Navigating Your Academic Journey: A Comprehensive Guide to Husson University

Husson University, since its founding in 1898, has been dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality education that prepares students for successful careers. This guide offers an overview of the resources, programs, and policies available to students, ensuring a rewarding and successful educational experience.

Introduction to Husson University

Husson University believes in the transformative power of education and the opportunities it brings. The institution prides itself on offering a full university educational experience, accessible both in person and online. With a commitment to keeping tuition costs low and transparent, Husson strives to provide unparalleled value and a real return on investment in education.

Admissions and Financial Aid

The Admissions and Financial Aid team is readily available to assist prospective students throughout the application process. They provide guidance and support, helping students embark on a path of growth, discovery, and success.

Academic Support Services

Academic Advising

Academic Services staff members serve as advisors to students who have not yet declared a major. They offer guidance on academic requirements, study skills, and time management. Early intervention strategies are also utilized to support students in need.

The Husson Experience (HE 111)

Academic Services coordinates Husson's First Year Experience course, HE 111. This required, one-credit course assists first-year students in transitioning to college life by familiarizing them with academic policies, procedures, and resources. Students also complete a career exploration project.

Online Learning at Husson

Husson's online programs deliver the same learning and skill-building as in-person classes, taught by experienced educators and professionals. Online students have access to career services counselors, academic advisors, and online communication hubs.

Accreditation

Husson University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), ensuring the quality and credibility of its programs.

Nursing Programs Overview

The College of Health and Pharmacy School of Nursing at Husson University offers a variety of programs designed to prepare nurses for advanced practice roles. These include:

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Post-Master’s Certificates

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

The FNP track prepares graduates to assess, diagnose, and treat illnesses across the lifespan, prescribe medications, and educate communities on healthcare habits. FNP program graduates are eligible to take the FNP certification exams through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

The PMHNP track prepares graduates to provide cost-effective mental health care to patients across the lifespan, using a biopsychosocial approach. Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner ANCC Certification Examination.

Read also: Applying to Husson University

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)

The AGACNP track prepares nurses to care for adolescents through older adults in acute care settings, focusing on improving outcomes in critically ill individuals. AGACNP track graduates are eligible to take the AGACNP certification exams through the AACN or the ANCC.

Nursing Courses

Husson University offers a comprehensive range of nursing courses, including:

NU 100. Historical Perspectives of Healthcare: Explores social and political history related to healthcare.
NU 208. Health Assessment: Introduces students to nursing assessment techniques and tools for gathering subjective and objective clinical data.
NU 210. Fundamentals of Nursing: Focuses on patient safety and person-focused care, emphasizing assessment and planning.
NU 211. Nursing Intervention I: Introduces basic nursing interventions and concepts of patient care.
NU 212. Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing: Develops clinical judgment skills in providing person-focused care.
NU 214. Pharmacology: Provides knowledge for the safe administration of drugs and patient teaching.
NU 299. Topic/: Explores selected topics in nursing to enhance students’ knowledge of professional nursing.
NU 315. Family Centered Care-Children: Applies nursing assessment and clinical skills within the context of pediatric nursing.
NU 322. Medical Surgical Nursing I: Develops competency in managing clients with various medical needs.
NU 323. Medical Surgical Nursing II: Builds competency in managing clients with complex medical needs.
NU 324. Family Centered Care - Women and Infants: Focuses on the childbearing family and related physiologic, social, and cultural issues.
NU 412. Population Focus - Community Health: Addresses stressors of individuals, families, and communities and their adaptation to changes in the environment.
NU 422. Population Focus - Mental Health: Applies nursing assessment and clinical skills within the context of mental health nursing.
NU 424. Adult / Family Health III: Integrates and expands previous learning and experiences.
NU 425. Transition to Practice: Prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam and entry-level nursing practice.
NU 426. Policy Leadership and Management in Nursing: Examines professional nursing leadership roles and advocacy.
NU 431. Wound Management: Focuses on the nursing process in the care of clients with chronic wounds.
NU 432. Caring, Spirituality & Culture: Explores the influence of caring, culture, and spirituality on health.
NU 433. Gerontological Nursing: Addresses the professional nursing role in providing healthcare for the elderly.
NU 435. History of Women’s Health: Explores ideas about women’s bodies in the context of medicine and the feminist movement.
NU 441. Role Transition to Professional Nursing: Examines the transition of the RN to the professional role of pursuing an advanced degree.
NU 442. Health Informatics & Technology: Explores the impact of technology on patient care.
NU 443. Quality Improvement in Healthcare Systems: Introduces competencies and nursing leadership responsibilities related to quality improvement.
NU 444. BSN Capstone Practice: Focuses on synthesis and integration of complex concepts and leadership skills.
NU 445. Evidence Based Practice for the Professional Nurse: Addresses the role of research and evidence-based practice.
NU 446. Practice Science and Skills for the Professional Nurse: Integrates science and skills in pathophysiology, pharmacology, and nursing assessment.
NU 447. Leadership Development for the Professional Nurse: Assists students in creating a vision for themselves as leaders in healthcare.
NU 448. Interprof. Collaboration in Rural Pub. Hlth. for the Prof NU: Introduces interprofessional education into the study of community and rural public health.
NU 449. Health Policy Issues and Challenges for the Prof. Nurse: Examines the healthcare system and policy challenges.
NU 455. Gerontology Nursing: Develops knowledge, skills, and attitudes for providing healthcare for the older adult population.
NU 456. Interpretation of Electrocardiograms: Provides knowledge for the interpretation and treatment of cardiac rhythms.
NU 457. IV Therapy and Management: Provides an overview of the scope of practice for nurses providing infusion therapy.
NU 495. Capstone for the Professional Nurse: Integrates complex concepts relevant to practice, leadership, and management skills.
NU 499. Topic/: Enhances students’ knowledge of professional nursing.
NU 700. Theories and Roles for Advanced Nursing Practice: Analyzes theoretical concepts and principles to guide advanced clinical practice.
NU 701. Theories for Advanced Nursing Practice: Provides an opportunity to analyze theoretical concepts, principles and processes from nursing and related disciplines to guide advanced clinical practice and role development.
NU 702. Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics: Prepares students to evaluate and prescribe medications for common health problems.

