Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Faculty of Health and Social Development, School of Nursing
| Program | Components | Length |
|---|---|---|
| MSN course-based | Coursework and capstone | 16 months (full time) |
| MSN thesis-based | Coursework and thesis | 24 months (full time) |
Why study a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) at UBC Okanagan?
Our program is designed for both experienced nurses and recent graduates. Choose from MSN course- or thesis-based options and specialize in Nursing Education, Leadership, Primary Care or Indigenous-Focused Care.
With flexible online learning methods, you can study full-time or part-time in an online format — designed to fit your schedule and support work-life balance.
Accelerate your career growth by completing our MSN course-based program in as few as 16 months and step into roles of advanced practice, education, leadership and more.
Take the next step in your career—apply now!
The MSN course-based program welcomes RNs from a broad range of interests and backgrounds who wish to pursue careers in health leadership and/or education.
Program Overview (30 credits)
- 9 credits in core courses (NRSG 500, NRSG 504, NRSG 505)
- 3 credits in a required course-based core research course (NRSG 502)
- 12 credits in focus courses
- 6 credits in a required capstone course (NRSG 597)
Masters-level coursework is normally taken at the 500-level. Three credits of undergraduate level coursework (300-499) may be taken with the approval of the Graduate Program Coordinator.
MSN course-based students will complete a capstone course with the support of a faculty facilitator and project/practice mentor. The course instructor will assist students in selecting their facilitator. See a list of eligible faculty facilitators.
In the MSN thesis-based program, students are required to do a research project under the supervision of a faculty member. Your proposed research plan must fit within a supervisor’s area of research. Thesis-based students pursue academia and research careers.
A thesis-based MSN is preferred over a course-based MSN for admission to PhD studies but is not required.
Program Overview (30 credits)
- 9 credits in core courses (NRSG 500, NRSG 504, NRSG 505)
- 6 credits in required research coursework (NRSG 506, NRSG 507)
- 3 credits in focus courses (to be selected by student)
- 12 credits in thesis
Masters-level coursework is normally taken at the 500-level. Three credits of undergraduate level coursework (300-499) may be taken with the approval of the Graduate Program Coordinator.
MSN thesis-based students are required to do a research project under the supervision of a faculty member within the School of Nursing. More information can be found below.
The objectives of the MSN program are to prepare nurses who are innovative, creative, evidence-informed problem-solvers who can collaboratively lead interprofessional teams.
These objectives will be achieved through a program of studies that prepares nurses to:
- Create, translate and use nursing knowledge in all its forms.
- Synthesize and apply diverse perspectives within scholarly nursing research, practice and knowledge development.
- Cultivate advanced ethical reasoning and critical thinking.
- Develop advanced skills and strategies for evidence-informed decision-making and practice.
- Gain practical experience in the application of healthcare knowledge in diverse environments.
For more program information, see our MSN/PhD Nursing Handbook.
For information about courses and schedules see “Program Requirements” in the Academic Calendar; the calendar is a comprehensive guide to all programs, courses, services and academic policies at UBCO.
Areas of Concentration
Nursing Education
The Nursing Education concentration prepares nurses to become effective educators in academic and clinical settings. Through coursework in curriculum development, teaching strategies, and evaluation methods, students gain the knowledge and skills needed to design, deliver, and assess nursing education programs that support learner success and advance the profession.
Nursing Leadership
The Nursing Leadership concentration prepares nurses for advanced roles in healthcare management, policy, and organizational leadership. Through focused coursework and practical application, students develop skills in strategic decision-making, systems thinking, and change management to lead effectively in complex and evolving healthcare environments.
Primary Care
The Primary Care concentration prepares nurses for leadership roles focused on delivering comprehensive, patient-centered care across the lifespan. Emphasizing health promotion, disease prevention, and the management of acute and chronic conditions, this concentration equips graduates with the clinical and diagnostic skills needed to improve access to primary healthcare in diverse community settings.
Indigenous Health & Wellbeing
The Indigenous Health and Wellbeing concentration offers advanced preparation in applying Indigenous knowledge systems and practices to nursing and healthcare. Grounded in principles of relational accountability, self-determination, and cultural safety, this concentration supports students in working collaboratively with Indigenous communities to promote health equity, healing, and wellness through culturally grounded approaches. This concentration consists of 9 credits of Indigenous-specific coursework plus a final project (thesis or Capstone) with a focus endorsed as relevant, timely, and appropriate by Indigenous community partners.
