The College of Nursing's Master of Nursing (MN) degree program focuses on the assessment and management of health needs and the delivery of health care services in sparsely populated areas. The program strives to serve the unique health care needs of rural dwellers. It is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

The College provides the educational preparation for many exciting opportunities to practice in rural and frontier areas of Montana. Nursing faculty are nationally recognized for their expertise in understanding rural cultural values and health beliefs. Clinical experiences with Native American populations are available and provide students with opportunities to make a real difference in health practices of NA and rural clients. Overall, the graduate program emphasizes rural health and rural nursing practice.

In-depth exploration in the students' clinical interest area occurs with the thesis research or professional paper/project. 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. With faculty advisor collaboration and support, students develop a Program of Study including a professional paper/project or a thesis.

The graduate program of the College of Nursing leads to a Master of Nursing (MN) degree in community-focused rural nursing that prepares students to take certification examinations as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) or Nurse Educator. Full- or part-time study is available.

Students may access graduate nursing courses through any of the College's campuses at Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls or Missoula during each academic year. All graduate courses are offered via audio teleconference, interactive video or online. Clinical supervision is provided to students by faculty on each campus site. (Travel to Bozeman is required for a one-day intensive orientation session at the beginning of the fall semester each year.)

1. 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.
2. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0.
3. Proficiency in computer skills and access to a computer with Internet capabilities.
4. Successful completion of undergraduate courses in physical assessment, community/public health, research and statistics (which included inferential statistics).
5. Current unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse.  If clinical education experiences are to be completed in Montana, licensure in Montana is required.
6. Favorable recommendation of committee following review of three letters of reference.
7. Favorable recommendation following interview by faculty.
8. Satisfactory performance on a sample of writing.
9. General clinical experience of one year preferred for the Family Nurse Practitioner option; no clinical experience restrictions for the Clinical Nurse Leader option.
10. TOEFL score of 580 or computer equivalent, if applicable.

Also refer to the Standard Computing Requirements (PDF) for enrolled graduate students.

Examinations

Each student completes a thesis or professional paper/project. Faculty advisors are available to help the student develop a Program of Study which meets the student's needs within the resources of the College. All students are required to take an oral comprehensive examination at the completion of course work. Additionally, an oral defense of the thesis or professional paper/project is required.

Flexible Schedules of Classes

The schedules of classes are available for viewing in PDF.

Course Descriptions

Descriptions of the College of Nursing courses are available at MSU's online catalog.

Financial Assistance

Teaching or research assistantships may be available to selected graduate students. Federal Traineeships, which help defray tuition costs, may also be available to full-time students who are U.S. citizens. Nurse Faculty Loan Program funds may also be available to full-time students interested in teaching.

Additional information can be found in the Graduate Scholarship Information PDF document.

Pre-Application

Download the graduate program preliminary application (available in PDF or Word.)

• Preapp in PDF
• Preapp in Word

Official Application Deadlines

Final applications are due February 15.

The official application is also available online through the Division of Graduate Education at http://www.montana.edu/gradstudies/apply.shtml

For More Information

Use our online form to request information on our graduate programs.

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