Graduate Academic Degree & Certificate Programs

Information About the Curriculum

Graduate School Experience

Congratulations on making the decision to begin (or continue) your graduate education at Nebraska Wesleyan University. We have heard from our students, alumni, and faculty that the reasons for enrolling in graduate school are as varied as the people who make up the graduate student population. We have also learned, regardless of the degree program sought, our students are committed to putting in the hard work necessary to master the learning, skill development, and reflective practice required of graduate education.

As you embark on your academic journey, please remember that this experience is a deep and transformative learning process. While it will be important for you to remain in good academic standing throughout your time at Nebraska Wesleyan University, graduate school is so much more than grades, it’s also about growth, exploration, and mastering your field. There will be challenges, and sometimes, you will not earn the grade you hoped for, but rather than being discouraged, commit to staying curious and resilient wile embracing every opportunity to learn something new.

Graduate Common Institutional Learning Outcomes (gCILOs)

There are four Graduate Common Institutional Learning Outcomes (gCILOs) that define what all Wesleyan graduate students will know and be able to do when they graduate.

Advanced Knowledge
NWU graduate students will demonstrate appropriate mastery of knowledge in the degree field.

Applied Learning
NWU graduate students will demonstrate the appropriate disciplinary skills in the field by integrating knowledge with practice.

Critical Inquiry and Reflective Practice
NWU graduate students will demonstrate critical inquiry and/or reflective practice at an advanced level.

Ethical and Professional Conduct
NWU graduate students will demonstrate ethical and responsible professional conduct in their discipline.

Student Right-to-Know Act

In accordance with the Student Right-to-Know Act of 1993, Nebraska Wesleyan’s student persistence/graduation rates are available for disclosure to current and prospective students, employees, and interested community members. See the Registrar’s Office for this information.

Academic Degree & Certificate Programs

Nebraska Wesleyan also offers two additional degree options for graduate students. 

1. For those who wish to concurrently earn a Master of Science in Nursing and Master of Business Administration there is a 55-credit-hour online program that equips students to respond to increasing responsibilities for business operations in the health care industry. 
2. Students with a Master of Science in Nursing with an emphasis in management or leadership can earn an MBA much faster with Nebraska Wesleyan’s 24-credit-hour Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Business Administration (MSN/MBA) Bridge.

Graduate Degree Requirements

All candidates for graduate degrees must complete the following requirements:

• A minimum of 30 credit hours, of which at least 21 hours must be completed at Nebraska Wesleyan.
• Completion of degree program course requirements, as specified by the pertinent program.
• Completion of a Master's Capstone, which must be taken through Nebraska Wesleyan.
• A minimum GPA of 2.67 with a minimum grade of “B-” for courses meeting graduate program requirements.

Residency Requirement

Students earning a graduate degree must complete at least 21 hours of graduate work toward the degree at Nebraska Wesleyan. The Master's Capstone must be taken as part of the minimum 21 hours at NWU.

Time Limit/Catalog Determination of Degree Requirements

Students must complete all coursework in their master’s degree plan within 10 years from the time of matriculation in the degree program. The catalog for students following the 2022-2023 catalog requirements will expire the last day of the summer term 2032.

Note: Any degree completion limits for the master’s degrees can be extended for the length of documented military deployment.

Students must meet graduation requirements stipulated in the catalog under which they first matriculate in their master’s degree program. However, a student may select requirements announced in a subsequent catalog instead of those in effect when he or she first matriculated. If a course listed under a student’s degree requirements is no longer offered, it will be replaced with a course determined by the program.

Any modifications to degree requirements must be submitted by the major advisor on a Modification of Program Requirements form. These requests must include a rationale from the advisor detailing the need for the program modification and then be approved by the Dean of Graduate Programs.

Graduation

Each student is responsible for making certain he or she has met all degree requirements. Advising and an online analysis help students monitor their progress toward graduation.

Candidacy for Graduation

In order to be a candidate for graduation, a student must file his or her graduation application in the Registrar's Office. It is recommended that this take place one semester prior to graduation so that if there are any deficiencies in the student's record, the student may adjust his or her schedule as needed. The faculty recommends graduation candidates to the Nebraska Wesleyan Board of Governors for approval. Nebraska Wesleyan confers degrees twice per year, December and May; however, graduation ceremonies are held once a year in May. All candidates are encouraged to participate in the commencement program; however, students have the option of graduating in absentia.

No student is allowed to participate as a graduation candidate in more than one commencement program unless returning for a second degree. See the Registrar's Office for additional information.

Earning a Second Master’s Degree

Second Master’s Degree for Nebraska Wesleyan Master’s Graduates
A Nebraska Wesleyan master’s graduate wishing to earn a second master’s degree must meet all requirements for the second master’s degree. A maximum of 12 hours of program-approved credit from the first master’s degree may be used toward the second master’s degree. The culminating research/internship/major project of the two degrees must be distinct.

Master’s Degree at Nebraska Wesleyan for Master’s Graduates from Another Institution
A person wishing to earn a master’s degree at Nebraska Wesleyan who has already received a master’s degree from another regionally accredited institution must complete at least 21 hours of graduate work at Nebraska Wesleyan. The degree shall not be in the same discipline as the degree the student has previously earned. Fulfillment of all program requirements is required. The culminating research/internship/major project must be earned through Nebraska Wesleyan.