Graduate Nursing Programs Course Descriptions
Course descriptions are listed in numerical sequence. The course numbering system gives the department code followed by the course number. The number of semester hours is designated by s.h. Visual display of course credit hour allocations are standardized by lecture/didactic hours, seminar hours, and clinical/lab hours in the following format: 4 s.h. (2,0,2). Contact hours per credit will be a ratio as follows: lecture/didactic 1:1, seminar 2:1, and clinical/lab 3:1.

NURSM 615 - Methodology of Online Teaching. Study and application of the knowledge in creating an online course utilizing design rubrics.  Methodologies of online instructions as well as evaluation will be included.  Students will be introduced to course management platforms and other technology support systems.  Opportunity for application of evidence-based strategies with an online educational offering. 3 s.h. (2,0,1)

NURSM 703 - Instructional processes. Development of a variety of teaching methodologies to enhance learning outcomes of diverse populations in the classroom, simulation, and clinical settings.  Study of theories, principles, frameworks, and pedagogies for healthcare education. Examination of teaching strategies, learning activities, and evaluation strategies for the development, implementation, and evaluation of educational programs. Opportunity for application of evidence-based instructional and evaluation strategies in classroom, clinical, and simulation settings.  Prerequisite: graduate standing. Fall 4 s.h. (3,0,1)

NURSM 706 - Educator Role Practicum. Demonstration of synthesis of knowledge gained in previous coursework by participating in all phases of the teaching role including classroom sessions, online learning activities, clinical experiences, or simulation laboratory.  In this synthesis course students are mentored by experienced educators in either an academic or practice setting. 4 s.h. (1,0,3)

NURSM-798. Guided Research In Nursing. Designed for students who would like to have practice experience in conducting research studies, but who have chosen not to pursue the thesis option. Students will negotiate and contract to participate in a project with a selected faculty member who has research in progress. The student should participate in several areas of the research process, including review of the literature, problem definition, development of methodology, data collection, data analysis, and implications for nursing. Students who wish to have access to data for the purpose of later publication must contract for that with the faculty member before beginning this elective. All rights to the study and all data remain the property of the faculty member who initiated the study. Prerequisite or corequisite: enrollment in M.S.N. degree program. 1-6 s.h. 

NURSM-799. Independent Study. The purpose of an independent study is to provide an opportunity for a student to have an individualized learning experience under the direction of a faculty member. An independent study is designed to supplement required course work with learning which is either an extension of that covered in a course or in an area not covered as an existing course, or to provide an opportunity for research in an area of the student’s interest. Prerequisites: enrollment in M.S.N. degree program. 1-6 s.h.

NRDNP 800 - Advanced Care Management A: Adult, Seminar. Assessment, diagnosis, and management of middle age and older adults with common acute and episodic conditions within the context of their families, social environment, and culture. Includes study of applicable epidemiology, pathophysiology, symptom complexes and evidence-based treatments, as well as age-appropriate education resources and protocol development. Emphasis is on age-appropriate primary and secondary prevention and risk-reduction strategies using evidence-based guidelines. Scope of practice issues is considered throughout. Prerequisite: Advanced Pathophysiology, Behavioral Health Therapeutics, and Advanced Clinical Assessment & Reasoning: Adult. Pre/Coreq: Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics 1 s.h. (0,1,0)

NRDNP 802 - Advanced Care Management A: Practicum. Assessment, diagnosis, and management of middle age and older adults with common acute and episodic conditions within the context of their families, social environment, and culture. Includes study of applicable epidemiology, pathophysiology, symptom complexes and evidence-based treatments, as well as age-appropriate education resources and protocol development. Emphasis is on age-appropriate primary and secondary prevention and risk-reduction strategies using evidence-based guidelines. Scope of practice issues is considered throughout. Practicum provides opportunities for the assessment, diagnosis, and management using evidence-based guidelines and interventions for middle age and older adults. Prerequisite: Advanced Pathophysiology, Behavioral Health Therapeutics, and Advanced Clinical Assessment & Reasoning: Adult. Co-Req: Must take concurrently with Advanced Care Management A: Adult, Seminar. Pre/Coreq: Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics 3 s.h. (0,0,3)

NRDNP 804 - Advanced Care Management B: Adult, Seminar. Assessment, diagnosis, and management of middle age and older adults with common chronic and complex conditions within the context of their families, social environment, and culture. Includes study of applicable epidemiology, pathophysiology, symptom complexes and evidence-based treatments, as well as age-appropriate education resources and protocol development. Emphasis is on age-appropriate primary and secondary prevention and risk-reduction strategies using evidence-based guidelines. Scope of practice issues is considered throughout. Prerequisite: Advanced Pathophysiology, Behavioral Health Therapeutics, and Advanced Clinical Assessment & Reasoning: Adult. Pre/Coreq: Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics 1 s.h. (0,1,0)

