In the Master of Science in Nursing Science program, there are three available options that include: family nurse practitioner (FNP), psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP), and nursing leadership with a concentration in nursing education (NLDR-EDU).
Graduate studies at the master’s level place primary emphasis upon advanced professional nursing practice, theory, research and health care delivery systems. Master’s level studies provide the student with a basis for further study at the doctoral level.
- Graduates of the FNP option are eligible to take the national certification examination for advanced professional practice as a family nurse practitioner offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
- Graduates of the PMHNP option are eligible to take the national certification exam for advanced professional practice as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (across the lifespan) offered by ANCC or AANP.
- Graduates of the NLDR-EDU option are eligible to take the National League of Nursing (NLN) Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) Examination.
This program is designed to meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in the State of Alaska. However, the program might not meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in other states. Please see UAA’s Licensure and Certification website for more information.
Part-Time Study
The master's program is designed to be completed in six to ten semesters of part-time study. Enrollment in any specialty course requires formal admission to the specialty option. Students interested in full-time study should explore options with the program faculty advisor.
Scheduling of Courses
The FNP and PMHNP options are hybrid. Core courses and some specialty courses are completely online, with synchronous or asynchronous delivery. The FNP and PMHNP clinical courses and physical assessment are in a hybrid format with short face-to-face intensives required (usually 1-2 campus visits per semester). Additional course work is held throughout the semester at scheduled times, with students participating live via software programs or video conferencing. The NLDR-EDU option can be completed online, with class time being synchronous or asynchronous. The practicum courses are in a hybrid format with a short face-to-face intensive required on campus.
FNP, PMHNP and NLDR-EDU clinicals must be completed in the state of Alaska and in most instances clinical is done in the student's own community. Decisions for clinical sites are based on there being adequate experiences and preceptors locally that allow the student to meet the course and program outcomes.
The associate, baccalaureate, master's, post-master's certificate nursing programs at University of Alaska Anchorage at the Alaska campuses located in Anchorage, Alaska are accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
Phone: (404) 975-5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the associate, baccalaureate, master's, post-master's certificate nursing program is continuing accreditation.
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at https://www.acenursing.org/ search-programs.
Admission Requirements
- Complete the Admission Requirements for Graduate Degrees.
School of Nursing Admission Deadlines
Information on admission deadlines can be found on the SON website.
- The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), and Nursing Leadership in Education (NLDR-EDU) options admit once a year and have a specific deadline for applications.
School of Nursing Admission Requirements
To be eligible for the master’s program applicants must submit documentation of the following:
- Bachelor or graduate degree in nursing from a program accredited by the Accreditation for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE);
- Minimum undergraduate or graduate GPA of 3.00 (B) on a 4.00 scale. A student who does not have a minimum GPA of 3.00 may substitute their graduate UAA GPA (based on completion of three graduate core courses and earning a 3.00 or higher in each course);
- Minimum grade of 2.00 (C) in an undergraduate or graduate research methods course and a statistics course that covers descriptive and inferential statistics;
- Registered professional nurse license in the state of Alaska. License must remain active and unencumbered while in the School of Nursing (SON) graduate program. There are different reasons for a license to be encumbered and some may not preclude admission to the program. Students with encumbered licenses should meet with the graduate program chair to determine program eligibility;
- Minimum of one year of full-time clinical experience as a registered nurse;
- If enrolled in a previous graduate nursing program, a letter of good standing from the program director is required unless a degree was conferred;
- All clinical courses must be completed in the state of Alaska.
School of Nursing Admission Process
The UAA School of Nursing application process can be found on the SON website.
Additional School of Nursing Requirements
Prior to the commencement of the nursing program, students must provide documentation for the following:
- Immunizations: Proof of rubella, rubeola, and mumps vaccination or titer; varicella (chickenpox) vaccination or titer; Hepatitis B titer demonstrating immunity; Hepatitis A titer demonstrating immunity; diphtheria/tetanus vaccine within the past ten years; influenza vaccine within the previous twelve months.
- Freedom from active tuberculosis: Verified annually by a negative PPD skin test or by a health examination conducted by a nurse practitioner, physician, or physician's assistant.
- Current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR): Required for infants, children, and adults.
- Additional requirements: May include, but are not limited to, drug screening, additional vaccinations, and/or clinical facility-specific requirements.
- Eligibility determination from a national-level criminal background check.
- Professional liability insurance: Specific information regarding acceptable policies can be obtained directly from the program.
- Proof of health insurance: The school assumes no responsibility for illnesses and injuries experienced by students during their clinical experiences. Students who are injured while completing clinical assignments are responsible for all associated medical costs.
