Nursing

The School of Nursing offers a variety of program plans for graduate study in either the Master of Science in Nursing or Certificate of Advanced Studies in Nursing:

Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) [On-Campus Only]

• The family nurse practitioner is prepared to provide healthcare to individuals and families across the lifespan (newborns, infants, children, adolescents, adults, pregnant and postpartum women and older adults).  
• This concentration can only be completed on-campus.
• Primary care includes health promotion, disease and injury prevention, and the evaluation and management of common acute and chronic health problems.  
• The program of study may be tailored for full-time or part-time study.
• Course formats are a mix of online and classroom instruction.
• Clinical experiences are arranged to meet program outcomes and to accommodate the needs of the student.
• The Graduate Program Coordinator and the student’s academic advisor will help plan a program of study and timeframe that meets the academic and clinical requirements.
• The combined credit requirement would be approximately 49-51.

MSN-FNP graduates are eligible to take national certification examinations for Family Nurse Practitioners which are offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center  and by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Nurse Educator (MSN) [Blended]

• The Master of Science in Nursing Nurse Educator program is designed for the experienced nurse who wishes to have advanced knowledge in nursing combined with preparation to teach and evaluate learning.
• This concentration can be completed online, on-campus, or in a blended format.
• Course content in the education specialization includes curriculum development, didactic and clinical teaching methods, evaluation in nursing education, and population-focused care.  
• It is intended to prepare nurses for careers in nursing faculty or in-service education roles.
• A full time student can complete this program of study in two years; part time study (3 to 4 years), Faculty guidance is an integral part of each portion of the student’s program of study.
• The Faculty Advisor serves as the chairperson of the project or thesis committee and provides ongoing guidance to each student as he or she progress through the program.

Individualized (MSN) [Online]

• This theoretical and field-experience curriculum allows the student to develop a program of study that builds upon their professional interests and career goals.
• This concentration can be completed online, on-campus, or in a blended format.
• Through core courses, specialized courses, and experiential components, I-MSN students may prepare for professional careers in areas such as nurse administration and clinical leadership roles.
• The program of study may be tailored for full-time or part-time study.
• The Graduate Program Coordinator and the student’s academic advisor will help plan a program of study and timeframe that meets the academic and experiential requirements.
• The combined credit requirement would be approximately 35-49, dependent upon focus area.

A full-time student can expect to complete MSN degree requirements in 2 years. All work for the CAS or the MSN must be completed within a 6 year period.

MSN Admission Requirements

• BSN from a CCNE or NLN accredited program
• Undergraduate GPA minimum of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Acceptable course in Physical Assessment; minimum grade of B
• College level statistics course; minimum grade of B
• College level research methods course; minimum grade of B
• Experience as a Registered Nurse
• Licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse in the United States; for clinical tracks licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Maine by date of admission
• Out of state licensure may be considered for non-clinical tracks

The Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) for registered nurses with an MSN [On-Campus Only]. 

• The CAS offers a clinically focused program of study to registered nurses who already possess a Master of Science in Nursing.
• Students in the CAS program must complete a minimum of 33 semester hours (500 and 600 level courses) within The University of Maine.
• Prerequisites include: graduate of an NLN or CCNE accredited MSN program; minimum graduate GPA of 3.25; current licensure as a registered nurse in Maine.

This program will prepare students to be eligible for licensure within the State of Maine. Visit the UMS State Authorization & Licensure page to learn more about the licensure requirements in other states and territories, in addition to the contact information needed to inquire further into the licensure requirements associated with this program.

The master’s degree program in nursing and the post-graduate APRN certificate program at the University of Maine School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791