The IU Kokomo Master of Science in Nursing Program offers three degrees to serve the needs of professional nurses desiring to advance their education. Most of the courses in the MSN are offered online or hybrid formats to accommodate the schedules of working RNs.

• The MSN in Nursing Administration is a 37-credit online program that prepares nurses for advanced leadership roles in healthcare systems, with a focus on quality improvement, organizational leadership, and healthcare operations.
• The MSN in Nursing Education is a 37-credit hybrid program that equips nurses with the knowledge and skills to teach in academic or clinical settings, emphasizing curriculum design, teaching strategies, and learner evaluation.
• The MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track is a 44-credit fully online program with required in-person clinical hours. It prepares nurses to provide comprehensive primary care across the lifespan, integrating advanced assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and evidence-based practice.

Accreditation

The Master of Science in Nursing at Indiana University Kokomo located in Kokomo, IN is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000.

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the master’s degree program is Continuing Accreditation.  

MSN Program Learning Outcomes

At the end of the program, each student will have met the following learning outcomes aligned with the AACN Essentials:

1. Synthesize knowledge from nursing and related disciplines to inform clinical judgment and innovation in advanced nursing practice.
2. Practice to the full scope of education using effective communication and a systematic approach to coordinate person-centered care, empower advanced decision making, and promote self0care management.
3. Improve population health outcomes through partnerships, advocacy, and policies that improve health equity within systems and at local, regional, national, and global levels.
4. Advance the science of nursing through ethical scholarship and innovative and evidence-based approaches that advance the profession, improve health and transform healthcare.
5. Apply quality improvement principles to establish a culture of patient, provider, and work environment safety to reduce and to mitigate risk, safeguard care delivery, and improve nursing practice outcomes.
6. Facilitate a climate of mutual respect, improved communication, and quality collaboration within interprofessional teams that optimize care delivery.
7. Lead and respond to changes in complex systems through policy and coordination of resources for diverse populations in an equitable and fiscally responsible manner.
8. Evaluate and use information and communication technologies and informatics tools integrating best practices, regulatory standards, and ethical, legal, social implications in direct and indirect care roles.
9. Embody the core values and professional identity of nursing by advocating for social justice and integrating ethical, legal, regulatory, and professional standards.
10. Engages in personal and professional development to promote self-advocacy, resilience, and well-being to expand one’s own nursing leadership capacity and contribute to the advancement of the nursing profession.

IU Schools of Nursing Regional Consortium for Online Graduate Nursing 

To meet the needs of our students, IU Kokomo School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions has joined up with our IU regional campus partners to create convenient, online and hybrid Master of Science in Nursing options. The following program tracks will be offered: 

Starting Fall Semester 2024: 

• MSN Nursing Education (hybrid) 
• MSN Nursing Administration (online) 

Starting Spring Semester 2025: 

• MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (online) 

For the most update curriculum plans and inquiries related to the Education and Administration Tracks, contact: Dr. Erin Geiselman: elgeisel@iu.edu or visit our website. 

For the most update curriculum plans and inquiries related to the Family Nurse Practitioner Track, contact: Dr. Dea Kent: djkent@iu.edu or visit our website.  

Admission to the IU Nursing Regional Consortium Master's Program

Master of Science in Nursing - Education Requirements:

Admission to the IU Nursing Regional Consortium master’s program requires approval by the Graduate Faculty Council on the home campus and is based on the applicant’s official transcripts, references, resume, and personal statement. Acceptance into the program is competitive. The following criteria must be met for admission:

Official transcripts from all post-secondary coursework.

• BSN Undergraduate GPA of 2.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale from an accredited program.
• Copy of current RN license. Current unencumbered license or multistate license as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the states where practicum experiences will be completed.
• Statistics grade (by transcript or current completion at IU campus): Applicants need to have a grade of C or higher in a three credit, undergraduate college credit statistics course (or successfully complete prior to Research, R500).
• Personal Statement (goal statement): An essay that addresses the following:
  • Identify your academic goals, career objectives, why you are applying to this program and the qualifications you have that make you a strong candidate for admission. (200-word count limit)
  • Describe significant professional and life experiences that have prepared you for a master’s education. Please discuss these experiences in detail. (400-word count limit)
  • All students contribute to creating a diverse and inclusive environment when diversity is broadly defined. Whether by a personal attribute, characteristic, culture, experience, or behavior, please tell us how you believe you will contribute to the diversity of Indiana University and the nursing profession. The concept of diversity includes the following dimensions: race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, and religious beliefs. (200-word count limit)
• Essential Abilities. Applicants must agree to the Essential Abilities Policy of the School of Nursing. The policy states that students must demonstrate Essential Abilities in a variety of areas (judgment, neurological function, emotional coping skills, intellectual/conceptual skills, and other behavioral attributions) as well as meeting all progression criteria.
• Criminal Background Check and Urine Drug Screen.
• CV/Resume: May upload via online application
• References. Applicants must provide two professional references via online application (academic references are acceptable but at least one clinical reference should be submitted).
• Pay application fee.

