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Administration
Dean: Margaret Faut-Callahan, C.R.N.A., Ph.D., F.A.A.N.
Associate Dean for Graduate Programs: Maureen E. O'Brien, Ph.D., R.N., P.C.N.S.-B.C.
Director of the Ph.D. Program: Margaret J. Bull, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N.
Director of Graduate Operations: Mary Ann Lough, Ph.D., R.N.
marquette.edu/nursing/academicprograms-graduate.shtml

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Degrees Offered

Master of Science in Nursing, students are admitted under Plan B (non-thesis option) but Plan A (thesis option) is also offered; Post-master’s Certificate; Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Philosophy

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Specializations

M.S.N.:
Advanced Practice Nursing: Adult-Older Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Advanced Practice Nursing: Adult-Older Adult
Advanced Practice Nursing: Nurse-Midwifery
Advanced Practice Nursing: Older Adults
Advanced Practice Nursing: Pediatrics Primary Care
Advanced Practice Nursing: Pediatrics Acute Care
Clinical Nurse Leader
Health Care Systems Leadership

Post-master’s Certificate:
Adult-Older Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Adult-Older Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist
Adult-Older Adult Nurse Practitioner
Gerontologic Clinical Nurse Specialist
Gerontologic Nurse Practitioner
Health Care Systems Leadership
Nurse-Midwifery
Pediatrics Primary Care
Pediatrics Acute Care

D.N.P.:
Advanced Practice Nursing: Adult-Older Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Advanced Practice Nursing: Adult-Older Adult
Advanced Practice Nursing: Nurse-Midwifery
Advanced Practice Nursing: Older Adults
Advanced Practice Nursing: Pediatrics Primary Care
Advanced Practice Nursing: Pediatrics Acute Care
Health Care Systems Leadership

Ph.D.: No specializations offered

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Program Descriptions

Master of Science in Nursing

The master of science in nursing program prepares nurses for roles in advanced practice nursing or nursing administration. Graduates are academically eligible to seek formal professional certification in such areas as: nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse-midwife, nurse administrator or clinical nurse leader.

Advanced Practice Nursing: Adult-Older Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

This specialization prepares the student to apply advanced clinical assessment skills to complex health problems commonly encountered by acutely ill adults across the health care continuum. Graduates will be academically eligible to take the national certification examination for the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.

Advanced Practice Nursing: Adult-Older Adult - Primary Care Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist

This specialization prepares the student for the care of adults, including knowledge of human responses, health promotion and disease prevention, advanced physical assessment, diagnosis and management of health problems. Graduates will be academically eligible to take the national certification exam for either Clinical Nurse Specialist or Primary Care Nurse Practitioner.

Advanced Practice Nursing: Nurse-Midwifery

This specialization prepares the student for independent management of essentially normal newborns and women during the antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum periods and for gynecologic care throughout the life-span. Graduates will be academically eligible to take the national certification examination of the American Midwifery Certification Board, Inc.

Advanced Practice Nursing: Older Adults

This specialization prepares the student for primary care and complex management of older adults with simple to complex health problems. Graduates will be academically eligible to take the national certification examination for Geriatric Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Advanced Practice Nursing: Pediatrics

This specialization prepares the student for independent management of children and families seeking health care for simple to complex health problems (primary care) and acute to critically ill problems (acute care pediatric nurse practitioner). Graduates will be academically eligible to take the national certification examination for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner/Clinical Nurse Specialist in Pediatrics (Primary Care) or Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

Clinical Nurse Leader

This specialization prepares the student to have competence in clinical outcomes management and health care environment management. Students complete core M.S.N. courses and a combination of illness management and health care systems leadership courses. These graduates remain at the point of care and assure patients receive health care in a safe, cost effective, timely manner by implementing lateral integration of care services. Graduates are academically eligible to take the AACN CNL® Certification Examination.

Health Care Systems Leadership

This specialization prepares the student for the administration of nursing services in a variety of health care organizations. Graduates will be academically eligible to take the national certification examination for Nursing Administration. Subspecialty areas are offered using six elective credits. They are: Care Management Systems, Community Health Leadership, Informatics, Staff Development, Long Term Care Administration and Conflict Resolution.

Post-Master’s Graduate Certificate

This program prepares the nurse who already has a master of science in nursing to become academically eligible for certification as an Advanced Practice Nurse or to practice as a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

Doctor of Nursing Practice

The doctor of nursing practice will emphasize development of nursing practice expertise at the highest level. The curriculum includes translational research, epidemiology, informatics, statistics, advanced clinical practice, health policy and professional issues. Specializations include health care systems leadership and advanced practice in acute care adults, adults, nurse-midwifery, older adults or pediatrics (primary care or acute care). B.S.N. to D.N.P. and post-M.S.N. to D.N.P. options are available. Marquette University M.S.N. Second Degree Direct Entry for Non-Nurses students may apply after successful completion of NCLEX and submission of Wisconsin Registered Nurse License.

