Master of Science in Nursing

Academic Policies

The CSU MSN student is a member of the CSU student body and is subject to applicable CSU regulations, policies and procedures. Students are referred to the Clayton State University Student Handbook at http://adminservices.clayton.edu/studentaffairs/StudentHandbook/foreword.htm and the School of Graduate Studies at http://graduate.clayton.edu/genpol.htm.

Because of the collaborative educational relationship between private and public health care agencies and CSU, students and faculty are required to comply with specific policies outlined in legal agreements. These include, but are not limited to: dress codes, codes of conduct, and requirements for health, insurance, and academic status.

Clayton State University Notebook Computer Policy

It is the policy of Clayton State University that every student own or have ready, on demand access to a notebook computer to use for academic assignments and communications. This will often, but not always, require taking the computer to class. For hardware and software specifications and additional details, go to the University's ITP-Choice website.

Progress

It is expected that a student will need no more than six years to complete the MSN degree. Any student who exceeds the six year time limit for completing a degree must develop a new planned program of study and may be required to validate knowledge of previous course work. Course credit over six years old will not be accepted in the new program. Other previous course work will be evaluated on the basis of its applicability to the new program of study. To remain in good academic standing, degree candidates must maintain a B (3.0) average. Only courses with a “C” or better will count toward the degree. Graduate students in good standing may enroll for 12 semester hours in any semester with the approval of the MSN Director.

Students with provisional status may be limited to part-time enrollment during the provisional period. Provisional period is the first semester of enrollment. A 3.0 grade point average during the provisional semester is required to avoid program dismissal.

Advising

In order to keep students on track for completing the degree, the MSN program director will assign each student who enters the program an advisor. The student will be required to meet with his or her advisor before registering for courses each semester.

Residency Requirement

To receive a graduate degree from Clayton State University, a student must complete at least 27 semester hours of program requirements at Clayton State University. All of these 27 hours must be completed after the student has been admitted to the degree program.

Transfer Credit

Graduate work taken at other Commission of Colleges (COC) regionally accredited institutions must be evaluated and approved by the director of the Master of Science in Nursing in order to satisfy degree requirements at Clayton State University. Such transfer credit:

No grade below B may be accepted. Transfer grades are not used in calculating semester, summer term or cumulative grade-point averages.

Deferral

Students who are admitted to the program may defer their admission for one semester.

Non-Degree Students

Non-degree students may be allowed to enroll in MSN courses with permission from the MSN Program Director and the Dean of the School of Nursing. Non-degree students may change their status to degree-seeking by applying to the School of Graduate Studies and MSN program.

Undergraduate Students in Graduate Courses

Undergraduate students with at least 90 semester hours and a 3.0 GPA MINIMALLY may be allowed to take 5000-level graduate courses on approval of (1) instructor, (2) graduate program coordinator, (3) Dean of school/college, and (4) Dean Graduate School. Courses taken will not count towards a graduate degree at CSU.

Generally, students should be within 30 hours or less of completing their UG degree and should have substantial upper division course work with a GPA higher than 3.0. Students should not take more than 9 hours of 5000 course work while completing their UG degree. This is a special condition based upon academic readiness and credentials.

Graduate Course Levels that Can be Taken by Undergraduate Students

Graduate/Undergraduate 5000-5999

Withdrawal

Students may withdraw from one or more courses any time before the last three weeks of the semester. To withdraw they should complete an official withdrawal form in the Office of the Registrar. Students who officially withdraw from courses before mid-semester will receive a “W” in those courses and receive no credit. They will not, however, suffer any academic penalty. Students who officially withdraw after mid-semester (and before the last three weeks of the semester) will receive a “WF,” which will be counted as an “F” in the calculation of their grade point average. Exact withdrawal dates will be published in the official academic calendar and are subject to approval by the Board of Regents. Students who simply stop attending classes without officially withdrawing usually are assigned failing grades. The only exceptions to these withdrawal regulations will be for instances involving unusual circumstances that are fully documented. Students will receive refunds only when they withdraw from all their classes and only by the schedule outlined in the university System refund policy. Students may withdraw from one or more courses any time before the last three weeks of the semester. To withdraw they should complete an official withdrawal form in the Office of the Registrar. Students who officially withdraw from courses before mid-semester will receive a “W” in those courses and receive no credit. They will not, however, suffer any academic penalty. Students who officially withdraw after mid-semester (and before the last three weeks of the semester) will receive a “WF,” which will be counted as an “F” in the calculation of their grade point average. Exact withdrawal dates will be published in the official academic calendar and are subject to approval by the Board of Regents. Students who simply stop attending classes without officially withdrawing usually are assigned failing grades. The only exceptions to these withdrawal regulations will be for instances involving unusual circumstances that are fully documented. Students will receive refunds only when they withdraw from all their classes and only by the schedule outlined in the university System refund policy.

