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Prospective Students, Masters Program

Overview

The Master of Science program in Nursing at UCSF prepares leaders in the roles of nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, administrator, teacher, and consultant. Most applicants applying to this program are experienced registered nurses who have successfully completed a Bachelor's degree.

Upon graduation, all have a base of knowledge in a specific area of nursing; can participate knowledgeably in research activity and application; and are capable of contributing to the formulation of theory and to the application of theory to nursing practice.

The Master of Science program is ordinarily a two year long program, the vast majority of students are on full-time status at the university (although many undertake part-time paid work concurrently with their study schedule).

MS Specialization Areas

Each student applying to the Master of Science (MS) program must select an area of specialization. The specialty areas range from midwifery to critical care to health policy to family nurse practitioner; the total list includes about fifteen choices each year. For many of these specialty areas, UCSF School of Nursing is acknowledged to be the leading, or the only, nursing school for that particular specialization area at the masters level.

The current list of available masters specialties is subject to change, see this page for the current offering.

Curriculum

Objectives

Objectives for the Master's Program

The aim of the master's program curriculum is to prepare persons to provide professional leadership in their chosen advanced practice specialty. This entails engagement in advanced clinical practice, awareness of nursing theory, transfer of research findings to practice, and advocacy in relation to issues relevant to health care.

The curriculum has been structured to prepare graduates to do the following:

1. Engage in advanced clinical practice
   1. Apply current knowledge in the specialty area to manage or meet client needs within the client environment
   2. Analyze clinical problems based on theoretical and research literature
   3. Communicate, cooperate, and/or collaborate with persons from this and other disciplines to provide the best possible care for clients
   4. Establish life long learning patterns that facilitate the incorporation of new theoretical and research findings into advanced practice
   5. Assume a leadership role within the profession by:
      1. Participating in professional organizations and activities
      2. Developing an advocacy stance and position related to the focal client population
2. Evaluate and apply theory as it relates to the science base of nursing
   1. Demonstrate discriminating use of specialty based content reflective of particular client focus
   2. Value the diversity of theoretical models relevant to practice
3. Critique and evaluate research as to its scientific and clinical value
   1. Demonstrate ability to critique and synthesize relevant research literature
   2. Demonstrate ability to use research findings to develop approaches to problems in advanced practice
   3. Identify researchable problems, demonstrate skills essential to research participation, and assist in the dissemination of findings
   4. Articulate linkages among theory, research, and practice; and recognize limitations of the current science base for advanced practice
4. Interpret relationships between social, cultural, political, and economic issues and health care delivery
   1. Analyze major health care issues affecting the focal client population
   2. Evaluate the impact of economics, politics, and demographics on the development of social and health policy and political action
   3. Identify barriers to the availability of and access to health care
   4. Identify cultural factors relevant to clinical practice, the conduct and critique of research, and the development of health care policy.

Structure

Students ordinarily begin the Master's program in mid-September (Fall Quarter). Most students choose to complete the program in two academic years. It consists of 30-36 units of academic course work and 8 units of graduate professional work plus a written comprehensive examination ("comp exam") or, in some instances, a thesis. A Handbook (Acrobat .pdf format) is available for students preparing for the Master's Comprehensive Examination.

Courses from nursing and other disciplines provide advanced theoretical knowledge in a selected specialization, advanced clinical practice, and opportunity to critique and apply nursing theory and research as a scientific base for nursing practice.

The Masters Core Curriculum serves students from all specialties. It provides advanced preparation in research, theory and clinical judgment in nursing practice, health care economics and policy, leadership, and the scientific basis for selected concepts in advanced nursing practice.

In addition, there are two clinical cores, one for clinical nurse specialist students and another for primary health care students. One includes health assessment, program management, case management, and outcomes evaluation. The other includes health assessment, health maintenance and promotion, and clinical care management.

Each specialty also has a series of courses that provide substantive content for the specialty. (Students wishing to minor in a specialty take three or four courses designated as such by the minor specialty.) For the convenience of students juggling career and family obligations, many specialties arrange course meeting times to fit a two-day-per-week schedule.

Minors

Some masters students may also elect to choose a "minor." A "minor" typically consists of three or more courses within one of the designated minor areas. Some current minors include Genomics, Health Policy, and HIV/AIDS. For more details on minors, see the discussion on the masters specialties page.

Notes

The curriculum is subject to periodic revision at the discretion of the faculty.

Images and voices of students in selected courses may be video-transmitted to other locations as a part of the distributed learning program.

