MSN Informatics
Program Overview
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Nursing Informatics track is the first nursing informatics masters offered by a Texas-based university. This program fills a critical gap in advanced nursing education and prepares nurses for the many existing and emerging informatics roles. The education provided covers a broad spectrum of informatics-based theories and skills, with emphasis on the following, but not limited to:
- Data and standards management, data analytics, clinical decision support
- Project management and quality improvement methods and techniques
- Public health informatics
- Electronic health record evaluation and optimization
- Systems development life cycle and workflow assessment methods
- Evaluating innovative technologies and digital solutions for clinical care
The nursing informatics track prepares graduates to assume an advanced practice role in nursing informatics.
A Post-Master’s Nursing Informatics Certificate is also available to those who currently hold a Master of Science in Nursing and wish to assume an advanced practice role in nursing informatics.
Upon completion of course requirements, graduates of the MSN NI track are sufficiently competent to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Board Certification and the HIMSS Certified Professional in Health Information Management (CPHIMS) Exams.
Disclaimer: Due to changing regulations, the TTUHSC SON Graduate Programs cannot guarantee at the time of submission of an application that we can accept students from a particular state. At this time, we are unable to accept students living in the following states – Arizona, California, Louisiana, New York, Oregon, Tennessee and Washington.
The MSN NI track is completed in 39 semester credit hours. There are several options to substitute NI track courses with TTUHSC DNP courses that may be used if the student should choose to pursue their doctoral degree later
Current tuition information can be found here or by contacting Student Business Services from 8:30am-4pm CST at (806) 743-7867.
Financial aid (student loans, grants, scholarships) are available upon admittance to the School of Nursing. Additional information may be found at the Financial Aid Office website or by calling 806-743-3025.
Admission Requirements
Although academic criteria (cumulative GPA) are the most important factors in admission consideration, additional non-academic information can be considered. All applicants will be reviewed in an individual and holistic manner. No single factor will determine a student's admission.
All applicants who receive offers of admission will be required to submit documentation of required immunizations and consent to a criminal background check. A history of criminal conduct or convictions may result in withdrawal of the admission offer. See "Criminal Background Checks" section of the School of Nursing Student Handbook for the school policy.
The Graduate Department Chair and/or Program Director will review the applicant's previous academic preparation and/or competency in required courses in order to award transfer credit. Any deficiencies will be met by enrollment in required courses.
Generally, credits earned at an accredited college or university are accepted for transfer credit provided course content is equivalent. A grade below B is not acceptable for transfer credit.
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR APPLICANTS WHO ATTENDED A COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY IN SPRING 2020
An explanation of how TTUHSC School of Nursing considers courses in which a student earns grades of Pass (P), Fail(F), Credit (CR) or No Credit (NC) is outlined below:
- Official transcripts with courses awarded with P or CR during the SPRING 2020 semester can be used to meet prerequisite course requirements and will not be used in calculating either the cumulative or science GPA for admissions.
- TTUHSC SON reserves the right to determine how, and if, courses awarded with P or CR during any semester, outside of spring 2020, will be calculated into a GPA and/or considered for transfer credit.
- Official transcripts with courses awarded with a Fail (F) or No Credit (NC) during any semester cannot be used to meet prerequisite course requirements
- Valid unencumbered RN License
- Baccalaureate nursing degree (BSN) from a regionally accredited college or university with nursing program accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or from the American Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), formerly the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)
- Applicants with a nursing transcript from a foreign university are to submit an official course-by-course evaluation from CGFNS. If the coursework is not related to a nursing degree, the applicant must submit an official course-by-course evaluation from one of the four agencies listed here.
- Completion of undergraduate courses in research and statistics with a grade of C or better
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) for all coursework leading to a baccalaureate degree.
- Personal Statement/Essay (maximum of 500 words)
- Professional letters of reference (3). Family members, friends, ministers, are not considered a professional reference
- Official transcript for the BSN plus transcripts for all undergraduate courses including undergraduate research and statistics course if not included on the BSN transcript
- Computer Literacy: defined as an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of a computer and how to use them wisely within clinical workflow and for scholarly work. Applicants must complete the TTUHSC SON Computer Literacy Test located at http://nursing.ttuhsc.edu/skills/ prior to applying
- TOEFL Scores – Applicants from a country where the primary language is not English must provide evidence of achieving a total score of 84 or higher with a speaking score of 26 or higher and a writing score of 27 or higher on the TOEFL iBT. This may only be waived if the student has received a degree from an accredited college/university in one of the listed countries: Australia, Canada (except the Province of Quebec), Commonwealth Caribbean countries (including Anguilla, Antigua, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Dominic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands), Republic of Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales), United States.
International students with F1 and F2 status are not eligible to apply to an online program
- Evidence of leadership in nursing (Professional organizations, committees, etc.)
- Potential for leadership in an advanced role as evidenced by reference letters
- Professional nursing work experience
- Diversity of work or life experience (For example: experience with other cultures, study/travel/work abroad, community service, military service, degree in other field, volunteerism or other related extracurricular activities)
- Curriculum vitae/resume which includes educational background, honors, nursing experience, professional membership(s), and community service
- Permanent resident of Texas or TTUHSC service area/county or TTUHSC campus location
- First generation college student
- Fluent in a language in addition to English
- Experience in nursing informatics or technology (minimum super user experience) is required
- Minimum of two (2) years of clinical experience
- Response to Track specific essay questions
- Participate in an interview with faculty if selected for an interview
Application
It is the responsibility of the applicant to make sure that their application is complete: Application Instructions
All application fees and placement fees/enrollment deposits are non-refundable. Please be sure you are applying for the correct term/program before submitting your application.
| Admission Term | Application Open | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | November 1 of previous year | February 15 |
| Spring | May 1 of previous year | August 31 of previous year |
- It is to your advantage to include as much information as possible in your application including any certifications you may have (i.e. BLS, ACLS, PALS, CCRN, etc.), information on any professional nursing organizations of you may be a member, current and previous work experience. Additional tips can be found by reviewing Tips for a Successful Application to the Graduate Program.
- There are two steps to submitting the application. First, submit all application fields and submit the application. Within 24-48 hours, supplemental items will post on your status page. This is the second step you will be required to complete. Application will be marked complete once all supplemental items are received.
- Ensure that all required application documents are received by the deadline. It is the responsibility of the applicant, not that of TTUHSC, to make sure that your application is complete and submitted. We will not contact you for missing items.
- If you already have your MSN degree and are interested in applying for the post-master's certificate program, you will need to follow a different application process which is outlined on the websites for the post-master's tracks.
- Once you have submitted your application, official transcripts must be submitted by ALL colleges or universities attended. You may only request official transcripts – you may not submit an official transcript yourself.
- Transcripts may be mailed by the college or university to this address:
TTUHSC School of Nursing
Office of Admissions
3601 4th St. STOP 8212
Lubbock, TX 79430-8212
Or
- *Effective immediately, TTUHSC School of Nursing will no longer accept transcripts transmitted through the SPEEDE system. Please ensure your official transcripts are submitted electronically to SONTranscripts@ttuhsc.edu or mailed to the Office of Admissions.
*DISCLAIMER: Please be aware that if the Office of Admissions does receive an official transcript transmitted via the SPEEDE system (either directly from the sending institution or a third-party transcript provider), we may use it to evaluate and process your application. Therefore, as an applicant, it is important you remain aware that information on transcripts submitted via SPEEDE may not be accurate. It is to your benefit to have the transcript sent to the Office of Admissions either electronically to SONTranscripts@ttuhsc.edu or through the mail.