Overview
The MN program prepares you for leadership positions in the health system. It will give you the skills to discern emerging trends and anticipate future health care directions. You will use philosophical considerations, nursing theory, research methods and various tools of analysis to plan, implement, and evaluate your nursing practice.
Why take the Master of Nursing - Generalist?
The Master of Nursing - Generalist will take you to the next level in your nursing career. You will be prepared for the future direction of health care.
Application deadlines and start dates
| Application deadline | Start date |
| March 1 | Sept. |
| July 1 | Jan. |
| Nov. 1 | May |
The Master of Nursing is a 33-credit online graduate program. You must complete at least 18 credits through Athabasca University. There is a course-based route and a thesis-based route. A teaching focus is available in the course-based route only.
All courses are online grouped study, with defined start and end dates.
Completion times
You must complete the Master of Nursing - Generalist within 7 years of enrolment.
Tuition and fees
Understanding how higher education fees and tuition are calculated is important to ensure you stay within your budget and make informed decisions.
Financial aid and awards
We're dedicated to supporting your academic goals and committed to helping you overcome financial barriers by providing many funding and award options.
Explore financial aid and awards Fees
The following fees are effective for courses starting Sep. 1, 2024, to Aug. 31, 2025. All fees are quoted in Canadian dollars and are subject to change. Academic-related fees are exempt from the Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST). GST is added to all other goods and services, for example, workshops, some publications, self-help seminars, and Athabasca University promotional sales items.
The following fees apply to all CNHS graduate programs and courses, unless specifically noted otherwise.
program application and admission fees | Program application fee (non-refundable) required each time a person applies to a program: | $197 |
| Program admission fee (payable upon acceptance into the program and non-refundable) | $255 |
| Non-program application fee (non-refundable) | $124 |
fees for students in canada and out | Students living in Canada | $1,8661 |
| Students living outside Canada | $2,1111 |
1The course tuition fees include a Course Administration and Technology fee of $58, a Course Materials fee of $37, and Athabasca University Graduate Students Association (AUGSA) fees of $14 per credit.
Students applying for financial assistance should apply for funding a minimum of 3 months before the applicable course registration deadline.
Estimated program tuition cost for MN and MHS students (2023-2024):
The total tuition cost for a student living in Canada who takes all courses from Athabasca University would be $20,526 ($1,866 x 11 three-credit course equivalents). AUGSA fees are included in this calculation. Application and admission fees are not included in the above calculation.
Other fees
Other fees | Transfer credit evaluation Fee | $334/course |
| Course extension fee (this fee applies to extensions of all FHD graduate courses, regardless of credit weight) | $334 |
| Continuation fee | $1,822 |
| Letter of Permission fee | $100 |
| Western Deans' Agreement Administration fee (non-AU visiting students) | $250/course |
| Comprehensive examination fee (repeats) | $334 |
| AU Graduate Student Association fee (per credit): | $14 |
| Course withdrawal processing fee2 | $453 |
2The course withdrawal processing fee is a mandatory administrative fee charged when a student withdraws from a course. For early withdrawal only, the student will be refunded the full course tuition fees less the course withdrawal processing fee. Refer to Course withdrawal.
Special course related fees
lab fees | NURS 518 Laboratory fee: | $1,116 |
| MHST/NURS 720 (12 credit course) is 4 times the regular course registration fee, plus applicable AUGSA fees. | |
Fee information effective Sep. 1, 2024, to Aug. 31, 2025.
Courses
In the Master of Nursing - Generalist program, you'll have the choice between a course-based or thesis-based route. The course-based path includes core courses in nursing foundations and inquiry, along with electives and curriculum courses that allow for specialization; the thesis-based route places greater emphasis on research and includes thesis-related courses in addition to core and elective classes.
To complete the program you will need to fulfill all the general requirements of the Master of Education, plus those specific to your focus area.
Our program regulations plans can give you an idea of what courses you need to finish this program. If you're feeling stuck, our academic advisors can help.
Program regulations
Courses to explore
Below are some of the courses that our students take in this program. Please consult an advisor to confirm any course planning, as some of these courses may not apply to you.
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Career options
Upon completing the Master of Nursing - Generalist program, you'll be well-prepared for leadership roles in various health care settings such as hospitals, public health agencies, or community clinics. Your advanced skills in identifying emerging trends and implementing evidence-based practice could also open doors to roles in nursing education, research, or health care policy development.
Depending on your expertise, some careers may include:
- clinical nurse manager
- nursing educator
- health care consultant
- nurse researcher
- public health nurse
- community health director
- hospital administrator
- policy analyst in health care
- quality improvement manager
- case manager