Program Objectives   

The program objectives are designed to accomplish a Master of Science Degree through three-degree programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Education and Nurse Administration. Upon completion of the program the graduate is prepared to:

• Use evidenced-based research to enhance nursing practice and promote healthy communities and diverse populations.
• Collaborate with others to influence the social, political and economic trends in health care delivery and health policy.
• Analyze ethical, legal, and professional standards within the health care system.
• Incorporate professional values, accountability, and responsibility into advanced nursing practice, education and administration.
• Integrate knowledge, theories and professional standards of nursing and related disciplines into advanced nursing roles.
• Demonstrate competency in an advanced nursing role in serving a cultural, ethical and technological diverse society.
• Deliver specialized care to culturally diverse populations through health promotion, disease prevention and health maintenance activities.

Degree Offerings

Master of Science (MSN) Nurse Education

The Nurse Education degree prepares nurses to teach in a variety of settings including the teaching of patients and their families, nursing students, nursing staff and health consumers. In the Nurse Education courses, students gain necessary teaching knowledge and skills to prepare them to become nurse educators, a complex role that requires both pedagogical and clinical competency. The nurse education track requires students to complete 15 semester hours of core content, 15 semester credit hours in Nurse Education courses, 9 semester hours in advanced practice core courses, and 6 semester hours of either a thesis or non-thesis option. Two Practicum courses are required: classroom and clinical instruction (120 contact hours each) for a total of 240 hours. This course of study prepares nurses to take the National League for Nursing Certified Nurse Education Examination.

Nurse Education Outcomes:

• Use educational theories to design instructional strategies to achieve learning goals.
• Design and develop curricular and educational programs.
• Analyze the role of the nurse educator in preparing graduates for social, ethical, cultural and political issues which have an impact on nursing education.
• Evaluate outcomes of the educational process in both the classroom and clinical setting.
• Integrate technology based teaching strategies into curricular and educational programs.
• Exhibit evidence of leadership, scholarship, research, and lifelong learning.
• Assume the role of nursing educator in academia, health care institutions and the community.
• Use teaching best practices, literature and research best practices to improve curricula.

Post-Master's Certificate

A Post-Masters Certificate is offered for all degree options: Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Administration, and Nurse Education. The Post-Masters Certificate is designed for nurses who have a master’s degree in nursing and desire to complete a course of study leading to a national certification and/or program specialty.  Please see the Certificates section in the catalog for additional information.

Admission Requirements

The general policies relating to admission of graduate students to the College of Nursing are consistent with those of Graduate Studies. Applicants applying for admission to graduate study must hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and hold a current unencumbered license as a registered nurse in the State of Texas or have an application for licensure in progress.

The applicant must also meet the following criteria for admission for graduate study in the College of Nursing:

1. Submit an application for admission and official transcripts covering all periods of enrollment in institutions of higher education to Graduate Studies and the College of Nursing.
2. Satisfactorily complete a basic statistics course and a health assessment course if not included in the BSN program.
3. Possess a GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 hours of coursework toward the undergraduate nursing degree and a minimum GPA of 3.0 (B average) in all prior graduate course work.
4. Submit three (3) letters of recommendation from professional nurses, one of which must be from a former nursing faculty.
5. Present a current resume´ or curriculum vita.
6. Verification of a negative criminal background check and drug screening tests.
7. Complete an individual interview with graduate faculty/committee.
8. Complete a satisfactory writing sample.

Health Requirements

A physical examination, negative TB skin test or chest x-ray, proof of measles, mumps and rubella immunity, varicella immunity TDAP (blood titer or evidence of immunizations) and Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C vaccination are required for admission to the master’s program. Verbal history of disease is not accepted as proof of immunity. An annual TB skin test or chest x-ray, flu shot as well as physical exam are required of each student.

Professional Liability Insurance and CPR Certifications

Professional liability insurance and current certifications in cardiopulmonary resuscitation are required (American Heart Association). Students must provide evidence of current adult and child CPR certification. Liability insurance is purchased at registration through course fees.

Background Check and Drug Screening Policy

All students to submit to a criminal background check and drug screening prior to enrollment. Failure to submit to the criminal background check and drug screening will immediately nullify admission and enrollment in the graduate nursing program.

The screening will be honored for the duration of the student’s matriculation except (a) when the student has a break in enrollment, or (b) the student engages in acts of academic misconduct as illustrated in the College of Nursing Graduate Student Handbook and the Panther Planner Code of Student.

Types of Admission

The Graduate Nursing Program accepts students in the following admission categories.

Regular Status 

A student admitted to this category has met all requirements for full graduate degree status (completed application and payment of applicable fee, Bachelor of Science Nursing degree from an accredited college or university, official transcripts from all universities attended, letters of recommendation; undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 hours of course work, and a GPA of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale in all prior graduate coursework.

Conditional Status

Students may be considered for admission as conditional status and must meet the terms of the condition within the first 12 semester credit hours after admission. Grounds for conditional admission include a GPA of less than 2.75 on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 hours of course work and/or an earned Bachelor of Science Degree from a nursing school that is not accredited by ACEN or CCNE.

