Master of Science Degree in Nursing (MS)

Master of Science Degree in Nursing

The Master of Science degree in nursing prepares graduates for either health care leadership or advanced practice. Students are prepared for leadership in the Leadership in Health Care Systems Program. Students are prepared for a role as an advanced practice nurse practitioner serving either a population comprised of patients and their families, highly vulnerable neonates, or individuals with behavioral health problems across the lifespan in its Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, or Psychiatric Mental Health Practitioner Programs.

All students in the Master of Science degree in nursing program take the core courses. The core incorporates the major focus of the degree including theoretical frameworks, ethics, health care policy, population health, interprofessional collaboration, and research in nursing. Service learning is an essential part of the core learning experience and is threaded throughout coursework. The core courses promote principles of ethics and social justice which are designed to help develop leaders in service to others.

Leadership in Health Care Systems

In the Leadership in Health Care Systems graduate degree, students receive the essentials of advanced level education for nurses as accredited by AACN. The Leadership in Health Care Systems degree is offered in a blended synchronous/asynchronous format and is also offered in a totally online format. Two different practicums are required for a combined total of 210 hours in which students work directly with nursing leaders as they apply theory to practice.

In addition, either during course work or after receiving the Master’s degree, there are four post master's certificate programs offered at Regis University. The elective course in the degree program can be used to begin the certification courses. Each certificate program requires 12-15 credit hours.

Within LHSON, there is a Health Care Education certification. The certificate prepares student for leadership roles in health care education. Courses focus on leadership development, teaching and learning strategies, curriculum development, and evaluation methods. A practicum is required where students work directly with a health care educator and apply theory to practice. This can occur during the original coursework completion.

In cooperation with the Division Health Services Education in RHCHP, there are both Health Care Business Management and Quality and Patient Safety certificates.

The Health Care Business Management certificate prepares students for leadership roles in management in a variety of health care settings. Courses focus on leadership development, administrative skills, economics, and budgeting, impacting nursing and health care. The Quality and Patient Safety certificate focuses on the principles of quality improvement.

Finally, in collaboration with the College of Computer Science and Information Systems, there is a Health Care Informatics certificate. This certificate focuses on adoption of information management, designs and securing IT systems. 

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Specialization

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specialization prepares nurses to deliver primary health care to patients and their families. The curriculum focuses on health promotion, disease prevention, and management of acute and chronic illness and injury. The curriculum is designed to develop critical thinking ability, creativity, and clinical expertise in competencies identified by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) and National Task Force (NTF), American Nurses Association (ANA), Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), and the Consensus Model Advanced Practice Nurse Regulation documents. Clinical experiences are offered in a variety of health care settings in both urban and rural communities. The FNP specialization courses are offered in a one day a week format either on campus or via synchronous (Zoom) for rural or out-of-state students. Students complete a minimum of 630 hours of precepted clinical experience arranged by the student in collaboration with the faculty and Clinical Support Unit staff. Clinical hours are generally completed on weekdays. Students are eligible to take both the American Association of Nurse Practitioner (AANP) Certification Examination and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Examination upon graduation.

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) Specialization

The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) specialization prepares students to manage the health care needs of high-risk newborns and infants. The curriculum focuses on assessment, management, and evaluation of the health care needs of neonates and infants working within the dynamics of the family environment and in collaboration with neonatologists and other health care providers. The curriculum is designed to develop critical thinking ability, creativity, cost awareness, case management skill, and clinical expertise in competencies identified by the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN), the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF), the National Task Force (NTF), the American Nurses Association (ANA), the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), and the Consensus Model Advanced Practice Nurse Regulation documents. Clinical experiences are offered in a variety of level III (high risk) neonatal intensive care units. The NNP specialization is offered in a one day per week synchronous (Zoom and on-campus intensives in semesters two and four). Students complete a minimum of 630 hours of precepted clinical experience. Students are eligible to take the National Certification Corporation (NCC) Certification Examination upon graduation.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Specialization

