Requirements
- Bachelor's degree with an upper division nursing major from a program accredited by
the National League for Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
- Admission to Central Missouri’s graduate school.
- When requested to do so by the School of Nursing, completion and submission of the
Admission to Graduate Nursing Program application.
- A minimum of one year of experience as a registered nurse for students choosing the
Family Nurse Practitioner emphasis area. Students for whom an exception is made will
be advised to take core courses the first year of study and to work to meet the experience
requirement.
- Undergraduate minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
- MSN students must be licensed as a registered nurse in good standing. Once your application
is provisionally accepted, the department will access NCSBN (nursys.com) to verify
your RN License.
- FNP students must have residency in Kansas or Missouri and be licensed as a registered
nurse in good standing. Clinical rotations must be completed in Kansas or Missouri.
- Family Nurse Practitioner students must complete practica for clinical courses in
the state of Missouri or the greater Kansas City area.
- When requested to do so by the School of Nursing, completion and submission of a Criminal
Background Check.
- When requested to do so by the School of Nursing, completion and submission of the
Required Immunization Documentation.
- Computer or computer access with hardware compatible with Central Missouri’s program
software. Basic computer skills are required prior to matriculation.
Consideration of Application
Completed applications to the Nurse Educator concentration will be considered by the
School of Nursing on a space-available basis throughout the year. Students applying
for the Nurse Educator concentration may take graduate courses in nursing prior to
official admission to the graduate nursing program.
Admission to the Family Nurse Practitioner concentrations is competitive based on
one’s undergraduate cumulative grade point average. The online application form must
be received by the School of Nursing by September 15 for consideration for admission
to the Family Nurse Practitioner concentration for spring semester and by February
15 for consideration for admission to the Family Nurse Practitioner concentration
for summer or fall semester.
Alumni of UCMO’s nursing program will receive a preference in admission consideration.
Students applying for the Family Nurse Practitioner concentration may not take graduate
classes in nursing prior to official admission to the graduate nursing program.
Notification of Status
Admission to the School of Nursing may be approved, deferred, or rejected. If admission
is approved, the applicant will receive an email and additional acceptance forms that
must be submitted to complete the admission to the graduate nursing program. Applicants
whose admission is deferred or rejected will be notified by email.
Additional Admissions Requirements for International Applicants
International students provide a unique cultural and personal addition to Central
Missouri. They are encouraged to apply early in the academic year prior to the year
they wish to attend Central Missouri to ensure time to complete the following additional
requirements:
- Evidence of adequate financial support for the duration of the program.
- A minimum score of 500 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if English
is not the primary language.
- A passing score on the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS)
examination.
The CGFNS examination is a prerequisite for taking the Registered Nurse Licensing
examination in the state of Missouri and for obtaining a nonimmigrant occupational
preference visa (H-1A) from the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service.
CGFNS offers a two-part certification program that includes a credentials review followed
by a test of nursing and English language skills. The CGFNS examination is given
in March, August, and November. Application materials may be requested from CGFNS,
Attn: CP, 3600 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19014-2651 (Phone 215-349-8767).
The registration deadline for these exams is approximately four months prior to their
administration. Early application is therefore essential. Students must obtain licensure as a registered nurse in the State of Missouri prior
to application for the MSN program. For further information contact the School of Nursing.
Full-time and Part-time Degree Status
We strongly encourage part-time study. A part-time graduate student is one enrolled
in 6 or fewer semester hours of graduate credit during the fall and spring semesters
and three or fewer semester hours during the summer session. Students who wish to
take more than part-time graduate hours need to request school permission to do so
on a space-available basis.
Requirements for Progression
Earning a D or an F in any graduate level course will result in administrative withdrawal
from the nursing program at the end of the semester in which the grade was received.
Any student desiring retention to the nursing program following failure of a nursing
course must initiate the process with the instructor whose course was failed. Completion
and filing of the "Request for Retention Form" is the responsibility of the student.
