Program Overview

Overview of the Nursing/Criminal Justice Dual Degree (MSN/MS) Program

The Nursing/Criminal Justice Dual Degree (MSN/MS) program at Xavier University is designed to provide students with advanced training in both nursing and criminal justice. This unique program combines the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MS), preparing graduates for high-level roles in educational, consultative, and managerial capacities.

Program Details

• Program Length: 2-3 years
• Credit Hours: 47
• Per Credit Hour: $722
• Total Estimated Tuition: $33,934
• Accreditation: CCNE

Curriculum

The online MSN/MS (Criminal Justice major) dual degree program consists of 49 semester credit hours, including nursing core courses, criminal justice and forensic courses, and synthesis courses.

Nursing Courses (25 credits)

• NURS 500: Health Care Ethics for Nursing Leaders (3 credits)
• NURS 501: Theoretical Bases for Nursing Practice (3 credits)
• NURS 502: Nursing Research (3 credits)
• NURS 505: Health Care Informatics (3 credits)
• NURS 754: Leadership & Management (3 credits)
• NURS 864: Epidemiological Methods in Health Care (3 credits)
• NURS 642: Psychosocial and Legal Aspects of Forensics (3 credits)
• NURS 648: Foundations of Forensic Nursing (3 credits)

Criminal Justice Courses (15 credits)

• CJUS 609: Forensic Aspects in Population Health (3 credits)
• CJUS 611: Law & Justice in America (3 credits)
• CJUS 620: Sociology of Crime & Delinquency (3 credits)
• CJUS 601: Seminar in Criminal Justice (3 credits)
• CJUS 643: Correctional Counseling (3 credits)

Synthesis Courses (7 credits)

• CJUS 792: Internship (3 credits)
• NURS 705: Graduate Nursing Practicum II (2 credits)
• NURS 797: Scholarly Project (2 credits)

Admission

• Application Deadlines: July 1 (for Fall Semester start), December 1 (for Spring Semester start), April 1 (for Summer Semester start)
• Requirements:
  • Be a registered nurse with an unencumbered United States RN license
  • Hold a BSN and be a graduate of an accredited college or university's nursing program
  • An undergraduate statistics course with a grade of C or better is required for admission
  • A strong applicant will have a 3.0 GPA
• Application Process:
  1. Free online application
  2. Official transcript
  3. Resume and personal essay
  4. 3 professional references
  5. Personal interview (may be required)

Faculty

The online MSN/MS (Criminal Justice major) program features world-class faculty, including:

• Dr. Angie Collins, DHA, MSN, RN, APFN, SMQT: Assistant Professor of Forensic Nursing, Coordinator of Forensic Nursing Programs
• Ms. Lisa Niehaus: IPCP Project Coordinator

Program Objectives

• Synthesize theoretical and empirical knowledge from the humanities and the sciences, including nursing, and evaluate it for its use in guiding nursing research and practice
• Exhibit competence and confidence when assuming role responsibilities as a graduate with advanced level preparation
• Exemplify moral and ethical leadership through a concern for others, the management of nursing care, and a commitment to professional excellence in the delivery of health care and the profession
• Evaluate issues and opportunities in health care delivery from ethical, sociopolitical, technological, and historical frameworks while providing leadership for change
• Validate and extend nursing knowledge through interpretation of and collaboration in nursing research
• Communicate orally and in writing in a scholarly manner
• Develop in-depth knowledge in a concentrated area of study
• Demonstrate a capacity for understanding the dynamics of criminal and delinquent behavior, the nature and scope of the crime and delinquency complex in contemporary society, and the current efforts by the criminal justice system to address these issues

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the MSN/MS (Criminal Justice major) dual degree program can pursue various roles, including:

• Forensic nurse
• Legal nurse consultant
• Death investigator
• Nurse educator
• Correctional nurse

FAQs

• Will my degree say "online"? No, the degree is from Xavier University and is awarded on meeting coursework standards that are independent of course delivery.
• Do online courses charge a different rate? No, online courses charge the same rate as all other courses.
• Are online degree programs easier or harder than campus programs? Some students believe that online courses will be easier than a face-to-face course. However, that is not true. Each online course at Xavier will have the same academic standards and content as a face-to-face course.
• How will I interact with my instructor and other students in the online courses? Students may find that they can get to know their professor/instructor and other students better in an online course than in a traditional face-to-face course.
• Will students be expected to participate at a specific time during this course? Participation expectations vary by professor. Courses will be asynchronous with no set meeting times; however, practicum and scholarly project courses may include an online synchronous session (at the discretion of the instructor) at the end of the semester for student sharing/collaboration purposes.