Master of Science in Nursing Practicums

Students are required to complete two practicum experiences during the curriculum. The first is associated with one of the foundation courses: NUR 525 Population-Based Healthcare course (1 credit hour = 40 hours), and the second is associated with one of the specialty focused track courses, either NUR 560 Leadership Practicum course (2.5 credit hours = 100 hours), or NUR 561 Education Practicum course (2.5 credit hours = 100 hours).

Health Requirements

The College requires all students entering programs which include a clinical component, practicum, or field experience (health program) to comply with specific health requirements, such as documentation of positive titers, vaccinations, or other health requirements. Students may request waivers or extensions of vaccinations and other health requirements, which may be approved or denied by clinical facilities. If waivers/extensions are denied, it will prevent placement in clinical experiences and progression in the academic program. The College will make a reasonable attempt to find alternate clinical placements for students seeking waivers or extensions of vaccinations, but it is at the discretion of clinical sites whether students are permitted to participate in clinical experiences. The requirements may vary depending on the program of study and the clinical agency. Students in such programs can find information on criminal background checks, drug screens, and health requirements at https://www.mercycollege.edu/background. Current information is maintained on the College website and is subject to change. Students are responsible for all costs associated with criminal background checks, drug screens, and health requirements. Students who do not meet listed health requirements may not be able to fulfill the clinical, practicum, or field experience requirements and complete their program of study.

Please see the program administrator with questions regarding documentation for health records, including titer and vaccination requirements.

Graduation Requirements

The Master of Science in Nursing degree will be awarded to students who have successfully completed all required coursework in the graduate nursing curriculum, have a minimum of 36 credit hours, and have fulfilled all other requirements for graduation.

Master of Science in Nursing: Fast Track

Undergraduate students who are pursuing a post-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at the College may be granted permission to take one or more (maximum of six credit hours) 500 level graduate courses if students meet all the following conditions:

1. Students must have senior status at the time they take graduate coursework.
2. Students must have a College GPA of 3.5 or higher at the time of request.
3. Students must complete the Graduate Course Request form and obtain permission from their academic advisor, undergraduate program director, and the graduate coordinator or director of the course requested.
4. Only the following courses will be considered: NUR 510, NUR 520, and NUR 530.
5. Graduate coursework can only substitute for upper level BSN elective coursework in the table below.
6. All other course pre-requisites and conditions apply.

Students may apply up to six credit hours of graduate-level credit to satisfy the requirements for both degrees only when the grade received is a "B" or better. Graduate coursework earning a "C" can only be applied toward bachelor’s degree requirements. Graduate coursework at a "C" or lower will need to be repeated and a "B" or better must be earned for graduate program credit to be awarded. Completion of graduate coursework does not imply acceptance into a graduate program; all other program admission requirements apply. Graduate coursework taken by undergraduate students must be utilized to meet program-specific requirements for the undergraduate degrees associated with BSN degree.

Undergraduate students taking graduate courses will be charged the undergraduate tuition rate.

MSN Courses Eligible to be Substituted for Upper Level BSN Elective Coursework

*Undergraduate courses descriptions can be found in the 2022-2023 Mercy College Undergraduate Catalog.