Students in the MS
program enroll in core courses and clinical courses. In their area
of focus. Students may elect to obtain the Student Teaching Authorization in
Health (STAH), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) certification, or complete
coursework in School-Based Mental Health. Additionally, all students complete
a culminating requirement of a thesis, project, or meta-analysis.
School nursing students also enroll in credential-specific courses in
disciplines outside nursing to meet credential requirements apart from the
Nursing MS degree.
Admission Criteria for
MS Degree with School Nurse Services Credential
A Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from a
National League for Nursing (NLN) or a Commission on Collegiate Nursing
Education (CCNE)-accredited program or its equivalent, or, a
Baccalaureate degree in a discipline related to Nursing. Students
with B.A. or B.S. degrees in areas other than nursing will be evaluated
for coursework or competency in community health nursing, undergraduate
research, and leadership and management. Competency in these areas is
determined through prior coursework or experience, and is evaluated by
the Graduate Coordinator.
Eligibility for California Public Health Nurse
(PHN) certification. The CSUS undergraduate community health nursing
course, NURS 144 (5 units), may be taken to meet this requirement for
the student in need of PHN courses.
A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on
a 4.0 scale) in the applicant’s most recent 60 semester units or
90 quarter units of academic work, and an overall GPA of 3.0.
(Conditional admission possible for GPAs between 2.5 - 3.0).
A current, active California R. N. license.
A minimum of one year full time nursing
experience post initial licensure.
Satisfactory completion of an introductory
nursing research course or its equivalent. The CSUS undergraduate
research course, NURS 150, may be taken to meet this requirement.
Evidence of personal qualification and
capacity for the pursuit of graduate study: a.) complete the statement
of purpose section of the application outlining the goals/objectives for
graduate study; and, b.) three Professional Recommendation forms
submitted by a current/former employer or supervisor in nursing, a
nursing colleague, and a nursing professor (if available).
Completion of the Graduate Record Examination
(GRE) within the past five years. The exam is currently computer-based
and administered through community-based learning centers
(http://www.gre.org).
Satisfactory
completion of an introductory statistics course either
pre-program (within the past seven years) or during the program, prior
to enrollment in NURS 210B.
Application Process:
The following information must be sent in one envelope to:
Graduate Program Coordinator, CSU, Sacramento, Division of Nursing, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819-6096.
File a completed Application for Graduate
Admission for the California State University (CSU) online (if
available) and PRINT out a copy of the completed form. Mark your
University application to indicate that you are seeking both a
M.S. degree (major = Nursing) and a credential. Code the
major box “11552” for Nursing and the credential code box
“600” for a School Nurse Services credential.
Request two (2) copies of official transcripts for
undergraduate work to be sent to you and both copies must remain
unopened.
Obtain Professional Recommendation Forms from
the Division of Nursing or available on-line. Have the completed forms
sent to you in a separate sealed envelope and mark your name on the
front.
Copy of RN license.
Check for $55 made payable to CSU, Sacramento-or proof of payment made on-line.
Official copy of GRE results.
Admission to the
Graduate program is once a year. Applications are accepted beginning the
month of November and thereafter for the following Fall semester. The
deadline for Fall semester is February 1. Coursework commences in the
following Summer or in the Fall.
Following review by the Graduate Center staff, the application is forwarded to the Division of Nursing together
with the statement of purpose, transcripts, and GRE scores. Applications,
which are accepted, are accepted in one of two categories: a.) classified
standing; b.) conditionally classified standing. Conditionally classified
admission will indicate areas to be cleared before classified standing is
given. Conditions must be met the first semester after admission.
Recommendations are forwarded to the Dean of Graduate Studies for final
disposition and student notification. Contact the Graduate Center if some time has elapsed and you have not received word of your admission status.
Admission to the University constitutes admission to the MS with the
credential but does not constitute enrollment in any program courses (See
Enrollment in Classes, Program of Study). Questions regarding concurrent
(simultaneous) admission on another campus in the CSU should also be directed
to Graduate Center.
Once admitted,
requirements are:
Health clearance which includes,
immunizations, PPD, and 8-panel drug tscreening.
Professional liability insurance ($1 to 3
million) in addition to that provided by the applicant’s employer.
CPR certification for health professionals.
Proof of car insurance.
Preliminary school nurse credential.
Evidence of health insurance.
Eight panel drug screening.
PPD or chest x-ray.
* Students with remediable deficiencies in any of the
above may be considered for conditional admission.
CORE COURSES
M.S. with a School Nurse Services Credential
40 Semester Units
(Total Units Vary Depending Upon Options Selected and Student Background.
