graduate

Graduate Programs

Nurse Executive

Our graduate program offers a Master of Science Degree with a major in nursing with a specilization as a Nurse Executive, with thesis and non-thesis options. This program is designed to expand the knowledge base of registered professional nurses to an advanced practice level. The program will provide theoretical and practical knowledge in the areas of nurse executive leadership, healthcare organizational management and communication, research and delivery of patient care in a variety of healthcare settings. Graduates of the Master's Program will: (1) articulate a well-developed and differentiated client plan within the nursing domain and the area of specialization, (2) synthesize advanced practice nursing knowledge including, ethical, legal, economic, and cultural considerations within the area of specialization, (3) employ knowledge of evidence-based practice using information, informatics, and cultural literacy, (4) apply advanced leadership skills to advocate for vulnerable populations, (5) collaborate with interdisciplinary healthcare members including client, family, and community to facilitate desired outcomes, (6) demonstrate continued growth as a nursing professional through self-reflection.

The curriculum evolves from the practical aspects of the nurse executive role and the recommendations of the Council on Graduate Education for the Nurse Executive. The curriculum is based on a synthesis of research and knowledge of nursing science, business administration, and other related disciplines. The learning process is progressive throughout the curriculum and includes student experience and participation.

Admission Requirements

You may be considered for conditional admission status if you do not meet one or more of the following requirements:

  • Baccalaureate of Science (B.S.) Degree with a major in nursing from an accredited program such as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  • Undergraduate 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • Registered nurse licensure and eligible for Indiana licensure
  • TOEFL examination required for students whose native language is not English
  • Undergraduate research course and a 300 level statistics course within the last five years

Admission Procedures

A Purdue University Graduate Application must be submitted electronically. You should complete the application according to the procedures detailed on cover page of the form and indicate Fort Wayne as the selected campus.

  1. 300-350 word essay which addresses the following topics:
    1. Your reasons for pursuing this graduate degree.
    2. The area of specialization (Adult Nurse Practitioner, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Education, or Nurse Executive) you are applying for.
    3. Your career goals and professional plans.
  2. Two (2) official transcripts from each college/university attended.
  3. Three references utilizing the recommendation for admission form. One of the references must be from a current or former nurse educator and one must be from a current or former nurse supervisor/manager.
  4. One (1) copy of your current resume.
  5. The completed application is to be submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office at Fort Wayne. When all the necessary materials to complete your application file have been received, they will be forwarded to the Nursing Department.
  6. The application will then be submitted to the Department Chairperson for evaluation and recommendation to the Graduate Committee. The application will be reviewed and evaluated by the Graduate Committee of the Nursing Department for acceptance or rejection. If no major professor has been designated, the Graduate Committee will designate a major professor. Each member of the Committee will recommend acceptance or rejection of the candidate. Applicants are notified of official acceptance by the Graduate School of Purdue University.

Application Checklist

You should arrange to have the following sent to:

Graduate Admissions Office
Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne
2101 East Coliseum Blvd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1499

  • Two copies of your essay
  • Two copies of official transcripts from all institutions attended
  • At lease three letters of recommendation
    • One of the references must be from a current or former nurse educator and one must be from a current or former nurse supervisor/manager.

Application Deadlines

Fall - All application materials must be turned in by May 1st for priority admission. Rolling admission continues until classes are filled. No applications will be accepted after July 1 for fall admission into the program.

Post Baccalaureate Admission

Students may enroll as post baccalaureate students and complete up to 12 credit hours by submitting a non degree status application as well as the application for degree enrollment. This is an option for any potential student and the appropriate admission process for students that have missed the graduate admission deadlines.

General Academic Information

Requirements for the Masters Degree

English proficiency requirement: The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language System (IELTS) is required for students whose native language is not English. Applicants must achieve a TOEFL score of 550 or higher on the paper-based test, 213 or higher on the computer- based test. Applicants who take the Internet-based test (TOEFLiBT) must achieve the following minimum test scores, in addition to an overall (combined) score of at least 77: reading, 19; listening, 14; speaking, 18; writing, 18. Applicants taking the IELTS must score at least 6.5 on the academic module.

Selection of a Committee: A student's graduate committee consists of at least three faculty members from the department, and possibly one or more external members.

Submission of a Plan of Study:A tentative plan of study ideally should be drawn up prior to registration for the first semester of graduate work. Students must file a formal plan of study at least two semesters before planning to graduate.

Transfer of Credits: A maximum of 19 hours of graduate credit from another institution may be approved by the student's committee for inclusion in a program of study.

Although students may take courses on other Purdue campuses, at least 51% of the total credit hours used to satisfy degree requirements must be earned in residence on the IPFW campus. Remote televised instruction from a campus is considered to have been obtained from that campus, regardless of the student's physical location.

Credit for courses taken in post baccalaureate status: Students are eligible to include in the program of study no more than twelve hours of graduate credit taken while enrolled as a post baccalaureate residents prior to being admitted to a graduate degree program.

Graduate Core Requirements
15 Credits
NUR 521 Theoretical Constructs in
     Nursing

3
NUR 523 Nursing Research and
      Evidence-Based Practice

3
NUR 525 Informatics in Nursing
3
NUR 555 Health Disparities: Care of
      Vulnerable Populations

3
NUR 682 Synthesis and Application
3
   
Nurse Executive Specialization
18 credits
NUR 650 Concepts for the Nurse
     Executive Creating an Environment
     for Professional Practice


3
NUR 651 Role of the Nurse Executive
     in Creating an Environment for
     Professional Practice


3
NUR 652 Role of the Nures Executive
     in Managing Nursing Practice

3
NUR 653 Financial Management for the
     Nurse Executive

3
NUR 665 Managed Care for the Nurse
     Executive

2
NUR 671 Nurse Executive Practicum I
2
NUR 672 Nurse Executive Practicum II
2
   
Business Requirements
6 credits
SPEA V651 Public Human Resource
     Management

3

OLS 525 Organizational Analysis and
     Action

OR

COM 574 Organizational
     Communication

 

 



3
   

Scholarly Acheivement Optional

3 credits

NUR 698 Research/MS Thesis

3

Thesis option student: Students may choose to complete a thesis. All thesis students must pass a final oral defense of their thesis work, after the student's thesis committee has approved the completed thesis and before their degree is awarded. The time and format of the examination will be decided and arranged by the student and by the student's thesis committee.

Graduate Nursing Consortium

Through a consortium agreement with the Nursing Programs at the West Lafayette, Fort Wayne and Calumet campuses, a Master of Science with a major in nursing is offered to students in the West Lafayette, Fort Wayne and Calumet areas. The primary purpose of the graduate nursing program is to prepare nurses for advanced practice as nurse executives, nurse educators, clinical nurse specialists (adult health or critical care), or as nurse practitioners (adult, family, women's health). Our graduates are capable of assuming diverse leadership roles in clinical practice.

The programs are part of the graduate school of Purdue University.

IPFW is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access University.