Prospective Students
Idaho State University School of Nursing (ISU)
offers a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Nursing and is
committed to providing quality graduate nursing education for
professional nurses. The program is approved by the Idaho
Board of Nursing and is nationally accredited by the
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The strong curriculum is based on recommendations of the
American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Graduates, in
applicable programs are eligible to sit for national
certification. All M.S. students are required to pass a
written and oral comprehensive examination during their final
semester of study. There is no thesis requirement.
Graduate education offers knowledge,
skills, and expertise for advanced practice that builds upon
a strong nursing foundation. Emphasis on health care policy
and rural issues prepare graduates to assume leadership and
provider roles in a variety of settings including
organizational, educational, primary health care, and many
others. ISU School of Nursing is currently accepting
applications for the Master's degree options in Leadership
and in Education. Program options of study are
full-time (2 years) or part-time (3 years) with applicants
for full time status encouraged. Students will be accepted
into these options based on admission of a full cohort of
part time and full time students.
The online application for the Master's degree
options in Leadership and Education will open in late
October 2012, for fall enrollment 2013. The School of
Nursing is planning for a transition of the advanced
practice, Family Nurse Practitioner [FNP] and Adult Clinical
Nurse Specialist [CNS] options. Applications will become
available on the SON website for the FNP and CNS options for
enrollment in fall of 2013. Please visit our website on a
regular basis for updates in this exciting time as we
transition graduate options in advanced practice (FNP and
CNS) to meet national recommendations for degree
preparation. More information will be placed on the School
of Nursing website as we are informed through the planning
process and further information is available.
The new Ph.D. in Nursing program application will become
available in the near future on the School of Nursing
website with planned enrollment in 2013. We are pleased to
be moving forward with these exciting changes and appreciate
your interest in the School of Nursing at Idaho State
University.
The Master of Science in Nursing program options are delivered in an online format via the Internet. Students are required to have high speed internet access. A limited number of courses require on site intensive experiences. See frequently asked questions (FAQ's) for more information.
Entry Pathways
Entry pathway to earn the M.S. degree:
- B.S.-M.S. for those nurses with a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing from a nationally accredited Nursing program.
- For nurses with a previous Master’s Degree who seek advanced preparation in a specialty area of nursing.
Program Options
Nursing Education:The Nursing Education option prepares students for nursing faculty positions. Students are prepared as nursing leaders to respond to current and projected changes in the health care system. Grounded in adult learning theory, coursework includes a teaching/learning practicum and a focus on teaching with technology. Students are required to complete forty semester hours of credit.
Nursing Leadership: The Nursing Leadership option prepares students for leadership positions in health care organizations and community based settings. Students are prepared to apply leadership in health care systems and collaborate with partners across varied environments. Grounded in leadership theory, coursework includes practicum experiences for application of leadership principles to practice.