Nursing (Forensic Nursing), MS (online)

• Nursing (Forensic Nursing) Online - Program information from the University Catalog.
• Two-Year Course Rotation (PDF)

The purpose of the graduate program is to prepare professional nurses who wish to pursue advanced education in forensic nursing.  In addition, the graduate is prepared to assume leadership positions and to pursue doctoral study.

Graduates will:

• Integrate knowledge from the sciences and the humanities into the provision of advanced nursing care to diverse populations.
• Design systems change strategies that improve the care environment.
• Lead quality improvement initiatives that integrate socio-cultural factors affecting the delivery of nursing and healthcare services.
• Integrate evidence-based strategies and interprofessional perspectives to improve practice and associated health outcomes.
• Analyze current and emerging technologies to support safe practice environments, and to optimize patient safety, cost-effectiveness, and health outcomes.
• Participate in the promotion of policies to improve public health and advance the nursing profession.
• Employ collaborative strategies in the design, coordination, and evaluation of patient centered care.
• Synthesize broad ecological, global, and social determinants of health to design and deliver population health interventions and strategies.

SGOCE Tuition and Fees

Students may begin this program in the fall or spring terms each year. Completed applications are reviewed on a rolling admission basis. Admissions requirements are as follows:

• Official transcript from a regionally accredited baccalaureate nursing program
• Three Letters of Recommendation (References must be from professional sources, and one must come from a nurse academician.)
• A current RN’s license*
• Professional resume
• CORI-Criminal Offense Record Investigation may be required by certain clinical agencies. The cost of funding a CORI may be at the student’s expense.
• Official transcripts of graduate level course work from a regionally accredited institution (if applicable)
• Graduate application and fee
• Written two-part essay, including:
  • Part I (no more than 300 words): Your reason for wishing to attend graduate school or your reason for pursuing a post-master’s certificate in a specialty area
  • Part II (at least 1200 words): Your specific interests, the type of work you would like to pursue in this field, and how you intend to pursue employment or volunteer work in this area

*Applicants who reside and/or work outside the U.S. are not required to hold an U.S. RN License but instead must possess a current license from the country they reside in or in which they will complete clinical coursework hours.

The mission of the Forensic Nursing Fitchburg State University program is to prepare professional forensic nurses capable of leading and meeting the evolving societal healthcare needs in a variety of settings. In their teaching, the faculty models respect for diversity, social responsibility, and a commitment to excellence. Interprofessional, collaborative, and interactive teaching methods foster the use of critical thinking to build a strong foundation for the practice of holistic forensic nursing. Legal, ethical, and professional standards guide the faculty in teaching the art and science of forensic nursing.

Fitchburg State University Department of Nursing prepares students to assume healthcare leadership roles in the global society of the 21st century. The program uses continuous program evaluation and innovation to maintain an educational culture that fosters social responsibility, service commitment, client advocacy, and lifelong learning. Graduates are forensic nurse generalists who use critical thinking and current evidence to address problems using integrative, trauma-informed, patient-centered care to meet the evolving healthcare needs of populations and environments.

The Department of Nursing has full approval status from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing:

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Board of Registration in Nursing
239 Causeway Street, Suite 500, 5th floor
Boston, MA 02114
Tel: 617.973.0900
Fax: 617.973.0984

In addition, the Department of Nursing is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), and the Massachusetts Association of Colleges of Nursing (MACN).

The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) accredits Fitchburg State University.