NRDNP 806 - Advanced Care Management B: Practicum. Assessment, diagnosis, and management of middle age and older adults with common chronic and complex conditions within the context of their families, social environment, and culture. Includes study of applicable epidemiology, pathophysiology, symptom complexes and evidence-based treatments, as well as age-appropriate education resources and protocol development. Emphasis is on age-appropriate primary and secondary prevention and risk-reduction strategies using evidence-based guidelines. Scope of practice issues is considered throughout. Practicum provides opportunities for the assessment, diagnosis, and management using evidence-based guidelines and interventions for middle age and older adults. Prerequisite: Advanced Pathophysiology, Behavioral Health Therapeutics, and Advanced Clinical Assessment & Reasoning: Adult. Co-Req: Must be taken with Advanced Care Management B: Adult, Seminar. Pre/Coreq: Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics 3 s.h. (0,0,3)

NRDNP 808 - Advanced Care Management C: Adolescent, Seminar. Assessment, diagnosis, and management of adolescents and young adults with common episodic and chronic conditions within the context of their families, social environment, and culture. Includes study of applicable epidemiology, pathophysiology, symptom complexes and evidence-based treatments, as well as age-appropriate education resources and protocol development. Emphasis is on age-appropriate primary and secondary prevention and risk-reduction strategies using evidence-based guidelines. Scope of practice issues is considered throughout. Prerequisite: Advanced Pathophysiology, Behavioral Health Therapeutics, and Advanced Clinical Assessment & Reasoning: Adult. Pre/Corequisite: Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics 1 s.h. (0,1,0)

NRDNP 810 - Advanced Care Management C: Practicum. Assessment, diagnosis, and management of adolescents and young adults with common episodic and chronic conditions within the context of their families, social environment, and culture. Includes study of applicable epidemiology, pathophysiology, symptom complexes and evidence-based treatments, as well as age-appropriate education resources and protocol development. Emphasis is on age-appropriate primary and secondary prevention and risk-reduction strategies using evidence-based guidelines. Scope of practice issues is considered throughout. Practicum provides opportunities for the assessment, diagnosis, and management using evidence-based guidelines and interventions for adolescents and young adults. Prerequisite: Advanced Pathophysiology, Behavioral Health Therapeutics, and Advanced Clinical Assessment & Reasoning: Adult. Co-Requisite: Must be taken concurrently with Advanced Care Management C: Adolescent, Seminar. Pre/Corequisite: Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics 3 s.h. (0,0,3)

NRDNP 812 - Advanced Care Management D: Child, Seminar. Assessment, diagnosis, and management of infants and preschool children with common episodic and chronic conditions within the context of their families, social environment, and culture. Includes study of applicable epidemiology, pathophysiology, symptom complexes and evidence-based treatments, as well as age-appropriate education resources and protocol development. Emphasis is on age-appropriate primary and secondary prevention and risk-reduction strategies using evidence-based guidelines. Scope of practice issues is considered throughout. Prerequisite: Advanced Pathophysiology, Behavioral Health Therapeutics, and Advanced Clinical Assessment & Reasoning: Child. Pre/Corequisite: Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics 1 s.h. (0,1,0)

NRDNP 814 - Advanced Care Management D: Practicum. Assessment, diagnosis, and management of infants and preschool children with common episodic and chronic conditions within the context of their families, social environment, and culture. Includes study of applicable epidemiology, pathophysiology, symptom complexes and evidence-based treatments, as well as age-appropriate education resources and protocol development. Emphasis is on age-appropriate primary and secondary prevention and risk-reduction strategies using evidence-based guidelines. Scope of practice issues is considered throughout. Practicum provides opportunities for the assessment, diagnosis, and management using evidence-based guidelines and interventions for infants and preschool children. Prerequisite: Advanced Pathophysiology, Behavioral Health Therapeutics, and Advanced Clinical Assessment & Reasoning: Child. Co-Requisite: Must be taken concurrently with Advanced Care Management D: Child, Seminar. Pre/Corequisite: Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics 3 s.h. (0,0,3)

