Take your nursing career to the next level: You’ll do that here.

A Nursing (MSN) degree prepares you for a job as a nurse practitioner. You’ll be prepared to deliver advanced nursing care and for critical investigation, integration, and synthesis of scientific knowledge in advanced nursing practice. MSN preparation also provides a foundation for doctoral study. 

What You’ll Do  

As a Nursing (MSN) student at Southeast, you’ll gain incredible real world learning experience in a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). 

  • Gain preparation for the advanced nursing role as a family nurse practitioner. 
  • Learn from experienced APRN faculty.
  • Experience hands-on learning in a variety of settings with experienced preceptors in preparation for the family nurse practitioner role. 
  • Students are eligible, upon graduation, to register for a national certification examination for family nurse practitioners.

What Can You Do with Master of Science in Nursing?

Since the induction of the program, over 25 years ago, Southeast graduates of the Family Nurse Practitioner option have a 97.4% first-time pass rate on the American Nurse Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Family Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination, a nationally normed examination pre-requisite to being recognized or licensed by most State Boards of Nursing in an advanced practice
role. And for the past 5 years, the ANCC pass rates have been 100%.

Employment Opportunities for MSN Graduates

  • Faculty of Schools of Nursing
  • Ambulatory Practice Sites
  • Community-based Health Centers
  • Rural Health Clinics
  • Day & Home Care Programs
  • Extended Care Facilities
  • Federal Government Agencies
  • Federally-Qualified Health Centers
  • Health Departments
  • Long-term Care Facilities
  • Non-profit Organizations
  • Homeless Shelters
  • Private/For-profit Organizations
  • Nursing Staff Development Programs

Nursing MSN Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree

Outcomes & Careers 

  • 100% 

    Pass Rate

    Students graduating with a Nursing (MSN) degree report a cumulative 5-year pass rate on the ANCC Family Nurse Practitioner board certification examination. 

     

     


     

     

     

  • $124k

    Nurse Practitioner

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a nurse practitioner is $124,680. 

     

     

     

     

     


  • $205k

    Nurse Anesthetist

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a nurse anesthetists is $205,770. 

What You'll Study

As a Nursing (MSN) major, you’ll will be ready to pass the national ANCC or AANP certification examination after graduation. A total of 43 credit hours are required for the Master of Science in Nursing degree.

In addition to the criteria established for general admission to graduate studies, applicants must submit an application to the Department of Nursing

The application may be mailed to the department at the address provided or may be submitted via email at nursinggradstudies@semo.edu. Applicants must also have the following: 

  • A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) 
  • A minimum GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale 
  • Current unencumbered RN license that allows practice within the state of Missouri (MO license or multistate) 
  • An undergraduate or graduate statistics course with a grade of B or higher 
  • Current BLS certification (professional level) 
  • Statement of academic goals and objectives for graduate study/advanced practice 

Type a one-page statement addressing your future professional goals/objectives related to completion of a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with role preparation as a family nurse practitioner (FNP). The statement should provide a sample of your writing ability and help faculty determine your fit with Southeast’s MSN program. Your Statement of Goals/Objectives should also include your understanding of the role of the FNP in the primary care of persons, families, and communities, and how you envision Southeast’s MSN program helping you fulfill your goals/objectives. Your comments may include future employment plans. 

The Statement of Goals and Objectives should: 

  • Be limited to one page. 
  • Be double spaced using a 12-point Times New Roman font. 
  • Not include past experiences. 
  • Not include bullet points  

  1. Complete an application for admission to the Southeast Missouri State University Graduate Studies.
  2. Request official transcripts of ALL completed academic work be sent to the Graduate Office (transcripts from Southeast will be requested by the Graduate Office). 
  3. Complete the Master of Science in nursing application.Submit the completed application and the items listed below to the Department of Nursing. 
    1. Current licensure as a registered professional nurse (RN) that allows for practice within the state of Missouri. 
    2. Current CPR certification 
    3. An introductory course in statistics (a transcript) 
    4. Client assessment skills as demonstrated by transcript or verification by Department of Nursing.
    5. A written statement of academic goals and objectives 
  4. The application and documents may be mailed to

    Director of Graduate Studies
    Department of Nursing
    Southeast Missouri State University
    One University Plaza MS8300
    Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

    or emailed to nursinggradstudies@semo.edu

  5. Contact Josh Naeger, Secretary in Nursing at (573) 986-6413 or email nursinggradstudies@semo.edu for any additional information.  
  6. Applications will be evaluated by the Graduate Program Committee of the Department of Nursing. 
  7. Applicants will receive written notice of the Graduate Program Committee’s decision. 

Note: Applicants who are denied admission will have the opportunity to appeal to the Department of Nursing Graduate Program Committee. 

Core Courses:

  • NS601 Informatics for Advanced Nursing Roles (3)
  • NS603 Advanced Diagnostics and Reasoning for Primary Care (3)
  • NS610 Public Policy and Issues in Health Care (3)
  • NS614 Evidence-Based Practice and Quality Improvement for the Advance Practice Nurse (3)
  • NS625 Advanced Pharmacology (3)*
  • NS627 Advanced Health Assessment Practicum (0.5)^
  • NS628 Advanced Health Assessment (3.5)^
  • NS636 Advanced Pathophysiology (3)*
  • NS637 Primary Care I Practicum (4)^
  • NS638 Primary Care I (3)*
  • NS646 Role of APRN (3)
  • NS647 Primary Care II Practicum (4)^
  • NS648 Primary Care II (3)*
  • NS654 Primary Care for the Pediatric Client (2)
  • NS656 Women's Health in Primary Care (2)
 *Requires an exam average of 80% or higher
^Requires a minimum grade of B in NS627, NS637, and NS647

The MSN curricula are hybrid curricula with courses delivered in heavily blended formats (75-99% of course content online), completely online formats, and face-to-face formats. 

The 5-semester FNP track starts in the fall semester and includes one summer semester with total semester course load varying from 7-10 credit hours per semester. 

A total of 43 credit hours plus successful completion of a capstone experience is required for the Master of Science in Nursing degree within the Family Nurse Practitioner track 

In the 8.5 clinical credit hours embedded within the total (43) for the FNP track, students complete 765 clock hours of clinical experiences. 

Should a student drop from the program for any reason, re-admission or continuation is based upon seat availability. 

Applicants are strongly encouraged to meet with the Department of Nursing’s Director of Graduate Studies to learn more about the MSN Program and to ask any questions that they may have. 

Graduate Assistantships

The graduate assistantship (GA) is designed to provide support during full-time graduate study. It’s an opportunity for the graduate students to serve in a professional role while establishing a professional relationship with faculty and administrators. In addition to a per year stipend, GAs gain valuable experience. There are two kinds of assistantships: teaching and administrative.

Become a Redhawk.

Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.

College of Education, Health and Human Studies

This degree is housed within the College of Education, Health and Human Studies. The college boasts programs that train students in mind, body, and soul. So, whether you want to teach, to care, to support, or to fix, we have a program to get you there.

Accreditations

Southeast Missouri State University's Nursing Program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and has full approval of the Missouri State Board of Nursing.

  • CCNE Accreditation Logo

Graduate Coordinators

Graduate coordinators serve as the contact for graduate programs. The coordinators are most often faculty within the college which houses the program, helping you to get questions answered and first-hand knowledge of the degree requirements and placement opportunities.

Contact Us
Location
Office Location
Crisp Hall 107
Mailing Address
One University Plaza, MS 8300
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701