West Coast University

What you'll study

The curriculum consists of entry-level competency and pre-licensure nursing courses alongside advanced graduate coursework intended to support leadership development and potential post-master’s study. The program comprises 83 credits taken over 10 terms. Core courses and practicum components are listed by term below.

• Term One: DMSN 500 Pathophysiology (3); DMSN 502A Pharmacology (1.5); DMSN 506A Introduction to Professional Nursing I (1); DMSN 504 Health Assessment and Physical Exam (2) — total 7.5 credits.
• Term Two: DMSN 502B Pharmacology II (1.5); DMSN 506B Introduction to Professional Nursing II (1); DMSN 508 Fundamentals of Nursing (3); DMSN 508L Fundamentals of Nursing-Lab (2) — total 7.5 credits.
• Term Three: DMSN 510 Medical Surgical I (3); DMSN 510C Medical Surgical I – Practicum (3); DMSN 512 Nutrition in Health and Disease (3) — total 9 credits.
• Term Four: DMSN 514 Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (3); DMSN 514C Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing-Practicum (2); DMSN 516 Principles of Leadership and Management (3) — total 8 credits.
• Term Five: DMSN 518 Medical Surgical II (3); DMSN 518C Medical Surgical II-Practicum (3); DMSN 515 Nursing Roles in Policy, Ethics, & Finance (3) — total 9 credits.
• Term Six: DMSN 520 Obstetrical & Neonatal Nursing (2); DMSN 520C Obstetrical & Neonatal Nursing-Practicum (1.5); DMSN 522 Child Health Nursing (2); DMSN 522C Child Health Nursing-Practicum (1.5); DMSN 525 Scholarship for Advanced Nursing Practice (3) — total 10 credits.
• Term Seven: DMSN 526 Public Health Nursing (3); DMSN 526C Public Health Nursing-Practicum (2); DMSN 535 Advanced Nursing Technologies & Collaborative Care (3) — total 8 credits.
• Term Eight: DMSN 538 Advanced Medical Surgical (3); DMSN 538C Advanced Medical Surgical-Practicum (3); DMSN 545 Health Promotion and Disease Management (3) — total 9 credits.
• Term Nine: DMSN 550M Integration of Nursing Concepts (3); DMSN 550C Integration of Nursing Concepts-Practicum (3); MSN elective (choose one: DMSN 555 Leadership, DMSN 565 Education, DMSN 575 APRN) (3) — total 9 credits.
• Term Ten: DMSN 585 Advanced Clinical Concepts (3); DMSN 595 Masters Comprehensive Project (3) — total 6 credits.

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field and complete four required prerequisite courses (18 credits) prior to starting the nursing curriculum. Prerequisites may be completed at West Coast University if needed. Required prerequisites: Anatomy & Physiology I (with lab); Anatomy & Physiology II (with lab); Microbiology (with lab); one of General Psychology or Human Growth & Development (Lifespan); and one of Statistics or College-Level Mathematics. All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

Career prospects

The program prepares graduates for RN licensure and entry-level registered nurse practice through NCLEX-RN®-focused pre-licensure coursework, clinical practicums and simulation training. The curriculum also includes advanced-level coursework aimed at leadership development and can position graduates for leadership roles in clinical settings or for further postgraduate study.

Scholarships & funding angle

West Coast University references tuition and financial aid resources for prospective students. Applicants should consult the university’s financial aid office for specific scholarship opportunities, eligibility rules and details about loans, grants or institutional assistance rather than rely on summary pages.