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) specialization prepares an advanced practice nurse who can assess, diagnose, develop treatment plans, prescribe medications, and provide psychotherapy for patients with acute and chronic psychiatric disorders across the lifespan in various settings. The curriculum is designed to develop critical thinking ability, creativity, and clinical expertise in competencies identified by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) the National Task Force (NTF), the American Nurses Association (ANA), the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), and the Consensus Model Advanced Practice Nurse Regulation documents. Clinical experiences are offered in a variety of health care settings in both urban and rural communities. The PMHNP specialization courses are offered in a one day a week synchronous Zoom format. Students complete a minimum of 630 hours of precepted clinical experience arranged by the student in collaboration with the faculty and Clinical Support Unit staff. Clinical hours are often completed on weekdays and may include telehealth opportunities. Students are eligible to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Examination upon graduation.

Special Education Options for the Master of Science Degree in Nursing

Building on the well-established Master of Science degree in nursing program, the LHSON has expanded its offerings to enable nurses with specialized needs to meet their educational goals. These offerings include the following:

  • Graduate Academic Certificate: Health Care Education is a certificate program for registered nurses who have a master’s degree in nursing and seek knowledge and skills for teaching in educational and health care settings. Students enrolled in the Master of Science degree in nursing: Leadership in Health Care Systems may also earn the certificate.
  • Post-Master’s Certificate:  Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, is a certificate program for nurses who have a master’s degree in nursing and want to become family, neonatal, or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners.
  • Master of Science Degree Nursing Completion Option for Certified Nurse Practitioners is a degree program for nurse practitioners who want to complete a Master of Science degree in nursing but who do not want to complete an additional clinical specialty.

Master of Science Degree in Nursing Admission

All applications for admission to a Master of Science degree in nursing or certificate nursing program require a completed application form and may include a non-refundable application fee. An interview may be required. 

Master of Science Degree in Nursing: Leadership in Health Care Systems, Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Specializations

Admission to the Master of Science degree in nursing program is based on individual evaluation in accordance with the following minimum admission requirements:

  • A minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 2.750 on a 4.000 scale.
  • A grade of “C” or better in all undergraduate nursing courses. A grade of “C-” is not acceptable.
  • Submission of a complete application with application fee.
  • Professional resume
  • The Nurse Practitioner programs require a one page essay addressing the provided essay prompt.
  • Official transcript showing completion of a nursing baccalaureate degree from a NLNAC or AACN/CCNE accredited program.
  • Official transcript showing a grade of “C” or better in an introductory course in statistics that includes inferential as well as descriptive statistics. This course may be taken after admission, but must be taken before NR 602 Adv Apps of Research for Evidenced-Based.
  • All Nurse Practitioner applicants must submit official transcripts from each post-secondary school attended.
  • All Nurse Practitioner programs require three recommendation forms completed by professional persons knowledgeable about the applicant’s academic, professional, and leadership potential. One recommendation must be from a current employer or supervisor.
  • Evidence of eligibility for Colorado Registered Nurse Licensure for classroom-based students; Colorado Licensure must be obtained prior to the first clinical/practicum course. For online students, evidence of current unrestricted or unencumbered Registered Nurse licensure in the state in which the student will complete the practicum.
  • Minimum competence levels in both written English and computation skills. Students with English as a second language are required to pass the TOEFL examination with a minimum score of 213 (computer-based), or complete an ELS Language Center’s level 109-Academic within one year prior to acceptance in the program.
  • Two years of clinical practice as a Registered Nurse is preferred for all applicants.
  • Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) for health care professionals’ certification.
  • NNP applicants must show evidence of two years recent experience in a level III high risk neonatal intensive care unit and current Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification.
  • An interview may be required.

Graduate Academic Certificate in Health Care Education

Admission to the Graduate Academic Certificate in Health Care Education is based on individual evaluation in accordance with the following minimum admission requirements:

Applicants must submit:

  • Evidence of the ability to meet current MS degree in nursing admission requirements for the Leadership in Health Care Systems specialization.
  • Submission of a complete application with application fee.
  • Professional resume
  • Official transcripts reflecting a nursing baccalaureate degree awarded from a regionally accredited program.
  • Official transcripts reflecting study in and/or completion of a master’s degree in nursing with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.000.
  • Official transcript showing a grade of “C” or better in an introductory course in statistics that includes inferential as well as descriptive statistics. This course may be taken after admission, but must be taken before NR 602 Adv Apps of Research for Evidenced-Based.
  • Evidence of current unrestricted or unencumbered Registered Nurse licensure in the state in which the applicant will complete the practicum
  • Minimum competence levels in both written English and computation skills. Students with English as a second language are required to pass the TOEFL examination with a minimum score of 213 (computer-based), or complete an ELS Language Center’s level 109-Academic within one year prior to acceptance in the program.

