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. Students may develop a specialized practice focus in nursing leadership (NLDR) with a concentration in nursing education (NLDR-EDU). We also have a family nurse practitioner (FNP) or psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMH-NP) master's option.
- Graduates of the FNP option are eligible to write 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 PMH-NP option are eligible to write the national certification exam for advanced professional practice as a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (across the lifespan) offered by ANCC.
- Graduates of the NLDR-education option are eligible to take the National League of Nursing (NLN) Certified Nurse Educator Examination.
Part-Time/Full-Time Study
The Master's program is designed to be completed in six semesters of part-time study. Registered nurses with a BSN who are not formally admitted to the program are allowed to register for up to 9 credits of core courses on a space-available basis and with instructor permission. Enrollment in any specialty course requires formal admission to the specialty track. Students interested in full-time study should explore options with the program faculty advisor.
Scheduling of Courses
The NLDR option can be completed online, with class time being synchronous (entire class participating at the same time) or asynchronous. The FNP and PMH-NP options are hybrid. Core courses and some specialty courses are completely online, with synchronous or asynchronous delivery. The FNP and PMH-NP clinical courses and physical assessment are in a hybrid format with short face-to-face intensives required (usually 1-2 campus visits/trimester). Additional course work is held throughout the semester at scheduled times, with distance students participating live via software programs such as Skype or Collaborate.
Currently, PMH-NP and FNP clinicals must be completed in the state of Alaska. Anchorage students may be required to do their clinical anywhere in the Anchorage Metropolitan Statistical area, which includes the Mat-Su borough to the north and Girdwood to the south. When possible and at the request of the student, clinical rotations are completed in the students' own community. Decisions for clinical sites are based on there being adequate local experiences and preceptors that allow the student to meet the course and program outcomes. Thus, it is possible for students who reside outside of Anchorage to take advantage of the opportunity to pursue graduate study at UAA. All students are encouraged to take advantage of clinical learning opportunities throughout the state, including both urban and rural settings.
Graduate studies at the master’s level place primary emphasis upon advanced professional nursing practice, theory, research and health care delivery systems.
The Master of Science in Nursing Science is accredited through 2025 by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 975-5000.
Students will develop a specialized practice focus in Nursing Leadership in Education (NLDR-Educ), or as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), or Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMH-NP).
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 (PMH-NP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), and Nursing Leadership in Education (NLDR-Educ) programs admit once a year and have a specific deadline for applications.
- All applicants may take up to 9 credits of core courses, on a space-available basis and with faculty permission, while waiting for their application to be processed.
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
Once accepted to the master's program, students will receive instructions for submission of the following requirements1:
- Documentation of continuous current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for adults, infants and children;
- Evidence of satisfactory health status, including immunity to chicken pox, rubella, rubeola, and hepatitis A and B (by titer); documentation of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) immunization within the past 10 years; annual tuberculin skin test (PPD) or health examination indicating freedom from active tuberculosis; documentation of an annual HIV test (results not required);
- Satisfactory results of the SON-sanctioned national-level criminal background check.
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The above requirements may change based on the demands of clinical facilities. Please check with the SON for the most recent list of requirements.
Students are required to provide their own transportation to clinical sites. They are also responsible for their portion of the cost of audio-conferencing. Students must have access to a personal computer and reasonable Internet connectivity. Prior to entry into the nursing program, students are expected to have graduate level writing and American Psychological Association (APA) referencing skills, as well as basic computer and typing skills, for example:
- Word processing,
- Sending and receiving e-mail with attachments,
- Accessing and navigating the Internet/World Wide Web,
- Basic understanding of hardware, software and operating systems.
FNP & PMH-NP 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.
NLDR-Educ 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, PMH-NP, or NLDR-Educ.
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 | 3 |
| NSG A627 | Practice Inquiry I: The Nature of Evidence | 3 |
| NSG A633 | Statistics for Advanced Practice | 3 |
| Total | 17 | |
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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 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 | 6 |
| Advisor-approved elective | 3 | |
| Total | 33 | |
| 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 | 5 |
| NSG A671 | Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing II | 5 |
| NSG A672 | Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing III | 5 |
| NSG A673 | Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing IV | 5 |
| Total | 33 | |
A minimum of 50 credits is required for the degree.
Nursing Leadership in Education Option
All NLDR-Educ 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 | |
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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 for PMH-NP and FNP students
The graduate is prepared to:
- Engage in scholarly inquiry, including evaluation and application of evidence-based research to advanced nursing practice or leadership.
- Practice in a manner that incorporates ethical, legal, and professional standards for advanced nursing practice or nursing leadership.
- Collaborate across disciplines and in partnership with communities, groups, families and individuals through culturally sensitive practice.
- Demonstrate competence and caring in the professional nurse role to serve as a provider, leader, and educator in the health care system.
- Articulate a plan for self-directed, lifelong learning and professional development.
Program Student Learning Outcomes for NLDR-Educ Students
- Apply scholarly inquiry, nursing and educational theory and knowledge, and evidence-based research to nursing practice.
- Collaborate across disciplines and in partnership with health care and academic institutions to improve health.
- Use emerging information, health technologies, and healthcare data to promote safety and quality care to improve health.
- Apply advanced leadership skills, professional ethics, and knowledge of policy to improve health.
- Design and assess an evidence-based nursing education curriculum.
- Integrate best practices in nursing education to provide quality learning experiences for diverse populations.
- Create a plan for self-directed, lifelong learning and professional development.