Graduate Programs
RN to MSN Program
Rural Educational Leadership Program
The Master of Science RN-MSN Program is a program with a focus as a rural nurse educator. This online web based distance education program prepares graduates to seek a position as a nurse educator. In addition it provides opportunities for nurses to acquire an increased depth of knowledge in a clinical area. The increasing complexity of health care and the public's expectation regarding health services in West Texas requires nurses who have advanced skills and can provide leadership in improving the quality of care. This program focuses on generating knowledge, applying increased knowledge to practice and initiating change in health care systems delivery. Students can select to complete the RN-MSN with a clinical focus in Community Health.
Upon completion of the education track, graduates are prepared for educational positions in academic and practice settings. The Program prepares graduates to sit for Academic Nurse Educator Certification by the National League for Nursing when eligible.
What is this degree?
Master of Science in Nursing with a focus as a rural nurse educator.
- On-line web based distance education program
- 54 credits
Minimum Computer System Requirements
Admission Criteria
- Graduate from an accredited associate degree/diploma program
- Valid Texas RN License
- Completion of all general education requirements for the BSN (55-58 credits)
- Cumulative GPA average of 3.0 or higher in basic nursing program and general education requirements
- Three reference letters
- Essay - Personal goal statement
- BLS Certification
- Admissions Advisement Interview
- Immunizations
What do I need to be considered for admission?
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required to be considered for admission. All grades earned at all schools attended are calculated in the admission grade point average.
All pre-nursing courses should be completed with a grade of C or better prior to enrollment.
At time of application submission, applicants must have completed all general education requirements (55-58 credits)
Although academic criteria (cumulative GPA, grades earned in science courses, and failed/repeated courses) are the most important factors in admission consideration, additional non-academic information can be considered. These non-academic factors include but are not limited to:
- Extracurricular activities
- Work experience
- Diversity of experience, such as study abroad, knowledge of other cultures, proficiency in other languages
- Permanent resident of TTUHSC service area county
- First generation college student
- English as a second language
- Socioeconomic status
- Prior enrollment at TTU
- Extenuating circumstances
All applicants will be reviewed in an individual and holistic manner. No single factor will determine a student's admission.
All applicants who receive offers of admission will be required to consent to a criminal background check. A history of criminal conduct or convictions may result in withdrawal of the admission offer. See "Criminal Background Checks" section of the School of Nursing Student Handbook for the School policy.
What are the general education requirements for admission?
General education requirements for RN-MSN Program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing consist of the following. These courses should be completed before entering the RN-MSN program. Review general course requirements below carefully. A transcript review may be conducted if you are lacking only one or two courses (3-6 credit hours) from the general courses listed below.
General Educational Requirements
(55-58 credits)
| COMMUNICATION | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| English | **ENGL1301, 1302 | 6 |
| MATHEMATICS | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| +Statistics | **MATH1342, 1442, 2342 or 2442 | 3 |
| NATURAL SCIENCES | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Anatomy and Physiology | **BIOL2401 & 2402 | 8 |
| Chemistry | **CHEM1305 & 1105 or CHEM 1406 or CHEM1411 | 4 |
| Microbiology | **BIOL2420 or BIOL2421 | 4 |
| Food and Nutrition | **HECO1322 or BIOL1322 | 3 |
| HUMANITIES AND VISUAL PERFORMING ARTS | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Visual/Performing Arts | any art, music, drama, or theatre arts course | 3 |
| Humanities | any literature, philosophy, modern or classical language/literature, or cultural studies course | 3 |
| SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| United States History | **HIST1301, 1302 Students may substitute 3 credit hours of Texas history for 3 credit hours of American history |
6 |
| Political Science | **GOVT 2301 & 2302 or GOVT 2305 & 2306 | 6 |
| Psychology | **PSY2301 | 3 |
| Sociology or Cultural Anthropology | **SOC1301 or ANTH2351 | 3 |
| Life Span Growth and Development | **PSY2314 | 3 |
**Course numbers listed are based on the Texas Common Course Numbering System (TCCNS). Check with your academic institution to verify the course number that corresponds with the TCCNS number.
+Students must complete 3 credit hours of math to meet core curriculum requirements. If the student takes Scoiology or Psychology stats (SOC 3390 or PSYC 3402) rather than math statistics, then an additional math course must be completed to meet the core requirement.
How do I get my transcripts evaluated?
Transcript reviews are conducted only if you lack one or two courses (3-6 credit hours). For an initial review of general requirements to the RN-MSN Program, fax unofficial transcripts to the TTUHSC SON Graduate Coordinator. Fax number is 806.743.1622. ATTN: Graduate Coordinator.
Fax cover page should include the following:
RN-MSN Transcript Review Request
- Your Name
- Mailing Address
- Contact Phone Numbers i.e. Cell, Home
- Email Address
- List of Colleges\Universities transcripts you are faxing
- Number of pages included in fax
- Target entry semester (when you would like to begin the program)
Information will be provided with transcript evaluation outcomes, which will assist student setting educational goals for completion of general education requirements. All admission requirements must be received before an offer for admission is extended.
Will all my previous courses count toward this degree?
Courses from other accredited institutions with equivalent course content are acceptable for transfer if a grade of C or higher was earned for the pre nursing requirements. Pass/Fail courses are not acceptable for transfer. An overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher must be achieved for consideration of admission.
Where can I take general education courses?
