Master of Nursing or Master of Science in Nursing: What’s the difference?
The nursing profession has been put to the test – and passed with flying colours – in the face of the global pandemic.
Being part of such a valuable and employable cohort means possessing the skills necessary to succeed, adapt and evolve.
Whether you’re a veteran of the profession or just getting started, the University of Lethbridge offers two different master’s degrees: a Master of Nursing and a Master of Science with a major in Nursing.
Master of Nursing
If you’re currently a Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Nurse Practitioner (RNP) or Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) in Canada and want to advance your practice by exploring new areas of nursing, the ULethbridge Master of Nursing (MN) is the degree for you.
Created for the lifelong learner, the MN program caters to those already in the nursing profession who have completed a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BN, BScN) and are regulated members in good standing on the Registered Nurse, Psychiatric Nurse, Graduate Nursing Practitioner or Nurse Practitioner Register.
The MN, which students complete online on a full- or part-time basis, helps nursing professionals gain additional credentials to become leaders in nursing practice, education and research.
Students can choose between three pathways in the MN. In each route, students complete common core Nursing courses, in addition to:
- Thesis: This route is well-suited for those who plan to pursue a PhD.
- Culminating Project: This is best for students who want to contribute to nursing practice on a topic of interest to them. Students choose their topic in consultation with their instructor. Upon completion, nurses and/or clients should be able to apply the project in a practice-based setting.
- Courses: In addition to the core Nursing courses, students complete nine credit hours of specialized Nursing and Health Sciences courses, as well as 12 credit hours of Addictions Counselling, Public Health, Health Services Management and/or Nursing Practice Experience courses.
Master of Science in Nursing
Unlike the Master of Nursing, an undergraduate degree in nursing is not required for entry into the MSc (Nursing) program, although many students do have a health care background. Students must find a supervisor for admission to the MSc (Nursing), take classroom-based courses on the Lethbridge Campus and complete a thesis. Students may take the program part-time (over 48 months) or full-time (over 24 months).
The MSc (Nursing) also offers optional paid co-op work terms, so students can earn a paycheque and take their learning beyond the classroom.
This degree is well-suited for international applicants who don’t hold a current Canadian RN license.