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School of Nursing

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Master of Science in Nursing Program

The School of Nursing offers a Master of Science degree in Nursing. The purpose of the program is to prepare nurses for advanced practice in the functional role of nurse practitioner primary care - family. Each graduate of the master's in nursing program must demonstrate advanced knowledge and skill in physical diagnosis, psychological assessment, and management of health-illness needs in complex client and community systems. The program provides a foundation for doctoral study in nursing.  For specific program information please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook. This graduate student handbook is revised and uploaded every fall for the incoming cohort.

The accelerated entry level nursing master's degree program known as Entry Level Master's in Nursing program (ELM) is no longer offered.

About The Program

The goals and curriculum are organized around the national Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) core competencies for nurse practitioners and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Master’s Essentials, and include: 

  • Integrate scientific findings from nursing, biopsychosocial fields, genetics, public health, quality improvement, and organizational sciences for the continual improvement of nursing care across diverse settings (Essential I)
  • Demonstrate Leadership skills that emphasize ethical and critical decision-making, effective working relationships, and a systems-perspective. (Essential II)
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the methods, tools, performance measures, and standards related to quality. (Essential III)
  • Apply research to outcomes within the practice setting. (Essential IV)
  • Use patient-care and communication technologies to deliver enhance, integrate, and coordinate care. (Essential V)
  • Intervene at the system level through the policy development process and employ advocacy strategies to influence health and health care. (Essential VI)
  • Communicate, collaborate and consult with other health professionals to manage and coordinate care. (Essential VII)
  • Apply and Integrate broad, organizational, client centered, and culturally appropriate concepts in the planning, delivery, management, and evaluation of evidence-based clinical prevention and population care and services to individuals, families, and aggregates. (Essential VIII)
  • Demonstrate understanding of nursing and relevant sciences and integrate this knowledge into practice (Essential IX)

Clinical Options

Students select a functional role of nurse practitioner primary care - family. Any nursing class in the role specialization options area may be canceled because of insufficient enrollment. Learn more about our Nurse Practitioner Primary Care - Family Option below. 

The Nurse Practitioner Primary Care-Family Option prepares the graduate to provide primary health care to children, adults, the elderly, and families. Classroom and clinical experiences focus on health assessment, health maintenance, and promotion, as well as counseling, client education, and management of selected health problems. Practice in rural settings and with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds is emphasized. Preceptor selection for clinical placement in the nurse practitioner program is the responsibility of the School of Nursing.  The School of Nursing will gather pertinent information to assist in preceptor identification during the first semester of the program.  All preceptors must meet standards for educational and clinical experience as established by the California Board of Registered Nursing and appropriate accrediting bodies.

The purpose of the Nurse Practitioner Primary Care-Family Option is to prepare nurses as providers of primary care and to improve the availability, accessibility, and quality of  health care services in the Central San Joaquin Valley.

Evaluation of Prior Education or Experience in Primary Care
Students who are eligible for admission to graduate standing at California State University, Fresno may have prior educational preparation evaluated for waiver or substitution of required courses. In the case of a student requesting a waiver of graduate coursework, an evaluation of prior educational experience will be performed on an individual basis. Professional experience in primary care may also be evaluated on an individual basis for placement in the clinical courses and development of a curriculum to meet program requirements.

Components of this evaluation include, but are not limited to, a personal interview and review of transcripts, course material, and personal records. Based on this evaluation, an individualized plan for placement and progression in the graduate program will be developed, including the incorporation of alternate assignments.

Effective Fall 2024: Master of Science Degree Requirements (minimum 43 units total). Total FNP practicum hours will be 750 per National Organization of Nurse Practictioner Faculties (NONPF) Guidelines.

Core Courses (16 units)

NURS 210, 211, 212, 221, 223, 225

Role Specialization Courses (24 units)

NURS 215, 264, 265, 266, 267, 277, 278

Culminating Experience (3 units): 

Thesis (NURS 299) or Project (NURS 298) 

View all course descriptions


Admissions Information

There are two pathways into the M.S.N. program for individuals with different educational backgrounds: the B.S.N. graduate and the R.N. with a non-nursing baccalaureate degree. 


Post-Master's Certificates

The number of units for the Post Master’s Certificate can vary based on prior coursework. However, the minimum number of units is 30, based on California Board of Registered Nursing requirements. Applicants may receive course credit toward a certificate for graduate courses taken previously by submitting a copy of course descriptions, objectives, and assignments for review by the graduate coordinator. At that time, a course of study will be determined with input from the student, the graduate coordinator,  and department graduate curriculum committee.


Contact Us

Kammi Sayaseng, DNP, RN
Graduate Program Coordinator and Associate Professor
ksayaseng@csufresno.edu
559.278.6678
McLane Hall 288