Admission Requirements (Graduate Nursing Programs)

Current, unencumbered RN license.
A minimum of two years of clinical nursing experience (more recommended).
Application, application fee, official transcripts, proof of RN licensure, resume/CV, and three letters of recommendation.
Background check and proper immunizations.
MSN applicants: BSN from an accredited institution with a 3.0 or higher GPA.
Certificate program applicants: MSN from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Completed undergraduate statistics and health assessment courses.

State Restrictions (Graduate Nursing Programs)

Husson University accepts students from most states and is an NC-SARA participant. However, the program may not meet state licensure requirements in California, Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. Students in all states outside of Maine should contact the College of Health and Pharmacy School of Nursing at Husson University to verify enrollment eligibility.

MSN Program Details

Completion time: Approximately 2 to 2.5 years, including summers.
Start dates: Fall.
Course length: 15 weeks each.
Summer immersions: One-week on-campus immersion in Bangor, Maine.
FNP and AGACNP Specializations: 48 credits and 540 clinical practicum hours.
Post-Master’s Certificate: Up to 48 credits for FNP or AGACNP tracks and 51 credits for the PMHNP track, depending on transferrable credits.

Online Learning Environment

Husson University uses Canvas to deliver online courses. Courses typically meet synchronously for one to three hours, once a month, through web conferencing. The rest of the coursework is delivered asynchronously and may include recorded lectures, discussion boards, assignments, and assessments. Online students have access to academic advising, faculty office hours, an online library, an online bookstore, admissions counseling, career counseling, and round-the-clock technical support.

On-Site Requirements (Graduate Nursing Programs)

Online graduate APRN nursing students must come to the Bangor, Maine campus for two, 1-week summer immersions. Travel expenses for the campus immersions are not included in tuition and fees.

Financial Aid (Graduate Programs)

Husson University graduate students may be eligible for unsubsidized federal Stafford Loans and Graduate PLUS loans through the FAFSA. Some employers offer tuition reimbursement programs or tuition discounts to students.

Academic Integrity

Husson University promotes an academic environment that facilitates learning, intellectual stimulation, and collaboration. Academic integrity is emphasized, requiring students to recognize and attribute sources of information. Violations of academic integrity may result in sanctions, including failure in the course.

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend all scheduled class sessions. Absences due to emergencies or extended illness may be excused with proof. Excessive absences may result in a failing grade. For fully online asynchronous courses, students must log in at least once a week.

Religious Observance

Students who are unable to attend classes due to religious beliefs will be provided with an opportunity to make up the course requirements, provided it does not create an unreasonable burden on the instructor or university.

Online Course Delivery

All instruction in asynchronous courses and programs is delivered online. While most instructions are asynchronous, some courses may involve synchronous interactivity. Faculty must record synchronous sessions or provide suitable alternatives for students unable to participate.

Academic Program Changes

Students applying for a change of academic program must obtain the approval of the chairs of the departments involved. All program changes become effective at the beginning of the following semester or term.

Add/Drop and Withdrawal Policies

Students can adjust their course schedules during the add/drop period. Withdrawing from a course after this period may result in a "WW," "PW," or "FW" grade on the transcript.

Leave of Absence

A written leave of absence request allows students to bypass the admissions process upon return to school.

Dropping Courses for Non-Participation

Husson University reserves the right to drop students from courses if they do not participate during the add/drop period.

Directed and Independent Studies

Directed studies cover the content of an existing course, while independent studies pursue subject matter not covered by an established course.

Transfer Credits

Students may transfer credits from other institutions, with certain limitations. The final thirty credit hours of a student’s program of study must be completed at Husson University.

Contract for Degree

A Contract for Degree option may be available for students who are forced to leave the region before completing their studies.

Student Support Services

Husson University offers a wide range of support services to help students succeed:

Career Services: Assists students and alumni with career decisions and professional development.
Accessibility Services: Provides accommodations and resources for students with disabilities.
Center for Student Success: Supports international students with their transition to Husson.
Tutoring Center: Offers tutoring for general undergraduate and degree-specific courses.
Title III Team: Supports students’ transition to college and first-year experience.
W. Tom and Bonnie Sawyer Library: Provides informational resources suitable for all degree programs.
The Writing Center: Offers assistance with all aspects of writing.
Confidential Resource Advisors (CRAs): Provide support and resources to students and employees who have experienced sexual assault, stalking, or intimate partner violence.
Office of the Chaplain: Addresses the spiritual needs of all members of the Husson Community.
Counseling Services Center: Assists students in overcoming barriers and improving their well-being.
Student Wellness Center: Provides health care services to students.

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