Nursing

The master's program in nursing at Ball State University has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top online programs in the Country. The master's program is accredited by American Association of Colleges of Nursing (CCNE).

The program is designed for professional advanced practice clinical nurses, educators or administrators. All courses are delivered online. Clinical work is done at your location. Preceptors (all clinical courses) and clinical faculty (selected clinical courses) are arranged by students at the site. The program is designed for part-time study. There are no on-campus visits.

Degrees Offered

Adult/Family Nurse Practitioner Track
Post Master's Adult/Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Leadership track (Educator, Administrator or Clinical)
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Adult Health

The Nurse Practitioner track prepares experienced nurses for either the adult or family primary care nurse practitioner role.

Adult Nurse Practitioner (43 credit hours, 690 clinical hours).
Family Nurse Practitioner (50 credit hours, 870 clinical hours).
Post Master's Adult Nurse Practitioner Certificate (25 credit hours, 550 clinical hours).
Post Master's Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate (32 credit hours, 735 clinical hours).

The Clinical Nurse Specialist track (CNS) Adult Health (46 credit hours, 690 clinical hours) prepares experienced nurses for advanced practice in acute care settings.

The leadership track prepares experienced nurses for a variety of positions. The track may be designed to focus on: education or administration.

Leadership Track (Educator, Administrator or Clinical) (33 credit hours, 315-360 clinical hours).

The nurse educator track prepares experienced nurses for teaching positions in schools of nursing. Other options in education are staff development and patient education.

Post Master's Educator Certificate Program (15 credit hours, 225 clinical hours).
Post Baccalaureate Certificates (14 credit hours)

Nurse Educator – beginning experience in role of faculty member in school of nursing

Evidence Based Clinical Practice – beginning experience in research and application to a practice setting

Link: Go to www.bsu.edu/nursing for more information.

Application/Admission Requirements

Graduate from a baccalaureate program, accredited by the National League for Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, that included an upper-division nursing major.
Meet requirements for admission to graduate study at Ball State University.
Have earned a minimum overall cumulative grade-point (GPA) average of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale OR upper-division nursing GPA of 3.0 in the baccalaureate program.
Complete an undergraduate research course, 2.0 quarter/semester hours, completed with a grade of C or above.
Evidence of completion of a physical assessment course (for Clinical, NP and CNS Track).
Hold current license as a registered nurse in state of practice.
Have evidence of training in standard (universal) precautions.
Health clearance (including TB, HEP B, HIPPA and CPR).
Have verification of criminal background check after admission to program.
Have 3 of past 5 years experience for experienced nurses.
International students must apply through the Rinker Center for International Programs.

Contact Information

Dianne Parish
Graduate Program
Ball State University
Muncie, IN 47306
(765) 285-5768
dparish@bsu.edu