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MSN, Informatics, Quality & Safety

Master of Science in Nursing — Informatics, Quality and Safety

Improve Patient Care With Informatics and Technology

Nursing informatics is the specialty that transforms data into needed information and leverages technologies to improve health and healthcare safety, quality and outcomes (ANA, Nursing Informatics Scope and Standards of Practice, 3rd Edition, 2022).

The introduction of information systems and healthcare technology has changed how patient care is delivered. With a Master of Science in Nursing — Informatics, Quality and Safety (MSN-IQS) from The University of Texas at Tyler, you can gain the skills needed to optimize medical treatment and empower patients to take charge of their well-being. Earn advanced practical skills in data analysis, quality improvement and information systems and prepare for the ANCC Informatics Nursing board certification exam with our online program.

Why Earn an MSN in Informatics, Quality and Safety From ר Tyler?

The MSN-IQS degree equips you with the tools to integrate healthcare technology and information systems into daily nursing practice. Physicians, staff, fellow nurses and patients can rely on you to make data-based decisions about workplace operations, health regimens and clinic initiatives. The foundation you gain through your studies forms a launching pad to senior positions, leadership roles and future doctoral studies.

ר Tyler’s Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)-accredited program puts you at the forefront of the nursing profession.

Understand why U.S. News & World Report lists ר Tyler's online MSN program as one of the best in the nation:

  • Flexible and Online: Earn your degree from any location and within your own schedule with 100% online classes. Designed with the working Registered Nurse in mind, the program features a student-friendly format and the ability to learn at your own pace. Courses are available year-round to provide students with flexibility.
  • Highly Effective: The curriculum closely aligns with the material for the American Nurses Credentialing Center Informatics Nursing board certification exam. Prepare for this and other credentials throughout your studies.
  • Outstanding Faculty: Our faculty are experienced informatics nurse specialists with varied backgrounds, including healthcare systems, public health and industry."
  • Hands-on Learning: Throughout the course of the program, you will complete a total of 500 hands-on practice hours. Students work through real-world scenarios to find effective solutions with the software tools and technologies that professionals use, create an information or communication technology project proposal, perform data analytics, create data visualizations, and more.
  • Affordable: Our tuition is a fraction of the cost of other comparable programs while yielding a high return on investment. Students further have the option to earn certification in other nursing specialties while enrolled in a School of Nursing master’s program.

Curriculum

The MSN-IQS program consists of 36 credit hours divided among 12 credit hours of MSN core courses, 18 credit hours of nursing specialization requirements and nine elective credit hours. The program is mapped to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials. It addresses the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) competencies and is designed to prepare you for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Board Certification in Informatics Nursing.

The coursework focuses on quality improvement initiatives, project management, data analysis, data visualization, and information systems. By the time they graduate, students can:

  • Use industry-standard software to analyze data and represent information using visual tools like charts, graphs and maps.
  • Create and implement quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.
  • Manage projects to define scope, stay within budget and meet objectives in a timely manner.
  • Develop executive summaries and status reports that effectively convey relevant information to different stakeholders.
  • Utilize frequently used technologies required for the informatics nurse specialist role.

Careers in Nursing Informatics

Nurses who specialize in informatics are found in virtually every healthcare setting  as well as non-healthcare environments (such as government or technology vendors). Graduates can seek a variety of roles within the following areas of nursing informatics, as outlined in the Nursing Informatics Scope and Standars of Practice (American Nurses Association, 2022):

  • Management, Administration and Leadership
  • Clinical Informatics
  • Data Management and Analytics
  • Patient Safety and Quality
  • Research and Evaluation
  • Compliance and Integrity Management
  • Coordination, Consultation, Facilitation, and Integration

How to Apply

To apply, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Submit a one-page personal statement.
  • Submit transcripts verifying a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 for the last 60 semester credit hours of undergraduate work*.
  • Hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from a nationally accredited nursing program.
  • Complete an undergraduate statistics course with a grade of “C" or better.
  • Show proof of current unencumbered licensure as a Registered Nurse in the state(s) where clinical practicum will occur.
  • Applicants to advanced practice degree programs are strongly encouraged to submit a CV or a resume. 
  • Applicants from countries other than the United States must also meet the admission requirements for international students seeking a graduate degree as listed in the University catalog.

International Students

Applicants from countries other than the United States must also meet the admission requirements for international students seeking a graduate degree. Review all admission requirements for international students.

Applicants must submit evidence of English proficiency before admission is granted. Applicants whose primary language is not English (the undergraduate degree is from a foreign institution) must submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language, Pearson Test of English or the International English Language Testing System. The minimum score requirements are as follows:

  • 79 TOEFL iBT (internet-based test)
  • 550 TOEFL PBT (paper-based test)
  • 53 PTE
  • 6.5 overall band score and 6.0 in each subsection IELTS

Other Admissions Considerations

ר Tyler also gives consideration for admission to one or more of the following:

  • The applicant's demonstrated commitment to their chosen field of study.
  • Employment or community service involvement.

