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2025-2026 Graduate Bulletin
Master of Science in Nursing, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN)
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Master of Science in Nursing
The College of Nursing and Health Professions at USI strives to ensure our graduate students are successful in their professional, personal, and academic careers. Graduates of the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program are able to integrate critical thinking, independent judgment, provide leadership, synthesize knowledge, and promote the essential values of caring in their professional and personal lives. The Master of Science in Nursing program at the University of Southern Indiana is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org). MSN Curriculum To achieve the Master of Science in Nursing degree, all students complete nursing core courses and clinical core courses. Students select one of the following specialty areas: - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AG-CNS)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Healthcare Systems Leadership (HSL)
- Nursing Education Leadership (NEL)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Graduate nursing clinical practice requirements may be completed in the student’s own geographic area. Each student is encouraged to identify preceptors and clinical sites with assistance from the university clinical liaison. Approval of each preceptor and clinical site must be obtained from the CNHP graduate nursing clinical liaison prior to beginning clinical hours. A written agreement with each agency is required prior to initiating clinical experiences. Students may be required to visit campus to demonstrate clinical competency. Faculty will validate clinical competency through virtual learning and education sessions, site visits and/or conference calls with preceptors and students. To earn the MSN degree, students must complete all courses with a grade of B or better. Program Outcomes The objectives of the Master of Science in Nursing program are to prepare nurses at an advanced practice level who demonstrate professional leadership and foster a research climate in the practice of nursing. The graduate of the master’s degree program is a clinician, administrator, or educator who can: - Translate and integrate established and evolving knowledge from nursing and other disciplines to advanced nursing practice specialties.
- Coordinate and manage holistic person-centered care that is individualized, equitable, respectful, compassionate, coordinated, evidence-based, and developmentally appropriate.
- Analyze and evaluate population health care including wellness, social determinants of health, and disease prevention and management in collaboration with community partners to promote equitable population health outcomes at the advanced nursing practice specialty level.
- Appraise, synthesize, and apply evidence to advanced nursing practice to improve health outcomes, advance the profession, and transform healthcare.
- Coordinate the implementation of initiatives utilizing principles of safety and quality improvement as core values of advance nursing practice specialties to enhance care delivery and minimize risk of harm to patients and providers through both system effectiveness and individual performance.
- Lead interprofessional teams to collaborate with patients, families, communities, and other constituents to optimize care, enhance the healthcare experience, and improve outcomes.
- Analyze and manage complex healthcare systems to provide safe, quality, and equitable care to diverse populations.
- Integrate information and communication technologies and informatic processes to gather data, support evidence-based decision-making, provide care, and expand knowledge and wisdom in accordance with best practice and professional and regulatory standards within advanced nursing practice specialties.
- Cultivate a professional identity aligning with advanced nursing practice specialties, demonstrating caring, civility, integrity, accountability, a collaborative disposition, and behaviors that reflect nursing’s characteristics and values.
- Lead activities and self-reflection fostering personal health, resilience, and well-being, promote lifelong learning, and support the acquisition of nursing expertise and the assertion of leadership.
Graduate Studies Admission Criteria and Application Process
Refer to the Admission section of the bulletin for information about Graduate Studies admission criteria and the online application process. MSN Program Admission Requirements
The MSN program offers admission for fall, spring, or summer. Refer to www.usi.edu/online-learning/online-programs/master-of-science-in-nursing for application deadlines. Applications are not reviewed until all materials have been received. Both full-time and part-time study options are available based upon course availability. MSN-specific admission requirements include: - a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally and regionally accredited nursing program;
- minimum baccalaureate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
- completion of an undergraduate course in statistics with a C or better;
- unencumbered RN license;
- Students with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing obtained outside of the United States must submit an evaluated transcript of their international degree that is comparable to a U.S. BSN. Please review the admission policy for internationally-educated applicants with BSNs.
- One year of full-time employment or equivalent as a registered nurse is strongly recommended.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) 44 hours
The Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) is an advanced clinician who provides psychiatric/mental health services to individuals across the lifespan. The role includes diagnosis, provision of therapies and medication management for individuals with psychiatric/mental health disorders. Health promotion, disease prevention and management of mental health symptoms along with family consultation and education are included in the role. The PMHNP practices in various clinical settings including acute care and chronic care hospitals, community agencies, long-term care facilities, home care and outpatient offices. MSN Nursing Core Courses (18 hours)
MSN Clinical Core Courses (9 hours)
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (17 hours)
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