KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
GRADUATE PROGRAM/CONCENTRATION PROPOSAL
PROGRAM OR CONCENTRATION NAME:
MSN- Advanced Care Management and Leadership: Certificate in Nursing Management
and Education Leadership
DEPARTMENT: __Nursing ____________________________
PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: _Fall 2013______________
Check One or More of the Following and Complete the Appropriate Sections
Sections to be Completed
__x__New Program Proposal**
All
_____Change in Program/Concentration/Degree Requirements
III – VII, XII
_____New Concentration Proposal
I – VII, XII
**A new course proposal is required for each new course that is part of the new program
Submitted by:
Kathie Aduddell _________4/3/2013________
Faculty Member
Date
___ Approved ___ Not Approved
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Department Curriculum Committee
Date
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Department Chair
Date
___ Approved ___ Not Approved
___________________________________________
College Curriculum Committee
Date
___ Approved ___ Not Approved
___________________________________________
College Dean
Date
___ Approved ___ Not Approved
___________________________________________
GPCC Chair
Date
___ Approved ___ Not Approved
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Dean, Graduate College
Date
___ Approved ___ Not Approved
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Vice President for Academic Affairs
Date
___ Approved ___ Not Approved
___________________________________________
President
Date
UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF GEORGIA
NEW GRADUATE PROGRAM PROPOSAL – Certificate
Certificate in Nursing Management and Leadership and Nursing Education Leadership
Kennesaw State University
MSN-Advanced Care Management & Leadership Program
School of Nursing
WellStar College of Health & Human Services
Proposed Start Date:
August 2013
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I. Program Description
Unique Aspects of Program
The MSN-Advanced Care Management & Leadership (ACML) at Kennesaw State University
(KSU), which began in the fall of 2004, is unique in the Georgia State system. It is the only type
of MSN degree in this area in the state with this title and framework. The program has two
tracks, Nursing Education Leadership and Nursing Administration/Health Policy Leadership, and
meets the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) standards with CCNE
accreditation received in 2008 (renewal date 2018). Degree programs that foster such cross
practice knowledge and competencies not only advance learning connections for students, but
also help build bridges across traditional academic fields, thereby helping to prepare students for
leadership in the varied environments of healthcare and nursing education.
Adding a graduate certificate to the current graduate program in Advanced Care Management
and Leadership in Nursing will allow students participating in related, or more professional
practice degree programs at KSU and in other higher educational institutions in the area to
complement those degrees with advanced training and certification in nursing scholarship and
methodology related to nursing management, education and/or leadership, advanced nursing
cultural and decision-making competencies, and other professional specialization in the area of
nursing management and education. This graduate certificate will also allow students already
enrolled in the Kennesaw State University, MSN-Nurse Practitioner Program to take additional
course work that would increase their versatility in a competitive market place. This certificate
would be available to other students either while taking MSN degrees, or upon completion of
MSN degrees in related areas from other universities in the Georgia state system or elsewhere.
Institutional Importance of the Program
The MSN-Advanced Care Management and Leadership program provides specialized and
advanced education and training in nursing administration/health policy or nursing education.
With current trends involving financial insecurity students, faculty, and legislators emphasize the
importance of job-preparation for students. Recent national reports emphasize the importance of
higher education for nurses and specific skills in leadership, health policy, research and
evidence-based practice of professional nurses. The program provides students with these
essential skills, and with further innovative approaches (certificate in nursing management or
nursing education) the program will assist students in becoming more flexible as they seek
careers that frequently demand specialization in a number of different areas or in a shifting
economy.
KSU's Strategic Plan
The MSN-Advanced Care Management and Leadership program was designed to work with
many aspects of the University’s strategic plan and closely align to the mission of the university
and the needs of KSU communities through excellence in graduate education, engagement, and
innovation. Three key objectives addressed by the certificate are enhancing the excellence and
innovation in graduate education for nursing professionals through appropriate career
educational transitions, building global learning and associated intercultural competencies, and
promoting professional and community engagement to strengthen nursing leadership. These
objectives relate to specific areas of the KSU strategic plan such as Goal One, “Promote
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excellence and innovation in education through teaching, supervising, and mentoring students,
research, creative activity, and scholarship, and professional service;” Goal Three, “Become
more engaged and prominent in the local community, Georgia, the nation, and the world;” and,
Goal Five, “Expand resources, and improve operational efficiency and effectiveness.” Courses in
the certificate program derive from the discipline’s long-time concern for diversity and equity as
well as the removal of barriers to obtaining higher education.