Doctor of Philosophy

The doctor of philosophy program in nursing prepares teacher-scholars. The curriculum focuses on vulnerable populations, which include persons at high risk for adverse health outcomes. Persons who are vulnerable may include such groups as the unborn, chronically ill, frail elders, impoverished children and the marginalized. The graduate of this doctoral program will have the ability to advance health care through teaching, research and health care leadership.

Doctoral education in nursing is built on the master’s level nursing foundation. It is characterized by the acquisition of research skills necessary for the discovery and use of new nursing knowledge and for preparation for teaching roles.

Master of Science in Nursing — Second Degree Direct Entry for Non-Nurses

The master’s program for non-nursing graduates is designed for those individuals who hold baccalaureate degrees in fields other than nursing and who wish to become nurses. The program builds upon the student’s broad educational preparation and provides an intense, accelerated and specialized nursing curriculum to meet the student’s career goals.

Master of Science in Nursing — Second Degree Direct Entry for A.D.N. Nurses

This program facilitates students who have an associate’s degree in nursing and also have a bachelor's degree in a discipline other than nursing to complete a master of science in nursing degree.  

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Prerequisites for Admission

Applicants to the master of science in nursing (M.S.N.) program or the doctor of nursing practice (D.N.P.) program should have graduated with, or be about to graduate with, a bachelor’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program with an upper division major in nursing. A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.000 on a 4.000 scale is required.

Prior to or during the first term of study, all master of science in nursing and doctor of nursing practice applicants must have taken undergraduate nursing research and a statistics course which included inferential analysis (must be completed within 5 years of program start date).

Applicants that select an advanced practice nursing specialization must have taken an undergraduate course in health assessment. It is recommended that applicants to the health care systems leadership or to the advanced practice nursing specializations in acute care, nurse-midwifery or pediatrics have a minimum of one year related professional experience.

Applicants to the doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) program in nursing should have graduated with, or be about to graduate with, a bachelor’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program or a master’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program. For a bachelor’s applicant, the requirements are: RN licensure, a GPA of 3.000 on a 4.000 scale, a statistics course within the last 5 years, acceptable GRE scores, three letters of reference, a goal statement and a personal interview. Generally, for a master’s applicant, a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.300 on a 4.000 scale is recommended. A graduate level research course is a required prerequisite.

Familiarity with computers and the Web (e.g., electronic retrieval of data, word processing) is required for all applicants. Some courses use web-enhanced and/or hybrid teaching.

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Application Deadlines and Start Terms

Nov. 15
For spring admission: M.S.N., post-master’s certificates, and Ph.D. programs

Dec. 31
For summer admission: direct entry program for non-nurses

Feb. 15
For fall admission: M.S.N., post-master’s certificates, Ph.D., and D.N.P. programs

Ph.D. and D.N.P. applicants who apply after the Feb. 15 deadline will be considered on a space-available basis for fall admission, provided their application is complete by June 1.

M.S.N. and post-master’s certificate applicants are not eligible for summer admission, and D.N.P. applicants must begin their program in fall.

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Application Requirements

Applicants must submit, directly to the Graduate School:

1. A completed online application form and fee.
2. Official transcripts from all current and previous colleges/universities except Marquette.
3. (For master’s and D.N.P. applicants only) three completed recommendation forms prepared by previous or present employers and teachers familiar with graduate education in nursing.
4. (For Ph.D. applicants only) three Ph.D. letters of recommendation.
5. (For master’s and D.N.P. applicants only) GRE scores (General Test only). Waived if undergraduate GPA is 3.200 or above. Waived for applicants who have a master’s degree and the master’s GPA is 3.200 or above.
6. (For Ph.D. applicants only) GRE scores (General Test only). Waived if applicant is Marquette M.S.N. graduate with GPA of 3.700 or above.
7. (For post-master's D.N.P. applicants only) evidence of certification in a specialty.
8. A resume and written statement of professional goals, including reasons for pursuing graduate study. For Ph.D. applicants, a curriculum vitae and objectives/career intentions, including research interests.
9. (For Ph.D. applicants only) sample of scholarly writing.
10. (For international applicants only) a TOEFL score or other acceptable proof of English proficiency.

An interview is required for applicants to the advanced practice nursing specializations in acute care nurse practitioner, nurse-midwifery and pediatrics.

With the exception of Second Degree Direct Entry M.S.N. applicants, an applicant must be registered in the United States as a professional nurse. Graduates of nursing schools in foreign countries must successfully complete the examination administered by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools and must be licensed in Wisconsin.

