The Direct Entry Master’s in Nursing Program is a five-semester, 73-credit, full-time course of study, beginning in January of each year and includes two summers.  Students are admitted to the MS program with the following stipulation: must pass NCLEX-RN prior to completion of program.  Stipulation is removed once the RN license is received. Students are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN after completing a total of 64 credits of accelerated study (including summer). 

Students sit for the Clinical Nurse Leader national certification examination in their final semester. Students graduate as an advanced generalist with a Master’s of Science (MS) degree in nursing and upon passing certification examination, as a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL). The CNL is a new role in the field of nursing designed to provide master’s-prepared, point-of-care nurse leaders with the ability to manage and solve complex patient problems within a systems framework.  As part of the CNL curriculum, students study master’s level research in health promotion and illness management. Students complete a clinical immersion experience of approximately 300 clinical hours.  Students conclude their CNL master’s preparation in a capstone project seminar.