Master of Science


There are two Master of Science (MS) degrees available to students wanting to continue their education in nursing.

View plans of study for the MS programs below.

We also offer post-graduate certificates for those who already have a graduate degree in nursing and wish to pursue programs like our master’s degrees in less time.


Writing Requirement


Regardless of which MS degree you select, you’ll have the opportunity to complete an extensive writing project.

Explore a research question with a small group of peers through a thesis or work individually to develop a clinical practice recommendation through a Scholarly Inquiry Paper (SIP).

Before you start, we recommend you review our project guidelines (PDF).

Nurse Educator (NE) MS


Want to combine your passions for nursing and teaching? Check out the Nurse Educator (NE) MS program.

You'll learn how to teach in either an academic or healthcare setting, how to design your curriculum, how to be an effective instructor and evaluator—and more.

Here’s what else you need to know about the NE master’s degree:

  • Comprises 48 credits and 300 clinical hours
  • Can be completed in four semesters and two summer sessions
  • Costs approximately $54,000

Visit the course catalog for more info on the specific courses you will take in this program.

Nursing & Organizational Leadership (NOL) MS


Turn your dream of becoming an administrator or leader in healthcare into a reality with the Nursing and Organizational Leadership (NOL) MS program.

Through guided practicums and clinicals, you'll learn how to manage and professionally develop nurses, other healthcare personnel, and budget resources to support individual, family, and community care.

And once you graduate and meet additional eligibility criteria related to work experience, you'll be prepared for the following certification exams:

Here's what else you need to know about the NOL master’s degree:

  • Comprises 43 credits and 420 clinical hours
  • Can be completed in four semesters and one summer session
  • Costs approximately $48,000

To learn about the specific courses you will take in this program, visit the course catalog.

RN-Graduate Nursing Pathway


If you’re a registered nurse, have a two-year nursing degree, and are currently enrolled in WSU’s undergraduate RN-BS Completion Program, then you're eligible to apply for this pathway to admission to any of WSU’s Graduate Nursing master’s or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees.

Learn more about the RN-Graduate Nursing Pathway.

Plans of study for our master's degree programs in Graduate Nursing provide detailed outlines of courses that students will take.


Two-Year Plans of Study:


Three-Year Plans of Study:

Effective Aug. 2022

The master’s programs are designed so that each student will be able to:

  1. Translate evolving evidence-based nursing knowledge when planning, implementing, and evaluating person-centered care for individuals, families, aggregates, systems, and organizations.
  2. Apply nursing theory, knowledge from other disciplines, research, ethics, diversity, equity, and inclusion into the delivery of person-centered care for populations and healthcare systems.
  3. Cultivate professionalism, including person-centered, ethical, and accountable leadership, and innovation within an advanced nursing role.
  4. Partner within inter-professional teams to analyze complex practice and organizational issues and population health outcomes.
  5. Apply knowledge and skills to enhance the quality and safety of health care in a variety of settings and for a variety of populations.

Approved by the Curriculum Committee on Oct. 3, 2021, and by the Department of Graduate Nursing on Nov. 8, 2021.


Effective Aug. 2011 – Aug. 2022

The master’s programs are designed so that each student will be able to:

  1. Employ evidence-based practice when planning, implementing, and evaluating health care for individuals, families, aggregates, systems, and organizations.
  2. Integrate nursing theory, research, ethics, and related sciences into the delivery of culturally competent advanced nursing care for diverse populations and healthcare systems.
  3. Demonstrate professionalism within an advanced nursing role.
  4. Demonstrate leadership with inter-professional teams to analyze complex practice and organizational issues.
  5. Apply knowledge and skills to enhance the quality and safety of health care in a variety of settings and for a variety of populations.

Approved March 2011 and implemented Aug. 2011.

The following information complies with Regulation 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v) through the U.S. Department of Education:

WSU’s Nurse Educator program curriculum meets state educational requirements for APRN licensure or certification in the states/jurisdictions of: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Island, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Last updated on July 1, 2021.


Disclaimer

This information has been gathered from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) website and will be updated annually on July 1.

WSU assumes no liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information contained in this resource.