Upon acceptance to the graduate program, students must complete and submit the Graduate Student Health Status Report form. Information on CPR requirements, physical examination and immunization status, including results of a T.B. skin test and proof of Wisconsin R.N. licensure and a criminal background check must be submitted to a program on the website www.certifiedbackground.com/. Results of a T.B. skin test must be provided annually. Students are responsible for the cost of these services. The information is required for progression within the program.

Acute care nurse practitioner students must demonstrate evidence of current Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification and have experience working with acutely ill adults before commencing with the first clinical practicum course. Pediatric acute care nurse practitioner students need to be PALS certified.

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Direct Entry Programs

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Master of Science in Nursing — Second Degree Direct Entry for Non-Nurses

The master’s program for non-nursing graduates is designed for those individuals who hold baccalaureate degrees in fields other than nursing and who wish to become nurses. The program builds upon the student’s broad educational preparation and provides an intense, accelerated, and specialized nursing curriculum to meet the student’s career goals.

Students complete the nursing requirements and meet the bachelor of science in nursing program objectives in an intense 15-month, pre-M.S.N. phase and progress to graduate study. During the spring term of the pre-M.S.N. phase, students select a graduate option. Note that some options highly recommend and/or require a year of practice prior to beginning clinical practice courses; this may necessitate part-time study. The NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) must be taken within 2 months of completion of the pre-M.S.N. phase, with proof of a Wisconsin Registered License submitted by Oct. 15.

An interview is required for admission to the M.S.N. pediatrics, nurse-midwifery and acute care options. Note: Entry into the master’s phase of the program is conditional. See #5 below.

Students are then prepared in the M.S.N. program for nursing administration, clinical nurse leader or advanced nursing practice roles in: acute care, adults, children, nurse-midwifery or older adults.

Admission Requirements for M.S.N. – Second Degree Direct Entry for Non-Nurses

1. Baccalaureate degree in a discipline other than nursing with a GPA of 3.000 or above, using a 4.000 system.
2. GRE scores (General Test only). Waived if applicant already has a master’s degree or if undergraduate GPA is 3.200 or above.
3. Completion of three recommendation forms.
4. Maintain an average of B or above each term, and completion of the following prerequisite courses with grade of C or above:
   • Anatomy and physiology: 5-6 credits (preferably within the last 5 years)
   • Chemistry or biochemistry or biology or microbiology: 5-6 credits total (preferably within the last 5 years)
   • Behavioral sciences, e.g., psychology, sociology: 3 credits
   • Statistics (including inferential): 3 credits to be completed within the last 5 years of program start date.
5. Maintenance of 3.000 GPA each term and every summer session in pre-M.S.N. phase.
6. Full-time status is required for the pre-M.S.N. phase.

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Master of Science in Nursing — Second Degree Direct Entry for A.D.N. Nurses

This program facilitates students who have an associate’s degree in nursing and also have a bachelor's degree in a discipline other than nursing to complete a master of science in nursing degree. Prior to completing courses in the option of choice, students must complete:

NURS 3200	Introduction to Nursing Research	3
NURS 4500	Nursing of Communities -- Theory	3
NURS 4501	Nursing of Communities -- Practicum	3
NURS 4650	Nursing Leadership	3
Total Credit Hours		12

Admission Requirements for M.S.N. — Second Degree Direct Entry for A.D.N. Nurses

1. Baccalaureate degree in a discipline other than nursing with a GPA of 3.000 or above, using a 4.000 system.
2. Associate’s degree in nursing with a GPA of 3.000 or above, using a 4.000 system.
3. GRE scores (General Test only). Waived if applicant already has a master’s degree or if undergraduate GPA is 3.200 or above.
4. Completion of three recommendation forms.
5. Resume and written statement of professional goals.
6. Official transcripts from all current and previous colleges/universities except Marquette.
7. Completion of the following prerequisite courses with grade of C or above:
   • Anatomy and physiology: 5-6 credits
   • Chemistry or biochemistry or biology or microbiology: 5-6 credits total
   • Behavioral sciences (e.g. psychology, sociology): 3 credits
   • Statistics (including inferential): 3 credits to be completed within 5 years of program start date.

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Joint Program of Study

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M.S.N.-M.B.A. Degree

The College of Nursing, in conjunction with the Graduate School of Management, offers a program of joint study leading to a master of science in nursing (M.S.N.) degree with a specialization in health care systems leadership and a master of business administration (M.B.A.). Students seeking admission to the joint program apply to the Graduate School and must meet the admission requirements for both the M.S.N. and M.B.A. programs. However, official test scores from the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) may substitute for the GRE admission requirement in the College of Nursing. Because students are officially admitted into only one Marquette University graduate program at a time, applicants must indicate which program they intend to pursue and complete first, although once accepted for admission to both programs, students may take courses from both departments. Upon completion of the first program, the student will be officially admitted to the second program for completion of the remainder of the joint program.