Hardship Withdrawal Policies

A student desiring to be considered for a hardship withdrawal must complete the official withdrawal process and submit a Hardship Withdrawal Request Form to the dean of the school of the student’s major. The Hardship Request form may be obtained from the Registrar online (http://www.clayton.edu) or in person.

To be eligible for hardship withdrawal, a student must have met ALL of the following conditions:

Hardship withdrawal does not involve special consideration for refunds. Any refund due will be granted in accordance with the refund regulations and schedule printed in the semester Schedule of Classes booklet.

For purposes of this policy, “passing” is defined to include not only recorded grades but also satisfactory progress toward course assignments (papers, reports, projects, etc.) that have not yet actually been graded at the time the hardship arises. The dean’s office will contact the appropriate faculty member(s) to determine the student’s status.

“Hardship” refers to an unexpected event or circumstance beyond the student’s control that directly interferes with the student’s ability to continue to make satisfactory progress in class(es). This generally includes, but is not necessarily limited to, serious illness or accident of the student or a close relative that requires the student’s extended attention, unavoidable and unexpected job change or change of job assignment that conflicts with class, or significant disruption of family life that prevents regular class progress. The following sorts of cases do not constitute “hardship”: getting behind in class due to taking on more than one can handle; doing poorly in class due to inadequate background, difficult material, or poor time management; taking extensive time away from class for a personal situation that could have been expeditiously handled with a minimum of class interference. The dean may request documentation of the hardship.

Scholarship and Loan Opportunities

Promise of Nursing
Registered Nurses enrolled in graduate level, degree-granting colleges and universities in selected regions of the US, including Georgia, may be eligible to apply for a Promise of Nursing Regional Faculty Fellowship (PON Fellowship) funded through the National Student Nurses Association. The PON Fellowship is designed to assist RNs who are preparing for the nurse educator role to achieve their degrees. PON Fellowships, up to $7,500 annually, may be applied toward tuition and academic fees

Nursing Faculty Scholarship Information
For anyone interested in teaching in schools of nursing, the Georgia Finance Commission offers service cancelable loans for up to $10,000 to assist with education costs The Georgia Nursing Faculty Scholarship Program which was developed by the Health Care Work Force Policy Advisory Committee, is funded by the Department of Labor and Robert W. Woodruff Foundation and administered by the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC). This is a service cancelable loan designed to prepare faculty for the nursing education profession. Students may borrow money for educational expenses and living costs if enrolled in an eligible Georgia graduate nursing degree program. Education doctoral programs are also eligible if the student has a BSN or MSN. More information is available at the GSFC web site at: http://www.gsfc.org//GSFA/SCL/index.cfm.

Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP)
The Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) is administered by the federal Division of Nursing, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services. Through this program, the Secretary of Health and Human Services enters into an agreement with schools of nursing to create a student loan fund to increase the number of qualified nursing faculty. Institutions make loans from the fund to students enrolled in an advanced degree nursing program with an education component that will prepare them to teach at a school of nursing. Loan recipients who complete the nursing education program may cancel up to 85% of the loan in exchange for service as full-time nurse faculty at a school of nursing.

Graduate Program Research Paper and Thesis Process

Thesis/Project Process
The graduate student will complete either a research paper or project, or a thesis. Purpose of the Research Paper: The Research Paper or Research Project is the alternative to the Thesis. It offers the opportunity to (1) access and critically review current and relevant literature regarding a specific problem through (2) the lens of a theoretical framework and to (3) develop a research-based answer to questions identified in the respective practice. The research paper or project will be (1) an article ready for publication, (2) a seminar, workshop, or other presentation, (3) clinical protocol, (4) program ready for implementation, or (5) another method that is proposed by the graduate student and accepted by the Graduate Advisory Committee. The Research Paper and the related oral defense offer the opportunity to demonstrate the ability to write about and communicate orally the work done.

Purpose of the Thesis
The Thesis is the alternative to the Research Paper or Project. It offers the opportunity to (1) access and critically review current and relevant literature regarding a specific research question through (2) the lens of a theoretical framework, (3) design and complete a research project at the master’s level, and (5) determine how the findings from the study will improve. The master’s thesis does not have to be independent or original research, but should be the new application of ideas. The Thesis and the related oral defense offer the opportunity to demonstrate the ability to write about and communicate orally the work done.