Adult gerontology clinical nurse specialists advance the quality of care by leading practice change innovations, integrating evidence-based practice guidelines, and collaborating across disciplines to improve patient outcomes and achieve sustainable healthcare outcomes.
Clinical nurse specialists are leaders who improve patient outcomes, mentor nurses, and help transform healthcare systems. They are ideal for individuals passionate about nursing practice innovation and leadership.
This exclusively online specialty program, offered at the certificate, MSN and DNP levels, prepares graduate nurses who are clinical experts skilled in providing care for adults across the lifespan.
Admission is limited to advanced practice registered nurses who:
View full requirements on the Post-Master’s DNP page.
Students who reside outside the state of Michigan who are considering an on-line nursing program should contact the appropriate board in their state of residency to confirm whether the course or program meets requirements for professional licensure in the student’s state of residence prior to beginning a course of study. MSU has an up-to-date state-by-state summary available online.
Applications are accepted from Aug. 1 to April 1 for fall entry in the MSN and DNP programs. Applications for the certificate program open in the summer and have an Oct. 1 deadline.
Contact:
CON.Admissions@msu.edu
To apply, go to the Office of Admissions, click Apply, then Graduate Applicants, then Start a Graduate Application.
All materials may be submitted online.
Transcripts may be sent by mail to:
Office of Admissions
Hannah Administration Building
426 Auditorium Road, Room 250
East Lansing, MI 48824-2604
Electronic transcript submissions are also accepted via Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, or any secure transcript service, sent directly to: admis@msu.edu
If accepted, the MSN and DNP programs start in the fall and the certificate in the spring.
MSN - 54 Credits
The Clinical Nurse Specialist curriculum and coursework is fully online, with clinicals arranged in your area.
NUR 902: Scientific Foundations for the Advanced Practice Nurse
NUR 903: Healthcare Informatics
NUR 904: Health Policy and Advocacy
NUR 905: Patient Safety, Quality Improvement and Quality Management in Healthcare
NUR 906: Leadership in Complex Health Systems
NUR 907: Adv. Pathophysiology
NUR 908: Adv. Physical Assessment
NUR 909: Adv. Pharmacology
NUR 914: Biostatistics
NUR 931: Wellness Promotion for Diverse Populations
NUR 932: Clinical Decision Making and Management of Acute Chronic Complex Conditions
NUR 933: Clinical Nurse Specialist Advanced Practice Role Development I
NUR 934: Clinical Nurse Specialist Advanced Practice Role Development II
NUR 935: Clinical Nurse Specialist Advanced Practice Role Development III
DNP - 70 Credits
This program provides clinical, organizational and systems' leadership at the highest level. The program develops practitioners who design, implement and evaluate high quality and cost-effective health care services for diverse populations including the disadvantaged and underserved.
NUR 902: Scientific foundations for the advanced practice nurse
NUR 903: Healthcare informatics
NUR 904: Health policy and advocacy
NUR 905: Patient safety, quality improvement and quality management in healthcare
NUR 906: Leadership in complex health systems
NUR 907: Advanced pathophysiology for the advanced practice registered nurse
NUR 908: Advanced physical assessment for the advanced practice registered nurse
NUR 909: Advanced pharmacology for the advanced practice registered nurse
NUR 914: Biostatistics
NUR 931: Wellness promotion for diverse populations
NUR 932: Clinical decision making and management of acute chronic complex conditions
NUR 933: Clinical nurse specialist advanced practice role development I
NUR 934: Clinical nurse specialist advanced practice role development II
NUT 935: Clinical nurse specialist advanced practice role development III
NUR 936: Clinical nurse specialist specialty role immersion I
NUR 937: Clinical nurse specialist specialty role immersion II
NUR 995: Doctor of nursing practice project I
NUR 996: Doctor of nursing practice project II
NUR 997: Doctor of nursing practice project III
Post-graduate Certificate
NUR 931: Wellness promotion for diverse populations
NUR 932: Clinical decision making and management of acute chronic complex conditions
NUR 933: Clinical nurse specialist advanced practice role development I
NUR 934: Clinical nurse specialist advanced practice role development II
NUT 935: Clinical nurse specialist advanced practice role development III
Yes. Clinical hours are included in the CNS curriculum. A board-certified CNS serves as the preceptor.
While the program is online, students must come to campus one time for an orientation before their program in late August.
Tuition rates vary by residency status. Visit the MSU Controller’s Office for current tuition and fees.
Yes, the College of Nursing offers student scholarships. The scholarship application window is open annually from January to March 1. Please visit our Scholarships page for more information.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing and doctor of nursing practice program at Michigan State University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.