Joint program students complete a total of 60 credits:

ACCO 6000	Accounting Foundations	2
ECON 6000	Economics Foundations	2
MANA 6000	Mathematics Foundations	2
NURS 6000	Theoretical Foundations of Nursing	3
NURS 6007	Ethics in Health Care	3
NURS 6009	Creating Nursing Care Systems	3
NURS 6010	Nursing Research Design and Methodology	3
ACCO 6100	Managerial Accounting	3
ECON 6100	Managerial Economics	3
FINA 6100	Financial Management	3
MANA 6100	Organizational Behavior	3
MANA 6240	Strategic Management in a Global Economy	3
MARK 6100	Marketing Management	3
OSCM 6100	Operations and Supply Chain Management	3
Quantitative methods course (see M.B.A. elective core options)		3
HEAL 6820	Health Care Program Development	3
HEAL 6841	Health Care Finance	3
HEAL 6846	Health Care Informatics	3
HEAL 6848	Health Care Policy	3
NURS 6852	Health Care Systems Leadership 2	3
NURS 6853	Health Care Systems Leadership-Practicum	3
Total Credit Hours		60

A comprehensive examination in the nursing content area is required. MANA 6240 Strategic Management in a Global Economy serves as the final integrating experience for the business content area. MANA 6240 Strategic Management in a Global Economy may be taken only after completing all other core course requirements.

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General Information

Clinical courses in the College of Nursing are restricted to students in the degree program. Various clinical facilities in the greater Milwaukee area, throughout Wisconsin and in northern Illinois are utilized for practica.

While Marquette University is concerned about the professional advancement of its students, facilitates the process of certification, and provides excellent educational opportunities, it cautions that professional success in a chosen field requires, above all else, constant development of individual abilities, personal initiative, and a professional sense of commitment to fulfill all appropriate legal and technical responsibilities. Hence, the university assumes no responsibility for the success of the students in obtaining educational certification or other types of professional licensure.

Licensure in Wisconsin is mandatory for employment with compensation.

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Progression Policy

The College of Nursing Academic Progression Policy for Graduate Students applies to all course work taken during the academic year and summer sessions. The policies of the Graduate School on academic performance, professional integrity, professional performance, academic dishonesty, and student conduct are all followed by the College of Nursing. A variety of responses to problems in any of these areas may be implemented, depending on the nature of the problems encountered. Warnings, remediation plans, probation, immediate withdrawal from clinical or laboratory activities, suspension and dismissal are all possible actions under these policies. The College of Nursing considers any of the following as possible grounds for dismissal:

• Lack of satisfactory academic progress as evidenced by a failure to achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.000 while on academic probation.
• Serious or repeated problems with academic, laboratory or clinical performance.
• Serious or repeated problems with professional integrity and professionalism.
• Serious or repeated problems with academic honesty.
• A lack of substantial and visible progress toward completion of program requirements, including failure to complete the comprehensive or qualifying examination, thesis or dissertation or capstone project.

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Special Fees

1. $40 – Diagnostic Assessment Test for Licensure Examination for the M.S. program for Non-Nursing Graduates, after 15-month, Pre-M.S.N. phase (Approximate fee. Exact amount based upon vendor costs in effect at time of registration.)
2. $300 – Uniforms (Approx. fee. Must be purchased through a private vendor. Vendor list available from the College of Nursing.)
3. $175 – Assessment Equipment (Stethoscope $70. Sphygmomanometer $60. Approx. fee. Exact amt. based upon vendor costs in effect at time of registration. Must be purchased through a private vendor.)
4. $50 – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification (Prior to entering any clinical practicum. This certification must be maintained through the remainder of the student’s program through biannual recertification.)
5. $75 – Health requirements and criminal background check initial fee (approximate fee). $40 each subsequent year (approximate fee). Visit www.certifiedbackground.com/ for more information.

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Accreditation

Marquette University College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, D.C. 20036-1120; (202) 877-6791, and the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), 8403 Colesville Road, Suite 1550, Silver Spring, MD 20910-6374; (240) 485-1800. 

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Post-Master's Requirements for Certification

This program prepares the nurse who already has a master of science in nursing to become academically eligible for certification as an Advanced Practice Nurse. Programs are offered in the following specialties: acute care nurse practitioner, adults, geriatrics, nurse-midwifery, pediatrics and health care systems leadership.

Specific information regarding application and course requirements may be obtained from the College of Nursing, Clark Hall, P.O. Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881, (414) 288-3810.

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