The Master of Nursing (MN) program is founded upon the guiding principles of primary health care and designed to prepare nurses for advanced nursing practice through the integration of theory, research, and practice. Graduates will incorporate evidence-based practice, leadership, advanced clinical decision-making, critical thinking, and collaboration in a variety of roles and settings.
The MN program has two streams: the Thesis stream and the Nurse Practitioner stream. The Master's program is built on the existing strengths of the faculty and the focus of PHC. Graduates from both streams are prepared to function in an advanced practice role in PHC settings. The MN Thesis graduate is prepared to engage in a variety of advanced practice roles including, but not limited to: direct care of individuals, families, communities, or populations; education; administration; and, research.
Note: Intake to the summer 2024 cohort of the Thesis stream program has been suspended.
All applications for the 2024 Summer intake have been withdrawn. Application fees will be returned to applicants via the method of payment used. For more information, please contact the program coordinator Gail Macartney at gmacartney@upei.ca.
The MN Nurse Practitioner graduate will be prepared to manage the health needs of individuals, families, groups, and communities across the lifespan. Graduates of the Nurse Practitioner Stream will be eligible to write the Canadian Nurse Practitioners Examination: Family/All Ages (CNPE: F/AA).
The degree designated upon successful completion of either stream is a Master of Nursing (MN).
Special student status
A student who has not yet applied to the MN program or who has not been formally accepted, may take up to two masters level courses as a special student. This does not apply to Nurse Practitioner courses or Advanced Nursing Practice in the thesis stream. Graduate courses taken by special students may subsequently be considered for credit towards a MN degree with the approval of the MN Graduate Studies Committee.
A student who wishes to register as a special student should contact the MN Coordinator of Graduate Studies
(gsc_fon@upei.ca) at the Faculty of Nursing.
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Note: Current UPEI students should refer to Student Planning in myUPEI and the UPEI Academic Calendar governing their entry year, and speak to an academic advisor about course requirements. The course structure presented for this program is a recommended, unofficial progression for prospective students.
Thesis Stream course sequence (2020-2023)
Thesis Stream: 8 courses plus thesis
- Nursing 6100 Foundations of Graduate Study
- Nursing 6110 Theoretical Foundations of Nursing
- Nursing 6120 Advanced Primary Health Care
- Nursing 6130 Quantitative Nursing Research
- Nursing 6140 Qualitative Nursing Research
- Nursing 6210 Ethics in Nursing
- Nursing 6220 Advanced Nursing Practice
- Nursing 6360 Biostatistics
- Nursing 6000 Thesis
27 credit hours plus 9 for thesis
TOTAL of 36 credit hours
PLEASE NOTE: Admission to the Thesis Stream occurs annually.
Note: Current UPEI students should refer to Student Planning in myUPEI and the UPEI Academic Calendar governing their entry year, and speak to an academic advisor about course requirements. The course structure presented for this program is a recommended, unofficial progression for prospective students.
Nurse Practitioner Stream course sequence (2021-2024)
10 courses:
- Nursing 6010 Advanced Human Physiology and Pathophysiology
- Nursing 6120 Advanced Primary Health Care
- Nursing 6150 Advanced Health Assessment
- Nursing 6160 Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice
- Nursing 6170 Evidence-Based Practice and the Nurse Practitioner
- Nursing 6310 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Across the Life Span
- Nursing 6320 Episodic Health Care Across the Life Span
- Nursing 6330 Professional Role of the Nurse Practitioner
- Nursing 6340 Chronic Disease Management
- Nursing 6350 Nurse Practitioner Practicum
TOTAL of 43 credit hours and 700 clinical hours
PLEASE NOTE: Admission to the Nurse Practitioner (NP) Stream occurs every second year; the next NP intake year is 2025.
UPEI Master of Nursing Program - Student and Faculty Handbook
All application materials must be received no later than February 15. Please indicate if you are applying to the Thesis Stream or the Nurse Practitioner Steam.
PLEASE NOTE: Admission to the Nurse Practitioner stream occurs every second year.
Candidates for admission to the MN program must have demonstrated high academic standing and potential for self-directed, sustained research. Normally, the basic requirements are:
- A baccalaureate degree in nursing from an approved or accredited university is required. A minimum average of 75% or a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) in the last twenty courses of a baccalaureate nursing program is required.
- Prior completion of a Research Methods course, an Introductory Statistics course, and a course in Nursing Theory, or equivalent.
- Individuals applying for the Nurse Practitioner Stream, must have a minimum of two (2) years experience in clinical nursing practice.
- Proof of active practicing nurse registration in Canada is necessary (e.g. proof of registration card). Once enrolled in the program, all students must maintain active practicing nurse registration with the College of Registered Nurses of Prince Edward Island.
- Upon acceptance into the Master of Nursing program, students must submit a completed up-to-date immunization record, a certified criminal record check, vulnerable sector check, and confirmation of current CPR Certification at the Health Care Provider level.
- Payment of International fees will be required of all students from outside Canada.
Before you apply, please review our:
Please refer to the UPEI Academic Calendar for complete admissions information.
Students are expected to be proficient in the use of English, both written and oral, when they begin their studies at the University of Prince Edward Island. Please review the English Language Requirements for graduate programs.
The application deadline for the Master of Nursing program is February 15.
Note: the Nurse Practitioner stream is offered every two years (current intake: Fall 2025)
You do not have to secure a supervisor prior to applying to this program. Visit the Potential Graduate Supervisors page of the Faculty of Graduate Studies website for contact information.
UPEI has about 250 faculty—exceptional scholars, teachers, and mentors, with more being hired each year as we open new, progressive, and unique programs. But the story isn’t just in the numbers. It’s in the quality of our people. Award-winning faculty from around the globe have made UPEI home. Here, you’ll learn directly from these world-class professors and researchers in small classes where you’ll have easy access to them.
Tuition
Master of Nursing - $8,862 per 2 year program
International students pay $7,704 per year in addition to full-time student tuition.
For a complete breakdown of part-time or full-time study as a student in the Faculty of Nursing, visit our Tuition and Fees page.
Scholarships and Awards
UPEI supports you and your educational goals. We administer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards to our undergraduate and graduate students every year. Depending on your faculty or program, and year of study, you may be eligible for available awards.
Search the complete list of scholarships for information and application forms.
