RN to MSN Articulation Track

RN to MSN Articulation Track

Degree: Master of Science

Major: Nursing

Concentration: R.N. to M.S.N. Track

Total Hours: 150-153

Applications are made through Apply Texas. Follow the application instructions carefully so that the correct major is chosen. If the wrong major is selected, there can be a delay in the admission decision.

Requirements for Admission to the RN-MSN Track:

  1. Have an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Degree (AASN or ADN) or Diploma in Nursing from an approved program.
  2. Acceptance to Lamar University.
  3. Current unencumbered RN license to practice professional nursing in the United States or an approved U.S. Territory.
  4. Must have a "C" or better in ENGL 1301 Composition I, ENGL 1302 Composition II, MATH 1314 College Algebra(Non-Calculus), MATH 1342 Statistics/PSYC 2317 Introduction to Statistical Methods, BIOL 2401 Anatomy and Physiology I, BIOL 2402 Anatomy and Physiology II, BIOL 2420 Microbiology, PSYC 2315 Lifespan Development, and NUTR 1322 Basic Nutrition to be accepted into the program.
  5. Overall grade point average of 3.0 or above. If grade point average is between 2.85 and 2.99, see requirements for conditional admission allowing them to enroll in 9 hours of nursing courses and must earn a grade of "B" or better to progress in the RN-MSN Track.

If the grade point average is between 2.85 and 2.99, students may be admitted on a conditional basis, provided:

  1. Students must take the Miller Analogies Test (MAT).  A successful MAT score is calculated as follows: GPA x 200 + MAT > 950.  We do not make exceptions for international students.
  2. Upon receiving a successful score the application will be re-evaluated for admission to the R.N.-M.S.N. track.
  3. If admitted, students will be allowed to enroll in the first nine (9) credit hours of nursing courses.
  4. Students must pass each course with a “B” or better to progress in the R.N.-M.S.N. Track. See the Lamar Graduate Catalog for more information regarding GPA status and academic probation.
  5. If the student is unsuccessful in achieving a “B” or better, he/she will be removed from the Dishman School of Nursing R.N.-M.S.N. Track.

The Admission Process is as follows:

  1. The student should follow the instructions for ApplyTexas, selecting Online Campus and then the correct degree code (MSN for Registered Nurses - ONLINE DEGREE) and the semester in which the student wants to enroll.
  2. Send official transcripts to the,
    Lamar University Admissions Office
    P.O. Box 10009
    Beaumont, Texas, 77710.
  3. The Lamar University Admissions Office will then determine the student's admission status and what courses will transfer. Admissions will send an email with the decision regarding the student's acceptance to Lamar University.
  4. After Lamar University admits the student, the School of Nursing will be notified.
  5. The School of Nursing will review the students’ files and transcripts to determine if the student meets the admission requirements for the RN-MSN Track.
  6. Accepted students will receive a packet by email from the School of Nursing providing them with details regarding their degree and the requirements necessary to progress in the track. Students will need to review the packet and their degree plan through their degree audit on Self-Service Banner.
  7. After students have reviewed the acceptance packet, they must email their advisor confirming their acceptance and notify the advisor of the course(s) in which they would like to enroll

Curriculum Plan for RN to MSN Track

Students are required to begin with MSNC 5310 Theoretical Foundations as their first nursing course in this track and may be taken with or before NURS 4316 Comprehensive Holistic Health Assessment. NURS 4316 Comprehensive Holistic Health Assessment has 3 pre-requisites: Anatomy and Physiology I and II (BIOL 2401 Anatomy and Physiology I and BIOL 2402 Anatomy and Physiology II) and Microbiology (BIOL 2420 Microbiology or BIOL 2421 Microbiology for Science Majors). The remaining B.S.N.-level courses (NURS 4540 Nursing Practice: Care of Communities, NURS 4550 Nursing Practice: Leadership and Management in the Healthcare System, and NURS 4620 Nursing Practice: Compromised Multiple Health States) and MSNC 5311 Nursing Research must be completed before enrolling in MSNC 5319 Advanced Nursing Issues and Health Policy. Statistics (PSYC 2317 Introduction to Statistical Methods or MATH 1342 Statistics) must be taken before MSNC 5311 Nursing Research. Students are required to earn a passing grade in each nursing course while following the sequence identified for the program of study.

The final, capstone course for the B.S.N. portion of the track is MSNC 5319 Advanced Nursing Issues and Health Policy, and upon successful completion of the course, students apply to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (provided all other course requirements are complete) before continuing to the remaining graduate-level nursing courses in the track.

Students are required to consult with an RN-MSN Articulation Track Advisor (409-880-8872) before each semester to discuss the best options for their academic progress.  Students may enroll on a full time or part-time basis.

Progression in the RN to MSN Track

Students in the RN-MSN track must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. RN-MSN Track students with GPAs between 2.0 and 2.99 will no longer qualify for the RN-MSN Track but may continue in the RN-BSN Track if they meet the RN-BSN progression policy requirements.

The grading scale for nursing courses in the RN-MSN Track is as follows:

  • A= 100-90  Excellent
  • B = 89-80  Good
  • C = 79-75  Satisfactory
  • D = 74-60  Failure
  • F = 59-0  Failure

To remain in the RN-MSN Track, students must earn a grade of “B” or above in the following courses:

Students are required to earn a grade of “C” or better in each of the following courses:

  • NURS 4316 Comprehensive Holistic Health Assessment 
  • NURS 4540 Nursing Practice: Care of Communities 
  • NURS 4550 Nursing Practice: Leadership and Management in the Healthcare System 
  • NURS 4620 Nursing Practice: Compromised Multiple Health States

In order to progress in the RN-BSN Track students are required to:

  •     Maintain a current unencumbered nursing license
  •     Complete a criminal background screening
  •     Obtain Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification
  •     Submit to a physical exam completed by their physician
  •     Provide documentation of current immunizations
  •     Obtain nursing liability insurance

These requirements are the responsibility of the student and are not included in Lamar’s tuition and fees. Students are required to renew immunizations, CPR certification, and liability insurance annually.

Escrow Courses for RN to MSN Students

R.N.-M.S.N. students will be awarded undergraduate Nursing credits via escrow, which will be added to the student's transcript once all nursing coursework from the B.S.N. portion of the curriculum has been completed.

Transfer Credits

Credit earned at other regionally accredited institutions will be considered for transfer to Lamar University based on the policies outlined in the Transfer Credit Evaluation section of the Lamar University Undergraduate Admissions Process and Requirement section of this catalog for more information. Transfer of graduate-level credits is addressed under the Academic Policies of the College of Graduate Studies of the Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures section of this catalog. Lamar University is unable to transfer credits for technical credit courses earned at another institution. Please speak with an advisor regarding questions about technical credit courses.