System and State of Georgia Goals
This certificate program will contribute to the University System of Georgia and State of Georgia
goals by increasing participation in research and economic development. Courses in the program
will lead students to research projects on a number of issues related to nursing education and the
shortage of nurses as well as enhancing their abilities to solve current and future healthcare
issues and problems related to diversity, access, quality and safety.
Staffing, Facilities and Enrollment
The graduate certificate proposed is based on our existing courses in MSN- Advanced Care
Management and Leadership and existing staff and will not require the hiring of new faculty.
Currently, The ACML program at Kennesaw State has ten students enrolled across offered
courses, with an additional 42 students enrolled in the WellStar Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
program.
II. Objectives of the Program
The principle objective of the certificate program is to provide an opportunity for certification in
nursing management or nursing education to students enrolled in other advanced practice
graduate programs such as Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist programs and seeking
to take additional content-based courses or increase their professional flexibility beyond a
specific career track. In addition, including a number of professional nurses who were
considering graduate school but were not quite sure of the type of program or were concerned
about the cost, this certificate program will allow students to take graduate level courses in the
two ACML program tracks, and enhance our enrollment in these two tracks. Having advanced
students from various tracks speaking to each other will enhance the educational content and
career preparation of graduate seminars by widening the terms of discussion among students.
Students coming from a range of career-track specialties will also increase the opportunities for
engaged scholarship within nursing graduate studies, as they take insights drawn from
coursework into a number of communities. Through this certificate the MSN program will
enhance the excellence and innovation in graduate education for nursing professionals through
appropriate career educational transitions, build global learning and associated intercultural
competencies, and promote professional and community engagement to strengthen nursing
leadership.
III. Justification and Need for the Program
Appropriate Specialization: The current climate for graduate school and hiring in the nursing
field often indicate that many students do not feel they can afford to enroll in a graduate degree
and/or do not need the degree to further their career goals. However, recent national reports and
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position papers strongly suggest and encourage registered nurses to consider advanced degrees
specifically in nursing. An accreditation review of the MSN program in 2008 by the CCNE
found the program’s curriculum to be strong, diverse, and innovative. A graduate certificate
whose coursework is rigorous and emphasizes critical thinking and knowledge covering nursing
management, education, and leadership practices of the American professional registered nurse
in a global context would be attractive to students in graduate programs specializing in clinical
advanced practice (such as NP and CNS programs) as well as professionals who are considering
a graduate program but have concerns about finances, requirements, and/or type of program to
complete. Such certificates would complement the work of those students in the Nurse
Practitioner program who seek further education and experience so as to teach clinical nursing in
academic nursing programs and/or obtain a nursing manager/leadership position in healthcare. It
would be of particular assistance to the WellStar School of Nursing in establishing an interested
group of professionals who seek to specialize in nursing education with the potential to become
clinical instructors in the WellStar School of Nursing (WSON) undergraduate program.

Quantity of graduates: The MSN Advanced Care Management and Leadership program has
graduated 30 students since it began. The current tracks started admitting students in 2011
with a total of three students having graduated in fall 2012.

Productivity: As the program and tracks continue growing, it is expected that the certificate
program will produce four to seven graduates within the first two years, with a rate of five
per year as new students are admitted. These students will add to the graduate degree
program graduates and provide an avenue for more students to enroll in the tracks.

Partnering: The MSN graduate program maintains community-partnerships in a number of
areas with the WSON faculty and formal arrangements such as with the WellStar Health
System. Some examples are Dr. Aduddell’s projects with graduate students at area healthcare
systems and involvement with Saint Joseph’s Hospital of Atlanta, Nursing Research Council;
WellStar Distinguished Faculty, Nancy Ballard’s projects with the WellStar Health System;
and Dr. Genie Dorman’s work with WellStar Nursing Research Committee and various
global projects with the NP program. New community partnerships are expected to continue
including preceptorships at VA Medical Center, Dublin, Georgia and Emory Healthcare
System.

Placement: Although the program started in 2004, the two current tracks are fairly new.
However, of the three students who recently graduated all completed a thesis and two have
already received promotions to nursing management positions. Previous graduates of the
program are currently working in the WSON undergraduate nursing program as clinical
instructors or lecturers. Other accomplishments of graduates include promotions to higher
management levels, certification as “Nursing Executive, Basic” from the American Nurses
Credential Center, and acceptance into the WSON DNS program.
