Master of Science in Nursing
TCU graduate Nursing offers an innovative online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).
One major comprises the degree program: Nursing Education. There are two role foci for the Nursing Education major: Adult Gerontology or Pediatric.
All didactic coursework is offered online. Clinical practicum and teaching practicum courses are supervised by Nursing faculty in concert with qualified preceptors. Generally, students complete their practicum courses in agencies located in their geographic area. If adequate practicum or preceptor resources are not available in the student's geographic area, concentrated practicum experiences are available in the Fort Worth area.
Admission
Admission is competitive. An individualized approach is used to identify applicants with demonstrated academic achievement and potential, who have strong motivation to succeed in academic study and professional practice, and the potential to function as a leader in advanced practice, nursing administration, healthcare delivery, or nursing education. The applicant's GPA, writing and speaking skills, and professional experience are used to assess applicants for admission. A profile of each applicant is developed based on an admission portfolio consisting of:
- Completed online application that includes:
- One official transcript from all colleges or universities attended with a preferred cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) from the baccalaureate nursing program. (International transcripts should be sent with an evaluation from a transcript credentialing service.)
- Resume or curriculum vita.
- Personal statement – should demonstrate written communication skills, not be more than 2 pages double spaced and should address specific personal, academic and/or professional strengths and/or accomplishments and how these qualify you as a strong candidate for the MSN program, and why you are interested in a MSN from TCU.
- Three professional references (should be from a supervisor, previous faculty, or other professional reference).
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited school or university.
- Evidence of current unencumbered licensure in the state of Texas or the state in which practicum course work will occur.
-
Evidence of current certification of American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Provider and immunization history that meets the DFW Hospital Council requirements.
-
A preferred work history that includes one year of full-time experience or its equivalent as a registered nurse. New graduates will be considered based on GPA and faculty letters of reference.
-
Applicants for whom English is a second language, demonstrated English language proficiency is measured by a score of at least 600 on the Test of Spoken English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and a score of 6 on the institutional version of the Test of Spoken English (TSE).
Upon admission, all students must present satisfactory evidence of the following:
- Immunizations
- Tetanus/diphtheria (TD): Must have DTaP if the immunization is more than two years old.
- Measles: Those born since Jan. 1, 1957, must have two doses since 12 months of age. The doses must be at least 30 days apart.
- Mumps: Those born since Jan. 1, 1957, must have two doses since 12 months of age. The doses must be at least 30 days apart.
- Rubella: Those born since Jan. 1, 1957, must have two doses since 12 months of age. The doses must be at least 30 days apart.
- Hepatitis B: The completed three-dose series must be received before contact with clients in practica.
- Varicella (chickenpox): All practicum students must document evidence of immunity to varicella. This requirement may be met by either: 1) documentation of varicella immunization. (Immunization for adolescents and adults is a series of two doses 4-8 weeks apart); or 2) positive varicella titer.
- Annual seasonal and other recommended influenza vaccination or declination forms on file.
- Current health insurance coverage.
- Current certification by American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Provider.
- Negative TB skin test (two-step method), QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus or negative chest x-ray within the last 12 months (provided annually).
- Acceptable results from a drug screening test and a criminal background check within the 30 days prior to beginning practicum course-work. Screening tests and background checks must be completed by TCU nursing approved vendors.
CPR and TB cannot expire at any point during the semester once the student begins clinical courses
If accepted, a $250 non-refundable deposit is due with a completed Intent to Enroll form to hold your position. The $250 deposit will be applied to your student account after your second successful semester.
A map of where TCU is authorized to offer distance education activities, including enrolling out-of-state students and allowing current TCU students to complete experiential learning placements is available https://cte.tcu.edu/distance-learning/state-authorization-map/
Academic Standards
Students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 in accordance with provisions described under "Academic Warning." All grades are included in the computation of the GPA, but no more than one grade of "C" or lower may be utilized in satisfying degree requirements. Students who achieve a GPA of less than 3.0 in any semester or term will be placed on academic warning. Students can be removed from that status by achieving a 3.0 cumulative average by the end of the next six hours of enrollment. If a student should fail to do so, further enrollment will be granted only by special recommendation of the Division Director of Graduate Nursing and with permission of the Associate Dean for Nursing and Dean of the Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
An "I" (incomplete) grade is recorded when the student and instructor have determined that the work required for a course cannot be completed within the term of enrollment due to circumstances beyond the student's control. Under no circumstances will a grade of "I" be given to avoid earning an "F" for the course.
The "I" grade must be removed within the first 60 days of the regular semester immediately following or it is changed to an "F." Any extension of this time must have written approval of the instructor and the Associate Dean for Nursing.
Until the "I" grade is removed, progression in the program will be at the discretion of the Division Director of Graduate Nursing.
Grade Point Average
Two GPAs are maintained by TCU:
1. A semester average based on courses taken at TCU during a particular term; and
2. A cumulative average based on all work attempted at TCU.
A student's GPA is computed by dividing the number of grade points (grade points earned per semester hour for the successful completion of academic work) by the number of hours (total credit hours attempted at TCU, excluding those attempted on a pass/no-credit basis).