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Graduate Programs

Objectives & Requirements

Program Objectives

The graduate of the master's component of the graduate program will:

1. Integrate theoretical perspectives from nursing science and related sciences as a framework for planning holistic care to enhance, modify or support the health patterns of client systems in various environmental contexts.
2. Demonstrate competence in advanced nursing practice with focus on nursing interventions and evaluation of outcomes for defined client systems.
3. Demonstrate critical thinking and effective communication skills for advanced nursing practice as part of a multidisciplinary team within various environmental contexts.
4. Design programs for defined client systems in health promotion, maintenance, restoration and palliation within a framework of community-focused advanced nursing practice.
5. Engage in scholarly inquiry to clarify and refine nursing practice.
6. Demonstrate professional roles to make operational standards of care and to influence reasoned change in nursing practice. 
7. Participate in the political process to influence health and social policy.
8. Analyze implications of legal, ethical and financial accountability from the perspective of advanced nursing practice and within various environmental contexts.
9. Exhibit a commitment to excellence in nursing practice and to advancement of the discipline of nursing.

Master's Degree Requirements

The requirements for conferring the master's degree in nursing are:

1. Successful completion of:
   a. a minimum of 60 quarter credit hours of required courses taken in appropriate sequence for the enrolled major;
   b. a master's capstone project relevant to the major in which enrolled (students desiring to do a thesis have the option to do so);
2. Filing of appropriate forms with the College's Office of Student Affairs and the Division of Research and Advanced Studies by the defined deadline;
3. Payment of all delinquent University/College obligations; and
4. Completion of program requirements within seven years from matriculation date.

Reevaluation of program requirements will be necessary when the time period is not observed.

Critical Requirements

Prior to beginning course work, accepted students must provide satisfactory evidence of:

1. A current license to practice as a registered nurse in Ohio; and
2. A health history and required immunizations.

Major Requirements

The minimum number of required credit hours of study in each major varies. The majors are designed so that graduates are eligible to meet certification requirements in their chosen specialty. For information regarding requirements for each major contact the College's Office of Student Affairs. A minimum enrollment is required for a major or course to be offered.

For specific questions about changes in requirements, contact the College's Academic Advisor for graduate students.

Office of Student Affairs, College of Nursing University of Cincinnati
PO Box 210038, Cincinnati OH 45221-0038
Phone: 513/558-3600
Fax: 513/558-7523
Email: Nursing@UC.Edu