Oct 09, 2024  
2023-2024 Graduate Calendar 
    
2023-2024 Graduate Calendar [ARCHIVED CALENDAR]

Nursing, MScN


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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.


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.

Note: Candidates may apply for course equivalency and/or recognition of experience through a Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition – PLAR – process. For more information on this process, please contact the Associate Dean, FHSc Research & Graduate Studies.

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.

Elective courses


To further support their career objectives, students will have the opportunity to select from a wide array of elective course options from across faculties at both Ontario Tech and Trent University. Below is a partial list of elective offerings. Please note that not all courses will necessarily be offered each year. Students are also advised to verify the method of delivery as some courses may be classroom based.

Trent University


  • CSID-ENGL 5501H-CAST 6401H - Identities and social movements
  • CSID 5701H-HIST 5101H-SUST 5701H-TCPS 5503H-CAST 6501H - Feminist, gender & women’s studies
  • CSID-SUST 5801H-CAST 6801H - Aging, health & society
  • EDUC-5110H - Curriculum Theory
  • EDUC-5120H - Evaluation of Curriculum & Instruction: A Critical Approach
  • EDUC-5420H - Issues in Post Secondary Education
  • PSYC 5560H - Relationships and Health

Further details about these offerings are available in the Trent University Graduate Academic Calendar.

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