Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Combined MSN Programs

MSN with Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP) Program

The combined Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist and Adult Nurse Practitioner MSN program prepares registered nurses to be effective practitioners in both of these advanced practice roles with adults and their families. In the CNS, the focus is illness management, advancing the practice of other nurses and nursing personnel, and developing organizational or systems modifications to support and improve nursing practice. The traditional CNS roles of expert clinical practice, consultation, clinical leadership, research and education are shaped toward producing desirable patient outcomes as the CNS works in several spheres of influence. The focus of the ANP is health care of adults in the primary care setting and includes direct client assessment, diagnosis, management and treatment, client advocacy, client/family education, consultation, and program planning, implementation, evaluation, and research. Graduates of the combined specialty program are eligible to apply to the state of California for certification as a Clinical Nurse Specialist and certification as an Adult Nurse Practitioner. They are also qualified to seek national certification through specialty boards.

Program Distinctives

• Clinical experiences include hospital care and primary health care services for diverse cultural/ethnic groups, the poor, the underserved, and the homeless.
• Accredited by WASC and CCNE
• Approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing

Program Requirements

For details of Academic Core and Advanced Practice Core courses, please see MSN program requirements.

The CNS includes 11 clinical units equalling 528 clinical hours; the ANP includes 12 clinical units equalling 575 clinical hours.

The GNRS 511 clinical unit and the GNRS 541 clinical units are counted twice.

Units shown in parentheses are theory units/clinical units.

*Students must choose either the thesis or comprehensive exam option for one unit of credit to complete the program. For students choosing the thesis, the two-unit course GNRS 514 is a prerequisite to proposing a thesis.

MSN with Parent-Child Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Program

The combined Parent-Child Clinical Nurse Specialist and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner MSN program prepares registered nurses to be effective practitioners in both of these advanced practice roles with children and their families. In the CNS, the focus is illness management, advancing the practice of other nurses and nursing personnel, and developing organizational or systems modifications to support and improve nursing practice. The traditional CNS roles of expert clinical practice, consultation, clinical leadership, research, and education are shaped toward producing desirable patient outcomes as the CNS works in several spheres of influence. The focus of the PNP is health care of children in the primary care setting and includes direct client assessment, diagnosis, management and treatment, client advocacy, client/family education, consultation, program planning, implementation, evaluation, and research. Graduates of the combined specialty program are eligible to apply to the state of California for certification as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and certification as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP). They are also qualified to seek national certification through specialty boards.

Program Distinctives

• Clinical experiences include hospital care and primary health care services for diverse cultural/ethnic groups, the poor, the underserved, and the homeless.
• Accredited by WASC and CCNE
• Approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing

Program Benefits

• The CNS/PNP is designed for the working professional, offering part-time class schedules, evening courses, and customized clinical hours.
• Clinical placement is arranged by faculty.
• Students receive personalized attention in a supportive Christian environment.
• Clinical faculty are experienced as clinical nurse specialists or nurse practitioners in a variety of settings.
• Students may receive traineeships (partial tuition reimbursement) when available through a federal grant.
• Financial aid is available through scholarships and loans.

Program Requirements

For details of Academic Core and Advanced Practice Core courses, please see MSN program requirements.

The CNS includes 11 clinical units equalling 528 clinical hours; the PNP includes 12 clinical units equalling 576 clinical hours.

The GNRS 511 clinical unit and the GNRS 541 clinical units are counted twice.

Units shown in parentheses are theory units/clinical units.

*Students must choose either the thesis or comprehensive exam option for one unit of credit to complete the program. For students choosing the thesis, the two-unit course GNRS 514 is a prerequisite to proposing a thesis.

MSN with School Nurse Services Credential (SNSC)

Program Benefits

• Designed for the working professional, offering evening lectures and customized clinical experiences
• Part-time, with the availability of summer coursework
• Up to 27 units may be applied toward completion of an APU Master of Science in Nursing degree.
• Units are applicable in one of three clinical options: Family Nurse Practitioner, Parent-Child Nursing, or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.
• Students receive personalized attention in a supportive Christian environment.
• Financial aid is available through scholarships and loans.

Program Distinctives

• Approved by the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
• Approved by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission
• Provides graduate nursing program credit, if desired
• Emphasizes the application of theory and knowledge in working with school children, their families, and school personnel
• Focuses on development of leadership skills

For the School Nurse Services Credential with MSN the below courses are required.