Students may be involved in patient research as well as in research on school programs, aggregate (non-personally-identifiable) student information may be reported as part of this research.

Application Information

• Application Procedures (website)

GRE Scores No Longer Required

As of November, 2007, our faculty is proud to announce the elimination of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) as a requirement for application and admission to the School of Nursing's MS program, for all specialty areas.

Other aspects of the application, such as the applicant's experiences in clinical practice, volunteer and professional activities, previous GPA, a demonstrated committment to learning, purpose for applying for graduate study future professional plans, and other attributes such as initiative and leadership, will be considered as evidence of professional and scholarly activities during the screening and admission process.

Admission Requirements

1. Baccalaureate (bachelor's) degree from an NLN- or CCNE-accredited program in nursing. Nurses who have a U.S. bachelor's degree in another discipline are also eligible to apply.
2. Licensure as a registered nurse in California (or home state of residency).
3. Completion of an introductory course in statistics.
4. Effective November 2007, the GRE is no longer required for the regular Master's (MS) application.
   Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test within the last five years.
5. Evidence of personal qualification and capacity for graduate study as reflected in the application, references, and grade-point average (GPA, 3.0+). Past academic performance and professional activity are evaluated, e.g., community, organizational, and volunteer service, and creative professional accomplishments.
6. Congruence of applicant's goals with the goals and resources of the School and University.
7. A minimum of one year registered nurse experience which is related to the area of specialization is desirable. Some specialties may require additional experience.
8. Computer proficiency is highly recommended (especially word processing and internet/web skills).

Admission Requirements for International Applicants

1. Completion of a nursing bachelor's degree, if available in the country of origin. All non-English transcripts must be translated into English by a certified translator.
2. Scholastic record comparable to that reflected by a 3.0 GPA.
3. Completion of an introductory course in statistics.
4. Completion of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for graduates of foreign schools whose academic language is not English. The minimum TOEFL score is 80 on the 0 to 120 score range; 22 is the minimun writing section score (range 0 to 30).
   Proficiency in spoken and written English is mandatory.
5. Effective November 2007, the GRE is no longer required for the regular Master's (MS) application.
   Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test within the last five years.
6. International students need to be licensed in their country of origin. If they are going to perform direct patient care activities locally, they will need to obtain California registered nurse licensure also.
7. One year of recent work experience as a registered nurse related to the prospective field of study.
8. Computer proficiency is highly recommended
   (especially word processing and internet skills).

Prospective international masters students should also review the following information:

• Information for Prospective Students from Other Countries
• International Students and Scholars Office

Documentation

Transcripts. Two official original transcripts must be sent directly to Nursing Student Affairs (see address above) from each college, university, and nursing school attended. Transcripts must be endorsed by the proper authority and final college transcripts should include a statement of good standing or honorable dismissal from the last college attended. A preliminary transcript should show coursework in progress.

Examinations.  Effective November 2007, the GRE is no longer required for the regular MS application. International applicants whose academic language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). All information concerning the TOEFL may be obtained from the http://www.toefl.org website.

It is the applicants' responsibility to assure that TOEFL scores are received by the application deadlines. Request that the Educational Testing Service send your official TOEFL scores directly to the Graduate Division, UCSF Box 0404,
San Francisco, CA  94143-0404.
The UCSF institutional code number is R-4840, department #43.

Note:  Test scores can take up to six weeks to reach the University.

Letters of Reference. Four letters of reference are required: (1) two most recent employers, preferably nurses; (2) a school of nursing, if you are a graduate within the past five years, and preferably from a professor who can assess your clinical performance and judgment in the area in which you wish to study; (3) one or two individuals, not relatives, who are well acquainted with your professional preparation and experience. The letters should be sent to the Office of Student Affairs, School of Nursing. Additional references might be requested.

Master of Science applicants should have all references address the following areas, as appropriate: (1) relationships with team members such as nurses, physicians, and others; (2) professional nursing ability, including application of theory, independent judgment where appropriate, and quality of patient care; (3) communication skills; (4) leadership skills; and (5) responsibility and initiative.

All four of the required reference/recommendation letters must be submitted with matching completed reference forms, these forms are provided as downloads at the application web site.

Review Policy

Applicant records will not be reviewed until necessary documentation and transcripts have been received. Remember that certain specialty areas are highly competitive and available space in these areas may be quickly exhausted followingthe Feb. 1 regular deadline.

Screening Process

Review of completed application packets and admission decisions begins in February. Early applicants, other factors being equal, are most likely to have access to their first-choice specialties.