International Students

International students are eligible to apply to the Master of Science in Nursing – Administration (ONLINE) or the Master of Science in Nursing – Education (HYBRID) tracks only. International

Students are recommended to contact the Program Director (Dr. Erin Geiselman) at elgeisel@iu.edu and must visit: https://kokomo.iu.edu/international-student-services/index.html for steps to follow when applying as an international student.  In addition to the MSN admission requirements listed above, international students and students for whom English is not their primary language, must submit TOEFLIBT scores. If your country teaches nursing courses in English, then TOEFL-iBT is not required. Follow this link to see specific score requirements:  https://kokomo.iu.edu/international-student-services/admissions/english-proficiency-documentation.html.

Post-Baccalaureate Certificates in Nursing Administration and Nursing Education

Post-Baccalaureate Certificates in Nursing Administration and Nursing Education are available to individuals who hold an MSN and wish to expand their expertise in a second specialty area, as well as to those who do not plan to complete an MSN but seek formal certification in either track. Admission is determined on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must hold a BSN from an accredited nursing program. For more information contact Erin Geiselman at elgeisel@iu.edu

IU Nursing Regional Consortium master’s program Shared Coursework (24 Credits): Education, Administration, and Family Nurse Practitioner Tracks

MSN in Nursing Education track courses (13 cr.):

The MSN Nursing Education track is a 37-credit hour track with 300 practicum hours in which students complete core courses relevant to all advanced practice roles, and a rigorous education in nursing education. The Nursing Education track prepares nurses for faculty roles at universities and colleges, addressing the nationwide shortage of nurses and well-prepared nursing faculty. This track also equips nurses to serve as staff educators in various healthcare institutions and community health settings.

Education Track specific courses include:

• NURS-T 615 Curriculum in Nursing (3 cr.)
• NURS-T 617 Evaluation in Nursing (3 cr.)
• NURS-T 670 Teaching in Nursing (3 cr.)
• NURS-T 679 Nursing Education Practicum (4 cr.)

MSN in Nursing Administration Track Courses (13 cr.):

The MSN Nursing Administration track is a 37-credit hour track with 300 practicum hours in which students complete core courses relevant to all advance practice roles, and a rigorous education in current quality and safety, leadership and administration skills. The Nursing Administration track is dedicated to developing leadership skills for leading in the evolving healthcare environment. Focused experiential learning includes mastering skills such as Lean-Six Sigma, cost-benefit analysis, developing a business plan, problem-solving, and reimagining patient care environments.

MSN in Nursing Administration Track Courses (13 cr.):

The MSN Nursing Administration track is a 37-credit hour track with 300 practicum hours in which students complete core courses relevant to all advance practice roles, and a rigorous education in current quality and safety, leadership and administration skills. The Nursing Administration track is dedicated to developing leadership skills for leading in the evolving healthcare environment. Focused experiential learning includes mastering skills such as Lean-Six Sigma, cost-benefit analysis, developing a business plan, problem-solving, and reimagining patient care environments.

MSN in Nursing Administration Track-specific courses include:

• NURS-L530 Legal Environment (3 cr.)
• NURS-L574 Administrative Management (3 cr.)
• NURS-L671 Financial Management (3 cr.)
• NURS-L579 Administrative Practicum

MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Track Courses (44 cr.):

The MSN FNP track is a 44-credit hour track with 600 direct and 225 indirect clinical practice hours designed by doctorally-prepared faculty to prepare registered nurses with advanced practice skills in family practice. The goal of the FNP track is to provide our region with primary healthcare providers to facilitate access to quality healthcare services for underserved populations. Advanced practice nurses are also needed to meet the growing regional demand for healthcare, as well as address critical shortages of primary care providers. These nurses will provide and enhance access to healthcare for the community, improve the delivery of healthcare in Indiana regional areas, and ultimately improve the health of its citizens. They will also serve in leadership and administrative roles and implement changes in the healthcare delivery system. Students will begin their study with didactic courses, building the theoretical and contextual background necessary for advanced nursing practice. Students will then progress on to didactic courses with clinical components to include clinical practice hours each semester. 

MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Hybrid track specific courses:

FNP Coursework Semester 1 (7 credits)

• NURS-P 505 Population Health (4 cr.)
• NURS-I 630 Introduction to Nursing Informatics (3 cr.)

FNP Coursework Semester 2 (6 credits)

• NURS-N 504 Leadership for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 cr.)
• NURS-R 505 Measurement and Data Analysis (3 cr.)

FNP Coursework Semester 3 (6 credits)

• NURS-D 615 Performance Improvement and Patient Safety Health Systems (3 cr.)
• NURS-F 570 Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (3 cr.)

FNP Coursework Semester 4 (6 credits)

• NURS-Y 515 Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan (3 cr.)
• NURS-Y 612 Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan (3 cr.)

FNP Coursework Semester 5 (8 credits)

• NURS-R 500 Nursing Research Methods (3 cr.)
• NURS-R 590 Scholarly Project (1 cr.)
• NURS-F 580 Primary Care I: Acute Illness Processes (4 cr.)

FNP Coursework Semester 6 (5 credits)

• NURS-F 581 Primary Care II: Acute and Stable Chronic Illnesses Processes (4 cr.)
• NURS-Y 620 Advanced Primary Care and Office Management (1 cr.)

FNP Coursework Semester 7 (6 credits)

• NURS-F 582 Primary Care III: Chronic and Complex Illness Processes (6 cr.)

FNP Coursework Semester 8 (4 cr.)

• NURS-F 578 Primary Health Care of Families (4 cr.)