MSCN Academic Coursework

The MSCN program at Sonoran University is a cohort-based, online distance education program that follows a prescribed track. All academic credit is computed in quarter hours (see Credit Equivalence below). All students are guided by the curriculum as outlined in their prescribed program of study. Students are pre-registered for all courses. Students may not deviate from their prescribed program of study. Sonoran University reserves the right to make curriculum changes that are applicable to all students, if necessary.

Course Format and Credit Requirements

The MSCN program consists of 39 didactic credits (468 didactic contact hours) and 15 clinical credits (180 clinical hours). The format of the program is 100% online.

Full-time enrollment is defined as being enrolled for a minimum of 4 credits. Part-time enrollment is defined as being enrolled for a minimum of 2 credits but less than 4 credits.

Credit Equivalence

Courses are reported in quarter credit hours according to the following values:

Didactic: 1 credit = 12 contact hours per quarter

Laboratory: 1 credit = 12 contact hours per quarter

Clinical: 1 credit = 12 contact hours per quarter

Program Length and Completion Timeframe

The MSCN program is designed to be completed in less than 2 academic years, or 7 academic quarters. Students are expected to complete the MSCN program within 14 academic quarters, not to exceed three and a half years from the initial date of matriculation, including any and all leaves of absence and periods of withdrawal.  

If a student stays on track with the program, taking all courses as they are offered in sequence, students can expect to graduate within 7 consecutive quarters, or just under 2 calendar years.