2009-2010 Program Requirements for UCLA Graduate Degrees

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2009-2010 academic year.

Nursing

School of Nursing

Graduate Degrees

The School of Nursing offers the Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) degree and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Nursing.

Admission

Master's Degree

Advising

Upon admission to the school, students are assigned a faculty adviser who has the responsibility to aid students in planning a total program. Together, student and adviser identify academic and personal needs and match them with school and University resources available in order to maximize the student's ability to reach educational and professional goals. Due to the heavy course load required by the School, students are cautioned against working full-time.

Transcripts and grade reports are reviewed quarterly. Evaluations of performance in clinical coursework are written at the end of the quarter. Students are requested to read and sign these evaluations. Individual instructors are encouraged to contact a student's faculty adviser if they feel the student needs guidance in any academic endeavor. Signed records of all interviews are kept on counseling forms in the student's file.

Any student who is having difficulty must meet with the faculty adviser and the assistant dean for student affairs to determine the areas of need and any recommendations to be made. These meetings are also recorded on counseling notes that remain in each student's folder.

Areas of Study

M.S.N. Advanced Practice Nursing: The School of Nursing offers graduate studies in the following areas: Acute Care; Family; Gerontology; Nursing Administration; Nursing Administration/Occupational and Environmental Health; Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing; Oncology; and Pediatrics.

Within selected advanced practice specialties (Acute Care, Gerontology, Oncology or Pediatrics), students may select to focus on the nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist or both, clinical nurse specialist/nurse practitioner role. Some specialties have course requirements over and above the minimum requirements for the degree. Applicants are advised to seek counseling prior to admission in order to select the specialty and role most appropriate to career goals, as well as to meet requirements for acceptance into the particular area of concentration. Students in nurse practitioner specialties may take the neuropsychiatric subspecialty. Students in the family nurse practitioner specialty may take the underserved populations subspecialty.

All graduates are strongly encouraged to sit for advanced practice certification by accredited agencies after graduation.

For administrative and teaching purposes, specialties are organized within the two Sections of the School: Acute Care and Primary Care.

M.S.N. Master's Entry Clinical Nursing: The School of Nursing offers graduate studies for master's entry clinical nursing to prepare individuals with a baccalaureate in another field who wish to become registered nurses. Students are prepared as nurse generalists with strong leadership skills to function in health care delivery across a variety of settings in the health care system, including the acute care setting. Graduates of this program work at the bedside and are prepared to implement the outcomes-based practice and quality improvement in clinical settings.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

M.S.N. Advanced Practice Nursing: A minimum of three core courses (seven to ten units) and additional coursework in the 100-, 200-, and 400-series are required for each area of clinical specialization. A total of four units of 500-series courses may be applied toward the total course requirement for the degree.

A minimum grade-point average of 3.0 is required. Grades of B are required in graduate clinical nursing courses in order to advance to the next clinical course in a series. A minimum of three quarters of full-time enrollment is required for academic residence.

M.S.N. Master's Entry Clinical Nursing: A minimum of 26 courses in the 200- and 400-series are required. A total of four units of 500-series courses may be applied toward the degree.

A minimum grade-point average of 3.0 is required. Grades of B are required in graduate clinical theory and practice nursing courses in order to advance to the next clinical theory and practice course in a series. A minimum of three quarters of full-time enrollment is required for academic residence.

Core Requirements

M.S.N. Advanced Practice Nursing

Core Courses. Nursing 204, 220, and 264 (Nursing 264 is not required for nursing administration and nursing administration/occupational and environmental health students). Additional core courses for all options except nursing administration and nursing administration/occupational health: Nursing 200, 225A, 225B, 230A, and 230B.

Clinical Specialty Theory Courses. Nursing 211, 212, 213A, 213B, 214F, 215F, 216F, 217F, 219A, 219B, 223, 232F, 233F, 236, 241F, 242F, 243F, 244F, 249. Course requirements vary for each specialty area; not all courses are required in each specialty.

Advanced Practice Theory Courses. Nursing 218A, 218B, 218C, 218D, 236, 238A, 238B, 238C, 239A, 239B, 239C, 245.

Clinical Practicum/Residency Courses. Nursing 418A through 418D, 438A through 438D, 439A through 439D, 440, 441, 445, 450.

M.S.N. Master's Entry Clinical Nursing

Research Courses. Nursing 204, 256, 258.

Nursing Core. Nursing 225A, 225B, 230A, 230B, 250

Clinical Theory Courses. Nursing 171C, 252, 254A, C255, C260, 262A, 262B, 265A, 265B.

Clinical Practice Courses. Nursing 171D, 254B, 461, 462, 463, 464, 465, 467.

