Master of Nursing Nursing with a Concentration in Nurse Midwifery (MSN)

Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Midwifery (cooperative program with Shenandoah University)

Alyssa Weiss, Program Director
Penny Marzalik, Shenandoah University Program Director

The Master’s in Nursing, with specialization in nurse midwifery, is a joint program with Shenandoah University. The two-year program includes advanced practice nursing content offered by Old Dominion University. Midwifery specific courses taken in the second year are through Shenandoah University. The Master of Science in Nursing is awarded by Old Dominion University and a certificate of midwifery specialty is awarded by Shenandoah University. Graduates are eligible to take the national midwifery certification examination. The program is full time study. The MSN - Nurse Midwifery is offered in an online/hybrid format.

Admission

Program Application Deadlines

Nurse Midwifery - May 1

Admission Requirements for the MSN Graduate Program

In addition to meeting University requirements, applicants must meet the admission criteria below.

*Note: Some MSN tracks may have additional requirements. See program description for more information.

1. Current, unencumbered license as a registered nurse (RN).
2. Must have completed an undergraduate physical/health assessment course and an undergraduate statistics or research course as confirmed by an official college transcript. Applicants who have not completed these pre- requisites prior to the application deadline will not be reviewed for admission.
3. Baccalaureate degree in nursing or related science field from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average.
4. Three letters of recommendation, with at least one from a former faculty member and at least one from a former employer while in the RN role.
5. A 500-700 word essay that addresses the applicant's goals and reasons for seeking certification as an advanced practice nurse.
6. At least one year of recent clinical nursing practice experience is preferred, but not required. 

Curriculum Requirements

Core Courses

Tracks in the MSN programs share a set of core courses that meet nursing accreditation and state approval guidelines for the degree. Regardless of the role concentration, all MSN students are required to complete the following 22 credits* of core courses.

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
NURS 709	Evidence-Based Research for Nursing Practice	3
NURS 719	Family and Community Primary Care Assessment	1
NURS 761	Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing	3
NURS 770	Pathophysiology for Advanced Nursing Practice	3
NURS 771	Physical Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice	3
NURS 800	Integrative Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice Roles	3
NURS 802	The Business of Advanced Nursing Practice	3
NURS 809	Advocacy for Healthcare Public Policy for Advanced Practice	3
Total Credit Hours		22

Nurse Midwifery Concentration

In addition to the 22 credits of MSN core courses, students must complete 26 credits of nurse midwife courses at SU.                                              

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Shenandoah Courses:
NM 610 Primary Care of Women		2
NM 612 Women's Health		2
NM 620 Comprehensive Antepartal Care		2
NMLB 624 Midwifery Practicum I		3
NMLB 630 Midwifery Practicum II		4
NM 640 Comprehensive Perinatal Care		3
NM 641 Perinatal Complications		2
NMLB 651 Integrated Midwifery Internship		5
NM 652 Evidence Based Practice Project		1
NM 660 Advanced Nurse-Midwifery Role Development		2
Total Concentration Credit Hours		26
MSN Core Requirements		22
Total Credit Hours		48

Additional Requirements

MSN Degree Requirements

In addition to general University requirements, the following apply to candidates for the Master of Science in Nursing degree:

1. Only degree-seeking or nursing certificate students may take graduate MSN nursing courses.
2. Full-time study only for PMHNP and Midwifery. Full and part time options are available for CNS, PNP, FNP and NNP. Contact the graduate nursing office regarding study options for each program at (757) 683-4298 or the program director for the specific role.
3. A comprehensive portfolio evaluation covering the program of study will be required for MSN students not electing to complete a thesis.
4. The student must make clinical site arrangements three months in advance to take a nursing practicum to assure appropriate and available placement for the learning experience. The student must coordinate approval of clinical sites with the Program Director and School of Nursing Student Clinical Services Coordinator.
5. The B grade (3.00) is the minimal acceptable grade for all courses with a NURS prefix or any course required for the degree for continuation in the master’s program. Satisfactory performance in the laboratory or practicum component of a nursing course is required. Students achieving less than a B grade (3.00) in a nursing course may request an opportunity from the role program director to repeat the course once. Two course failures will result in termination from the nursing program. Students may not progress with an incomplete in prerequisite courses as listed in the curriculum plan.

Additional requirements include physical exams, CPR certification, immunization requirements, computer competencies and technical standards, background checks and urine drug screening.

Transfers Between MSN Programs

Students may not transfer between programs in the MSN. Any student wishing to change programs may apply to a new program for admission during the regularly scheduled application process and deadline for the program. Their applications will be considered and reviewed as a new admission with the entire application pool.

Progression to the DNP

MSN students wishing to pursue a DNP must declare their intention before the final semester of their MSN program. If pursuing the DNP Advanced Practice program, NURS 805 and NURS 865 are taken in the final semester of the MSN program. Any student who has completed their MSN and did not declare their intent to pursue the DNP must apply and be considered with all post masters applicants as a new admission to the DNP program. 

Transfer Credit Evaluation Policy

Any transfer credit requests must be submitted to the concentration program director within two weeks of notification of admission to the program. Once coursework has commenced for your program of study, all coursework must be completed at Old Dominion University, and no further transfer credits will be awarded.