Supervisors & Research
Meet Our Supervisors
| Name | Supervisor Program Availability | Research Areas | Research Methods |
| Clare Harvey Director & Professor clare.harvey@ubc.ca |
MSN thesis-based, PhD | Nurse-led care; nursing workforce; continuity of care; community health; health equity; policy | Qualitative methods; theory of change; critical discourse analysis |
| Carla Hilario Assistant Professor carla.hilario@ubc.ca |
MSN thesis-based, PhD | Child and youth health; social determinants; health services | Mixed methods; community-engaged; implementation science |
| Elizabeth Keys Assistant Professor Elizabeth.Keys@ubc.ca |
MSN thesis-based, PhD | Pediatric sleep; parent-child interactions; infant and parental mental health; eHealth and precision health; community and public health | Mixed methods; knowledge synthesis; integrated knowledge translation; implementation science |
| Nelly Oelke Associate Professor nelly.oelke@ubc.ca |
MSN thesis-based, PhD | Integrated health systems and services delivery; primary health care; mental health; rural health; climate change | Integrated knowledge translation; implementation science |
| Lise Olsen Associate Professor lise.olsen@ubc.ca |
MSN thesis-based, PhD | Child and family health promotion; inclusive recreation participation; injury prevention; well-being for children with neuro-developmental disabilities | Mixed methods; community-engaged research |
| Barbara Pesut Professor barb.pesut@ubc.ca |
MSN thesis-based, PhD | Palliative and end-of-life care; medical assistance in dying; volunteer and peer navigation models; nursing philosophy | Qualitative methods |
| Katrina Plamondon Associate Professor katrina.plamondon@ubc.ca |
MSN thesis-based, PhD | Health equity; global health governance and policy; knowledge mobilization; critical pedagogy | Dialogue-based research; narrative inquiry; reflective inquiry; arts-informed research; equity science |
| Charlene Ronquillo Assistant Professor charlene.ronquillo@ubc.ca |
MSN thesis-based, PhD | Health informatics; nursing; health equity; health services research | Implementation science |
| Kathy Rush Professor kathy.rush@ubc.ca |
MSN thesis-based, PhD | Atrial fibrillation; rural cardiac service delivery; rural health equity, telehealth; aging; new graduate nurse transition | Mixed methods research; user-centered design |
| Sana Shahram Assistant Professor sana.shahram@ubc.ca |
MSN thesis-based, PhD | Health equity; public health, system change and policy; critical population health; maternal, child and youth health; mental health substance use and suicide prevention; Indigenous sovereignty and resurgence | Framework development, implementation and evaluation; mixed methods research; participatory and transformative research; qualitative research |
| Laura Struik Associate Professor laura.struik@ubc.ca |
MSN thesis-based, PhD | Nicotine dependence; cancer prevention; tobacco control; youth and young adults; behaviour change using digital technologies, vaping; oral nicotine pouches | Qualitative methods; youth engagement; integrated knowledge translation; Indigenous methodologies |
| Marie Tarrant Dean & Professor marie.tarrant@ubc.ca |
MSN thesis-based, PhD | Maternal and child health; infant feeding; baby-friendly hospital initiative; maternal and childhood vaccinations | Quantitative methods |
Note: Other faculty members in the School of Nursing, including Assistant and Associate Professors of Teaching, Professors of Teaching, and Emeritus faculty, may serve as co-supervisors or join a student’s supervisory committee with approval. See a full list of faculty members.
Members of the supervisory committee are selected based on their expertise to offer advice on the proposed research project. The selection of supervisory committee members, including co-supervisors, is generally done by the supervisor with input from students.
Research Labs
The School of Nursing is home to five areas of research excellence with labs that offer opportunities to grad students:
Palliative and end of Life care
PareNt, Child, Youth, and Family Health
- Child and Youth Healthy Futures Lab
- Sleep Solutions to Promote Better Early Childhood Relationships (SLUMBER) Lab
- Promoting Child and Family Health Lab
- Maternal and Child Health Lab
Rural Health + Nursing Services Innovation
Supportive Environments for Health Equity
Technologies for Health and Wellbeing
Careers and Outcomes
Explore a wide range of advanced career opportunities across clinical, academic, administrative, and policy settings.
MSN Career paths may include:
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS): Focusing on expert clinical practice in a specialized area such as geriatrics, oncology, or critical care.
- Nurse Educator: Teaching in academic institutions or clinical settings, developing curricula, and mentoring future nurses.
- Nursing Leadership/Management: Serving as nurse managers, directors of nursing, or healthcare administrators in hospitals, clinics, etc.
- Public Health Nurse: Leading population health initiatives, health promotion programs, and disease prevention strategies.
- Primary Care/Family Practice Nurse: Working as a team with family physicians, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare professionals.
- Policy and Advocacy Roles: Working in government or non-profit organizations to influence health policy and improve healthcare systems.
- Research Nurse or Coordinator: Designing, implementing, and managing clinical research studies to advance nursing knowledge and practice.
- Indigenous Health Specialist: Collaborating with Indigenous communities to improve culturally safe and relevant healthcare delivery.
Tuition and Funding
Tuition
For official tuition and fee information, scroll to the bottom of the Academic Calendar page for Master’s programs and look for “Standard Master’s Degree Programs.”
Students who select part-time schedules are ineligible to receive government loans, interest-free status, and university fellowships or scholarships. Students are not permitted to switch from part-time to full-time after the due date of the first installment.
Funding Opportunities
The School of Nursing has a number of graduate research assistantships (RA) and teaching assistantships (TA) available. Talk to your supervisor about research grants, as well as award and scholarship opportunities.
Assistantships
rESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIPS (RA)
As a paid RA, MSN students in the research-based stream assist their supervisor or other researchers in conducting high-level research, often contributing to the student’s thesis. See positions currently available.
Teaching assistantships (ta)
As a paid TA, MSN students assist course instructors in marking examinations, tests, laboratory exercises, or assignments; providing instruction to students in laboratories, discussion periods, tutorials or lectures; invigilating examinations and providing academic assistance to students during office hours. See positions currently available.
scholarships and awards
UBCO’s College of Graduate Studies is responsible for merit-based graduate awards. Please visit the College of Graduate Studies for a list of available scholarships and awards, and for more information about application information.
All prospective graduate students should explore and apply for relevant awards and fellowships. A variety of competitive scholarships are available to MSN students. Please consult with faculty for assistance with developing your application:
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