Administrative Courses. Nursing 266, 267, 268, 269.

Specialty Requirements for Advanced Practice Nursing

Additional course requirements vary according to specialty area selected:

Acute Care Specialty. The goal of the acute care specialty is to prepare nurses to assume an advanced practice role as nurse practitioners and/or clinical nurse specialists in the care of adults who are identified as ill and who have high intensity nursing and medical needs. These patients may receive care in a wide variety of settings, from intensive care units to specialty clinics, doctor's offices, or the home. With faculty advisement, students may plan a series of clinical placements to attain expertise with a specific population. A minimum of two years of prior experience in acute care is highly recommended. Graduates are expected to engage in research-based practice as acute care practitioners, educators, consultants, and to become leaders in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Required courses include Nursing 200, 204, 216F, 217F, 220, 225A, 225B, 230A, 230B, 239A, 239B, 239C, 264, 439A through 439D, 440, and four units of theory elective. In addition to the required courses listed above, students who select the clinical nurse specialist role also take Nursing 245 and 445 (eight units and in place of 439D). Except for the four units of theory elective, student who prepare for dual certification (CNS/NP) take the required courses listed above plus Nursing 245 and 445.

Family Specialty. The family specialty prepares family nurse practitioners to provide primary health care for individuals throughout the life span. The focus is on collaborative, interdisciplinary practice to assure comprehensive quality health care and health maintenance in outpatient, work site, home health, nursing home, and hospital settings. Emphasis is on the assessment, treatment, and evaluation of the client's responses to actual or potential health problems, which may be chronic or acute and include primary prevention and health promotion. Required courses include Nursing 200, 204, 211, 212, 220, 225A, 225B, 230A, 230B, 236, 239A, 239B, 239C, 264, 439A through 439D, 440, and four units of theory elective.

Gerontology Specialty. The gerontology specialty prepares nurses to assume an advanced practice role as a nurse practitioner to meet the increased demands for leadership in health care for older persons, particularly those challenged by chronic illness. Emphasis is on the comprehensive assessment, treatment, and evaluation of the client and family. Advanced knowledge and skills in pathophysiology and psychosocial concepts guide theory-based practice, with the goal of optimizing functional status. Interdisciplinary collaboration and care management are emphasized. Required courses include Nursing 200, 204, 220, 225A, 225B, 230A, 230B, 232F, 233F, 239A, 239B, 239C, 264, 439A through 439D, 440, and four units of theory elective. In addition to the required courses listed above, students who select the clinical nurse specialist role also take Nursing 245 and 445 (eight units and in place of 439D). Except for the four units of theory elective, students who prepare for dual certification (CNS/NP) take the required courses listed above plus Nursing 245 and 445 (six units).

Nursing Administration Specialty. The goal of the nursing administration specialty is to prepare advance practice nurses in organizational theory, health services, and financial management for the practice of administrative roles within acute, ambulatory care, and/or community-based settings.  Content includes finance, strategic planning, project management, leadership, quality improvement, risk management, human resource management, management for quality clinical and organizational outcomes, education and research. Electives may be taken in the John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management, or in other schools, including the School of Public Health or the School of Public Policy and Social Research. Practicums with outstanding administrative leaders are individualized to meet the goals of each student, and give practice experience in health services administration. Required courses include Nursing 204, 218A, 218B, 218C, 218D, 219A, 219B, 220, 418A through 418D, and a minimum of 16 units of theory electives including a course in organizational theory and human resource management.

Nursing Administration/Occupational and Environmental Health Specialty. The goal of the nursing administration/occupational and environmental health specialty is to prepare advance practice nurses for administrative roles within occupational settings. Content includes occupational and environmental health, finance, strategic planning, project management, leadership, quality improvement, risk management, human resource management, management for quality clinical and organizational outcomes, education, and research. Electives may be taken in the John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management, or in other schools including the School of Public Health, or the School of Public Policy and Social Research. Practicums with outstanding occupational health administrative leaders are individualized to meet the goals of each student, and give practical experience in the administration of occupational health programs. Required course include Nursing 204, 213A, 213B, 218A, 218B, 218C, 218D, 219A, 219B, 220, 418A, through 418D, and at least 10 units of coursework approved by the student's adviser, which includes content in the areas of epidemiology, industrial hygiene, physical agents, ergonomics, and occupational safety.

