Master of Science in Nursing - Healthcare Informatics

The Masters of Science in Healthcare Informatics degree is designed to provide health care and educational professionals the training/education to access, mine, manage and use data appropriately to influence decision making and foster continuous quality improvement in their positions.

This program consists of 31 credits and a capstone project individualized to each student.

General Information

  1. The master’s degree program in nursing at Concordia University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
  2. Students must earn a minimum of a B in all courses. Policies regarding progression and retention will be applied if the student earns less than a B in any course.
  3. Students are expected to comply with the requirements as stated in the Student Responsibilities Agreement.
  4. Students must complete all degree requirements within a five-year period from the time of taking the first course in the program.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation the graduate student will be able to:

  1. Integrate liberal arts and sciences into advanced nursing roles and education.
  2. Analyze organizational and systems leadership principles to improve quality and patient safety in advanced nursing roles.
  3. Integrate evidence-based approaches into advanced nursing practice and education.
  4. Integrate healthcare technologies in the delivery, enhancement, and coordination of quality patient care.
  5. Analyze healthcare policies, finances, and regulations that impact healthcare systems.
  6. Integrate patient-centered care using interprofessional teams to improve health outcomes of individuals and populations.
  7. Integrate evidence-based, culturally appropriate knowledge in clinical prevention and population health at the individual and aggregate level.
  8. Assume accountability for advanced nursing practice and lifelong learning.
  9. Apply best evidence to assure competence in advanced nursing practice or nursing education with diverse populations.

Curriculum

Required Courses
NURS 621Information Systems Management and Leadership2
NURS 622Health Systems Analysis3
NURS 624Knowledge Management and Representation2
NURS 626Foundations of Clinical Decision Support3
NURS 628Data Analysis, Application, and Transformation3
NURS 731Informatics Capstone3
NURS 530Healthcare Policy & Issues in Advanced Nursing3
NURS 534Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Roles and Interprofessional Collaboration3
NURS 540Evidence Based Nursing Practice3
NURS 560Fundamentals of Health Care Informatics3
NURS 510Applied Epidemiology3
Total Hours31

Entrance Requirements for the Graduate School of Nursing in Addition to Graduate School Requirements

  • BSN degree from an accredited nursing school
  • Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
  • Science GPA is evaluated as part of the admission process
  • Current unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse in the USA
  • Actively working in practice.
  • Ability to perform Technical Standards for Registered Nurses
  • Successful completion of:  Statistics course – three credits with a minimum grade of B or higher. Must be completed before registering for NURS 540

Application/Admission Process

Students may apply online through Concordia's direct online application at www.cuw.edu/apply. When applying directly, students will submit:

  • Application form available at www.cuw.edu/apply
  • Non-refundable application fee
  • All official college transcripts leading to the bachelor's degree
  • An essay that addresses the following topics:
    • Rationale for choosing the Nursing Informatics track
    • Career goals for nursing informatics
    • Personal compatibility with the CUW mission
    • Plans for academic success, including time management, stress management, and professional communication
    • Any previous academic issues
  • Professional resume
  • Current unencumbered RN license
  • Three letters of reference: two must be professional and/or academic and one must be from an individual who has worked with the applicant in a professional capacity and has a minimum of a Master's degree.
  • Applicants who have completed graduate level classes and wish to have them evaluated must submit these transcripts and the transfer credit form.
  • GRE exams are not required.

The deadline for fall admission is May 1.

The deadline for spring admission is October 1.

The admission committee will review applications and make recommendations for admission. After the recommendation for admission is approved, a formal letter of acceptance or denial is sent to the student.