Experience

Students are invited to experience the distinctiveness of Community Health Nursing in the 21st century. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program, which is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), is designed to prepare advanced, community health nurses to address the health needs of vulnerable populations and communities as they currently exist, and as they will evolve in the future. Students acquire advanced knowledge and skills in community needs assessment, analysis of aggregate data, health planning, as well as program development, implementation, and evaluation.

Focusing on health promotion and prevention, the program allows students to select a vulnerable population focus for study across the curriculum, such as women and infants, children, teens, adults with chronic illnesses, geriatric clients, clients with ethnic or racial disparities, HIV clients, etc. The scope of public health/community health nursing practice and concepts of disaster management, systems leadership, quality and safety are integrated into various courses throughout the curriculum.

Admission Requirements

• Application to JSU College of Graduate Studies with official transcripts from each institution attended, and official test scores on the General Test of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT)
• Bachelor's degree with a major in nursing from a regionally-accredited university with a professionally-accredited nursing program
• Current, unencumbered registered nurse license in the United States
• Three professional recommendations submitted on required forms
• Written statement of professional goals, expectations, and interests in graduate study
• Application deadlines: July 1 for fall admission, November 1 for spring admission, and April 1 for summer admission

Curriculum

A total of 38 semester hours is required for this program. Full-time and part-time options are available.

Through an innovative partnership with Troy University, JSU utilizes four existing, online Troy courses (11 semester hours) as the core sequence of the program. The partnership with Troy represents a unique education model in Alabama.

All courses are delivered in an online format. Students may enter the program at the beginning of any semester-fall, spring, or summer. Full-time and part-time study options are available. A comprehensive examination is required during the final semester, and is administered on campus.

The community health clinical component (NU 540 & 545) is individualized and arranged in settings that provide experiences compatible with the student's practice and career goals. The graduate student can prepare for roles in community health practice, education, management, consultation, and research.

Plan of Study

In the following sample plan, students can complete coursework in four semesters of full-time study. All course credits are in semester hours.

Sample Plan of Study

Semester 1 (Fall, August - December)

Semester 2 (Spring, January - April)

Semester 3 (Summer, May - August)

Semester 4 (Fall, August - December)

*Denotes required Troy course

Community Health Nursing

• Represents the present and future direction of health care
• Develops skill in using the community as a client
• Allows you to select a vulnerable population interest area within your specialty
• Enhances direct care skills while preparing broad community assessment and intervention skills
• Integrates nursing informatics (using computers to manage nursing/client data and consumer education)
• Prepares you within your selected functional role for community health practice, education, management, consultation, or research.
• Graduates may be eligible to pursue national certification as a Public Health Nurse-Advanced.
• Master's education prepares students to pursue a variety of terminal degrees in nursing, community/public health, and education.

JSU...Where you're going.

• Learn from the experts! Jacksonville State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The College of Nursing and Health Sciences has an esteemed reputation as a leader in community nursing.
• Convenient online courses.
• JSU is committed to distance technology to meet the needs of working students.
• JSU faculty are committed to supporting students and learner-centered education.

APPLICATIONS/INFORMATION

For further information or questions, contact: