Master of Science (M.S.) in Nursing

The School of Nursing offers a program of graduate studies leading to the Master of Science degree with a major in nursing that is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Graduates are prepared for an advanced practice role (family nurse practitioner, adult nurse practitioner, or adult clinical nurse specialist) or for a role in nursing education. Advanced practice graduates are eligible to sit for national certification examinations. Nursing education graduates are qualified to teach at the baccalaureate or associate’s degree level and to serve as educators in healthcare facilities.

Courses and Program Scheduling

The master's degree in nursing may be pursued on either a full-time or part-time basis. A student may also elect a thesis option that requires completion of at least 3 additional semester hours. Upon admission, a maximum of 6 semester hours can be transferred from another college or university. Nine semester hours as a Northern Illinois University student-at-large may also be transferred into the graduate program. No other credits may be transferred. A student is allowed 6 years to complete the master's program with the six-year clock beginning with all courses transferred into the program, not the date of admission into the graduate school.

The majority of graduate nursing students are enrolled part-time. To accommodate the student who is working and has many family and personal commitments, classes are held late afternoons and evenings, typically meeting once a week. Graduate courses in nursing are offered at our DeKalb campus. Several courses are offered online, every other time the course is offered. For example, if a course is offered online in fall semester, it will be a face-to-face course the next time it is offered. Because every course isn’t offered every semester, there may be semesters where one format will predominate; however through this practice, the preferences of all of our students can be met.

The nursing graduate program draws students from throughout northern and central Illinois and many of the Chicago suburbs. Mature and experienced student peers, distinguished faculty, and an administration dedicated to helping you meet your educational goals are all elements designed to give you a quality education.