The Masters of Nursing (MN) graduate degree program focuses on the needs of people living in rural areas regarding assessment and management of their health as well as the unique challenges associated with delivering health care services in sparsely populated areas. The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Students are prepared to take certification examinations as a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL), a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), or a Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (FPMHNP).
The college provides educational preparation plus exciting opportunities to practice in rural and frontier areas of Montana. Nursing faculty are recognized nationally for their expertise in rural cultural values and health beliefs. Clinical experiences with American Indian people are available; thus, providing graduate students with a broad range of opportunities to influence health practices.
Graduate students access nursing courses through a variety of teaching methods and at any of the college's campuses in Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, Kalispell, and Missoula. Graduate courses are offered primarily online with teleconference and interactive video used to supplement content. Travel to Bozeman is required at the beginning of Fall semester.
The College of Nursing is in the planning stages for a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) graduate degree. Pending approval, students will be admitted in Spring 2013 and studies will begin Fall semester 2013. Watch the web site for announcements as planning and approval processes proceed.
Steps to Apply
Application Deadline February 15th
- Fill out the Pre-Application.
- Fill-out Division of Graduate Education application
- Complete the Cumulative Undergraduate Grade Point Average and Grade Point Average for Final Two Years Undergraduate Work forms.
- Have official transcripts mailed directly to:
College of Nursing, Attn: Lynn Taylor
PO Box 173560, Bozeman, MT
59718-3560 - Provide three reference letters using the standardized Recommendation Form available in PDF or Word (electronic form).
MN Degree Programs of Study
Certificate Programs (Non-Degree Options)
- Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
- Post-Master's Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate (Info Coming Soon)
- Certificate in Nursing Education
Course Descriptions
Admission Requirements
Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0.- A baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited upper division program, which included supervised clinical practice in a variety of nursing settings, including community/public health and management.
- Successful completion of undergraduate courses in physical assessment, community/public health, research, statistics (which included inferential statistics), and an undergraduate psych/mental health course for the FPMHNP option.
- Current unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse. If clinical educational experiences are to be completed in Montana, licensure in Montana is required.
- Favorable recommendation from the College of Nursing admissions committee.
- TOEFL score of 580 or computer equivalent, if applicable.
Clinical Experience Preferred
In general, one year of clinical experience is preferred for the two Nurse Practitioner options (FNP and FPMHNP). There are no clinical experience preferences for the Clinical Nurse Leader option.Technical Requirements
Proficiency in the use of a computer and access to a computer with Internet capabilities is required for graduate students who are admitted to the program: refer to Technical Requirements (pdf).
Thesis or Professional Paper/Project and Examinations
Each student completes a thesis or professional paper/project developed in collaboration with a faculty advisor. Examples of exciting and innovative student projects/theses include: development of mental health outreach programs to the rural elderly; examination of alternative health practices for healing; establishment of pediatric cancer support groups for the rural client; and development of a school based clinic. An oral defense of the thesis or paper/project is required. Additionally, all students take an oral comprehensive examination during the last semester of their program.
Program Costs
MSU Fee Schedule
Graduate Nursing Program Fee: $53 per credit hour FY 10 and $55.10 per credit hour for FY11.
This fee is used to offset additional costs inherent in clinically-based graduate education such as teaching models, simulation equipment, specialized computer programs, and travel to arrange and supervise clinical experiences across the state. Fees also are used to replace and upgrade the interactive video equipment used for distance delivery of graduate courses.
Financial Assistance
Teaching or research assistantships may be available to selected graduate students. Federal Traineeships, which help defray tuition costs, may be available to full-time students who are U.S. citizens. Nurse Faculty Loan Program funds also may be available to students willing to commit to four years of teaching fulltime upon graduation. Additional information can be found in the Graduate Scholarship Information (PDF).
Interested in Non-degree Graduate Coursework?
Facts to consider - Non-degree Graduate Coursework Information Guide