In order to continue, the student must have achieved a GPA of 3.0 after one year of study and be recommended by the department and college for graduate degree status or non-degree status. 

Non-Degree Seeking Status

A student who has a bachelor’s degree (minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75) and who wishes to take graduate courses or seek graduate-level certification without qualifying for a degree can be admitted as a Non-Degree Seeking Student. Students must meet all course prerequisites in order to be admitted to advanced courses. Elevation to degree status must be recommended by the Director of Nursing Graduate Studies and approved by the Deans of the College of Nursing and Graduate Studies.

Cancellation of Admission

Admission will be cancelled automatically if an applicant is accepted by the University for a given semester and does not register for that semester. If the applicant wishes to undertake studies at the University at a later date, he/she must file a new application, pay a new application fee, and meet the current requirements for admission. Materials supporting the application for admission, such as transcripts and test scores are retained by the Office of Graduate Studies for one year and may be used during this time to support the requirements associated with a new application.

Transfer of Credit

Graduate credit earned at another accredited institution, not exceeding six (6) semester hours, may be considered transfer and applied toward the master’s degree. Only courses with a grade of “B” or better may be considered for transfer. An “A” grade from another institution may not be used to validate a grade of “C” earned at Prairie View A&M University. An official transcript denoting the transfer course(s), year, and grade received must be on file in the Office of the Registrar before acceptance of transfer credit is official.

Prairie View A&M University will not consider credits from other institutions to meet requirements for a graduate degree unless the institution offering the courses will allow these credits to be applied toward the requirements of an advanced degree on its own campus. Under no circumstances will transfer course work be considered that will be more than six (6) years old at the time the degree is awarded.

Substitutions

Substitution of courses must be approved by the Director of the Graduate Nursing Program. In order for courses to be considered as a substitution they must be taken at Prairie View A&M University. When making this request, the student must make a “B” or better in the course and submit the course syllabus.

Time Limit on Work for Master’s Degree

A student must complete requirements for the degree within six consecutive years after the first date of enrollment in Graduate Studies. Credit for individual courses completed in residence between six and seven years before all requirements for the master’s degree are completed may be validated by special examination given by the department concerned. Courses completed in extension or at another institution beyond the time limit cannot be validated. A course in which a grade of “C” was earned cannot be validated. A validated course is valid as credit toward the master’s degree only during the term in which it is validated.

Grading System for Graduate Nursing Students

A|90 - 100| B|81 - 89| C|75 - 80| D|65 - 74| F|Below 65| I|Incomplete| IP|Incomplete Passing| S|Satisfactory (For Thesis Option Only)| W|Withdrew Officially|

Advisement/Registration

Students in the Graduate Nursing Program must be advised for each semester prior to registration. During the scheduled advisement session a student will complete a registration form for the semester. Both the advisor and student are required to sign this form. The registration form also indicates that an advisement session was held with the student and there is agreement between both parties that the student will take the classes listed.

Progression in the Program

In order to successfully progress in the Graduate Nursing Program a student must remain in good standing. To remain in good standing a student must earn a grade of “B” or better in each course and maintain an overall GPA of 3.00.

Degree Plans

The student should file a degree plan within the first semester of matriculation in the university. Degree plan forms may be obtained by meeting with the major advisor. The major advisor, graduate program director, dean of the college and graduate dean review and approve the degree plan.

Admissions to Candidacy

The graduate student must complete the following minimum requirements to become a candidate for Master of Science Degree in Nursing:

1. Submit an official Application for Admission to Candidacy Form showing the applicant’s successful completion of 12 semester hours of required graduate courses with an average of “B” or better.
2. Submit the application, to the Director of Graduate Programs, Dean of the College of Nursing, and Graduate Studies for final approval.

Change of Program/Major

Students who are in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in all course work are eligible to begin the process to change from one degree program to another. The following steps are required before the change can be made. The student must:

1. Consult the graduate major advisor in the proposed field of study.
2. Request and receive a letter of recommendation from the Coordinator of the program that the student is leaving.
3. File with Graduate Studies an admission application, pay the application fee of $50.00, and submit three (3) letters of recommendation. One of the recommendations must come from the Coordinator of the program that the student is leaving.

Graduate students may not change programs or majors while on probation. If a student wants to be admitted to a different program (after the probation period), he/she must re-apply to Graduate Studies through the accepting Graduate Advisor, Department head, and Academic Dean. The application will be subject to the approval of Graduate Studies.

Concurrent Study for Two Different Degrees

A student pursuing a graduate degree program at Prairie View A&M University may not simultaneously enroll and complete course work for the purpose of meeting requirements for any other degree offered by this institution. Each degree must be completed in its entirety before work may be taken for the purpose of meeting requirements for a new degree.

Retention

In order to show satisfactory progress toward the masters degree in nursing, a student must meet the following criteria:

• Maintain a “B” average in all course work. A student who, in any two consecutive semesters or summer terms, has a cumulative grade point average below 3.00 is subject to academic dismissal upon recommendation of the Director of the Graduate Nursing Program to the Dean of the College of Nursing.
   