Early Deadline. Applicants requiring early review because of special funding deadlines (e.g., members of the military) should submit applications no later than November 1.

Regular Deadline. February 1 is the regular due date for filing applications (including all supporting materials) for the Master of Science program. Applicants seeking admission to the Family NP or Adult NP specialties should make a particular effort to meet this regular deadline, as demand for these particular specialty tracks far exceeds available space.

Final Deadline. The last date to submit an application (completed and locked on-line application form, all transcripts, all letters of reference, etc.) is August 1 for US applicants (June 1 for international applicants).

Applications will be accepted after February 1 by those specialties which still have available space. Note that availability will differ between specialty areas, and will fluctuate from one year to the next. Do not assume that your preferred specialty area will still be available to applications which are still unfinished/incomplete as of February, March, April, etc. The School of Nursing will maintain an up-to-date list of all specialties still accepting applications after February 1.

You are encouraged to consult this web site or telephone Nursing Student Affairs (415/476-1435) to find out more information about your specialty of choice.

Evaluation

Screening for admission into the Master of Science program occurs at two separate units. The School of Nursing Master's Admission Screening Committee screens completed applications for admission into the School and particular specialty. Application review includes the following considerations: applicant's academic and professional (nursing) qualifications; congruence of applicant's educational goal with specialty selected; institutionalresources, including student admission allocation by specialty; and application strength as compared to other applicants. Applicants from underrepresented communities are similarly reviewed but with consideration of the profession's need for such persons with graduate preparation.

A roster of accepted applicants and alternates for acceptance is established. The Committee forwards recommendations to the UCSF Graduate Division.

The Graduate Division officially notifies applicants of admission decisions. The Dean of the Graduate Division reviews applicants for acceptance to graduate status. Evaluation is based on scholastic qualifications and formal preparation for advanced academic study.

The Graduate Division of the University of California San Francisco requires an undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 for admission to graduate standing. A personal interview is optional for most specialties and may be initiated by the faculty or the applicant.

Immunizations

Accepted applicants must, prior to enrollment, show proof (statement from health care provider) of completion of the vaccine series, a titer indicating presumptive immunity, or a statement from a health care provider indicating that vaccination is contraindicated for health reasons. Additionally, current MMR, diptheria, tetanus, and varicella are required. The Student Health Service will request and record the information. Visit Student Health Services at http://saawww.ucsf.edu/health on the web.

Criminal Background Check

Admitted students must complete, prior to their first clinical experience, a Criminal Background Check (CBC) through the UCSF Police Department. Details will be provided after acceptance.

Articulation into Doctoral Program

Students considering continuation into the doctoral program should discuss plans with advisers and relevant faculty. Course selection in the master's program should optimize preparation for doctoral work.

Master's students with previous BSNs are encouraged to apply by the regular deadline for doctoral applications (Dec. 15th). Applications may be accepted, for areas that are still open, until the final doctoral deadline (Feb. 1st). Doctoral applications are to the School of Nursing, rather than to any specific department. Students in the MS program without a BSN may apply in the year in which they will have completed 36 academic units and all MS specialty requirements. Admission to the doctoral program is effective the fall quarter following acceptance.

The master's degree will be conferred when the student has completed specialty requirements, 36 academic units, 8 graduate professional units, and the comprehensive examination. A student may choose not to earn the master's degree.

Transfer of Credit

Ordinarily, all coursework for the Master of Science degree is done while registered in the School. Up to six quarter (four semester) units may be allowed for coursework taken elsewhere. An exception is work taken at another campus of the University of California. In this circumstance, up to one-half of the program, or a maximum of 15 to 18 quarter units of work, depending upon the master's degree plan, may be accepted if taken at graduate standing at another campus of the University. Students must have been registered on the San Francisco campus for at least one quarter, however, before petitioning for such transfer of credit.

Units taken elsewhere must have been earned in graduate status at an institution of high repute, and cannot be used to reduce the minimum number of required quarters in registered status. Students in the master's program must be registered for a minimum of three quarters and must be taking at least four units in each of the three quarters. No commitment can be made regarding such an allowance of credit until half the program for the master's degree has been completed. Acceptance of credit is subject to the approval of student's major department and the dean of the Graduate Division.

Duplication of Degrees

Duplication of a master's degree in nursing is not permitted. A professional degree in nursing is regarded as a duplicate of an academic degree.

Undergraduate Programs

Baccalaureate (Bachelor of Science) degrees are not offered at UCSF School of Nursing. The California Board of Registered Nursing has information for persons seeking to study nursing after leaving high school.

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