For details of Academic Core courses, please see MSN program requirements.

The SNSC + MSN program has 34 units of theory and 7 units of clinical practice equalling 336 clinical hours.

Units shown in parentheses are theory units/clinical units.

MSN with School Nurse Services Credential (SNSC) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

This combined specialty program leads to a Master of Science in Nursing. The School Nurse Services Credential prepares registered nurses who have completed a bachelor’s degree to be effective practitioners of school health and the Family Nurse Practitioner Credential prepares them to provide primary care for people of all ages in a variety of other settings.

Through the program, students develop theoretical and practical expertise in nursing and education applied to basic health services in the public schools (K-12). This enables them to establish, maintain and coordinate a comprehensive school health program. The advanced practice Family Nurse Practitioner specialty includes direct client assessment, diagnosis, management and treatment, client advocacy, client/family education, consultation,program planning, implementation, evaluation, and research. Graduates are eligible to apply to the State of California for the School Nurse Services Credential (SNSC), and for certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). They are also qualified to seek national certification as FNPs by examination through specialty boards.

Program Benefits

• Designed for the working professional, offering evening lectures and customized clinical experiences
• Part-time, with the availability of summer coursework
• Up to 27 units may be applied toward completion of an APU Master of Science in Nursing degree.
• Units are applicable in one of three clinical options: Family Nurse Practitioner, Parent-Child Nursing, or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.
• Students receive personalized attention in a supportive Christian environment.
• Financial aid is available through scholarships and loans.

Program Distinctives

• Approved by the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
• Approved by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission
• Provides graduate nursing program credit, if desired
• Emphasizes the application of theory and knowledge in working with school children, their families, and school personnel
• Focuses on development of leadership skills

For details of Academic Core and Advanced Practice Core courses, please see MSN program requirements.

The SNSC + FNP includes 3 clinical units in school nursing and 12 clinical units in FNP equalling 720 clinical hours.

Units shown in parentheses are theory units/clinical units.

*Students must choose either the thesis or comprehensive exam option for one unit of credit to complete the program. For students choosing the thesis, the two-unit course GNRS 514 is a prerequisite to proposing a thesis.

Nursing Education

Along with a clinical specialty track, students may elect nursing education as an additional emphasis. This course of study prepares students at the master's level for teaching roles in various clinical or academic settings.

Nursing Administration

Along with a clinical specialty track, students may elect nursing administration as an additional emphasis. Coursework focuses on combining the resources of nursing, organizational development, and business management. This program prepares nurses for administration of nursing service in a variety of health care settings.

MSN wth School Nurse Services Credential (SNSC) and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)

This combined specialty program leads to a Master of Science in Nursing. The School Nurse Services Credential prepares registered nurses who have completed a bachelor’s degree to be effective practitioners of school health and the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Credential prepares them to provide primary care for children in a variety of other settings.

Through the program, students develop theoretical and practical expertise in nursing and education applied to basic health services in the public schools (K-12). This enables them to establish, maintain, and coordinate a comprehensive school health program. The advanced practice Pediatric Nurse Practitioner specialty includes direct client assessment, diagnosis, management and treatment, client advocacy, client/family education, consultation, program planning, implementation, evaluation, and research. Graduates are eligible to apply to the State of California for the School Nurse Services Credential, and for certification as a Nurse Practitioner. They are also qualified to seek national certification as PNPs by examination through specialty boards.

Program Benefits

• Designed for the working professional, offering evening lectures and customized clinical experiences
• Part-time, with the availability of summer coursework
• Up to 27 units may be applied toward completion of an APU Master of Science in Nursing degree.
• Units are applicable in one of three clinical options: Family Nurse Practitioner, Parent-Child Nursing, or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.
• Students receive personalized attention in a supportive Christian environment.
• Financial aid is available through scholarships and loans.

Program Distinctives

• Approved by the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
• Approved by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission
• Provides graduate nursing program credit, if desired
• Emphasizes the application of theory and knowledge in working with school children, their families, and school personnel
• Focuses on development of leadership skills

Program Requirements

For details of Academic Core and Advanced Practice Core courses, please see MSN program requirements.

The SNSC + PNP includes 15 clinical units equalling 720 clinical hours.

Units shown in parentheses are theory units/clinical units.