• Achieve a minimum grade of “B” in the Advanced Practice Core courses: Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Health Assessment and all Specialty courses .
   
• A student may receive a grade of “I” (incomplete) in a course, under special circumstances and with the approval of the Dean, College of Nursing. The “I” must be removed before the end of one calendar year from the close of the term in which the grade was earned. This regulation does not apply to thesis and research credit courses but does apply to terminal project credit courses. 
   
• An “IP”, in progress, is assigned to thesis and projects provided the student remains enrolled and makes satisfactory progress as certified by the committee chair, dean, and director of the graduate program. The time allotted for removal of the “IP” shall be the same as the maximum time for completion of a degree or certificate.
   
• A student must complete requirements for the degree within six consecutive years after the first date of enrollment for graduate study.
   
• A student who chooses to withdraw from the College of Nursing Graduate Studies for any reason prior to the completion of a semester or summer term after having registered for classes is required to comply with the official withdrawal procedure as defined in the catalog section Withdrawals.

Criteria for Graduation

To obtain the Master of Science Degree in Nursing from Prairie View A&M University, the student must:

1. File a degree plan with Graduate Studies.
2. Successfully complete the semester credit hours of required course work with an average of “B”. (Minimum "B" grade in all courses)
3. Meet all the general requirements for graduation as outlined in the University Academic Catalog.
4. A student will not graduate with a "C" grade in any Graduate Nursing course.

Application for Graduation

A student who plans to receive a degree from Prairie View A&M University must apply for graduation. Additional information is found on the Graduation Requirements page in the Academic Catalog.  

Withdrawal Policy

Students are allowed only TWO (2) withdrawals (W) from required nursing courses. For example, a withdrawal from one course twice constitutes TWO (2) withdrawals; or a withdrawal from two different courses constitutes TWO (2) withdrawals. Withdrawal from a course that is a companion to a co-requisite course will constitute ONE withdrawal if the grade is passing in one of the above courses. A third withdrawal from any one or more courses will result in DISMISSAL from the nursing program.

Re-Admission

An application for readmission to Graduate Studies is required for an applicant or student in one of the following categories:

1. An applicant who was previously admitted to the University but did not enroll in the term stated in the acceptance letter.
2. A graduate student at Prairie View A&M University who was accepted into one degree program but wishes to enter another degree program.
3. Degree candidates and non-degree students who have not enrolled in courses for 13 months or more.
4. A graduate student who voluntarily withdraws from the university.

Note:

• In the four cases mentioned above students/applications/degree candidates/non-degree students must complete and submit a new application, fee of $50.00, and three (3) letters of recommendation.
• Applicants who have been admitted to the program but did not enroll can defer their admission to the following academic semester without paying an additional fee.  Applicants must reapply beyond the one semester allowable deferment. 
• A student who wants to change a major must also submit three (3) letters of recommendation and pay the application fee of $50.00. One of the recommendations must come from Coordinator of the program that the student is leaving.

Reactivation

Reactivation is a type of re-admission to the Graduate Studies. Continuing students who have sat out the program for less than one (1) year and want to return must be reactivated into the university system. In addition, the student must be in good academic standing have no withdrawals from the last semester attended. This request must be made through the coordinator or academic advisor for completion.

Re-Evaluation of Credentials

Re-evaluation of credentials is a status change for students who were not accepted as regular graduate degree status (an unconditional acceptance). These are students who received conditional acceptance into the program. Students must have their credentials re-evaluated before completing twelve (12) credit hours of course work. If a student was accepted with a GPA lower than 2.75, 12 credit hours will need to be completed and a GPA of 3.0 or better must be maintained. The request for re-evaluation of credentials must be submitted before the 12^th class day for the semester desired for it to be applied as an official status change.

Probation

Students are placed on probation when they have one or more of the following:

• Have a cumulative GPA of less than a 3.0 in a given term or semester.
• Receive a grade of “C” or below in any course.

Students are allowed one opportunity to retake only one course in which a grade of "C" is earned.  Students will receive written notification of the academic probation status.

Academic Dismissal

Students shall be dismissed from the master’s program for any one of the following reasons:

1. A grade of “C” or below is received in any two courses or the same course twice.
2. Failure to meet the provision(s) of probation.
3. Failure to maintain a cumulative GPA of less than 3.0 in two consecutive terms or semesters.
4. Academic and/or professional misconduct
5. Third withdrawal from a course.

Grievance Appeals

A student who encounters problems arising from course matriculation's, advancement to candidacy, degree requirements, or general regulations should follow the academic appeal procedure that starts with the academic advisor. If a student wishes to appeal the decision, the Dean may refer the matter to an appeals panel for investigation and a recommended course of action. Appeals that move beyond the Dean of the College of Nursing, should be referred to the Office of Graduate Studies, who may refer the matter to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Unresolved conflicts occurring within the student/faculty body which do not fall within the realm of the academic appeals process may be filed as a grievance. The grievance procedure is written in the College of Nursing Graduate Student Handbook.