Nov 23, 2024  
2020-2021 University Student Handbook 
    
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2020-2021 University Student Handbook [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Graduation and Commencement

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science Degree (MSN): Generalist Entry Master’s (GEM)

The pre-licensure Master of Science in Nursing program, also known as the Generalist Entry Master’s (GEM), requires a minimum of 74 trimester hours and 1160 clock hours of clinical instruction and must include all graduate coursework, clinical experiences and residency requirements as stated in the program of study. Master’s students must complete degree requirements within five years (60 months).

In the final term of matriculation in the Generalist Entry Master’s Program prelicensure students will have the opportunity to comprehensively prepare for the NCLEX exam by:

  • Taking the first of two HESI comprehensive exit exams
  • Attending a 3 day Live HESI review run by a HESI certified educator
  • Taking a second HESI comprehensive exit exam
  • Taking a Computer Adapted Examination (CAT) of 85 - 150 questions

Students may sit for certification as a Clinical Nurse Leader while still enrolled in the program.

After receiving the master’s degree in nursing, graduates are eligible to write the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX).

The Master of Science Degree (MSN) - Post-licensure Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)

The post-licensure Master of Science in Nursing degree requires a minimum of 37 trimester hours and 400 clock hours of clinical instruction and must include all coursework, clinical experiences and residency requirements as stated in the program of study. No less than 25 trimester hours shall be spent in academic residence at Rush University for the post-licensure MSN degree. Master’s students must complete degree requirements within five years (60 months).

The Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree (DNP) with Clinical Specialty Certification

Course requirements vary in each area of concentration. The College reserves the right to modify course requirements in consideration of overall curricular goals and design and certification standards. Depending upon the area of specialization, most BSN-DNP options range between 62 - 69 trimester hours. At least two-thirds of the hours designated in the specialty concentration must be spent in academic residence at Rush University for the DNP degree. Doctor of Nursing Practice students must complete degree requirements within five years (60 months).

The Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree (DNP) Leadership Tracks

The leadership tracks for the DNP degree require a minimum of 62 trimester hours of post-baccalaureate or 30 trimester hours of post-graduate study. At least two-thirds of the hours designated in the leadership track must be spent in academic residence at Rush. All Doctor of Nursing Practice students must complete degree requirements within five years.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science (PhD)

The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science degree requires completion of the approved individual program of study. Coursework for the PhD must be the equivalent of 55 trimester hours of post-master’s study, exclusive of the dissertation. No less than 37 trimester hours of study shall be spent in residence at Rush University for the PhD degree. Students must complete degree requirements within 8 years (96 months).

Participation at commencement is expected of all graduates.

 

Graduation and Commencement Requirements

Who can “march” in the spring Commencement ceremony?

  1. Students who earned Master’s or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees in the previous Fall term or who will earn those degrees in the Spring term of graduation or the Summer term just following graduation are eligible if they have not marched in a previous commencement, and all required forms have been submitted to the Office of the Registrar.

  2. PhD students completing a dissertation must have successfully defended and submitted a final copy of their dissertation/thesis to the Library by the Degree Approval form submission deadline in order to participate in the current academic year’s commencement. PhD students must provide the title of their dissertation by the date indicated on the Degree Approval Form in order to have that title included in the commencement program. 

  3. Master’s and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students completing degree requirements in the Summer just following graduation who wish to march in Spring must have the Intent to Graduate form on file by the second week of the Spring term. The Degree Approval form will be due to the Office of the Registrar at the end of the Summer term. 

Who cannot “march” in the Spring Commencement ceremony?

  1. Master’s and DNP students who are completing degree requirements in the Fall term are not eligible to march in the previous spring commencement ceremony. Students completing degree requirements in Fall may march in the next year’s ceremony.
  2. PhD students who are completing degree requirements in the Summer or Fall terms are not eligible to march in the previous spring commencement ceremony. Those students completing their degree requirements during the summer of fall terms after commencement are invited to participate in the following year’s ceremony. 
  3. Certificate students are not eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony as they are not being awarded a degree.

Forms to be completed:

  1. ALL students earning a degree (not a certificate) must complete an Intent to Graduate form. The completed Intent to Graduate form must be submitted by the indicated deadline.  
  2. Master’s and doctoral students completing degree requirements must submit a completed Degree Approval form to the Office of the Registrar by noon on the Friday before graduation. Failure to submit the Degree Approval form with all required signatures will result in your diploma being withheld from commencement. 

What every student needs to do to ensure that degree requirements are complete.

  1. ORDER a copy of your transcript and check it thoroughly - all coursework required in the program of study must appear on the transcript with an acceptable letter grade. Students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA in order to graduate.
  2. OUTSTANDING “I” OR “NR” GRADES on your Rush transcript: If there are any “I” grades, be certain to complete the work required as soon as possible. Contact the instructor who will be awarding the grade and be sure she/he knows that a “Grade Change” must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar PRIOR to the Friday before graduation or your diploma will be withheld. If there are any “NR” grades, see the instructor for that course about submitting the missing grade.
  3. TRANSFER OF CREDIT: If you petitioned and received transfer credit that is not posted to your Rush transcript, inform the Office of the Registrar immediately.