Occupational and Environmental Health Specialty. The occupational and environmental health specialty integrates principles of occupational and environmental health assessment and care with primary ambulatory care of adult groups. Practitioners evaluate the individual as seen within the work setting as well as within the family and community group. Primary focus and emphasis are on health status assessment, health promotion, illness/accident prevention, hazard control, screening, surveillance, and rehabilitation of adult workers. Requirements are met through a combination of courses and experiences specific to the delivery of occupational and environmental health care services. Required courses include Nursing 200, 204, 213A, 213B, 220, 225A, 225B, 230A, 230B, 239A, 239B, 239C or Environmental Health Sciences 454, Nursing 264, 439A through 439D, 440, and at least 10 units of coursework approved by the student's adviser, which includes content in the areas of epidemiology, industrial hygiene, physical agents, ergonomics, and occupational safety.

Oncology Specialty. The goal of the oncology specialty is to prepare oncology nurse practitioners and clinical specialists to care for adults with/or at risk for cancer. Students will obtain expert clinical skills for the assessment and management of patients with/at risk for cancer; to provide education for patients, families, and nursing staff, and to provide consultation in oncology-related problems. Clinical practicums are available with expert clinicians across the health/illness continuum (for example, cancer screening, ambulatory oncology clinics and private practices, inpatient oncology units, radiation therapy). Graduates are expected to become leaders in oncology advance practice and to engage in research-based practice as an oncology nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist. Previous clinical oncology experience is highly recommended. Required courses include Nursing 200, 204, 214F, 215F, 220, 225A, 225B, 230A, 230B, 239A, 239B, 239C, 264, 439A through 439D, 440, and four units of theory elective. In addition to the required courses listed above, students who select the clinical nurse specialist role also take Nursing 245 and 445 (eight units and in place of 439D). Except for the four units of theory elective, students who prepare for dual certification (CNS/NP) take the required courses listed above plus Nursing 245 and 445.

Pediatric Specialty. This specialty prepares pediatric nurse practitioners to assume leadership roles in the health care of children. Emphasis is on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation of children's actual or potential health problems. Content stresses care for acute and chronic illnesses as well as primary prevention. Required courses include Nursing 200, 204, 212, 220, 223, 225A, 225B, 230A, 230B, 238A, 238B, 238C, 264, 438A through 438D, 440, and four units of theory elective. In addition to the required courses listed above, students who select the clinical nurse specialist role also take Nursing 245 and 445 (eight units and in place of 439D). Except for the four units of theory elective, students who prepare for dual certification (CNS/NP) take the required courses listed above plus Nursing 245 and 445.

Neuropsychiatric Subspecialty. The neuropsychiatric subspecialty prepares nurses to assume an advanced practice role as a nurse practitioner in community and inpatient settings. The focus is on the primary care of adults with cognitive, addictive, and affective dysfunctions. Students select both a nurse practitioner specialty and neuropsychiatric nurse practitioner subspecialty. Required courses include those listed under the nurse practitioner specialties and Nursing 241F, 242F, 441. Nursing C209 is a highly recommended theory elective.

Underserved Populations Subspecialty. The undeserved populations subspecialty provides enriched theory and clinical experiences to more fully prepare new family nurse practitioners to take on the challenges of improving primary care practices in complex, culturally diverse, and low resource practice settings. Required courses including Nursing C209, 249, 450, and two to four units from Nursing 241 and/or 242.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Comprehensive Examination Plan

Successful completion of the comprehensive examination is required. The comprehensive examination is given in written form during Spring Quarter. Students are eligible to take the examination once they are advanced to candidacy and may repeat the examination twice. Retakes only are offered during Summer Sessions and Fall Quarter. Students must complete all requirements for the degree within one calendar year after advancement to candidacy.

Thesis Plan

None.

Time to Degree

M.S.N. Advanced Practice Nursing: Normal progress from graduate admission to conferral of degree is a minimum of six quarters.

M.S.N. Master's Entry Clinical Nursing: Normal progress from graduate admission to conferral of degree is a minimum of six quarters and one summer.

Doctoral Degree

Advising

Students are assigned doctoral advisers recommended by the doctoral program committee to provide individual supervision and to guide selection of a suitable program of study. Doctoral advisers are chosen for their experience in the student's research area.

Students meet with their doctoral advisers once each quarter before enrolling; however, a student may seek the doctoral program committee's advice at any time.

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

In the doctoral program, students focus their study in one of four areas: biobehavioral sciences, biologic sciences, health disparities/vulnerable populations, or health services.