NRDNP 816 - Advanced Care Management E: Child, Seminar. Assessment, diagnosis, and management of school-age children with common acute and chronic conditions within the context of their families, social environment, and culture. Includes study of applicable epidemiology, pathophysiology, symptom complexes and evidence-based treatments, as well as age-appropriate education resources and protocol development. Emphasis is on age-appropriate primary and secondary prevention and risk-reduction strategies using evidence-based guidelines. Scope of practice issues is considered throughout. Prerequisite: Advanced Pathophysiology, Behavioral Health Therapeutics, and Advanced Clinical Assessment & Reasoning: Child. Pre/Corequisite: Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics 1 s.h. (0,1,0)

NRDNP 818 - Advanced Care Management E: Practicum. Assessment, diagnosis, and management of school-age children with common acute and chronic conditions within the context of their families, social environment, and culture. Includes study of applicable epidemiology, pathophysiology, symptom complexes and evidence-based treatments, as well as age-appropriate education resources and protocol development. Emphasis is on age-appropriate primary and secondary prevention and risk-reduction strategies using evidence-based guidelines. Scope of practice issues is considered throughout. Practicum provides opportunities for the assessment, diagnosis and management using evidence-based guidelines and interventions for school-age children. Prerequisite: Advanced Pathophysiology, Behavioral Health Therapeutics, and Advanced Clinical Assessment & Reasoning: Child. Co-requisite: must be taken concurrently with Advanced Care Management E: Child, Seminar. Pre/Corequisite: Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics 3 s.h. (0,0,3)

NRDNP 820 - Advanced Clinical Assessment & Reasoning: Child. Study of advanced clinical assessment and reasoning skills for the newborn, infant, toddler, preschool and school-age child with emphasis on differentiating normal from abnormal findings in the domains of physical and psychosocial assessment. Practice of age-appropriate developmental screening and anticipatory guidance for well child visits and health teaching for common illnesses. Students refine and strengthen increasingly complex skills in listening, history taking, screening, documentation, and clinical reasoning. Additional methods will be used to practice and validate skill competencies. Prerequisite: Advanced Pathophysiology. 3 s.h. (2,0,1)

NRDNP 822 - Advanced Clinical Assessment & Reasoning: Adult. Study of advanced clinical assessment and reasoning skills for adolescents and young, middle-age, and older adults with emphasis on differentiating normal from abnormal findings in the domains of physical and psychosocial assessment. Practice in age-appropriate developmental screening and anticipatory guidance for well child visits and health teaching for common illnesses. Students refine and strengthen increasingly complex skills in listening, history taking, screening, documentation, and clinical reasoning. Additional methods will be used to practice and validate skill competencies. Prerequisite: Advanced Pathophysiology. 3 s.h. (2,0,1)

NRDNP 824A - Advanced Specialty Practicum. (Administrators) Students identify specialty area of concentration and develop individualized learning objectives that are approved by course instructor. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. 3 s.h. (1,0,2)

NRDNP 824B - Advanced Specialty Practicum. (Nurse Practitioners) Students identify specialty area of concentration and develop individualized learning objectives that are approved by course instructor. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. 2 - 5 s.h. (0,0,2-5)

NRDNP 826 - Biostatistics: Clinical Applications. An overview of frequently used descriptive and inferential statistical methods in the biologic sciences. Application of theories of measurement and statistical inference to further implementation and evaluation of changes in clinical practice enhancing quality of care. The focus is on comprehension, critical appraisal, and interpretation of statistical results rather than computational skills. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. 3 s.h. (3,0,0)

NRDNP 830 - Applied Health Care Economics & Finance. An introduction to the financial structures that support nursing practice. Focuses on economic principles, financial management methods, and business strategies that form the foundation for balancing productivity with quality of care and designing effective and realistic care delivery systems that optimize performance, minimize costs, and enhance outcomes. Examination of methods to evaluate costs and cost effectiveness of care. Provides graduates with the tools to plan, monitor, and evaluate the acquisition, use, and outcomes of fiscal resources for practice and program initiatives. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. 3 s.h. (3,0,0)

NRDNP 836 - Informatics In Health Care Delivery. Study of information science concepts, principles, and methods with application in the support, improvement, and evaluation of nursing interventions, outcomes of care, and delivery systems. Focuses on the development of knowledge and technical skills to use data management systems and technological resources for decision-making, implementation of quality improvement initiatives, and evaluation of patient care technologies. Includes use of systems analysis, decision theory, and consideration of ethical, regulatory, and legal issues. Clinical and administrative data sources will be used to evaluate the efficacy of patient care technology appropriate to a particular area of practice. Prerequisite: Biostatistics: Clinical Applications and Research Use & Evidence-Based Practice. 3 s.h. (3,0,0)

