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(Photo: Benedictine University)
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Founded in 1887 in Chicago by Benedictine monks, Benedictine University was originally named St. Procopius College. In 1901,
the institution moved to its current location in Lisle, Illinois. According to the 2009 college rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, Benedictine is ranked 43rd among those schools listed as "Best Universities–Masters" in the Midwest. The university offers
eight Web-based master's programs, including a Master of Science in Nursing.
Technical requirements
All participants must have Microsoft Office 2003 or Microsoft Office 2007 on their computers. Recommended plug-ins include
Adobe Flash, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft PowerPoint, Windows Media Player, RealPlayer, QuickTime, and a compression/"zip"
utility. The university ensures that a required online orientation will guarantee the basic skills needed to participate.
Technical support is available 24/7 through the university's Personal Support Center.
Master of Science in NursingBenedictine University is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges
and Schools. Because of the flexibility of study schedules, many working students enjoy the convenience of distance learning
courses. E-courses allow participants to juggle the daily requirements of family and work while continuing to move forward
with their educational studies.
A master's degree prepares nurses to meet the ever-changing demands of their profession and the changing needs for today's
employer. Benedictine University's MSN program will prepare licensed RNs to become leaders, administrators, and educators.
Benedictine's MSN program has been Web-based since March 2009, is regionally accredited, and has begun the accreditation process
with the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education.
The university offers a program with eight core courses, and students are allowed to customize their degree by adding any
combination of four elective courses to develop an interdisciplinary degree. Before core nursing courses are completed, students
will speak with the MSN program coordinator and a student adviser to choose their elective courses. These courses include
management and organizational behavior, business administration, and public health. The electives allow nurses to focus on
a specific discipline or take a course from each discipline to gain knowledge in different areas.
Online courses are offered six times per year. The online MSN program comprises 36 credit hours; 24 come from the eight core
nursing courses, and the other 12 are earned through elective courses.
The degree can be completed in 24 months, and most working students choose to take one course per session (each session is
eight weeks), equaling six courses per year. Students may, however, take elective courses at the same time as core classes,
accelerating the program's completion to just 16 months.
All applications are evaluated during the year on a rolling basis. Prospective students can complete an online application.
To be considered for acceptance, applicants must have a BSN degree from a regionally accredited university or college and
hold a valid nursing license.
Applicants must have a 3.0 or higher GPA. Those students with a GPA of 2.5 to 2.9 will be considered for conditional admission
based on information in their admission file. Potential students must also provide official transcripts from postsecondary
institutions, a professional letter of recommendation, and a statement of goals.
For more information about the online MSN degree program, e-mail Katie Van Vorst at kvanvorst@ben.edu
or call (866) 295-3104.
Expanding Horizons
Benedictine University
5700 College Road
Lisle, IL 60532
(866) 295-3104
http://onlinedegrees-benedictine.com/nursing/master-in-nursing.asp/
