Students will expand their knowledge beyond the realm of undergraduate education. They will enhance skills such as writing, speaking, critical thinking, and research methods; thus, allowing for a greater understanding of the academic process. A positive professional attitude will allow academic growth and mastery of content. Students are accountable for their own learning as they work to acquire and expand their skills in leadership, collaboration, communication, therapeutic nursing interventions, and critical scientific examination.
Admission to the Graduate Program
The graduate admissions process is coordinated by the Graduate Office and the School of Nursing. Admission to the Graduate School requires a baccalaureate in science degree from an accredited institution and an undergraduate background appropriate to graduate study. A student admitted as “non-degree seeking” may enroll in graduate courses with the permission of the Chair of Academic Programs (COAP). Transfer of credit hours from another institution may be awarded toward a degree after a request is submitted by the student and credit negotiated before admission to the School of Nursing.
Admission is competitive and based upon the perceived ability of the applicant to successfully complete the program of study, the appropriateness of the requested program of study, and in the student’s goals. A limited number of students are accepted to the School of Nursing Graduate Program. The most qualified applicants will be accepted first. Admission to the graduate program is either as Full or Provisional Admission.
Admission to the MSN Graduate Program is competitive. Students considered for Full Admission must meet the following requirements:
1. Baccalaureate degree in nursing with a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall.
2. A satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
3. A grade of "C" or better on an introductory course in statistics.
4. At least two years of continuous clinical practice as a Registered Nurse.
5. Completion of School of Nursing Graduate Program Application.
6. Completion of written mission statement as noted in the School of Nursing Graduate Program Application.
7. Current licensure or privilege to practice nursing in Mississippi. Individuals who hold a restricted license may or may not be eligible for admission.
8. Three letters of professional/academic reference. At least one reference must be academic in nature.
9. Evidence of both professional nursing liability and health insurance.
10. Completion of an interview conducted by School of Nursing faculty prior to admission.
11. A grade of "C' or higher on a graduate level pathophysiology course. (Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator only)
Graduate Provisional Admission
Students who meet all requirements for admission to the graduate program in nursing except the requirement for a grade point average of at least 3.0 will be considered for provisional admission by the graduate program committee. Students who are registered nurses with a bachelors of science degree in a health-related field may also be considered for provisional admission by the graduate program committee. A student granted Provisional Admission will be granted Full Admission after completing a minimum of 9 semester hours of coursework with a minimum grade of “B” in each course and by meeting the other requirements for progression. A student who is provisionally admitted and who does not have a minimum grade of “B” in the first 9 semester hours of coursework will be dismissed from the program.
Progression in the MSN Program
Students in the program must maintain a GPA of 3.00 on all graduate work attempted at DSU, a GPA of 3.00 in the major field of study, and a “B” in all courses with a clinical component. If a course is repeated, the second grade does not replace the first grade – both grades will appear on the student’s transcript and will be used to compute the cumulative GPA. A course may be
repeated only once. To remain and progress in the program, a safe level of practice is required. Clinical performance is evaluated on both a numerical and satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. A grade of “Incomplete” or “In Progress” must be removed before a student may progress to subsequent coursework. MSN students must successfully meet the practice and laboratory competencies for a course in order to progress. A grade of “C” or less in clinical practice or laboratory experience will result in failure of the course.
Graduate Academic Suspension and Dismissal
Students who earn three grades of "C" or one grade of "D" or "F" will be dismissed from their degree program. Also, graduate students must maintain a 3.0 GPA during the first nine semester hours of any course work in a degree program. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from that program unless otherwise stipulated by the department offering the program. If, anytime after completion of nine hours, a student's overall grade point average on graduate courses drops below a 3.0, the student will be placed on probation. A student on probation is not a candidate for a degree. Probationary status is removed by raising the overall grade point average to 3.0 or better on all graduate work at the end of the next semester of enrollment after being placed on probation. (For students enrolled in the summer, both school terms will be used to determine if probationary status should be removed.) Failure to remove probation in the manner described will result in the student being dropped from the degree program. Requests for reinstatement to a graduate program must be approved by the college or school dean.
Readmission to the Graduate Program
A student who has withdrawn from the university in good standing, been dismissed for academic deficiencies, or for any other reason been separated from the university, may be eligible to apply for readmission upon approval from the School of Nursing after one full semester has passed since the dismissal. One full semester is one regular term (Fall, Spring, or both Summer terms). During the dismissed term, a student who wishes to return to the program is encouraged to address deficiencies in his/her academic work with his/her advisor. Students with academic deficiencies may seek readmission to the School of Nursing only once.
A program of study should be filed in the student’s file folder prior to the completion of twelve semester hours of course work. (A program of study is a list of courses required for completion of the degree and the expected date(s) of enrollment in each.)
A student must file an application for candidacy two semesters prior to the date of graduation. The application will be reviewed by the COAP. Candidacy status requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 and completion of all admission requirements.