IV. Procedures Used to Develop the Program
The MSN Advanced Care Management and Leadership program was developed over several
years as the collaborative work of faculty from the School of Nursing. The program has
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developed various tracks over the years but now has two: Nursing Administration/Health Policy
Leadership and Nursing Education Leadership.
The idea for a certificate program emerged in fall 2012 and spring 2013, during discussions of
how to serve students in the graduate NP program who would like to become nurse educators or
managers. Additionally the certificate programs offer a way to develop strategies to encourage
potential students to enter the MSN Advanced Care Management and Leadership program. The
certificate program proposal was discussed at faculty meetings during this timeframe.
V. Curriculum: Degree Program Requirements
The 13-14 hour graduate certificate in Nursing Management & Leadership or Nursing Education
Leadership would include
Nursing Management & Leadership: 14 hours
NURS 7792
NURS 7793
NURS 7780
NURS 8880
Nursing Education Leadership: 13 hours
NURS 7751
NURS 7752
NURS 7753
NURS 8873
Program Admission Requirements:
Students will be considered for the certificate program if they meet the qualifications for the
MSN-Advanced Care Management & Leadership program and/or permission from the associate
director of the graduate program, are already enrolled in a graduate program in the University
System of Georgia, or already graduate from the MSN-Nurse Practitioner program.
The MSN program requirements include: 1) baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally
accredited institution with a GPA minimum of 3.00, 2) minimum one year of full-time
professional experience as a Registered Nurse documented in a professional resume, 3) current
RN licensure, 4) GRE scores, 5) a formal statement of personal goals for the program, 6)
undergraduate physical assessment (for Nursing Education Leadership only), research and
statistics courses, and 7) two professional letters of reference.
Course Offering Schedule and Plan-of-Study
A student beginning fall of 2013 could complete the certificate in one year by taking one to two
courses per semester.
Nursing Management and Leadership Certificate
Fall 2013
Spring 2014
NURS 7792
7780
NURS 7793
8880
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Nursing Education Leadership Certificate
Fall 2013 Spring 2014 Summer 2014
7751
7752
7753
8873
A student could complete the certificate in two years by taking one course each semester. This
schedule would be ideal for students participating in other graduate programs.
Growth and Flexibility
The ACML program currently admits approximately 10 full-time graduate students in the
Advanced Care Management & Leadership program each year. Enrollment numbers in the
ACML program for fall semester of the past three years are:
Year
2010
2011
2012
1st Semester
6
5
11
4th Semester Total
13
19
4
9
3
14
In addition to admission of degree seeking students, we project the following additional
certificate students with the creation of the certificate program.
Fall 2013: 2-4 new certificate students
Fall 2014: 5-7 new certificate students
Fall 2015: 10 new certificate students
The WellStar Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program admits 35-40 students each year. We
anticipate some students in this program will be interested in completing one of the certificate
options as well.
The certificate program is flexible enough to accommodate students with different needs and
allows students to take any cluster of courses such as one with emphasis in nursing management
and leadership and another with emphasis in nursing education. The program would therefore
serve as a complement for a number of different degree programs. Students would have the
option of pursuing the full MSN-Advanced Care Management and Leadership at any time once
enrolled in the certificate program. The certificate could serve as a complement to the MSNNurse Practitioner program, or as an entry point into the MSN Advanced Care Management and
Leadership program.
Course Descriptions
Nursing Management and Leadership Certificate Courses:
NURS 7792 – Advanced Nursing Leadership Role & Healthcare Environment
4 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 4 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate program or permission of the program coordinator.
This course is designed to provide an introduction and transition to the leadership role of the
advanced practice in nursing administration and an overview of factors shaping current of
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healthcare policy. The role of the nursing leader as well as the standards and regulations
governing advanced practice will be explored. Topics include role theory, change theory,
leadership theory, and complexity theory as they apply to advance practice nursing. Emphasis is
on transition to a leadership role and integration of the various advanced practice roles by the
nursing administrator with over-sight of care delivery in complex healthcare systems.
NURS 7793 – Nursing Administration & Health Policy Leadership Seminar
4 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 4 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate program or permission of the program coordinator.
