Pamela C. Levi, Dean

Leta M. Holder, Assistant Dean

Cheryl P. Kish, Coordinator Graduate Programs

MISSION

The mission of the School of Health Sciences is to provide undergraduate and graduate programs in disciplines that emphasize health education, promotion, maintenance, and restoration. Liberal arts constructs permeate the health science majors thereby enhancing an understanding of the diverse, changing and complex health needs and values of society. The School of Health Sciences encourages the university community to embrace the concept of health as multidimensional and to respect and understand the unique role holistic health plays in the quality of individual and community life. Holistic health is viewed as an integrated method of functioning which incorporates the physical, psychological, spiritual, cognitive and sociocultural well being of an individual or community. Optimal health is oriented toward maximizing the potential for which an individual or community is capable. The School of Health Sciences is committed to contributing to the optimal health of those who live and work in the University environment and to community partnerships that strive to ensure health. By engaging in the university's liberal arts experience, School of Health Science graduates attain intellectual integrity, appreciation of diversity and commitment to the best for self, family, society and the world. In response, students emerge with a more comprehensive world view that promotes leadership, initiative, accountability, stewardship and a moral and ethical respect for others to effect change in a dynamic society.

GRADUATE DEGREES IN THE SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES

The School of Health Sciences offers graduate degrees in the following areas: nursing; health and physical education (P-12 certification and non-certification options); health promotion; health education (P-12 certification); and outdoor education administration.

The requirements for degree programs in health and physical education must be completed within a period of 6 years from the date the student begins taking courses at Georgia College & State University. Courses completed more than 6 years prior to completion of the requirements for the Master's degree will be regarded as outdated and will not be applied toward the degree program. This includes courses that may be transferred in from other institutions. For the MSN degree, requirements must be completed within a period of 7 years from the date the student begins courses at Georgia College & State University. Any course work completed more than 7 years prior to completion of requirements for the MSN degree will be considered outdated and will not be applied toward the MSN degree program.

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The purpose of graduate education in nursing is to prepare scholarly clinicians and leaders. Graduate study provides the opportunity for acquisition of comprehensive theoretical knowledge on which advanced clinical practice is based. Specialization in nursing occurs at the masters level at which time the individual demonstrates expertise in caring for individuals and families in a variety of settings and serving as leaders in the health care system. The student acquires a theoretical base for specialized practice, advanced research skills, and an educational foundation for doctoral study.

The MSN degree offers these areas of clinical specialization: Nursing Administration: Nursing Service Role; Nursing Administration: Healthcare Informatics Role; Family Health: Adult Nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner.

A post-MSN option is available for those seeking specialization as a Family Nurse Practitioner. A option is available for those seeking specialization in Healthcare Informatics who hold a master's degree in a health-related field. An individualized program of study will be developed on the basis of previous coursework completed.

REGULAR ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

In addition to fulfilling the admission requirements for the Graduate School for degree status, applicants for admission must:

1. Hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)-accredited program.

2. Have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 undergraduate hours.

3. Have successfully completed an undergraduate level statistics course and, for the majors in the Family Nurse Practitioner program, and Family Health: Adult Nursing option, completion of a physical assessment course.

4. Provide evidence of current licensure as a registered nurse and eligibility for licensure in Georgia. If the student expects to complete any clinical learning in the state, a Georgia RN license is required. [For the non-nurse student enrolled in the Healthcare Informatics post-master's option, the licensure requirement is waived].

5. Have successfully completed the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Miller Analogies Test (MAT), or Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)*.

6. Submit a current resume or curriculum vita.

7. Participate in interview if requested.

8. Have computer if declaring Nursing Administration: Healthcare Information Role with current version of MS Office and updated virus protection. All MSN majors are expected to have access to a computer and an e-mail address. Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, basic internet skills, e-mail, and powerpoint is expected of all MSN majors.

The following formula is used to determine eligibility for regular admission to the MSN program:

Grade Point Average (GPA) earned for upper division major undergraduate course work X 10 + GRE score (verbal + quantitative or analytical) = 900 or more {verbal must = 400 or more}.

Grade Point Average (GPA) earned for upper division major undergraduate hours X 10 + MAT score = 70 or more

Grade Point Average (GPA) earned for upper division major undergraduate hours X 200 + GMAT score = 1100 or more

* GMAT required for MSN/MBA dual degree and accepted for MSN in nursing administration only.

Admission is limited to the most qualified applicants. At least one year of clinical practice is required for consideration, additional clinical experience is preferred.

PROVISIONAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Students will be eligible for provisional admission into the MSN program under the following conditions: GRE score (verbal + quantitative or analytical) + GPA (upper division major undergraduate coursework) X 10 = 850 or more {verbal score must = 400 or higher} MAT score + GPA (upper division major undergraduate hours) X 10 = 55 GMAT score + GPA (upper division major undergraduate hours) X 200 = 1050 Students admitted under provisional status must complete 9-12 semester hours of graduate course work at Georgia College & State University, earning no less than a 3.00 GPA for regular admission to the MSN program. The 9-12 semester hours of course work must be earned in courses approved by the Coordinator for Graduate Programs in Health Sciences.

CONDITIONAL ADMISSION

Students who apply late for full consideration for admission and/or have not submitted all required documents for evaluation may enroll with conditional admission status for one semester only.

PROGRAM OF STUDY

CORE COURSES (9 semester hours) - courses required of all students, regardless of major, area of specialization, or functional role

NURF 5500 Perspectives of Advanced Nursing Practice
NURA 6410 Nursing Theory: Principles & Applications
HSCS 6600 Healthcare Research & Statistical Analysis
Statistics