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Master of Science in Nursing Completion Program Flexible Web-Based Programs Designed for Busy Nursing Professionals

The Western University Master of Science in Nursing Completion (MSN) program is designed for advanced practice nurses who wish to continue working in their profession, keep family commitments and live in the same community while pursuing a graduate education. This benefit is especially convenient for students living in rural areas, small communities, or on active military duty. This CCNE-accredited program consists of two integrated elements:
  • Web-based curriculum
  • Weekend sessions at the Pomona, California campus twice per semester
About the Program
Instructor Carol Oliver demonstrates the physical exam

Western University's Master of Science Degree in Nursing is designed for the experienced nurse who already has a BSN degree and certification as a family or specialty nurse practitioner. Full-time students can complete the program in one year. Part-time tracks are also available.

To provide maximum scheduling and pacing flexibility while eliminating the need to commute daily to campus, the College of Graduate Nursing uses a combination of self-directed learning activities, collaborative projects, and intensive weekend seminars.

Self-Directed Learning Activities

The World Wide Web provides a unique opportunity to offer students individualized learning experiences that would be impossible through other media. Online discussion forums and e-mail also provide important lines of communication and support among distance learners, faculty, and other program personnel.

Weekend Seminars

Twice during each semester, students are required to convene on campus for an intensive weekend of instruction. The weekend seminars provide an opportunity for faculty-student interaction, didactic instruction and demonstrations, student presentations, group project work, and clinical training and testing. The weekend of study begins on Friday morning and ends on Sunday.

Student Assessment

Student performance in each course is assessed through a combination of seminar participation, written and oral presentations, and objective examination.

The Curriculum

With the pre-program course CGN 5000: Communication and Information Management (1 unit), the Master in Nursing curriculum consists of 27 semester units. The following table shows the courses included in the full-time track for the Master of Science in Nursing. Unit values for each course are shown in parenthesis. Select the course title to see a description of the course.

Semester 1 (Fall) Semester 2 (Spring) Semester 3 (Summer)

CGN 5104:
Health Systems Overview
(1 unit)

CGN 5200:
Nursing Theory
(3 units)

CGN 5304:
Nursing Research I
(3 units)

CGN 5810:
Mgmt Practice Issues
(2 units)

CGN 5102:
Health Systems II
(2 units)

CGN 5305:
Nursing Research II
(1 unit)

CGN 5501:
Pharmacology I *
(2 or 4 units)

CGN 5603:
Societal & Ethical Issues
(1 unit)

CGN 5820:
Prof Practice Issues
(2 units)

CGN 5900:
Collaborative Project
(2 units)

CGN 5502:
Pharmacology II *
(2 or 4 units)

CGN 5830:
Business Pract Issues
(2 units)

CGN 5990:
Culminating Project
(1 unit)

* Pharmacology courses may be waived if Advanced Practicing Nurse has an active furnishing number.


For more information on the Master of Science in Nursing Program, please contact the MSN/FNP Director Dr. Diana Lithgow at dlithgow@westernu.edu.
Last Updated:12/18/2007