RN-MSN Students: Curriculum
The curriculum plan for the Accelerated RN-MSN program varies depending on the track selected at the graduate level. The program can be completed in 3 to 4 years of full-time study if ALL the prerequisites and lower division general education requirements are completed prior to starting the required program of study at the USD School of Nursing. Students earn both the BSN and MSN degrees upon completion of the program.
BSN Component
The BSN component of the RN-MSN program requires the completion of 124 units. Associate Degree graduates may transfer in 30 units of nursing course work toward this requirement. In addition, they may also transfer in the prerequisites noted below along with the lower division general education requirements.
Nursing Prerequisites
| Physiology* | 4 units |
| Microbiology* | 4 units |
| Chemistry: General or Organic* | 4 units |
| Statistics, Elementary | 3 units |
| Sociology, Introduction | 3 units |
| Psychology, Introduction | 3 units |
| Psychology of Growth and Development | 3 units |
| English Composition & Literature | 3 units |
*Courses must include a laboratory.
General Education Requirements
The following general education courses are required for the BSN degree. Lower Division
| Critical Reasoning (Logic) | 3 units |
| Fine Arts (Art, Music or Theater) | 3 units |
| Literature | 3 units |
| History | 3 units |
| Electives | 6 units |
Upper Division
| Religious Studies | 6 units |
| Philosophy (Ethics) | 3 units |
| Electives | 6 units |
BSN Nursing Courses*
| BSNC 421 Health Assessment | 3 units |
| BSNC 333 Conceptual Basis of Professional Nursing Practice | 3 units |
| BSNC 334 Communication Theory and Process | 5 units |
| BSNC 445 Care of the Family | 6 units |
| BSNC 447 Care of Populations | 5 units |
| BSNC 363 Culture and Vulnerability in Nursing Practice | 3 units |
| MSNC 512** Influencing the Health Care Environment: Policy and Systems | 3 units |
| MSNC 511** Evidence Based Practice: Role of Theory and Research | 3 units |
| MSNE 542** Latino Health: Sociocultural and Family Perspectives | 3 units |
*These courses, undergraduate and graduate, are required for completion of the BSN. Additional nursing courses are required for completion of the MSN.
**These courses meet both the BSN and MSN degree requirements.
MSN Courses
The MSN course work required varies depending upon the track selected. Please click on the following links to review the required course work in each track.
Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist, Clinical Nursing, Adult Nurse Practitioner, Executive Nurse Leader, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner