The College of Nursing and Health Professions at the University of Southern Indiana

The College of Nursing and Health Professions (CNHP) is one of four academic colleges at the University of Southern Indiana (USI). The college's accredited nursing programs prepare students with clinical skills, academic knowledge, and professional values needed to provide quality health care. Faculty members use evidence-based practice, education, research, service, and innovative technology to ensure that program graduates meet community, regional, and national health care needs.

The college offers 13 degree programs, including three associate degree programs, seven baccalaureate degree programs, three master's degree programs, and the only doctoral degree program on the USI campus, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program.

Bachelor of Science Nursing Program (BSN)

USI's BSN program is designed to prepare students to be leading professionals in their fields and is accredited by the Indiana State Board of Nursing, and by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

RN to BSN Program

USI's School of Nursing offers nurses with associate degrees or nursing diplomas the opportunity to further their education and ultimately obtain Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees. The nursing courses required for the program are provided solely through distance education techniques, which allows for the flexibility of completing the degree program in one's own home and at one's own schedule.

Master's Degree Program in Nursing (MSN)

USI's Master's Degree Program in Nursing (MSN) is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). It is offered online with no required campus visits. Fall and spring courses are 16 weeks in length; summer course offerings are 10 weeks long. The MSN degree program offers the following specialty areas:

- Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AG-CNS)

- Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Acute (AGNP - Acute)

- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)

- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

- Nursing Education (NED)

- Nursing Management and Leadership (NML)

- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Post master's degree certificate

Master's degree prepared nurses may apply for admission to receive a post master's degree certificate in the following specialties:

- Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AG-CNS)

- Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Acute (AGNP - Acute)

- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)

- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

- Nursing Education (NED)

- Nursing Management and Leadership (NML)

- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree Program

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program prepares experts in advanced nursing with emphasis placed on innovative, evidence-based practice. The curriculum includes a minimum of 36 additional DNP degree program credit hours beyond the MSN degree program for a total of 78 credit hours. It is offered online, with two required campus visits per year. The program of study includes the completion of an evidence-based capstone project that provides evidence of advanced practice synthesis and program learning outcomes.

Students admitted to the USI DNP degree program select from two areas of study concentration:

- Advanced Practice and Systems

- Organizational Leadership

In both concentrations, the plan of study is the same with all students enrolling in the required 15 DNP degree program courses. Students are required to complete assignments within each course that address the identified study concentration.

Academic programs in the College of Nursing and Health Professions

Academic programs in the College of Nursing and Health professions include:

- Continuing education

- Dental assisting

- Dental hygiene

- Diagnostic medical sonography

- Food and nutrition

- Health services

- Master of Health Administration degree program

- Nursing

- Occupational therapy

- Occupational therapy assistant

- Radiologic and imaging sciences

- Respiratory therapy

Continuing Education

The College of Nursing and Health Professions offers convenient and flexible online continuing education for nurses, physicians, and other healthcare professionals worldwide. All of the college's certificate programs are delivered to the learner over the Internet in a format that allows participants to "attend class" any time of day or night in one's own home or office.

International Programs

Students enrolled in nursing and other programs can broaden their educational experience by studying abroad in Evansville's sister city, Osnabrück, Germany, and in more than 50 other countries around the globe. Programs offer a variety of experiences, from specialized courses taught entirely in English, to direct enrollment in the foreign university. Students receive USI credit for the coursework completed during the summer, semester or academic year at an approved USI study abroad location.

Southwest Indiana Area Health Education Center (SWI-AHEC)

SWI-AHEC, hosted at the University of Southern Indiana in the College of Nursing and Health Professions, is part of a national network with a mission to improve health by leading the nation in the recruitment, training, and retention of a diverse health workforce for underserved communities. SWI-AHEC serves the 10 counties of Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Knox, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, and Warrick.

Center for Healthy Aging and Wellness

The Center for Healthy Aging and Wellness, housed in the College of Nursing and Health Professions at USI, is dedicated to advancing the understanding of aging and promoting the well-being of older adults through interdisciplinary education, research, and engaged partnerships. There are several academic programs in place within the College of Nursing and Health Professions to prepare students to meet the unique needs of an aging population.

Dental Clinic

The Dental Hygiene Clinic offers dental hygiene services to adults and children of all ages in the community. All services are performed by students and are supervised and evaluated by dental hygiene faculty members.

Clinical Simulation Center

USI's College of Nursing and Health Professions' Clinical Simulation Center (CSC) offers students the opportunity to practice simple tasks as assessing vital signs, to more complicated procedures such as insertion of nasal gastric tubes and intravenous therapy. The CSC is used by many programs in the nursing and health professions departments with an emphasis on development and implementation of interprofessional scenarios.

In the school's simulations, students are given scenarios in which they can use their learned skills and critical thinking. Dental hygiene students practice assessing vital signs, radiology students practice positioning for portable X-rays, and respiratory care students use simulation to practice their assessment skills and implementation of treatments. Nursing students are offered opportunities to practice tasks, ranging from caring for infants to those in the final stages of life. Electronic medical record charting is now a part of the clinical simulation experience.

Financial Aid Opportunities at the University of Southern Indiana

USI's Student Financial Assistance Office is committed to helping students and their families seek and obtain financial resources. Undergraduate students at the University of Southern Indiana have many opportunities for financial aid including grants, loans, and scholarships.

Expert Faculty Members

The College of Nursing and Health Professions at the University of Southern Indiana employs expert faculty members who have practical experience in their specialties and are dedicated to providing the highest level of education to students. Many of the school's nursing faculty members hold national certifications in their specialty areas, and a large number of the faculty members either already hold doctoral degrees or are currently enrolled in doctoral education. Faculty members' expertise also enables them to advance the nursing profession and health care delivery through research and leadership activities.

Student Organizations

- Omicron Psi Chapter of the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society

- USI Association of Nursing Students (USIANS)

- Food and Nutrition Student Organization

- Student American Dental Hygienists' Association

- Student Occupational Therapy Association

- HOSA - Future Health Professionals

- Respiratory Care Club

- Sigma Phi Omega, National Academic Honor and Professional Society for Gerontology

- STELLAR - Student Gerontology Club

About the University of Southern Indiana and Evansville, Indiana

Founded in 1965, the University of Southern Indiana enrolls nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students in 80 undergraduate majors, 10 master's degree programs, and one doctoral degree program. The campus of this comprehensive public university is on 1,400 acres just outside of Evansville in southwestern Indiana. USI also serves more than 15,000 individuals annually in continuing education courses, noncredit workshops, conferences, and seminars.

The third largest city in the state, Evansville is located along the Ohio River and is the regional hub of the southwestern corner of Indiana. Students are able to take advantage of the city's many attractions, including museums, a zoo, sports teams, theatre, and philharmonic. USI is also conveniently located within an easy drive of Indianapolis, Louisville, Nashville, and St. Louis.

• Biological/life sciences
• Biochemistry
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Biology/Biological Sciences
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Biophysics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Business/marketing
• Accounting
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Business Administration and Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Business/Commerce
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Finance
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Marketing/Marketing Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Operations Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Communication/Journalism
• Advertising
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Journalism
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Mass Communication/Media
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Radio and Television
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Computer and information sciences
• Computer and Information Sciences
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Computer Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Education
• Early Childhood Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Elementary Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Physical Education Teaching and Coaching
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Special Education Related
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Engineering
• Engineering
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Manufacturing Engineering
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Mechanical Engineering
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Engineering technologies
• Manufacturing Engineering Technology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• English
• English
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Foreign languages and literature
• French
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• German
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Spanish
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Health professions and related sciences
• Dental Assisting
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Dental Hygiene
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Health/Health-Care Administration
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Medical Radiologic Technology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Occupational Therapist Assistant
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Occupational Therapy
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Radiologic Technology/Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Respiratory Care Therapy
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• History
• History
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Homeland security, law enforcement, firefighting, and protective services
• Criminal Justice/Safety
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Interdisciplinary studies
• Biological and Physical Sciences
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Nutrition Sciences
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Liberal arts/general studies
• Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Mathematics and statistics
• Mathematics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Natural resources/environmental science
• Environmental Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Environmental Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Parks and recreation
• Kinesiology and Exercise Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Sport And Fitness Administration/Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Philosophy and religious studies
• Philosophy
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Physical sciences
• Chemistry
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Geology/Earth Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Psychology
• Psychology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Public administration and social services
• Social Work
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Social sciences
• Anthropology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Economics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• International Relations and Affairs
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Political Science and Government
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Social Sciences
  Associate Degree offered for this major. Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Sociology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Visual and performing arts
• Art
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Dramatic/Theater Arts
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied4,552
• Accepted4,183
• Acceptance Rate91%
• Enrolled7,956
• Female Applicants2,959
• Females Accepted2,747
• Female Acceptance Rate92%
• Male Applicants1,593
• Males Accepted1,436
• Male Acceptance Rate90%
• Applying
• Application Fee$40
• Required for All Transcript of high school record
  
• Required for Some Interview
  
• Average high school GPA for first-year freshman3.37
• Application Deadlines
• Type Application Closing Notification Date Rolling Admissions
• Fall freshmen August 15th --
• Out-of-state Fall freshmen Not Reported
• Early decision plan Not Reported
• Other early decision plan Not Reported
• Transfer Not Reported
• Test Scores Accepted
• Test Average School Accepted 25th Percentile* 75th Percentile*
• SAT Critical Reading 497 450 540
• SAT Math 497 440 540
• SAT Writing 474 420 520
• ACT Composite 22 19 25
• * 25th and 75th percentile is the score that 25/75 percent of students score at or below.

• Tuition
• In-state tuition *$7,105
• Out-of-state tuition *$17,347
• In-district tuitionNot Reported
• * Tuition costs are based on a full academic year typically extending from September to June.
• Fees
• Full-time student fees$60
• Room and board *$8,896
• Room only *$4,856
• * Room and board charges vary according to board plan selected (i.e., 12-meal plan, 19-meal plan, etc.) and student level (freshman, sophomore, etc.)
• Other Payment Considerations
• Guaranteed tuition plan offeredNo
• Tuition pre-payment planNo
• Tuition payment plans offeredInstallments
• Student groups that qualify for full or partial waiver of tuitionEmployees or children of employees

• Gender
• Total Undergraduate Students7,956
• Male Student Percentage38%
• Female Student Percentage62%
• Race/Ethnicity
• Hispanic/Latino2.82%
• Black or African American4.32%
• White or Caucasian86.93%
• American Indian or Alaska Native.19%
• Asian1.33%
• Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.08%
• Two or more races2.29%
• Unknown or International Student.04%
• Other Student Statistics
• International Breakout2% representing 46 other countries
• Out-of-state Students12% out-of-state student

• Housing
• College-owned housing available Yes
• Housing Requirements Not Reported
• Housing options Coed housing , Special housing for disabled
• Percentage of undergraduate students who live in college-owned housing 31%
• Student Activities
• Student-run campus newspaper Yes
• Drama / theater group Yes
• Student-run radio station Yes
• Student-run television station Yes
• Marching band No
• Choral groups Yes
• Student Services
• Legal services No
• Health clinic Yes
• Personal / psychological counseling Yes
• Women's center No
• Student Organizations
• Greek fraternities Yes
• Greek sororities Yes
• Local fraternities Yes
• Local sororities No
• Other organizations No
• Most popular organizations Sororities, Fraternities, Riley Dance Marathon, Activities Programming Board, Student Government Association
• Campus Security and Safety
• 24-hour emergency telephone / alarm services Yes
• 24-hour patrols by trained officers Yes
• Students patrols Yes
• Late-night transport / escort services Yes
• Electronically-operated dormitory entrances Yes
• Other Not Reported

• Men's Sports
• Sport Intramural Intercollegiate Scholarship
• Badminton Yes No No
• Baseball No Division 2 Yes
• Basketball Yes Division 2 Yes
• Bowling Yes No No
• Cheerleading Yes No No
• Cross-country running No Division 2 Yes
• Football Yes No No
• Golf Yes Division 2 Yes
• Rock climbing Yes No No
• Rugby Yes No No
• Skiing Yes No No
• Soccer Yes Division 2 Yes
• Softball Yes No No
• Table Tennis Yes No No
• Tennis Yes Division 2 Yes
• Track No Division 2 Yes
• Ultimate Frisbee Yes No No
• Volleyball Yes No No
• Wrestling Yes No No
• Women's Sports
• Sport Intramural Intercollegiate Scholarship
• Badminton Yes No No
• Baseball No No No
• Basketball Yes Division 2 Yes
• Bowling Yes No No
• Cheerleading Yes No No
• Cross-country running No Division 2 Yes
• Football Yes No No
• Golf Yes Division 2 Yes
• Rock climbing Yes No No
• Rugby Yes No No
• Skiing Yes No No
• Soccer Yes Division 2 Yes
• Softball Yes Division 2 Yes
• Table Tennis Yes No No
• Tennis Yes Division 2 Yes
• Track No Division 2 Yes
• Ultimate Frisbee Yes No No
• Volleyball Yes Division 2 Yes
• Wrestling No No No

• Faculty Breakdown
• Total Faculty676
• Full-time Percentage53%
• Part-time Percentage47%
• Female Percentage60%
• Male Percentage40%
• Student:Faculty Ratio17:1 or 7,847 students to 462 faculty