- Proof of registered professional nurse license in the state of Alaska: License must remain active and unencumbered while in the School of Nursing (SON) graduate program. Students with encumbered licenses should meet with the graduate program chair to determine program eligibility.
Furthermore, students enrolled in clinical courses must arrange their own transportation to clinical assignments and may need to purchase uniforms and specialized equipment.
FNP & PMHNP Clinical Requirements
Alaska clinical site decisions are based on the availability of qualified preceptors and agencies that provide adequate experiences so the student can meet the course and program outcomes. Whenever possible we assign sites in or near a student's home community. Student clinical hours must follow the preceptors' work schedules (usually M-F). All students are encouraged to take advantage of clinical learning opportunities throughout Alaska in both urban and rural settings. Both nurse practitioner options require 750 hours of direct patient care.
NLDR-EDU Clinical Requirements
All clinical/practicum hours must be completed in Alaska with qualified preceptors/mentors and agencies. Faculty must pre-approve all agencies and preceptors/mentors.
Academic Requirements
Students enrolled in the master's degree program must make continuous progress toward completion of the degree and remain in good standing with the School of Nursing (SON). A detailed schematic of the SON good standing policy can be found in the SON Graduate Handbook. Noncompliance with the good standing policy and academic expectations will result in probation and possible dismissal from the program. To remain in good standing students must:
- Maintain professional and academic standards at all times;
- Earn a minimum 3.00 (B) in all required coursework;
- Maintain continuous enrollment each term until degree is granted, following plan of study.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete the General University Requirements for Graduate Degrees.
- Complete the program requirements below for one of the following options: FNP, PMHNP, or NLDR-EDU.
Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Options
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses 1 | ||
| NSG A613 | Advanced Practice Informatics | 2 |
| NSG A618 | Role Development in Advanced Nursing | 2 |
| NSG A618A | Advanced Nursing Leadership | 2 |
| NSG A619 | Nursing Health Policy | 2 |
| NSG A621 | Knowledge Development for Advanced Nursing Practice | 2 |
| NSG A627 | Practice Inquiry I: The Nature of Evidence | 3 |
| NSG A633 | Statistics for Advanced Practice | 3 |
| Total | 16 | |
- 1
Students seeking a second master’s degree may petition to have core courses waived based on evaluation of prior graduate degree.
Complete one of the following options:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Family Nurse Practitioner Option | ||
| NSG A601 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NSG A602 | Advanced Health Assessment in Primary Care | 4 |
| NSG A610 | Pharmacology for Primary Care | 3 |
| NSG A611 | Psychopharmacology for Advanced Nursing | 3 |
| NSG A660 | Family Nurse Practitioner I | 5 |
| NSG A661 | Family Nurse Practitioner II | 4 |
| NSG A662 | Family Nurse Practitioner III | 5 |
| NSG A663 | Family Nurse Practitioner IV | 7 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Option | ||
| NSG A601 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NSG A602 | Advanced Health Assessment in Primary Care | 4 |
| NSG A610 | Pharmacology for Primary Care | 3 |
| NSG A611 | Psychopharmacology for Advanced Nursing | 3 |
| NSG A670 | Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing I | 6 |
| NSG A671 | Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing II | 5 |
| NSG A672 | Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing III | 4 |
| NSG A673 | Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing IV | 6 |
| Total | 34 | |
A minimum of 50 credits is required for the degree.
Nursing Leadership in Education Option
All NLDR-EDU students complete the core and specialty courses in nursing education.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses 1 | ||
| NSG A648 | Nurse Leader and Educator Role | 3 |
| NSG A650 | Evidence-Based Practice for Nursing Leaders | 3 |
| NSG A652 | Technology and Informatics for Nurse Educators | 3 |
| NSG A653 | Leadership Focus in Population Health | 3 |
| Total | 12 | |
- 1
Students seeking a second master’s degree may petition to have core courses waived based on evaluation of prior graduate degree.
Complete the following specialty courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Leadership in Education Option | ||
| NSG A649 | Best Practices in Teaching and Learning in Nursing Education | 4 |
| NSG A651 | Advanced Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Health Assessment for Nurse Educators | 4 |
| NSG A654 | Assessing Learning in Nursing Education | 3 |
| NSG A655 | Curriculum Design and Program Assessment | 3 |
| NSG A656 | Clinical Teaching, Simulation, and Evaluation | 4 |
| NSG A695A | Clinical Practicum in Population Health | 2 |
| NSG A695B | Teaching Practicum | 4 |
| Total | 24 | |
A minimum of 36 credits is required for the degree.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a Master of Science in Nursing Science will be able to:
- Apply nursing theory, best practices and scholarly evidence to the advanced nursing practice role for which the student is being prepared.
- Apply ethical, legal and professional standards and policy to advanced nursing practice with an emphasis on the role for which the student is being prepared.