Post Master's Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Specializations or Dermatology Nurse Practitioner Fellowship

Admission to the Post-Master’s Certificate (Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Specialization, or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner is based on individual evaluation in accordance with the following minimum admission requirements:

  • An official transcript demonstrating an earned Master’s degree in nursing (or equivalent) from a NLNAC or AACN-CCNE accredited school with a minimum cumulative grade point average of a 3.000.
  • Evidence of a minimum two year’s work experience in nursing.
  • Submission of a complete application with application fee.
  • Professional resume
  • Nurse Practitioner program only: One-page essay addressing the provided essay prompts.
  • Three recommendation forms completed by professional persons knowledgeable about the applicant’s academic, professional, and leadership potential. One recommendation must be from a current employer or supervisor. One recommendation must be from a current employer or supervisor.
  • Evidence of current unrestricted or unencumbered Registered Nurse licensure in the state in which the applicant will complete clinicals/practica.
  • Minimum competence levels in both written English and computation skills. Students with English as a second language are required to pass the TOEFL examination with a minimum score of 213 (computer-based), or complete an ELS Language Center’s level 109-Academic within one year prior to acceptance in the program
  • Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) for health care professionals certification.
  • NNP applicants must show evidence of two years recent experience in a Level III high risk neonatal intensive care unit and current Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification.
  • Due to the competitive nature of clinical placements for our MS in Nursing FNP, NNP, and PMHNP Programs, enrollment in our Post-Master’s Certificate options is very limited and may not be offered each year.

Master of Science Degree in Nursing Completion Option for Certified Nurse Practitioners

Admission to the Master of Science degree in nursing Completion Option for Certified Nurse Practitioners is based on individual evaluation in accordance with the following minimum admission requirements:

  • Evidence of the ability to meet current MS degree in nursing admission requirements.
  • National certification in a nurse practitioner specialty.
  • Two years of clinical practice as a Registered Nurse is preferred for all applicants.
  • Recent clinical experience in nurse practitioner specialty.
  • An official transcript demonstrating an earned baccalaureate degree in nursing from a NLNAC or AACN-CCNE accredited school with a minimum cumulative grade point average of a 2.75 or above on a 4.0 scale.
  • A grade of “C” or better in all undergraduate nursing courses. A grade of “C-” is not acceptable.
  • Submission of completed application with application fee.
  • Professional resume
  • One page essay addressing the provided essay prompt.
  • Three recommendation forms completed by professional persons knowledgeable about the applicant’s academic, professional, and leadership potential. One recommendation must be from a current employer or supervisor. One recommendation must be from a current employer or supervisor.
  • Evidence of current unrestricted or unencumbered Registered Nurse licensure in the state in which the applicant will complete clinicals/practica.
  • Minimum competence levels in both written English and computation skills. Students with English as a second language are required to pass the TOEFL examination with a minimum score of 213 (computer-based), or complete an ELS Language Center’s level 109-Academic within one year prior to acceptance in the program.
  • Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) for health care professionals certification.

Master of Science Degree in Nursing: Admission Requirements Related to Clinical/Practicum Agency Regulations

Clinical agencies have specific requirements for both criminal background checks and drug screening. To ensure that LHSON students have access to essential clinical/practicum experience needed to complete their program:

All Master of Science degree in nursing students must annually provide documentation of a criminal background check and an acceptable drug screening from the firm with which Regis University has contracted. Documentation of an acceptable drug screening may be required at any time throughout the program at the discretion of the LHSON.

