MSACN Program Policies

Satisfactory Academic Progress - Completion

The MSACN program is designed to be completed in nine academic quarters. Students who deviate from the standard academic program will extend the length of the program. Satisfactory academic progress in the MSACN program is defined as passing all program requirements within two (2) times the length of the longest published program in which they are enrolled, from the initial date of matriculation including any and all leaves of absence and periods of withdrawal followed by re-activation. Generally, this is four and a half years.

Credits transferred from an approved institution count toward the minimum academic requirements to be completed at the end of each academic year (see Minimum Academic Requirements) and count toward the maximum completion time for financial aid. Students must make satisfactory progress toward the completion of their degree at Sonoran University to be eligible for most financial aid programs.

The Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for the MSACN program includes a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, minimum academic credits earned per term, and total completion time.

Students who fail to make satisfactory academic progress for their program of study in any term will be placed on academic warning.

Cumulative GPA Requirement

Students in the MSACN program must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

Minimum Academic Requirements

The following table illustrates the minimum number of cumulative credit hours required to be completed (total credits earned) at the end of each academic year of the MSACN program.

Academic Year Total Credits Earned
1 13
2 26
3 39
4 52
5 64

Commencement Participation and Total Program Hour Requirements

Candidates for the MSACN degree must fulfill the university commencement requirements and their program graduation requirements as outlined in the Course Catalog.

In select circumstances, MSACN students may be eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony prior to completing all requirements for degree conferral. Eligibility is determined based on program-specific criteria outlined below.
 

For the MSACN program, students must meet one of the following criteria by Week 10 of the final term of the program: 

  • Have successfully completed all program requirements, including all required clinical hours; or 
  • Are enrolled in the final course of the program, having successfully completed all prior courses; have completed a minimum of 950 Supervised Practice Experience (SPE) hours; and have an approved plan to complete all remaining hours by the end of the final term. 
This policy does not waive, reduce, or modify any clinical hour or other program requirements established by the University, accrediting bodies, licensing boards, certification agencies, or clinical training sites.