Master's level graduates will be able to function as associate investigators in their selected area of interest. With their increased knowledge of the theoretical basis of practice, they will be able to play a role in evolving health care systems. For the Thesis-Based master's degree, students will:

1. Demonstrate the ability to apply advanced scientific theory to their professional practice.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate clinical research methods, including the development of clinical measures and the determination of clinical and program efficacy.
3. Complete four required and at least one additional approved half courses.
4. Complete and defend a thesis arising from a health care issue.

The appropriate foundation for graduate level entry is a professional degree. Candidates must comply with the School of Graduate Studies Regulations for the M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees. The specific admission requirements are:

1. A Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (60 units taken at a university) with a minimum of a B+ average over the final 60 units from an undergraduate nursing program, or its equivalent. Applicants who are graduates of a baccalaureate nursing degree program for registered nurses and who have between 50 and 59 units of university study will be considered on a case-by-case basis. These 60 units will not include advanced credit for college courses.
2. Two academic and one clinical references.
3. A letter outlining professional interests and career plans, and suitability for this professional nursing program. Research interests must be described.
4. Identification of a faculty member who agrees to supervise the student. See our Areas of Excellence for a list of poetential supervisors. NOTE: It is expected that applicants will approach potential supervisors at least three months prior to the application deadline.
5. Evidence of current registration or eligibility for registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario. International students licensed to practice nursing in another country will be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants whose native language is not English are required to supply evidence of their proficiency in the use of the English language. The most common evidence is a score of at least 92 (iBT), 580 (paper-based test) or 237 (computer-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The Nursing Graduate Program requires a minimum score of 7.0 for IELTS (Academic Test).

ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS	Baccalaureate
REQUIRED COURSES	Five half courses: NUR 701* (Theoretical basis of nursing practice) NUR 745* (Qualitative research methods) HRM 721* (Fundamentals of health research and evaluation) NUR 709* One additional half course which may be at the 600 level SGS 101 and SGS 201
OTHER REQUIREMENTS	Complete and defend a thesis arising from a health care issue.

Requirements for Degree Completion

Students will be expected to complete Master's requirements within two calendar years of entering the program. The maximum allowable time for completing the M.Sc. will be three calendar years. All students will be registered full-time (paying full-time tuition fees), although they may choose to pursue the program while continuing to maintain their employment. However, funding to support graduate studies will be available only to students who work no more than 10 hours per week. M.Sc. students will undertake:

1. Complete, with at least a B- standing, a minimum of 5 graduate half courses which must include NUR 701*, NUR 745*, HRM 721*, NUR 709*, and one additional half course selected by the student in conjunction with his/her supervisory committee which may be at the 600 level.
2. Complete a thesis on an approved health care issue and defend the thesis at a final oral examination.

M.Sc. students will normally complete course work and formulate their research proposal in the first year of the program and will submit their research proposal no later than 12 months from entry and carry out their research from the 12th to the 24th month from entry.