MSN-Forensic Nursing
Program Overview
The Master of Science in Nursing-Forensic Nursing track prepares graduates to care for victims and perpetrators of traumatic events or criminal acts through completion of a 36-semester credit hour curriculum. While caring for their patients, the forensic nurse is also responsible for observing, recognizing, collecting and documenting forensic evidence related to the traumatic event or criminal act for subsequent use in civil or criminal legal proceedings. Course instruction is delivered primarily online.
Students are asked to come to Bryan-College Station for a limited number of class activities. On-campus clinical hours are required to meet the clinical objectives as set by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing for any MSN degree. Students will be expected to attend on-campus clinical experiences for NURS 653 Advanced Health Assessment to complete the required 45 clinical hours in two separate on-campus visits.
Students will be responsible for obtaining their own preceptors for one course (NURS 638) taken in the last semester. Further information on preceptors is provided at new student orientation.
Students who relocate from one state to another state during the course of their enrollment may be unable to continue due to the regulations which many state boards of nursing impose regarding use of preceptors.
Curriculum
| Semester | Curriculum | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fall |
NURS 617 Advanced Pathophysiology NURS 651 Health Care Quality Improvement & Informatics |
3 3 |
| Spring |
NURS 601 Foundations of Forensic Health Care NURS 652 Scholarship Integration and Application NURS 653 Advanced Health Assessment (45 *CLH) |
2 3 3 |
| Summer |
NURS 602 Victimology NURS 654 Prevention & Population Health |
3 3 |
| Fall |
NURS 603 Impact of Violence Across the Lifespan NURS 618 Advanced Pharmacology |
3 3 |
| Spring |
NURS 656 Leadership and Health Policy NURS 638** Advanced Clinical Practicum & Project (90 CLH*) *Select from Prescribed Electives Below |
3 3 1 - 3 |
| Summer |
NURS 604 Forensic Investigation of Injury *Select from Prescribed Electives Below |
2 1 - 3 |
|
TOTAL |
36 | |
*CLH=Clinical Learning Hours
**This course requires a preceptor. Please secure your preceptor at least six months prior to the first day of the semester.
Elective Courses
| Select one elective course | Hours |
|---|---|
|
NURS 610 Forensic Sexual Assault Examiner Course NURS 611 Clinical Pharmacology: Implications for Victims NURS 612 Human Trafficking NURS 613 Forensic Photography NURS 614 Forensic Healthcare Policy and Ethics NURS 615 Forensic Mental Health |
3 1 1 1 1 1 |
Cost of Attendence
For cost of attendance, including estimated cost of tuition and fees, books and supplies, housing and more, visit Aggie One Stop.
Application Deadlines
| Application Opening Date | Oct. 1 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Deadline | Jan. 1 | ||||
| Mandatory Orientation | TBD | ||||
| First Class Day | August (fall term) | ||||
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| If you have not received an admission decision through Nursing CAS by April 1 for fall admission, call 979.436.0110 and ask to speak with an admissions advisor to check on the status of your application. | |||||
Admission Criteria
- Completion of elementary statistics with a minimum grade of "C" by the first class day
- Cumulative GPA on all graduate and undergraduate coursework
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and RN license
- GPA on the last 60 hours of coursework
- Timed verbal responses and written assessments
- References - three academic and/or professional references
- Volunteer/community/military service
- Leadership/involvement/awards in professional activities
- TOEFL score, required of international applicants only
- History of withdrawals, repeats or failures will place applicant at a disadvantage
- Interview, if requested by Graduate Admissions, Progression and Graduation Committee
Application Requirements
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and RN license
- NursingCAS application and nonrefundable application fee
- Official college transcripts from each institution attended sent to NursingCAS (this includes Texas A&M University, if applicable)
- Completion of elementary statistics with a minimum grade of “C” by the first class day
- Online interview and online written assessments through the secondary assessment provider, Kira Talent (eligible applicants will be sent invitations to complete this portion following review of their NursingCAS application)
- Three professional reference evaluations (submitted in NursingCAS)
- Professional resume (submitted in NursingCAS)
- Recommended minimum 3.0 cumulative and last 60-hour GPA
- International applicant credentials (if applicable)
Information Sessions
Interested students are invited to attend an information session to learn more about our programs of study. These sessions provide details on admission requirements, prerequisite coursework, student life, clinical experiences and other opportunities. Students are required to attend an information sessions prior to requesting an individual appointment.
- Reservations are required to attend a session.
- Guests of registered attendees are welcome.
- Sessions last approximately 60-90 minutes.