Upon recommendation of the student's advisor and with approval of the College or School Dean, a candidate for a second master's degree may transfer up to 9 semester hours of credit from the first degree program.
A student, with an earned MSN from an accredited institution, may request non-degree seeking enrollment in order to earn credit hours toward an additional role. No degree will be awarded.
Upon successful completion of course work, the COAP will verify completion of the plan of
study (the COAP serves as advisor for non-degree seeking students) and a certificate will be awarded.
DSU course credit more than 6 (six) years previous to the date of the application to the MSN program is not acceptable. However, course work may be revalidated with permission of the graduate advisor, COAP, and Dean. A student is eligible to revalidate up to 2 (two) courses.
The revalidation process may include refresher work followed by satisfactory performance on a revalidation examination and/or competency check-off. From the date the revalidation process is approved, the student has a maximum of three months to complete the process. A revalidation examination fee may be charged. In special cases, and with approval of the department chair, the Dean of the School of Nursing may waive revalidation and accept course work more than 6 (six) years old.
Graduate Transfer Credit for the MSN Degree
A student may transfer six hours of B-or-better course work into a degree program at Delta State. The courses should be listed on the program of study. It is also permissible to transfer required courses. The six hours (6) of allowable transfer credit must be requested and negotiated prior to admission in the School of Nursing and not after a student is enrolled. This negotiation may include a revalidation process. The revalidation process may include refresher work followed by satisfactory performance on a revalidation examination and/or competency check-off. The COAP and/or advisor will request from the student a copy of the transfer course syllabus to insure that they are equivalent in content to the required nursing course.
When circumstances merit, more than six hours may be transferred. The advisor should make a recommendation to the COAP which must also be approved by the Dean. There are no set limits on the maximum number of hours that may be transferred. Only in the most unusual cases, however, should more than twelve hours be approved.
Undergraduate Students Enrolling in Graduate Coursework
Undergraduate students may enroll in up to 9 (nine) graduate hours if they are within 6 (six) hours of graduation or are eligible for graduation, have a 2.75 undergraduate GPA and approved by the graduate advisor, COAP, and School Dean. Undergraduate students enrolled in graduate
coursework do not complete an application for admission to graduate school until after they have completed the baccalaureate degree.
Unsatisfactory Progress in the Graduate Program
A student with a cumulative GPA below 3.00 (after completion of the provisional admission
period) will be placed on academic probation. During the next semester of enrollment the student must raise the cumulative GPA to a 3.00. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from
the program.
Students who anticipate graduating at the end of the Spring semester should contact their advisor at the beginning of that semester to request permission to take the required written comprehensive examination. At that time, the advisor will complete the “Graduate Examination Application” form. The Graduate Program Comprehensive Examination will be administered only once each semester. Following review of the student’s records, the advisor will notify the COAP who will request clearance for the examination to be administered. Each section of the comprehensive examination will earn a “pass” or “fail”. To successfully complete the exam, the student must earn a “pass” on each section administered. In the event the student is unsuccessful in one or more sections, the student will only be required to take the section or sections that “fail” was earned. The student may take the examination only once during a semester. The student must register for one hour of nursing credit in NUR 689 Individual Studies the subsequent semester in order to be allowed to retake the examination. In the event of two unsuccessful comprehensive examination attempts, it will be necessary for the student to request graduate program approval for continuing in the program. If approval is granted, the student will be required to complete a program of remediation approved by the graduate faculty prior to the third and final comprehensive examination attempt. An unsuccessful third attempt will result in dismissal from the program.
The preparation and administration of the comprehensive examination is the responsibility of the School of Nursing. The student will receive written notice of examination results from the COAP.
Delta State University School of Nursing Research Day - Graduate Participation
Graduate students will make a twenty minute oral presentation on their research. The chair of the student’s research project/thesis will give guidelines regarding slide presentation, etc. Visual aids are required for presentation clarity for the audience.
Scholarships through private donors and the Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) are available. Scholarship applications and additional information may be obtained from the School of Nursing web site.
Students wear white lab coats with a DSU School of Nursing name badge. A neat and professional appearance is expected. Blue jeans and shorts are not acceptable professional attire.
Graduate Assistantships & Financial Assistance
Application for an assistantship is available from the faculty secretary. Other financial assistance may be available – contact the School of Nu rsing for additional information.
RESEARCH PROJECT – (NUR 687)
NOTE: If a student elects the Research Project option (NUR 687 – 3 hours credit), an additional one or two (3 credit hour) elective may be required for graduation. Students should refer to their advisor and/or plan of study for details.
THESIS – (NUR 690)
Format for Project/Thesis
Graduate students who are completing a research project/thesis should refer to the School of Nursing Format Manual for Research Projects and Theses. Additional forms required for NUR 687 Research Project and NUR 690 Thesis must be completed and are available online through the courses and as Appendix B. Graduate students who are completing a research project or thesis should contact their advisor for specific instructions.