NRDNP 838 - Advanced Pathophysiology. In-depth study of normal physiologic and pathologic mechanisms of disease across the lifespan providing a foundation for advanced clinical assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and management of common, episodic and chronic conditions. Emphasis on the interpretation of diagnostic laboratory data as it reflects both normal function and pathological changes that result in signs and symptoms of disease.  Prerequisite: Graduate standing. 3 s.h. (3,0,0)

NRDNP 840 - Behavioral Health Therapeutics. Study of common primary or secondary mental and substance use disorders across the life span. Focuses on using brief screening tools to assess and diagnose these disorders in primary care and general medical settings. Social, cultural and ecological aspects of care will be emphasized. A stress adaptation model will be used to analyze predisposing factors, precipitating stressors, and coping resources and mechanisms. Evidence-based treatments will be identified for each disorder, with an emphasis on psycho-education, brief cognitive behavioral treatments, family interventions, pharmacotherapeutics, and referral. Graduates will detect, assess, diagnose, and treat individuals with common disorders and refer those with complex conditions. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. 3 s.h. (3,0,0)

NRDNP 842 - Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics. This course focuses on the study of basic pharmacologic principles including cellular response with an emphasis on pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic uses of broad categories of drugs including controlled substances. Prepares the graduate to prescribe drugs safely and cost effectively to diverse patient populations across the lifespan.  Includes analysis of ethical, legal, and policy issues pertinent to advanced practice nurses who prescribe drugs for patients with common acute and chronic conditions. Prerequisite: Advanced Pathophysiology. 4 s.h. (4,0,0)

NRDNP 844 - Research Use & Evidence-Based Practice. Study of research methods that generate evidence for nursing practice through collection of appropriate, accurate data and the prediction and analysis of outcomes. Focuses on knowledge application skills for translation of research findings in practice, evaluation of current practice, improvement in the reliability of nursing practice and outcomes, and participation in collaborative research. Emphasizes critical appraisal of existing literature and other evidence from a variety of sources and disciplines to determine best practices, solve practice problems, and improve health outcomes through dissemination and integration of new knowledge. Graduates will be prepared to provide leadership for evidence-based practice. Prerequisite: Biostatistics: Clinical Applications. 3 s.h. (3,0,0)

NRDNP 846 - Frameworks for Leadership & Interprofessional Collaboration. Study of knowledge and principles of organizational leadership and advanced communication skills that improve quality of care delivery, health outcomes, and safety of patient populations. Examination of consultative and leadership strategies that facilitate interprofessional collaboration toward common goals and outcomes. Analysis of effective strategies for the resolution of ethical and legal issues in the delivery of care. Knowledge from ethics and organizational, leadership, and communication theories will be integrated with nursing science as a framework for organizational assessment, diagnosis of systems issues, and facilitation of system-wide practice initiatives. Graduates will be prepared to assume leadership in addressing complex practice and organizational issues. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. 3 s.h. (3,0,0)

NRDNP 848A - Role Practicum. Refinement of expertise in advanced practice specialization. Students demonstrate increased responsibility and accountability for advanced practice performance. Synthesizing knowledge from previous courses, students focus on role integration. Prerequisite: NRDNP 826, 830, 836, 840, 844, 846, 850. NRPHD 708, 715, 725. 4 s.h. (0,1,3)

NRDNP 848B - Role Practicum. Refinement of expertise in advanced practice specialization.  Students demonstrate increased responsibility and accountability for advanced practice performance.  Synthesizing knowledge from previous courses, students focus on role integration. Prerequisites:
ANP Students:  NRDNP: 822, 838, 842 and at least two clinical courses (NRDNP: 800/802, 804/806, 808/810) 
PNP Students:  NRDNP: 820, 822, 838, 842 and at least two clinical courses (NRDNP: 808/810, 812/814, 816/818)
FNP Students:  NRDNP: 820, 822, 838, 842 and at least two clinical courses (NRDNP: 800/802, 804/806, 808/810, 812/814, 816/818 
4 s.h. (0,1,3)

NRDNP 850 - Organizational Theory & Health Care Management. Study of organizational and management theories and evidence base that guide effective policy development and advanced practice. Emphasis is placed on the study of organization structures and processes in delivery of health care and programs. Major functions of management (planning, organizing, directing and controlling) are examined, including the principles and processes of risk management and continuous quality improvement for measurement and management of patient outcomes. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. 3 s.h. (3,0,0)

