The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is a graduate degree in nursing with two specialty emphases: Nursing Education and Clinical Care Management in Adult and Geriatrics. The MSN program is designed utilizing national accreditation standards in preparation for national certification in each emphasis.

The Nursing Education specialty emphasis prepares nurses to work as nurse educators in diverse settings such as colleges/universities, hospitals, long-term care, home health/public health, or philanthropic organizations. The program emphasizes faith and learning while integrating holistic teaching methods, instructional design, Christian principles, teaching/learning principles, staff development strategies, student/nurse assessment, and program evaluation. The graduate will be an innovative change agent while teaching within the academic or health care settings with experience in using best practices in teaching. Clinical practicum experiences are distributed over four courses for a total of 500 clinical hours.

The Clinical Care Management in Adult and Geriatrics specialty emphasis prepares nurses to work in diverse settings as a clinician, consultant and coordinator of health care for adult and geriatric populations emphasizing clinical prevention and improved health outcomes for patients with acute and chronic diseases. The program emphasizes the core foundations of the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Adult and Geriatrics, which is an advanced practice nurse specialty role. Students build expertise in health care requirements, regulatory requirements, and Christian principles as a leader and change agent for various adult populations. Clinical practicum experiences are distributed over four courses for a total of 500 clinical hours.

Program Outcomes of the Master of Science in Nursing Degree Program

1. Graduates contribute to the perceptive dialogue related to lifelong learning and professional development to support personal transformation in the building of Christ-Centered Nursing Community.  
2. Graduates translate and integrate scientific and educational theories, emerging technology, informatics, and Christian principles into evidence based practice as a graduate clinician or educator.
3. Graduates practice and mentor others within the professional discipline of nursing from a biblical worldview.
4. Graduates create evidence based strategies to develop as transformational change agents within the profession.
5. Graduates evaluate their integration of faith in learning, teaching, scholarship, and practice
6. Graduates create a system level interprofessional collaboration for outcome improvement and advocacy as moral leaders through compassionate, spiritually and culturally sensitive care from the perspective of nursing as ministry.
7. Graduates transform practice, education, healthcare systems by synthesizing Christian principles, servant leadership and advanced nursing practice. 

Admission to the Master of Science in Nursing Degree Program

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Master of Science in Nursing program at Colorado Christian University is selective. Each applicant is carefully evaluated on previous academic performance, personal and professional accomplishments and strength of character. A strong desire to complete graduate level work in a Christ-Centered community of nurse leaders is required. Specific admission requirements include:

• Complete the graduate admission application online.
• Submit current resume, Curriculum Vitae, or portfolio with a resume through the online application process.
• A BSN with a minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale from a regionally accredited college or university. In addition, the college or university must have national programmatic accreditation from either CCNE or NLNAC.
• Submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. Documentation of a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing must be present on one of the transcripts. A candidate may use the Institutional Transcript Request Form (PDF) for this purpose.
• If undergraduate GPA is 3.25 or above, the candidate is exempt from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) requirement. If the GPA is less than 3.25, the candidate must take the GRE and submit test scores to CCU. Scores submitted must be within the last five years. The Colorado Christian University reporting code for the GRE is 4659.
• Submit a legible copy of your state-issued driver’s license, passport, or a state-issued identification card. This ID must include your photo and be within the expiration date.
• Participate in an admission interview.
• Submit a signed disclosure statement.
• Upon provisional acceptance into the program, applicant must complete a criminal background check online through Certified Background. Enter the student code OB74 (first two alpha, second two numeric). This must be completed before registering for your first class. See disqualifying offenses.

Transfer of Courses

In accordance with CCU’s Graduate Residency Policy, students transferring from a regionally accredited institution may transfer up to nine (9) semester hours of graduate credit from a regionally accredited master’s program toward the Master of Science in Nursing degree, and must complete the remaining hours at CCU.  The coursework must be comparable to that offered at CCU and fulfill the CCU degree requirements for the MSN. Specific courses which will not be accepted for transfer into the MSN program include specialty emphasis courses.  

Application Deadlines

Completed application deadlines are one month prior to the beginning of a course that is available for a new student in the program. There may be multiple start dates each year after the first year of the program. The MSN has a rolling admission by which students may enter the program.

Time Limitation

All course work applied toward a master’s degree must be completed within a five-year period from the date of enrollment. If all courses are not completed after a five-year period, the student will be required to petition for an exception to the academic policy. Continuing study is not guaranteed and must be approved by the Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences.