OBU Launches New Master of Science in Nursing Program

Addressing a national nursing shortage, OBU's International Graduate School has launched a new master of science in nursing degree program.

The new program has been bolstered by a $2.5 million grant from an anonymous donor.

Based in the IGS facility at 111 North Harrison in downtown Oklahoma City, the MSN degree program will start its first cohort in August 2008. The 18-month program's inaugural graduating class will complete study in February 2010.

OBU's MSN degree focuses on nursing education. The University received approval for the graduate program earlier this spring from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

According to the program's mission statement, the mission of the nursing graduate program is "to prepare nurses for advanced nursing roles through the delivery of health care with diverse populations and through leadership roles in rapidly changing health care systems. This is accomplished through the integration of advanced professional knowledge and Judeo-Christian beliefs."

"Our MSN degree graduates will gain an education designed to help them demonstrate creativity in facilitating learning and in evaluation. They will be challenged to be effective educators themselves," said Marian Combs, dean of graduate studies.

"We want our graduates to clearly demonstrate the ability to facilitate learning in various settings and provide leadership using an evidence-based model to develop strategies for resolving specific education issues," said Combs. "The graduates will be challenged to participate as leaders in organizations, so they can achieve educational goals."

The OBU program will accept 15 students per cohort, with up to four total cohorts operating at one time.

The major program grant from an anonymous donor will provide full-tuition scholarships to 12 students per cohort. In addition, two students in each cohort will receive graduate teaching assistantships in addition to the tuition waivers.

The grant, which is facilitated through the Communities Foundation of Oklahoma, is designed to "help combat the shortage of nursing instructors at Oklahoma's colleges and universities," according to a foundation news release.

OBU and Southern Nazarene University each received a $2.5 million grant. The funds are awarded in $500,000 annual amounts, based on each institution's successful completion of annual program goals.

The grants also provide funds for faculty support and development, instructional technology and supplies, and marketing costs.

OBU's undergraduate nursing program currently benefits from a significant grant provided by the anonymous donor.

For more information on the IGS program, visit igs.okbu.edu or call 405.319.8470.