Graduate nursing students may repeat a nursing course only one time.
Students may make changes in their schedules during the drop/add periods of the fall,
spring and summer semesters. A fee is charged by the university if changes are made
after that period. If a student withdraws from a course after the drop/add period,
the progress of the student at the time of withdrawal from the course will be indicated
on the record as Withdrew Passing (WP) or Withdrew Failing (WF).
The School of Nursing reserves the right, and matriculation by the student is a concession
of this right, to request the withdrawal of any student whose performance at any time
does not comply with the Missouri State Board of Nursing Practice Act (February 2010)
and the American Nurses' Association Guide to the Code of Ethics for Nurses (2008).
If a student for any reason wishes to withdraw from the program, notification should
be made to the nursing Graduate Coordinator before the expected date of withdrawal.
Students who have withdrawn from the program must apply for readmission according
to regular admission policies.
Students who find it necessary to interrupt their programs of study should request
in writing a leave of absence addressed to the nursing Graduate Coordinator. A maximum
of one calendar year's leave may be granted; this will be counted toward the total
time allowed to complete the program.
Health and Immunization Record
As a professional nurse, the graduate student is expected to maintain immunizations
according to the departmental policy. The University of Central Missouri, School of
Nursing Student Health Immunization Form, furnished by the School of Nursing, should
be complete.
CPR Certification
Students must be trained and certified in adult and child cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR) prior to enrollment in graduate courses requiring clinical experience. Students
must maintain re-certification throughout the program.
Non-Degree Students
Individuals may take graduate level courses as a non-degree student, provided they
have a bachelor of science in nursing degree from a National League for Nursing (NLN)
or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited school. Non-degree
students are admitted to individual classes by permission of the instructor on a space-available
basis. To apply, applicants must send an official copy of all undergraduate nursing
transcripts to the School of Nursing, along with a completed Application for Admission
as a non-degree student. Students who also register for clinical courses must submit
two letters of reference from their employer and evidence of licensure as a nurse
in the state of Missouri.
All non-degree application requirements must be received by the deadline for the semester
during which the course will be offered. If permission is granted by faculty, the
student will be notified by the chair of the School of Nursing. (Non-degree students
requesting a second course may make the request to the School of Nursing). Up to seven
credits earned as a non-degree student are accepted for credit towards the MS degree
if the applicant is later admitted to the master's program.
Transfer of Graduate Credits
Transfer credit will be given only for academic work completed within eight years
before matriculation at Central Missouri. Such units are transferable only if the
student has earned a minimum of 6 units of graduate credit at University of Central
Missouri's School of Nursing. A student wishing to transfer course work should make
a written request, and provide a syllabus or some other description of the course
to his/her academic advisor. (See Central Missouri's Graduate Catalog for other policies
related to the transfer of graduate credit).
Transfer to Another Graduate Nursing Emphasis Area
A change of graduate nursing emphasis area may be made, contingent upon approval of
the faculty involved. Should a change be made, a student must meet all requirements
of the new emphasis area.
Advising
The Graduate Program Coordinator will assign students to graduate faculty for advisement.
The graduate faculty advisor assists the student in planning and implementing his/her
course of study throughout the master's program.
Grades
All courses counting toward the master's degree must be taken for the following grades:
A(4.0); B (3.0); C (2.0). Master's degree students with a GPA of less than 2.70 after
completing 20 credits will be asked to withdraw from the program. An F (0.0) in any
graduate level course will result in administrative withdrawal from the program at
the end of the semester in which the grade is received. In case of illness or other
nonacademic problems, it is the student's responsibility to negotiate with the professor
for a U (uncompleted grade).
Commencement
Graduation exercises are held twice a year, in May and December, when degrees are
conferred and diplomas issued to students who have completed all requirements. Diplomas
cannot be issued until they are approved by the Academic Council and Board of Governors.
All graduates are encouraged to attend commencement exercises.
