Nursing, MScN

General information

The Master of Science in Nursing (MScN) program focuses on professional practice leadership and will prepare graduates to contribute to an increasingly complex health-care sector by providing an education that includes mentorship, interdisciplinary opportunities and experiential learning through research, projects and class assignments. Professional practice leaders are responsible for ensuring and implementing expert practice, the facilitation of professional development, research and providing leadership; they are often charged with quality assurance and safety as well and the program is designed to develop expertise in these areas.

While the program is largely online, the first semester (Spring/Summer) includes a one-week mandatory face-to-face residency component to ensure that current professionals, with high working demands, are supported and to foster relationship-building amongst the cohort.

Please note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the face-to-face component of this program is on hold for 2022.


Two program options are available to students:

Project-based option

The project-based option prepares nurses for professional practice leadership. Given the additional coursework, students explore additional content in their particular areas of interest. Through engagement in a research project, students focus their scholarly inquiry on a project that may involve quality assurance, policy analysis or the investigation of a clinical issue.

Thesis-based option

The thesis option prepares nurses for professional practice leadership with an emphasis on simultaneously building advanced knowledge and understanding in research. Through engagement in a thesis, students will have the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of nursing knowledge and be prepared to work in research, health care or academic environments with an advanced understanding of research.

The experience and knowledge gained through required and elective course work as well as through completion of the research thesis or project will position graduates of MScN to:

• Practice with nursing core values incorporating both holism and social justice perspectives.
• Occupy and/or engage leadership positions in healthcare, government and other health-related settings.
• Provide nursing leadership in a variety of settings (academic, clinical and administration).
• Lead and support policy change at all levels.
• Lead health care delivery system redesign/design, implementation and evaluation of changes.
• Manage health systems that include information systems/technology, evidence-based practices, information and outcomes management.
• Provide expertise in management, legal and ethical issues, and strategic and organizational planning.
• Engage in and guide change at varying levels (e. g., unit change, organizational change).

A current list of graduate faculty is available on the Faculty of Health Sciences’ website.

Admissions requirements

In addition to the general admission requirements for graduate studies, MScN applicants must meet the following program-specific requirements.

Applicants with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) degree (or equivalent):

• Hold a four-year BScN (Hons) or equivalent from a recognized institution.
• Minimum overall academic standing of a B (GPA: 3.0 on a 4.3 scale or 73 to 76 per cent), with a minimum B average in the last two full-time years (four semesters) of undergraduate work or equivalent.
• Registration as a Registered Nurse in good standing with the licensing body in the province in which they work (i.e., In Ontario this would be the College of Nurses of Ontario).
• International students who hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited university, with a minimum overall academic standing of a B (GPA: 3.0 on a 4.3 scale or 73 to 76 per cent), and who are registered or authorized to practice in your home country will be considered for admission.

Applicants with RN designation and experience:

• Registered Nurse with 10 or more years of experience.
• Registration as a Registered Nurse in good standing with the licensing body in the province in which they work (i.e., In Ontario this would be the College of Nurses of Ontario).
• Candidates will be required to have completed the academic equivalent of the following university-level courses with a minimum weighted average of 80 per cent across the three courses: NURS 1420U or NURS 2420U, HLSC 3910U, and HLSC 1701U. Please see the Undergraduate Academic Calendar for more detailed information about these courses.

Part-time studies

To facilitate access to all potential students, part-time studies are permitted. These programs are particularly well suited for candidates holding part-time or full-time employment who wish to pursue studies in nursing at the graduate level on a part-time basis.

Degree requirements

To earn the MScN degree, students are required to complete a program of study worth 33 credits.

Required courses

• NURS 5010G - Research Approaches for Nursing and Health Sciences
• NURS 5021G - Advancing Nursing through Leadership
• NURS 5111G - Health and Public Policy
• NURS 5119G - Program Evaluation for Healthcare Leaders
• NURS 5120G - Philosophy of Nursing Science
• NURS 5205G - Informatics for Nursing and Health Sciences

•  

  One of:

• NURS 5118G - Applied Biostatistics for Nursing and Health Sciences or
• NURS 5123G - Qualitative Research Methods

• (Note: Students who complete NURS 5118G  as a core course may choose NURS 5123G  as an elective.)

•  

  One of:

• NURS 5096G - MScN Thesis in Nursing Advanced/Professional Practice or
• NURS 5097G - Nursing Advanced/Professional Practice Research Project