A complete health assessment and physical examination record indicating that the student is physically able to meet the objectives of the Master of Science degree, Graduate Academic, Post-Master’s, Master’s Articulation, or Master’s Completion Certificate program in nursing, and is appropriately immunized is required upon admission to the program. Students who have been accepted into the program must have received the first two of three injections that provide immunization against Hepatitis B prior to clinical activities. The third injection must be received at the appropriate time thereafter.

Master of Science Degree in Nursing: Essential Functions

The Leadership in Health Care Systems specialization is designed to prepare registered nurses for advanced practice roles in management and education. The practitioner specializations in the Master of Science degree in nursing program are designed to prepare registered nurses for advanced practice roles as Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs), Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NNPs) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs). The LHSON has identified the observational, cognitive, affective, and psychomotor skills it deems essential to complete each of these programs. If a student cannot demonstrate the essential functions, skills, and abilities, it is the responsibility of the student to request through the University’s Office of Disability Services appropriate accommodations. If a student fails to disclose fully the inability to demonstrate any functions, skills, and abilities during the application process, accommodation cannot be assured. The University will provide reasonable accommodations as long as they do not impose an undue hardship.

Master of Science Degree in Nursing: Computer Literacy and Access 

Master of Science degree in nursing students are required to have a working knowledge of computers. Students are assigned a RegisNET e-mail account in their first semester of enrollment in the program. Students are expected to be literate in using e-mail, Internet, and database services. Nurse Practitioner students are expected to have a mobile device with sufficient memory to support clinical practice. All students in online Master of Science degree in nursing studies must have ready access to a computer system compliant with the RHCHP systems requirements and configuration for Regis University’s learning management system. For synchronous Zoom sessions, students must have an internal or external computer camera and a headset with a microphone. Online students should consult the Regis University website for further information at www.regis.edu.

All students in the Graduate Nursing Programs are required to have Laptops or Desktops if online with the following technical specifications:

Hardware

  • Recommended screen size: 13 inches or greater
  • Required Wi-Fi compatible
  • Required Operating system: Windows: 10 or 11, Mac: Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura
  • Required memory: minimum 4GB
  • Required hard disk space: minimum 60GB
  • Required battery: minimum 2 hour life, recommended 4 hours or higher

Software

  • Word, Excel, PowerPoint (recommend MS Office)
  • Browser: most recent version of Edge, Firefox, Safari or Chrome
  • Current version of Respondus Lockdown Browser
  • Current version of Adobe Reader and Adobe Flash

Additional Admission Requirements

Probationary Admission

Students who show promise for the program, but who do not meet all admission criteria, may be admitted on a probationary basis. Under the probationary status, students must attain a grade of “B” or better in the first nine semester hours of Master of Science degree in nursing course work. (A grade of “B-” is not acceptable.) Successful completion of the first nine semester hours of course work with a 3.000 cumulative grade point average removes the probationary status and entitles students to good academic standing.

Conditional Admission

The academic program may allow a student to be conditionally admitted when identified conditions must be met prior to starting classes at Regis as a degree or certificate seeking student. These conditions are outlined for the applicant within a “terms and conditions” letter issued by the Office of Admissions. Examples of conditional requirements include prerequisite course completion, background check completion, or international document submission required to start classes in the identified degree or certificate program.

Also, in this category are applicants who are actively enrolled as undergraduate students (at any regionally accredited institution) at time of applying to one of Regis’ graduate programs. These active undergraduate applicants are permitted to enroll for the first eight week, five week, or 16 week term with current unofficial transcripts, but unable to enroll in future classes until official transcripts are received. This does not apply to all programs.

Non-degree Seeking Special Students

Non-degree seeking students may take a maximum of nine (9) semester hours. Courses can be taken either on a Pass/No Pass or graded basis. Additional semester hours may be taken with the approval of the appropriate department director or assistant dean.

Students seeking admission as a non-degree seeking/special student must:

  • Submit a completed non-degree seeking/special student application and
  • Submit proof of unencumbered professional registered nurse licensure (for post-licensure programs).

Non-degree seeking students who wish to matriculate into a degree seeking program must apply and meet all admission requirements for that degree. Courses taken by non-degree seeking students will apply to degree requirements if the courses are appropriate for the selected degree and taken on a graded basis.