Levels of admissions:

  • Full Acceptance Status: Applicants who have met all admission requirements.
  • Conditional Acceptance Status: ר Tyler may accept MSN applicants who have met some but not all of the requirements listed above into the graduate program on a conditional basis following review by the Graduate Studies Committee. Full acceptance is granted after the successful completion of designated coursework from the student's degree plan.
  • Provisional Acceptance Status: Students may be admitted provisionally to the MSN-IQS program. Refer to the Provisional Admission section for more information: Graduate School FAQs.

STEP 1: Apply to the University

All applicants must apply to the university prior to applying to the nursing program. Go to The Graduate School to complete the application.

Current or previous ר Tyler students must complete a new application if applying for a higher level of degree (i.e., BSN to MSN, MSN to PhD, MSN to DNP, MSN to post-master’s certificate).

If you are an online out-of-state applicant, please be aware of reciprocity agreements that may impact clinical hours: State Authorization.

How Much Does It Cost to Apply?

The application cost is $50 for domestic students; $75 for international students. The fee is nonrefundable and required before your application is processed. Make credit card payments at the time of application by Visa or MasterCard only.

The university waives fees for all ר Tyler alumni. Please select the “Pay by Check” option. Fees are waived once your application is processed. Please do NOT send a check, as no refunds are given.

STEP 2: Submit Official Transcripts

MSN Domestic Applicants: ר Tyler requires an official transcript showing a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited institution. Previous institutions should send official copies to the university. ר Tyler transcripts are available from the Registrar's Office; applicants need not forward them.

If your BSN transcript does not contain at least 60 credit hours of coursework, you are required to submit community or junior college transcripts directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Your previous institution can send official electronic copies directly to gradadmissions@uttyler.edu.

MSN International Applicants: Please send an official transcript showing a four-year baccalaureate degree in nursing or its U.S. equivalent from an accredited institution of higher learning and official transcripts from ALL post-secondary institutions, TOEFL scores, entrance exams scores (GRE or GMAT for MBA) and evidence of financial support (Affidavit of Support) to:

Office of Graduate Admissions HPR 248
The University of Texas at Tyler
3900 University Blvd.
Tyler, TX 75799

For details and a list of forms, visit the International Students page.

Transfer Students: You must submit an official letter from your previous institution’s nursing department stating you are in good standing and eligible to return to their program. To review individual transfer course eligibility, you must also submit course syllabi from the time of enrollment. The maximum allowed transfer credit hours is nine, subject to review for equivalency. Submit both the letter of eligibility and any syllabi to nursing-graduate@uttyler.edu with the subject line “Transfer Student Application Documents.”

STEP 3: Submit Nursing Documents

  • Please submit the required documents through the .

Required Documents:

  • Official College Transcripts: Applicants must have degrees from institutions accredited by agencies recognized by the Department of Education. Accreditation must be verifiable through the Department of Education database of recognized DOE accrediting agencies.
  • RN License: Show proof of current unencumbered licensure as a Registered Nurse in the state(s) where clinical practicum will occur. Material should be uploaded to the admissions portal.
  • *Statement of Purpose: Please submit a one-page personal statement addressing the following:
    • Describe your interest in pursuing your selected program.
    • Describe your work experience and how it will be useful in your graduate nursing program.
    • *Statement of purpose should be uploaded to the admissions portal.
  • Optional Resume or CV: Submit a copy of your resume. Material should be uploaded to the admissions portal.

The ר Tyler School of Nursing offers programs year-round with multiple start dates. Applications are accepted throughout the year, and prospective students need to be admitted two weeks before the session start date. In case of non-admission by that date, the start date will be deferred to the next session. For inquiries about the application process, please contact an enrollment advisor.

Applicants offered acceptance into a graduate nursing program may be assessed a nonrefundable seat deposit of $200.00 by the date indicated in the acceptance letter. Failure to pay the deposit will result in forfeiture of the acceptance. The university applies the $200.00 toward the first semester’s tuition. Applicants who accept an offer of admission but later decide not to attend forfeit the seat deposit.

Spotlight

Student profile
As an educator, I find the students here are focused and willing to learn, which makes teaching enjoyable. I also appreciate working with the dedicated and knowledgeable faculty, who are firmly committed to student success and excellence in nursing practice.

Dr. Cheryl D. Parker, PhD, RN-BC, CNE, ACUE, Clinical Associate Professor

Next Steps

The next phase of your career starts here. Discover where a Master of Science in Nursing in Informatics, Quality and Safety from ר Tyler can take you.