Changes to MSN Ed program coming....

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Anyone considering WGU for MSN in Education should ask about the changes coming to the program. I applied and was accepted to the program about a month ago. I looked through the classes and compared them to other MSN programs and noticed that none of the classes listed included advanced assessment, advanced pharmacology or advanced pathophysiology. These classes are in most other MSN programs that I researched. I asked the counselor about these classes and was told the program does not include these right now, but there are changes coming sometime around August 2013 that would include these classes and remove some others. She had no specifics yet, but assured me that I would be grandfathered in if I start before then, and I would not have to take them. However, I want those classes. My options are to begin now and have those classes added when they become available, or wait until the changes are in place. I really want to start, but I risk completing classes that are going to be removed if I decide to move over to the new program. Just wanted to give everyone a "heads up". The program is accredited as it stands, so no worries there. I just prefer to have those advanced classes in case I decide to go further than my MSN.

Specializes in Critical Care, Dialysis, School Nursing.

I would think you would be "grandfathered" in. I hope so. Im in the same boat, I'm 1 month into the RN-MSN program. I wish they would get rid of the research classes because I would love advanced assessment and pathophysiology!

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Does anyone know if they are really thinking of adding these classes anytime soon. I would really love to take them. I ask my mentor she said she does not know anything about it.

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Specializes in labor & delivery.

I was told the classes would be changed around August. I had an appointment to speak with my enrollment counselor and she had someone else call me. I asked about an update to the changes and he asked me "how did you know about them?" I told him I had asked on my own. He said he had just found out about the changes himself. That was 2 weeks ago. I have heard nothing further. I am waiting to begin until the changes have gone through.

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Thank you so much for the info. Too bad im starting in May.

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I think I'm missing the boat here. I, too, would love taking an advanced assessment class and the patho. I'm in the MSN education and have 17 credits left. I'm guessing my program won't change? Hmm. I'm going to have to chat with my mentor. I don't want to prolong my program but I'd like to opt into these courses if possible.

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Specializes in labor & delivery.

I was told that if I wanted to start now I could and change over to the new program when it begins. That would mean I could end up taking classes that are being removed. If I don't hear something soon, I will probably go ahead now and change over when the time comes. I don't want to wait much longer to start and I may just take my chances with the classes. Some people may want to start now in order to be grandfathered into the current program. I want the new classes, too.

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I was told that if I wanted to start now I could and change over to the new program when it begins. That would mean I could end up taking classes that are being removed. If I don't hear something soon I will probably go ahead now and change over when the time comes. I don't want to wait much longer to start and I may just take my chances with the classes. Some people may want to start now in order to be grandfathered into the current program. I want the new classes, too.[/quote']

Are you doing the complete RN-MSN program, including the BSN? If you are then you most likely won't have finished all those by the time the new program changes come, if they are happening in August. I say go for it then and then switch to the new curriculum when it comes! I was wishing they would let me pilot the new classes...that would be cool. My new term starts August 1st, and I'm hoping to only have the capstone to work on that entire term. Bummer...but if I've got a firm grip on my capstone maybe I'll see what they'll let me do.

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Specializes in labor & delivery.

I have my BSN. I am doing the MSN-Ed program. I wish I would have known about WGU when I did my RN-BSN. I would have done it through them.

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I just spoke with my enrollment person. I am supposed to start the RN-MSN Education June 1st. He said that it is his understanding that if you have not started on the MSN portion of the program you will NOT be grandfathered into the old program. Supposedly they are having a meeting today to give the details of the new program to staff. He is going to ask specifically about being grandfathered into the old program at the meeting today. I don't really want to be in the group that works all the kinks out of a new program. It sounds like the program changes that already occurred this year caused a lot of headaches for the current students. Any input would be appreciated? Anyone have any updated information about what the changes are specifically going to be? Thanks!

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Specializes in labor & delivery.

Heard from my counselor today. I will start in the new MSN-Ed program August 1. The program is going from 30 units to 38 units as of then. She did not say exactly which classes were being removed. I believe if you start the MSN program before that, you will be grandfathered.

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Thank you. That is good to know.

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Specializes in Psych.

Talked to my counselor today. She did not think any classes were being removed, only adding to the program the three Ps. She was unsure if I would be able to matriculated into the new program when it's starts in August. I'm supposed to start in June. She is supposed to get back to me with the info. I would prefer being in the new program cause I don't want to rule out eventual NP school.

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