Non-degree seeking students are not eligible for financial aid or veteran’s benefits.

Denial of Admission

Regis University reserves the right to deny admission, continued enrollment, or re-enrollment to any applicant or student who would pose an unreasonable risk of harm to self or others, or any unreasonable risk of disruption to the academic or clinical processes of the LHSON, the Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions, or Regis University.

Note: All documents submitted during the application process, whether or not the applicant is accepted into the program become the property of Regis University.

Master of Science Degree in Nursing Program Progression and Grade Requirements

Candidacy for the Master of Science degree in nursing at Regis University requires successful completion of course requirements and a final comprehensive evaluation. The Leadership in Health Care Systems, Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, and the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specializations each have their own specific course requirements.

All programs for the Master of Science degree in nursing have a five-year time limit for completion of all degree requirements. This time limit is computed from the time of matriculation. If students wish to complete the degree after the time limit, readmission to the program may be required.

Students who fail to raise the cumulative grade point average to 3.000 are suspended. In addition, students who receive a grade of “C” in two courses at the 600 level are subject to academic review and may be suspended from the program. Suspension may be appealed to the department director or school dean. Students who are notified of academic suspension for the previous term and who are currently in attendance in a Regis University class may complete that class. Masters students earning a letter grade of C- or below (course failure) are eligible to repeat the course for a minimum letter grade of “C” to maintain eligibility to progress in the graduate program pending program director approval.

Master’s students in Leadership who receive two course failures (C- or lower) as initial grades in any course will be dismissed from the program.

Nurse practitioner students (NNP and FNP) who receive two course failures (C- or lower) as initial grades in any course will be dismissed from the program. After one year from dismissal from the nursing program, students are eligible to apply for re-admission. Students should contact the LHSON Dean's office at 303-964-5735. 

Course Load/Overload

Master of Science degree in nursing courses are sequenced for full-time study. Courses taken out of sequence may constitute an overload. Anyone wishing to exceed the maximum academic load (12 graduate credits per semester) must present a formal written request for overload to the appropriate program coordinator or program director prior to registration. Ordinarily, only students with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.000 and no grades of Incomplete are eligible to apply for overload.

Master of Science Degree in Nursing Student Advising

Students are assigned an Academic Success Coach or Faculty Advisor upon admission who assists them with planning their program of study. Students and advisors discuss the terms of the program requirements at appropriate intervals throughout the program. Advisors counsel students on meeting the requirements for the Master of Science degree in nursing program; however, it is the student’s responsibility to schedule advising appointments and to complete all degree requirements.

Second Specialization

A Master of Science degree in nursing graduate who wishes to return for a second specialization after already receiving a nursing graduate degree must complete another application and the required courses for the second specialization. A second degree is not available in the Master of Science degree in nursing program.

Master of Science Degree in Nursing Transfer of Credit Policy and Procedure

Acceptance of transfer credit is determined at the discretion of the appropriate program director in compliance with the following: Transfer credit is considered only for courses taken at regionally accredited colleges and universities and for course work for which a letter grade not less than a “B-” was earned.

Courses older than three years must be reviewed by the appropriate director or assistant dean. All requests for transfer credit should be submitted before beginning the first graduate course. No more than 20% of the total credit hours of the program can be transferred. Students wishing to transfer credit into the Regis University Master of Science degree in nursing program must forward a letter stating the request and provide an official school transcript of the course work. A copy of the course syllabus is also required.

Master of Science Degree in Nursing Graduation Requirements

Students graduate the semester that all requirements are met and documentation of such is received in the Office of the Registrar by the designated deadline. Incomplete grades and late application for graduation may delay graduation to a subsequent semester.

Students must meet the following criteria to be awarded the Master of Science degree in nursing:

  • Satisfactory completion of required academic and clinical course work.
  • A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.000.A maximum of two courses with a grade of “C” may count toward graduation.
  • Successful completion of a comprehensive evaluation.
  • Recommendation for the degree by the faculty of the LHSON.

For additional information on Commencement and Graduation, refer to the General Information section of this Catalog or at www.regis.edu.