population Health: Specialized Population
  • Population Health: Forensic Nursing
  • Population Health: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • Population Health: Nursing Education
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Post-MSN APN Certificate Programs
  • Family Nurse Practitioner, Post-Master of Science in Nursing Degree Certificate  
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Post-Master of Science in Nursing Degree Certificate  

Introduction

The MSN program is based on the principles of population health and is designed to prepare graduates with advanced knowledge, competencies, and skills in the nursing care of populations (aggregates). The graduate will have in-depth skills in population assessment, demography, epidemiological assessment and data analysis, evaluation of research, survey research, data projections, cost-benefit analysis, and the ability to apply nursing theory, population theory, ethics, cultural awareness, and political strategies to design, implement, and evaluate population health programs. Students may select from five tracks available, according to their interests and professional goals. In keeping with the rules and regulations of the Ohio Nurse Practice Act, the program does not prepare nurse practitioners or clinical nurse specialists; graduates are not eligible to apply for a certificate of authority in the State of Ohio.

The MSN Family Nurse Practitioner degree program prepares registered nurses (RNs) to provide independent general care for family groups and individuals in the context of family living. Includes instruction in family theory and intervention, role synthesis, family primary care, nursing practice and health care policy, holistic practice, pediatric practice, gerontological practice, health assessment, clinical pharmacotherapeutics, clinical techniques, and pathophysiology.

The MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree program prepares registered nurses to promote mental health and provide nursing care to patients with mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders, in mental institutions or other settings. Includes instruction in psychopathology, behavioral health, counseling and intervention strategies, psychoeducation, mental health assessment and dual diagnosis, stabilization and management of psychotic illness, psychiatric care and rehabilitation, substance abuse, and crisis intervention.

Membership & Accreditation

The School of Nursing is a member of the Council of Baccalaureate and Higher Degree Programs, and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The graduate program in Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The MSN degree program with the APN specialty tracks will submit for CCNE accreditation of these tracks in 2025.

Faculty Research

Program faculty members have research specializations in a wide variety of areas, allowing them to help graduate students explore many potential research topics. The many partnerships in which the School of Nursing is involved also provide opportunities for collaboration with practitioners in community settings.

Current faculty information can be located on the Cleveland State University Faculty Profile page.

Admission to the School of Nursing

Applicants to the Master of Science in Nursing program must meet the minimum requirements established by the College of Graduate Studies and the School of Nursing. Requirements for admission include:

1. A baccalaureate degree in nursing with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher*
2. Successful completion of an undergraduate or graduate-level statistics with a grade of C or better
3. An active license as a Registered Nurse in the applicant’s U.S. state of residence
4. Submission of a Cleveland State University graduate Admission Application
5. Submission of official academic transcripts from all postsecondary schools attended
6. Provide two (2) professional letters of recommendation
7. Identification of a population on which the student will focus during his or her program of study or identification of the APN Specialization Track (FNP or PMHNP)
8. Submission of a 250-word typed essay identifying your population of interest, or APN specialization track (FNP or PMHNP); how you plan to use your MSN degree to enhance your professional growth and development, and the skills you hope to acquire during the program.

*An applicant who does not meet the minimum 3.0 GPA requirement may still be considered for admission as a non-degree graduate student. See below for more information.

Applicants must submit the Cleveland State University application for Graduate Admission. All application materials should be submitted to Campus 411 All-In-One Enrollment Services. The office will forward materials to the School of Nursing.

Priority consideration is given to applications received by March 15 for fall enrollment. After March 12, applications will be considered on a space-available basis.

Students may pursue the program on a full- or part-time basis, depending on the degree path or certificate. The University mandates a six-year time limit to complete the master’s degree requirements.

Non-Degree Status

A total of twelve credits of graduate nursing coursework may be taken as a non-degree graduate student. No nursing course may be taken beyond this limit. Students who wish to progress in nursing coursework must apply for admission as degree-seeking students to the College of Graduate Studies. Students may use this non-degree status as an opportunity to demonstrate satisfactory graduate-level academic performance in order to be considered for degree-seeking status.

In order to take graduate-level nursing coursework as a non-degree student:

1. The student must apply to the College of Graduate Studies as a non-degree student.
2. The student must meet the College of Graduate Studies’ admission requirements for a non-degree student.
3. The student may take NUR courses on a space-available basis only.
4. The student may be required to meet SON requirements in order to register for the nursing courses (possess an BSN and valid unrestricted registered nursing license (RN))
5. The student must request permission to register for courses each semester through the School of Nursing Recruiter/Advisor.
6. Students from other disciplines or who have not been admitted to the Master of Science Degree (MSN) degree program are only permitted to take the following courses with course instructor approval:
   1. ​NUR 505 - Introduction to Demography & Epidemiology: A Nursing Perspective    
   2. NUR 511 - Introduction to Forensic Nursing   
   3. NUR 600 - Information Systems in Healthcare  
   4. NUR 602 - Health Care Policy  
   5. NUR 603 - Health Care Financing for Nursing Practices  

A maximum of 12 credit hours in the MSN degree program are permitted to be taken as a non-nursing graduate student.

No students will be permitted to take any Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program courses who has not been admitted into the DNP program with a status of “full-admit” or “admit with conditions”.

Clinical Practica

Students admitted to the Graduate Nursing Program take 500 and 600-level courses which include a clinical component. NUR 505  has 100 clinical hours devoted to a group population health project. In the clinical component, students develop competencies enacting the roles of the population health nurse expert with their population of focus in several different care environments. During these learning experiences, graduate students interact with members of their population, healthcare professionals, interest groups, and others who are involved with their population. These opportunities enable the student to use the Neuman Systems Model and other population health models, nursing theory, and other concepts, theories, and frameworks to promote the health of aggregates.

Program and Health Data

All degree-seeking students are required to have complete program data and be kept current with health data on file in the School of Nursing. This includes documentation of licensure as a registered nurse, professional liability insurance, CPR certification, current immunizations, and background checks. This information is required by clinical sites, as well as accrediting agencies.

Program and Health data are due within 60 days of admittance into the Graduate Nursing Program. No clinical Nursing course may be taken unless all Program and Health Requirements are met. If this requirement is not met, a hold will be placed on the student’s registration for classes until all requirements are met and appropriate documentation has been received by the School of Nursing.

Exit Requirements

Graduation is based on the successful completion of the required courses and clinical experience hours, and the submission of required artifacts into an electronic portfolio/clinical tracking system.

For the non-APN tracks in the MSN program, students are expected to plan and implement a clinical project to address the needs of their population of focus. Students are expected, at minimum, to make an oral presentation of their project. NUR 606 - Capstone Practicum  is the capstone course in the program.