Students who choose biobehavioral sciences focus on the influence of both biologic and behavioral factors on health beliefs and health promotion, sense of well-being and quality of life, symptom management, and adherence to and utilization of prevention and treatment services. Students who choose biologic sciences focus on the phenomena in the biologic, physiologic and pathophysiologic sciences, including cellular adaptations and injury, genetics, neoplasia, inflammatory, immune and neuroendocrine responses and the effect of these on tissue and organ system functioning in the context of human health. Students who choose health disparities/vulnerable populations focus on nursing science in the area of community-based interventions to prevent disease, decrease morbidity and mortality for populations at a relative higher risk for poor health and in the context of a culturally diverse environment for care. Students who choose health services focus on interrelationships of structure, process, and outcomes of care in the context of a wide range of health care delivery systems, from inpatient settings to outpatient and home care and community-based prevention and treatment delivery systems. Ethical considerations and policy decisions that impact the conduct and advancement of research in these domains are addressed.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

The following courses are required of all students in the Ph.D. program.

(1) Nursing theory: Nursing 202, 206.

(2) Nursing science: Nursing 210A-210B-210C.

(3) Nursing research: Nursing 205A-205B-205C, 207, 208, 295A-295B-295C, 299A-299B-299C. Nursing 205A, 207, 208 and 299A are required for all doctoral students. Students must take either of the following: Nursing 299B and 299C for quantitative research, or 205B, 205C and 299B or 299C for qualitative research (299B and 299C must be taken twice for biologic sciences).

(4) One statistics sequence.  Recommended minimal sequences: Biostatistics 200A, 201, 406 or Education 230B-230C, 231A.

(5) Professional development: Nursing 299D, Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics C234.

(6) Cognates: Minimum of 12 units, three courses in related field relevant to area of research. Biologic sciences students also must complete Chemistry CM253.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

Academic Senate regulations require all doctoral students to complete and pass University written and oral qualifying examinations prior to doctoral advancement to candidacy. Also, under Senate regulations the University oral qualifying examination is open only to the student and appointed members of the doctoral committee. In addition to University requirements, some graduate programs have other pre-candidacy examination requirements. What follows in this section is how students are required to fulfill all of these requirements for this doctoral program.

Written Qualifying Examination. The written qualifying examination must be taken after completion of the following courses: Nursing 202, 206, 210A-210B-210C, 295A, 299D, Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics C234, and a minimum of three courses from the Biostatistics or Education statistical course sequence (students select the sequence). The examination is given at the end of Spring Quarter. Only one reexamination is permitted and it is taken during the Summer of the same year as the original examination.

Oral Qualifying Examination. The University Oral Qualifying Examination, taken after completing the course requirements and successfully passing the written qualifying examination, evaluates students' dissertation proposals. The initial step is selection of a doctoral committee. Students are responsible for obtaining the consent of four or more faculty members to serve on the committee as certifying members. Qualifications of members must be consistent with students' area of research and special interests and also with the requirements for doctoral committees as stated in the Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA. Additional members, including those from an institution or clinical agency representing the student's clinical and research interests, may be appointed as non-certifying members by petition if the doctoral committee and the student agree that additional experts are needed. The graduate adviser of the doctoral committee must give approval of members consenting to serve on the doctoral committee before the committee is submitted for the approval of the Graduate Division.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations.

Doctoral Dissertation

Every doctoral degree program requires the completion of an approved dissertation that demonstrates the student's ability to perform original, independent research and constitutes a distinct contribution to knowledge in the principal field of study.

Final Oral Examination (Defense of the Dissertation)

Required for all students in the program.

Time-to-degree

Students entering with a master's degree in nursing should be able to complete the doctoral program as follows:

From admission to written qualifying examination: three quarters minimum, six quarters maximum.

From written qualifying examination to approval of proposal and oral qualifying examination: three quarters minimum, six quarters maximum.

From advancement to candidacy to final oral examination: six quarters.

From graduate admission to awarding of degree: 15 quarters maximum recommended.

Termination of Graduate Study and Appeal of Termination

University Policy

A student who fails to meet the above requirements may be recommended for termination of graduate study. A graduate student may be disqualified from continuing in the graduate program for a variety of reasons. The most common is failure to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (3.0) required by the Academic Senate to remain in good standing (some programs require a higher grade point average). Other examples include failure of examinations, lack of timely progress toward the degree and poor performance in core courses. Probationary students (those with cumulative grade point averages below 3.00) are subject to immediate dismissal upon the recommendation of their department. University guidelines governing termination of graduate students, including the appeal procedure, are outlined in Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA.

Special Departmental or Program Policy

Master's

In addition to the standard reasons outlined above, a student may be recommended for termination because of grades of B- or lower in clinical theory and practice courses, regardless of overall grade point average, or for unprofessional or unethical conduct.

Doctoral

In addition to the standard reasons outlined above, a student may be specifically recommended for termination for failure of the written or oral qualifying examination a second time.

Program Requirements

Nursing