NRDNP 852 - Health Program Planning. Study of the concepts and principles of the health program planning process from an ecological and participatory perspective. Application of a theoretical, evidence-based approach that integrates the health program planning cycle with behavioral and organizational theories, measurement science, and best practices to develop creative, responsive, and accountable interventions. Results in a capstone project proposal in own advanced practice specialization that will be conducted and evaluated in partnership with a selected agency or organization to address identified needs of a panel of patients, target population, or community. Prerequisites: Applied Health Care Economics & Finance, Biostatics: Clinical Applications, Introduction to Social & Applied Epidemiology, and Research Use & Evidence-Based Practice. 3 s.h. (3,0,0)

NRDNP 890 - Residency. A three-semester practice immersion experience that enables synthesis of the cumulative knowledge from nursing, biophysical, psychosocial, analytical, and organizational sciences. Students increase their expertise in a selected specialization to the highest level by integrating theoretical perspectives with evidence-based knowledge, skill competencies, and intra/interprofessional collaboration. Includes implementation and evaluation of an evidence-based, scholarly capstone project in own advanced practice specialization in partnership with a selected agency or organization that addresses identified needs of a group, target population, or community and determines best practices, solves a practice problem, or improves health, educational, or performance outcomes. Pre/corequisites: All other courses in plan of study. 3-9 s.h. (0,0,1-6)

NRDNP-891. Independent Study. The purpose of an independent study is to provide an opportunity for a student to have an individualized learning experience under the direction of a faculty member. An independent study is designed to supplement required course work with learning which is either an extension of that covered in a course or in an area not covered in an existing course, or to provide an opportunity for research in an area of the student's interest. 1-6 s.h.

NRPHD 708 – Advanced Health Policy and Advocacy. This course equips students with the skills necessary to develop, evaluate, and provide leadership in improving the health of the public through health policy development and the education of policy makers regarding nursing and patient outcomes. Students will evaluate the health policy making processes and the disparities in both the US and international health care delivery systems. Students will use policy theory to critically evaluate the current and historic policies, laws, and financial incentives that affect health care delivery and nursing practice. They will explore how health services research can motivate change in public health and policy making. They will apply principles of organizational change and evaluate components of leadership necessary for public health improvement. Students will participate in a selected health policymaking process. Prerequisite: Graduate standing 3 s.h. (3,0,0)

NRPHD 715 – Introduction to Social & Applied Edpidmiology. Study of concepts, principles, and methods in applied and social epidemiology. Application in public health surveillance, outbreak investigation, health planning, and research. Critical analysis of epidemiologic studies with regard to implications for practice and research, with a focus on the social and economic determinants of chronic and infectious diseases and other health-related events. Prerequisite: Biostatistics: Clinical Applications 3 s.h. (3,0,0)

NRPHD-725. Curriculum Development and Design. Study of philosophical foundations and essential components of curriculum development. Examination of selected curriculum frameworks from philosophical and contextual perspectives. Construction of a curriculum package for diverse learners in a classroom, clinical, or simulation setting that reflects paradigmatic and contextual influences. Curriculum assessment and evaluation are discussed in the content of program, course, and student outcomes and objectives. 3 s.h. (3,0,0)

NRPHD-804. Knowledge Dissemination and Translation. Emerging knowledge from health care theory and research is analyzed from the perspective of strategies designed to reduce the burden of illness in society. Issues of research dissemination, innovation adoption, and behavior change are analyzed at the levels of the individual, family, community and health care system. Knowledge translation emanating from diverse disciplinary perspectives will be evaluated based on its impact on improving service delivery, changing patient/provider behavior, enhancing access to appropriate health care, and protecting and motivating treatment for vulnerable populations. 3 s.h. (3,0,0)

NURSM-764. Advanced Practice Nursing:  Role Residency. Application of the advanced practice nursing role in a selected clinical specialty. Students synthesize and integrate previous learning in a capstone experience. Prerequisite: Enrollment in MSN degree program. Corequisites: NURSM-777 and as prescribed by each graduate nursing track. 2-9 s.h. (0,0-1,2-8) 

NURSM 769. Health Care Finance. The course prepares the graduate to appraise current and evolving health care delivery systems within the context of health care finance. Students learn to evaluate quality cost effective care, to participate in the design and implementation of health services delivery in a variety of health care settings and systems, and to assume a leadership role in the managing of human, fiscal and physical resources. Prerequisites: graduate standing or by permission of course coordinator and Associate Dean. 2 s.h. (2,0,0)