- Collaborate across disciplines and in partnership with key stakeholders to improve health for diverse populations.
- Create a plan for self-directed, lifelong learning and professional development.
- Demonstrate professional competence in the advanced nursing practice role for which one is being prepared.
- Use emerging information, health technologies and healthcare data to promote safety and quality care to improve health.
Sample Plan
The academic plan below is one pathway through the degree/certificate. It includes all requirements, taking into account recommendations from program faculty. Each student’s plan may vary according to their initial course placement, intended course load, additional majors and/or minors, and their placement into required prerequisite courses. Any change in the plan below can have an unforeseen impact on the rest of the plan. Therefore, it is very important to meet with your academic advisor to verify your personal academic plan.
Please review the following terms, definitions, and resources associated with the sample academic plan below.
- Each course in the far left column links to a pop-up bubble with a course description, prerequisite requirements, and associations with university requirements. For example, if a course fulfills a general education requirement, you will see that in the pop-up bubble.
- GER: indicates a General Education Requirement. GERs that also count toward degree/certificate requirements appear as a specific course in the plan. For these courses, "GER" is not indicated explicitly in the table, but if you click on the course, you will see the course's GER status in the pop-up bubble.
- Program Elective: indicates a specific course selection determined by program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
- Elective: indicates an open selection of 100-400 level university courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate.
- Upper Division Program Elective: indicates a specific 300-400 level course selection determined by the program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
- Upper Division Elective: indicates an open selection of 300-400 level courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate. These courses must be upper division in order to meet General University Requirements for the particular degree/certificate type.
Sample Plan - Family Nurse Practitioner
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Credits | |
| NSG A613 | Advanced Practice Informatics | 2 |
| NSG A618 | Role Development in Advanced Nursing | 2 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Summer | ||
| NSG A619 | Nursing Health Policy | 2 |
| NSG A621 | Knowledge Development for Advanced Nursing Practice | 2 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| NSG A618A | Advanced Nursing Leadership | 2 |
| NSG A633 | Statistics for Advanced Practice | 3 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Spring | ||
| NSG A601 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NSG A610 | Pharmacology for Primary Care | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| NSG A602 | Advanced Health Assessment in Primary Care | 4 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| NSG A627 | Practice Inquiry I: The Nature of Evidence | 3 |
| NSG A661 | Family Nurse Practitioner II | 4 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Spring | ||
| NSG A660 | Family Nurse Practitioner I | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Summer | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| NSG A662 | Family Nurse Practitioner III | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Spring | ||
| NSG A663 | Family Nurse Practitioner IV | 7 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Total Credits | 50 | |
- *
The program is part-time.
Sample Plan - Psychiatric - Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Credits | |
| NSG A613 | Advanced Practice Informatics | 2 |
| NSG A618 | Role Development in Advanced Nursing | 2 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Summer | ||
| NSG A619 | Nursing Health Policy | 2 |
| NSG A621 | Knowledge Development for Advanced Nursing Practice | 2 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| NSG A618A | Advanced Nursing Leadership | 2 |
| NSG A633 | Statistics for Advanced Practice | 3 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Spring | ||
| NSG A601 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NSG A610 | Pharmacology for Primary Care | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| NSG A602 | Advanced Health Assessment in Primary Care | 4 |
| NSG A611 | Psychopharmacology for Advanced Nursing | 3 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| NSG A627 | Practice Inquiry I: The Nature of Evidence | 3 |
| NSG A670 | Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing I | 6 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| NSG A671 | Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing II | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| NSG A672 | Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing III | 4 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Spring | ||
| NSG A673 | Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing IV | 6 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 50 | |
- *
The program is part-time.
Sample Plan - Nursing Leadership in Education
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| NSG A648 | Nurse Leader and Educator Role | 3 |
| NSG A649 | Best Practices in Teaching and Learning in Nursing Education | 4 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Spring | ||
| NSG A650 | Evidence-Based Practice for Nursing Leaders | 3 |
| NSG A651 | Advanced Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Health Assessment for Nurse Educators | 4 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Summer | ||
| NSG A652 | Technology and Informatics for Nurse Educators | 3 |
| NSG A653 | Leadership Focus in Population Health | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| NSG A654 | Assessing Learning in Nursing Education | 3 |
| NSG A655 | Curriculum Design and Program Assessment | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| NSG A695A | Clinical Practicum in Population Health | 2 |
| NSG A695B | Teaching Practicum | 4 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| NSG A656 | Clinical Teaching, Simulation, and Evaluation | 4 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
- *
This sample plan is based upon starting the program in the fall. The sample plan varies based upon the semester a student enters the program. The student is encouraged to speak with their academic advisor.