Nursing Graduate Study
In the Fall of 1995, the College received major federal funding to begin offering a Master's degree in nursing. The program of study for Advanced Nursing Practice in Emerging Health Systems is designed to prepare nurses for community-based practice in changing health care systems. Graduates are equipped to address a broad spectrum of health care needs across settings and populations in communities.
Admission Requirements
Basic requirements for admission to the nursing program are:
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Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an NLN accredited program.
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Cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale) for undergraduate preparation.
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Current license or eligibility for licensure to practice nursing in the state of South Dakota.
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Evidence of a completed course in descriptive and inferential statistics prior to formal acceptance.
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A two- to three-page typed essay describing professional and educational goals and plans for graduate study.
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Two letters of reference supporting the applicant's character and ability for graduate study.
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One year of clinical practice experience as an R.N. is preferred.
A completed application for admission to the Graduate Division must first be submitted to the Dean of Graduate Studies. A complete application includes official transcripts form each college and university attended, the essay referenced above, and two letters of reference.
The entire course of study is 36 semester credit hours and is expected to take 3-5 years of part-time study. Completion of the degree qualifies graduates for certification as clinical nurse specialists in Community Health Nursing.
Requirement courses are listed below according to the three components of the curriculum: 1)the core of integrative studies, 2) the advanced nursing core, and 3) the advanced nursing practice track.
Core of Integrative Studies
This curriculum component is required of all graduate students at Augustana College and includes nine hours of coursework in research, philosophy, and issues of contemporary life.
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Nursing 600 (3 hours): Introduction to Graduate Research
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Philosophy 615 (3 hours): Ideas That Have Shaped Our World
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Master Seminar 690 (3 hours): Examples of specific offerings are Native American Studies 690, English 690-Voices from the Silence, and Sociology 690-Issues in Gerontology.
Advanced Nursing Core
This 12 hour curricular component provides theoretical, philosophical, ethical, and personal and professional foundations for advanced nursing practice.
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Nursing 605 (3 hours): Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Practice.
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Nursing 620 (3 hours): Therapeutic Alliance: Transformative Nursing.
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Nursing 610 (3 hours): Philosophical/Ethical Issues in Health Care.
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Nursing 630 (3 hours): Economics and Policy in Health Care.
Advanced Nursing Practice in Emerging Health Systems Track
The 15 credits of advanced nursing coursework provide a wide variety of opportunities for synthesis of theory and research through community-based practice.
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Nursing 621 (3 hours): Community Planning Process-Applying Nursing Theory and Public Health Concepts in the Community.
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Business Administration 664 (3 hours): Organized Theory.
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Nursing 632 (3 hours): Advanced Concepts in Community Health.
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Nursing 634 (2 hours): Advanced Practice Hursing in the Community I. This course must be concurrently with one credit hour of Nursing 698.
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Nursing 635 (2 hours): Advanced Practice Nursing in the Community II. This course must be concurrently with one credit hour of Nursing 698.
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Nursing 698 (2 hours): Research and Writing Tutorial. One credit hour is taken with Nursing 634, the other with Nursing 635.
The courses for the Master of Arts Degree in Advanced Nursing Practice are arranged in three major segments of study, totalling 36 semester credit hours.
The Core of Integrative Studies includes nine hours of study in research, philosophy, and issues of contemporary life. It is required for all graduate students at Augustana College.
The Advanced Nursing Core
includes twelve hours of coursework providing theoretical, philosophical, ethical, and personal and professional development foundations for advanced nursing practice.
The Advanced Nursing Practice in Emerging Health Systems Track includes fifteen hours of coursework which provides opportunities for synthesis of theory and research through community-based practice.
A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better is required for all graduate courses counting toward the degree. No credit is allowed for grades of C or below.
A minimum of 27 credit hours must be taken at Augustana, allowing for a maximum transfer of nine credits; and all requirements for that degree must be completed within a seven-year period.
Graduation requires completion of a graduate paper and passing of a comprehensive written and oral examination.
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