This seminar provides students with an advanced understanding of the issues related to nursing
leadership, administration, and health policy. The course addresses theories and models of
nursing administration and the health policy process with a focus on integrating research and
evidence-based practice. Students engage in intensive study of trends in nursing administration,
health policy, and leadership issues. Perspectives on agenda setting, media roles, advocacy,
policy innovation, diffusion, and implementation are integrated with examples of specific
nursing leadership and policy problems.
NURS 7780 –Seminar in Conflict Management & the Ethics of Leadership
3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate program or permission of the program coordinator.
This course introduces the principles, theories, and skills of conflict management required for
advanced practice nurses. In addition, the course engages the student in exploration of the
ethical and legal frameworks, theories and applications that relate to leadership, management,
and decision-making in health care organizations. Case analysis and presentation will emphasize
the student’s ability to identify problems and offer collaborative resolutions in areas related to
patient care, patient safety, and appropriate workplace environments that support quality care.
NURS 8880 – Leadership Role in Nursing Administration/Health Policy Practicum I
1 Class Hours 2 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours (90 hours of precepted practicum hours)
Prerequisite: NURS 7792, NURS 7793
This course consists of an introductory practicum with a preceptor/site identified as being
appropriate for the student’s area of interest and approved by the faculty. Advanced practice
leadership competencies are the focus of the course with students analyzing and evaluating
policy conceptual models and participating in their implementation in the delivery of client care.
The theory component emphasizes case study presentation and critique related to leadership
issues associated with health policy and advanced practice nursing.
Nursing Education Leadership Certificate Courses:
NURS 7751- Curriculum Design & Evaluation
3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate program or permission of the program coordinator.
Provides the theoretical underpinnings of curriculum development, design, evaluation and the
conceptual knowledge that can be applied to the nurse educator role.
NURS 7752 – Instructional Methods & Outcome Measurement in Nursing Education
3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
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Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate program or permission of the program coordinator.
Provides an understanding of innovative teaching methods and outcome measurements.
Emphasis is placed on the development and implementation of educational courses.
NURS 7753 Technology in Nursing Education & Practice
3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate program or permission of the program coordinator.
Focuses on the use of emerging technologies in nursing education and practice including
information systems, simulation and virtual reality instructional methods, and distance learning
techniques.
NURS 8873 Nurse Educator Practicum I
1 Class Hours 9 Laboratory Hours 4 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate program or permission of the program coordinator.
Introductory practicum focusing on the role of the nurse educator with a preceptor/site identified
as appropriate for student’s area of interest.
VI. INVENTORY OF FACULTY DIRECTLY INVOLVED
COURSE/INSTRUCTOR SUPPORT DEPTH
MSN-ADVANCED CARE MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP FULL TIME AND
JOINT APPOINTED FACULTY:
Kathie Aduddell, Associate Professor, Nursing Administration/Health Policy Leadership
Nancy Ballard, WellStar Distinguished Faculty, Nursing Administration/Health Policy
Leadership
Genie Dorman, Professor, Nursing Education Leadership
MSN-ADVANCED CARE MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP PART-TIME AND
JOINT APPOINTED FACULTY
Patricia Hart, Assistant Professor, MSN-ACML
Camille Payne, Professor, Nursing Administration/Health Policy Leadership
Astrid Wilson, Professor, Nursing Education Leadership
FACULTY DEVELOPMENT, FACULTY RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP
See attached Curriculum Vitae
VII. Outstanding programs of this nature at other institutions
Many institutions in the state and the nation contain either graduate certificates or graduate
minors in a number of nursing areas. Comparable programs include:
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Georgia System Certificate Programs:
West Georgia State University, School of Nursing Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing
Education, Clinical Nurse Leaders, Leader/Manager – Health Systems Leadership
National Certificates in American Studies and Related Fields:
Vanderbilt University, School of Nursing Post-Master’s Graduate Certificate in Nurse
Practitioner, health systems management, and informatics
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Nursing Post-Master’s Certificates in
Nurse Practitioner, Health Care Systems, Informatics, Clinical Nurse Leader, Educator
Unique Features of KSU’s program:
Kennesaw State University (KSU) has the only MSN-Advanced Care Management and
Leadership program and graduate degree in this area in the University System of Georgia. At
KSU, this certificate is the only nursing management and leadership certificate available for
graduate students in WSON highly successful nurse practitioner program interested in doing
additional work in nursing management and leadership.
