Marian University

What you'll study

This master’s programme builds advanced nursing knowledge and skills through core graduate-level modules and pathway-specific study. Students follow a cohort of core subjects that cover advanced health assessment, evidence-based practice, healthcare leadership, ethics and health policy, and research methods. After the core, students select one of three pathways—Nursing Administration, Nursing Research or Clinical Nursing—to focus their studies and complete a practice-based project, capstone or thesis depending on route.

• Core modules (examples)
  • Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning
  • Evidence-Based Practice and Quality Improvement
  • Healthcare Systems, Policy and Finance
  • Advanced Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for Nurses
  • Research Methods and Biostatistics for Health Professionals
• Nursing Administration pathway
  • Leadership and Organisational Behaviour in Healthcare
  • Strategic Human Resource Management for Health Services
  • Change Management, Safety and Risk in Clinical Settings
  • Operational Management and Service Improvement
  • Applied practicum in nursing management
• Nursing Research pathway
  • Advanced Quantitative and Qualitative Methods
  • Grant Writing and Research Dissemination
  • Data Analysis for Clinical Research
  • Ethics and Governance in Health Research
  • Master’s thesis or independent research project
• Clinical Nursing pathway
  • Advanced Clinical Decision-Making and Practice
  • Specialist clinical modules (e.g. acute care, community health, chronic disease management) depending on elective choices
  • Simulation and clinical skills laboratory work
  • Extended clinical practicum under preceptor supervision
  • Clinical capstone demonstrating advanced patient-care competencies

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, simulation, supervised clinical placements and a substantial research or practice project. The programme emphasises interprofessional collaboration, leadership, and the translation of research into practice.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to be registered nurses with a current professional registration in their practising jurisdiction. Typical academic requirements include a bachelor’s degree in nursing or equivalent preparation from an accredited institution. Candidates should also have demonstrable clinical experience; most successful applicants hold at least one year of post-registration practice, with preference given to those with several years of clinical exposure for advanced practice routes.

Specific pathway entry considerations:

• Nursing Administration: evidence of clinical practice and interest or experience in leadership/management roles.
• Nursing Research: some background in research or coursework in statistics is advantageous; applicants may be asked to supply a brief research proposal.
• Clinical Nursing: current clinical competence in the chosen specialty area and support from an employer or placement site for the required practicum hours.

All applicants must meet Marian University’s general admissions standards and provide professional references. Where English is not the applicant’s first language, an approved English language qualification is required in line with university policy.

Career prospects

Graduates of this master’s programme are prepared for a wide range of advanced roles in healthcare. Common career destinations include:

• Clinical nurse specialist or advanced practice provider in hospital and community settings
• Nursing unit manager, director of nursing or other leadership/management positions within health services
• Clinical researcher, research coordinator or doctoral study leading to roles in academic research
• Quality improvement officer, patient safety lead or policy advisor within healthcare organisations
• Educator or faculty positions in nursing schools (may require further academic qualifications for some roles)

Graduates develop transferable skills in critical appraisal, leadership, data analysis and project management that are valued across public and private health sectors, nonprofit organisations and government agencies.

Why study at Marian University

Marian University combines a student-centred learning environment with strong ties to regional health providers, offering robust clinical placement opportunities and mentoring by experienced nurse educators. The university emphasises evidence-based practice and interprofessional education, preparing students to lead change in complex healthcare systems.

Facilities include simulation suites and clinical skills laboratories that support hands-on learning, while faculty members are active in scholarship and practice, supervising research projects and partnering with local health services. The programme’s flexible pathways allow practising nurses to tailor study to leadership, research or clinical advancement, supported by career services that help connect graduates with employers across healthcare sectors.