Health Sciences Graduate Programs

The Department of Health Sciences is currently offering the following graduate programs:

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Doctor of Nursing Practice/Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP, FNP)

Health Information Technology (HIT) Graduate Certificate

Graduate Programs Admission Criteria

Applicants must do the following by April 1st for an anticipated fall admission.  

1. Complete the online CMU graduate application, located at http://www.coloradomesa.edu/admissions/apply.html and pay the associated graduate application fees.

2. Submit directly to DHS

  • One copy of official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended. Students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in nursing coursework.
  • Copy of unrestricted license to practice as a registered nurse.
  • Three letters of professional and academic recommendation.
  • Professional writing sample. This can be a published manuscript, grant application, or scholarly paper written for an undergraduate or graduate nursing course.
  • Essay of 500 words or less on why you are seeking a graduate degree in nursing. Explain why a graduate degree is necessary for you to meet your professional development goals.

3. Additional screening may be required to assess the applicant’s ethical or critical reasoning abilities.

Letters of acceptance or denial are sent out in the spring. Accepted applicants receive registration and advising instructions in their letter of acceptance for fall admission

 

More about our graduate programs:

Announcement of CCNE Accreditation Site Visit September 12 through September 14, 2018

The Graduate Nursing Program is holding an on-site evaluation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) from September 12 through September 14, 2018. Written comments by third parties (public comments, community partners, etc.) may be submitted to CCNE on or before August 22, 2018. All comments should be directed to:  

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Attn: Third-Party Comments

655 K St., NW, Suite 750

Washington, DC 20001

       - or -

 thirdpartycomments@ccneaccreditation.org

Mission, Philosophy, & Vision

Mission. The CMU graduate nursing program provides learners with an advanced understanding of the concepts, issues, and practices of the domain of nursing.  This requires the ability to think independently and generate new knowledge with a respect for the diversity among ideas, programs, and people.  Graduates develop expertise in a defined body of knowledge and are prepared to provide ethical leadership in the delivery of health services and education. Graduates, as nursing leaders, serve society while promoting and protecting the health of the individual, family, and public through clinical practice, administration, education, and research.

Philosophy. The graduate nursing programs support the overall mission of CMU. Furthermore, we believe the focus of nursing is defined by connecting science to the experience of human health and caring (Newman, 1991). Recognized ways of knowing in nursing include empirics, esthetics, ethics, and personal knowledge (Carper, 1978).  CMU’s graduate nursing programs honor scientific, theoretical, and nursing knowledge to advance the discipline.

Vision. Faculty, students, and alumni value the expansion of nursing science, knowledge, and practice. This entails nursing leadership in the delivery of care for individuals across the life span, communities, and populations.

Graduate Advisory Board

CMU's Graduate Nursing Program invites community members and healthcare leaders to serve on the Graduate Advisory Board (GAB). The GAB meets twice yearly over lunch to discuss issues related to the education of nurses for advanced practice in local, regional, national, and international communities. If you would like to participate on the GAB, please contact the Department of Health Sciences at 970-248-1235. 

Graduate Nursing Program Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Colorado Mesa University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Professional Standards/Guidelines & Related Resources

The graduate nursing program follows multiple professional standards and national guidelines. These are listed below along with other related resources.