The WSON graduate program is unique nationally because of its combination of scholarly
pursuit and practice discipline coursework and flexible options for project-based theses or
capstones and its location in a university whose graduate programs emphasize practical career
development. This certificate program can also be the start for many students who are somewhat
anxious about starting a full-time graduate program. By completing this certificate, they will
have essentially completed the first semester of the MSN-Advanced Care Management and
Leadership program in Nursing Administration/Health Policy Leadership track. Because of the
attention to practical degree preparation with attention to scholarly work, the courses also
encourage students to do project-based assignments with potential for local, regional and
national presentations as well as publications.
The practicum courses in the curriculum provide students with opportunities for real-time
mentoring/precepting with nurse managers and leaders in the community. During this time
students work with preceptors in completing collaborative work on actual nursing management
and leadership projects in various healthcare organizations and agencies with the community.
These learning opportunities have often led to students receiving promotions even before they
obtained the graduate degree in nursing.
VIII. Inventory of pertinent library resources
The Kennesaw State University library has increased its electronic resources and created space
for graduate study in recent years. The Kennesaw library is part of the GIL system, which
provides access to books throughout the Georgia library system.
IX. Facilities
The MSN program, as part of the WellStar School of Nursing, is housed in the WellStar College
of Health and Human Services, which recently moved to Prillaman Hall, the newest state of the
art building on campus. The college has four major academic departments. The new building has
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significant classroom space, faculty offices, simulation/nursing labs, and other high-tech
resources. This certificate program, as part of the Nursing Administration/Health Policy
Leadership track, is completely online with full QM certification. The certificate program, as part
of the Nursing Education Leadership track, will be part of a hybrid program that meets on
weekends once a month to accommodate professional nurses’ schedules.
X. Administration
In 2011, Dr. Kathie Aduddell was appointed Coordinator of the MSN-Nursing
Administration/Health Policy Leadership track and Dr. Genie Dorman Coordinator of the MSNNursing Education Leadership track. Dr. Marilyn King is the Associate Director of the MSN
Graduate Program and has a full-time administrative associate devoted to the graduate program
and the particular track. Both the coordinator and the associate director of the MSN program
report to the director of the WellStar School of Nursing in the WellStar College of Health and
Human Services.
XI. Assessment
The MSN-Advanced Care Management & Leadership program has gone through several rounds
of program assessment since its inception in the fall of 2004. A particular note is the lower
enrollments in the program since the development of various tracks. The program is also in
process of completing the university program evaluation which is providing some
recommendations to increase enrollment in the program. The program received the CCNE reaccreditation as part of the graduate nursing program in 2008 with full accreditation. Reaccreditation is due in 2018. All reports have found the program to be academically sound and
rigorous. The program, as part of the School of Nursing, has a continuous assessment/evaluation
plan and regularly assesses/evaluates all courses, teaching/learning strategies, and student
assessments and learning outcomes.
XII. Accreditation
Business Content Audit:
Referencing the Business Content Worksheet, does this program or concentration, incorporating
the information proposed herein, have “traditional business subject” content delivered by faculty
or programs administered by the Coles College of Business? *
_____ Yes
If “yes,” complete a Business Content Worksheet and obtain necessary
approvals as indicated.
__x__ No
_____ Exempt Graduate programs administered by the Coles College are exempt.
*
All graduate programs exceeding 50% business content are automatically required to meet
AACSB International business accreditation standards. The purpose of the audit is to prevent the
unintended, undesirable compulsory inclusion of programs subject to AACSB standards.
XIII. Affirmative Action Impact
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The MSN-Advanced Care Management & Leadership program emphasizes cultural diversity in
various courses throughout the program and attracts students from non-majority backgrounds.
Since the program’s inception in Fall 2004, it has significantly increased its enrollment of nonwhite students to reflect the population within the area. Of nine currently enrolled students, 44%
are of African-American or Hispanic origin.
XIV. Degree Inscription
XV. Fiscal and Enrollment Impact, and Estimated Budget
The certificate in Nursing Management and Leadership is expected to increase enrollment in the
MSN-Advanced Care Management & Leadership program courses and help grow the degree
program over time.
COSTS
A. Personnel. No new personnel are required to offer the certificate. As with any other
academic program, as the numbers in the program grow over time, along with the
undergraduate program, it is possible that the program would require the hiring of
additional faculty to support the student demand for courses.
B. Personnel -- new positions - none
C. One-Time Startup costs - none
D. Operating Costs - none
3. REVENUE SOURCES
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