Any accredited community college or institution of higher education provides comparable courses. Other options include TTU College Level Examination Program (CLEP) (806 742-3671) (www.studentaffairs.ttu.edu/clep) or the Extended Learning Division at TTU (1-800 692-6877) www.dce.ttu.edu or the University of Texas at Austin (1-800 252-3461). For questions about particular courses, check with the Graduate Coordinator, at Texas Tech University Health Sciences School of Nursing (Lubbock 806-743-3063 or 800-851-8240).
Can I revert back to the TTUHSC RN-BSN Program?
Yes, A student may revert back to the TTUHSC RN-BSN only after completing the first semester in the RN-MSN Program with the approval of both Department Chair’s for each respective program.
- All courses taken in the RN-MSN program will be accepted in the RN-BSN Program.
- Student will take an additional 15 credit hours in the following semester to complete the RN-BSN program.
What is the process to revert back to the TTUHSC RN-BSN Program?
- Contact the Department Chair of Leadership Studies (806-743-2730 x230)
- Contact the Graduate Coordinator (806-743-2748)
- RN-BSN Department Chair will be notified by the Department Chair of Leadership Studies
- The Graduate Coordinator will notify student
- Student will contact TTUHSC RN-BSN Department Chair for advisement (806-743-4843\800-493-3954)
RN-MSN Rural Educational Leadership Required Courses
(54 Credits)
*Online Course
| Undergraduate Courses | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| *NURS 4395 | Gateway to Professional Nursing | 3 |
| *NURS 4382 | Aspects of Nursing Research | 3 |
| *NURS 4386 | Leadership in Nursing | 3 |
| Graduate Courses | Credits | |
| *EPSY 5380 | Statistics | 3 |
| *NURS 5330 | Theories and Therapies | 3 |
| *NURS 5343 | Pharmacotherapeutics for Nurses in Advanced Practice | 3 |
| *NURS 5345 | Advanced Practice Nursing: Application of Pathophysiology | 3 |
| *NURS 5371 | Professional Nursing Issues |
3 |
| *NURS 5305 | Rural/Cultural Competency | 3 |
| *NURS 5391 | Principals of Advanced Research | 3 |
| *NURS 5300 | Community Health I: Foundation of Community Health Nursing | 3 |
| *NURS 5301 | Community Health II: Role Design and Implementation | 3 |
| *NURS 5314 | Leadership in Ed I: Foundations of Nursing Education | 3 |
| *NURS 5315 | Leadership in Ed II: Critical Elements of the Teaching Role | 3 |
| *NURS 5316 | Leadership in Ed III: Evaluation & Outcomes | 3 |
| *NURS 6030 | Leadership in Ed IV: Role and Practicum | 3 |
| Thesis Option | Credits | |
| NURS 6000 | Thesis | 6 |
| <OR> | ||
| Non-Thesis | Credits | |
| *NURS 5392 | Application of Advanced Research | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
Application Requirements & Deadlines
Consideration for admission is given to applicants who meet all admissions criteria and have submitted all admissions requirements by the application deadline to the TTUHSC Registrar's Office, SON Admissions, 3601 4th Street, Stop 8310, Lubbock, Texas 79430.
Only complete applications are reviewed for admission consideration, which means "ALL" admissions requirements must be received by the TTUHSC Registrar's Office by the application deadline. Application deadlines are listed below. All completed applications are processed by the Graduate Student Affairs and Admissions Office and forwarded to the Associate Dean and Graduate Program Committee for consideration. Applicant(s) considered for admission are notified in writing of the Admission decision.
Application requirements for RN-MSN Program - A complete application includes the following:
- Submitted application
- Submitted signature page; application fee
- Submitted essay
- Submitted verification of completion of general education requirements (55-58)
- Submitted official transcripts from all universities or colleges attended
- Submitted references (3)
- Submitted Oath of Residency
- Submitted verification of Texas RN License
- Submitted immunizations
- Submitted BLS certification
- Submitted appropriate documentation, i.e. TOEFL score, if an international student
| Fall | Spring | Summer | |
| Application Deadline | June 1 | October 1 | NO Admission |
| Fall | Spring | Summer | |
| Application Deadline | May 1 | September 1 | Admissions for Post-Master's Certificate Programs ONLY: April 1 |
Application Information
Although the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing is a part of the Texas Tech University System, legally it is a separate institution from Texas Tech University and therefore application for admission must be made directly to the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
TTUHSC is currently transitioning to a new Online Admissions Application Wizard system called Merlin. This transition of all admissions applications is expected to be completed by October 2008. School of Nursing programs will begin utilizing the new Online Admissions Application Wizard (Merlin) system gradually. During the transition period those programs that have not begun to utilize the new system will continue to take online admissions applications through the existing system. Please read the information below carefully so that you will complete the appropriate online admissions application for your program.
The School of Nursing Rural Educational Leadership application is an online process.
- If you are applying for the Spring 2009 Semester, please apply through the current TTUHSC Online Application.
- If you are applying for the Fall 2009 Semester, please use the new TTUHSC Online Admissions Application Wizard System (Merlin).
Click here if you would like us to contact you regarding the RN-MSN Graduate Program.
Additional Graduate Program Information:
Contact the TTUHSC School of Nursing Graduate Program for additional information.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
School of Nursing Graduate Programs
3601 4th Street, MS6264
Lubbock, TX 79430
1-800-851-8240
SONGRAD@ttuhsc.edu
Transcultural Coordinator/Recruiter
Lauren Sullivan-Dawson, BA
Telephone: 806.743.2748
E-mail: Lauren.Sullivan@ttuhsc.edu