Forensic Nursing with Certification in Investigative Forensics Program (MSN)

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Forensic Nursing is one of the fastest growing opportunities for nurses across the United States. The MSN in Forensic Nursing with Certification in Investigative Forensics anticipates and prepares for the future demand for these specialists. A coordinated expertise in the investigative and nursing disciplines affords students a theoretical understanding of nursing as both science and practice. Students will concomitantly receive post-Master’s certification in Investigative Forensics through completion of six courses offered in the Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ) program as part of this specialty concentration. The ultimate synthesis of these knowledge bases produces a graduate who can not only assume a clinical forensic role but can also impact the intersection of health care, criminal/civil investigations, and the legal system.

Graduates of the MSN in Forensic Nursing with Certification in Investigative Forensics degree will be prepared for positions that include:

Nurse investigator
Sexual assault nurse examiner
Nurse coroner
Legal nurse consultant
Forensic psychiatric nurse
Forensic correctional nurse
Mass disaster consultant and coordinator

MSN Core

Completion is required of all students seeking the MSN, MSN/MBA and MSN/MSIS degrees. The courses must be taken before or concurrently with the advanced core courses and before the specialty and clinical courses.

NU - 523 Health Policy, Advocacy and Finance: A Systems Approach Credits: 3
NU - 531 Advanced Research Credits: 3
NU - 535 Epidemiology Credits: 3 *
*Not required for PMHNP, Forensic Nursing, MSN/MBA, and MSN/MSIS degree
NU - 537 Community and Population Health Credits: 3
NU - 539 Health Technology, Safety and Quality Improvement Credits: 3

MSN Advanced Core

Completion of the advanced core courses is required for all Adult CNS, AGACNP, PMHNP, FNP, and Forensic Nursing students. These courses must be completed before the specialty and clinical courses.

NU - 622 Advanced Health Assessment Credits: 4
NU - 626 Advanced Pathophysiology Credits: 3
NU - 628 Advanced Pharmacology Credits: 4

MCJ Investigative Forensics Courses

CJ - 510 Forensic Science and the Courtroom Credits: 3
CJ - 516 Forensic Psychology Credits: 3
CJ - 532 Advanced Crime Scene Investigation Credits: 3
CJ - 533 Behavioral Criminology Credits: 3
CJ - 534 Forensic Toxicology Credits: 3
CJ - 535 Medicolegal Death Investigation Credits: 3
CJ - 544 Forensic Anthropology Credits: 3

Specialty and Clinical Courses

NU - 727 Forensics Practicum I Credits: 5
NU - 728 Forensics Practicum II Credits: 4
NU - 799 Capstone Portfolio Credits: 1

Program Requirements

MSN Core Courses	12 credits
Advanced Core Courses	11 credits
MACJ Specialty Courses	21 credits
Forensic Nursing Specialty and Clinical Courses	10 credits

Total	54 credits
Clinical Practicum Hours	375 hours