Total Units Required May Be Less Than 40 if Equivalency Granted for Prior
Coursework)
CORE COURSES:
18 semester units
(required of all M.S. students)
NURS
210A (2)
Research
Methods and Techniques in Nursing I
offered
every Spring
NURS
212* (3)
Concept
and Theory Development in Nursing
offered
every Fall
NURS
211 (3)
Issues
and Ethics in Nursing and Health Care
offered
every Fall
NURS
268 (3)
Health
Policy and Services
offered
every Spring
NURS
215 (2)
Community
and Health
offered
every Summer; weekends
NURS
210B** (2)
Research
Methods and Techniques in Nursing II
offered
every Fall: taken at end of program
NURS
214B (3)
Educational
Program Development in Nursing
offered
every Spring
* Must
be taken prior to enrollment in N213C
**Prerequisite:
introductory statistics course within 7 yrs. of beginning MS program
The
special education course should be a graduate course (200 courses at CSUS)
and examine laws, educational programs, specific disabling conditions,
and/or issues concerned with childhood disability. For new school nurses,
it is recommended that this course be taken after the school nursing
clinical role courses have been completed. One (or two) of the following:
EDS 201
(3) or
The
Legal Aspects of Special Education
Check
current schedule of classes for semesters offered.
EDS
215A (2) and
School
and Community: Systems of Service
Check
current schedule of classes for semesters offered.
EDS
215B (2) or
School
and Community: Systems of Service Lab (215A/B taken together)
Check
current schedule of classes for semesters offered.
EDS
216A (2) and
Movement,
Mobility, Sensory and Specialized Health Care
Check
current schedule of classes for semesters offered.
EDS
216B (1) or
Movement,
Mobility, Sensory and Specialized Health Care Lab (216A/B taken together)
Check
current schedule of classes for semesters offered.
EDS
255A (2) and
Advanced
Studies in Interprofessional and Community Collaboration
Check
current schedule of classes for semesters offered.
EDS
255B (1) or
Advanced
Studies in Interprofessional and Community Collaboration (255A/B taken
together)
Check
current schedule of classes for semesters offered.
EDS 290
(3) or
Issues
in Early Childhood Education for Children with Disabilities
Check
current schedule of classes for semesters offered.
EDS 119
(3) or
Introduction
to Inclusive Education
Check
current schedule of classes for semesters offered.
EDS
130A (2) and
Atypical
and Atypical Developmental Characteristics and Outcomes for Children with
Disabilities
Check
current schedule of classes for semesters offered.
EDS
130B (1) or
Atypical
and Atypical Developmental Characteristics and Outcomes for Children with
Disabilities (130 A/B taken together)
Check
current schedule of classes for semesters offered.
An
equivalent special education course(s) through another four year university
or college may be submitted for approval. Recommendations for courses on
other campuses are available during advising sessions. Avoid the
mainstreaming course for teachers pursuing multiple or single subject
credentials.
Coursework
must meet State Department of Health Services guidelines to certify
participants in school audiometry. Courses at CSUS meet this requirement as
do courses through some other universities. Audiometric coursework taken
early in the program is advised for the newly-employed school nurse
expected to conduct hearing screening. One (or two) of the following:
SPHP
196N(3) or
Audiology
for Related Health Professionals
offered
every Summer
SPHP
130 (3) and
Hearing
Offered
every Fall
SPHP
131 (3) or
Audiometric
Testing and Hearing Conservation
Offered
every Spring
An
equivalent course or courses through another four year university or college
leading to certification as a school audiometrist is recommended. For
courses offered on other campuses, see advisor.
Special Teaching Authorization
in Health STAH
9 semester
units
Note:
Students who choose the Education functional area may focus on either
adults or children as learners. The child focus may qualify the
student for the STAH, the Special Teaching Authorization in Health, if
desired.
NURS
214B (3)
Educational
Program Development in Nursing I
offered
every Spring
Adult focus alternates with STAH every other year, STAH years 2005, 2007
NURS
214C (3)
Educational
Program Development in Nursing II
offered
every Fall
Adult focus alternates with STAH every other year, STAH years 2005, 2007
NURS
294C (3)
Practicum
in Educational Program Development in Nursing
offered
every Fall
Adult focus alternates with STAH every other year, STAH years 2005, 2007
A
course in Community Health/Public Health Nursing with a practicum is
required only for nurses who are not eligible for Public Health
Nurse certification in California. This is typically nurses without a B.S.
in nursing as well as nurses graduating from a non-accredited baccalaureate
nursing program.
One of the following:
NURS
144 (5)
Community
Health Nursing
Offered
every year.
A course/courses
through another four year university or college covering principles and
techniques of public health/community nursing practice with an accompanying
clinical practicum.
