American University of Beirut

​​Officers of the School

Faculty

School Administrative Support

Historical Background

The School of Nursing, founded in 1905, was the first nursing school in the Middle East. The five–year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, established in 1936, was replaced by a four-year program in 1964 leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Students entering the school as sophomores graduate in three calendar years. The RN-BSN program was reactivated and launched in 2003. The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program was launched in 2003. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (BSN) and the MSN program are registered by the Department of Education of New York State, HEGIS codes 1203.00 and 1203.10, respectively. The BSN and the MSN programs are accredited by CCNE, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, in the USA. The AUB School of Nursing is the first School of Nursing outside the US territories to be accredited by CCNE. The PhD program, also registered in New York with HEGIS code 1203.12, was launched in the academic year 2018-2019. The Rafic Hariri School of Nursing became the seventh independent Faculty at AUB, on September 1, 2018.

Mission

The mission of the School of Nursing is to promote and maintain the highest educational standards of excellence, integrity and professionalism in nursing, following the American model of nursing education and practice. The school aims to provide learning opportunities that will enable students to grow into competent nurses guided by ethical principles, who respect cultural diversity while coordinating and delivering high quality and compassionate nursing care in Lebanon and the region. The faculty believes education is an interactive process between faculty and students with both taking responsibility for active learning. The baccalaureate program, drawn primarily from the humanities, sciences and caring disciplines focuses on the use of nursing theory and research as a basis for practice. The master’s program focuses on preparing nurses for advanced nursing practice roles. It is based on the use and generation of research-based knowledge to guide practice. The PhD program in Nursing Science aims to provide rigorous training for research careers in nursing and healthcare. The program is intended to produce research scientists who will make significant and original contributions to nursing practice, health promotion, health maintenance, population health and healthcare delivery. Nursing students at AUB learn to think critically, develop professional attitudes and leadership skills, and appreciate the value of life-long learning and freedom of speech.

Vision

The Rafic Hariri School of Nursing aspires to become the leading school of nursing in Lebanon and the region, nationally and internationally recognized for excellence in education, research and service.

The school is committed to offering cutting-edge, culturally relevant and internationally recognized graduate and undergraduate education. Such education would foster lifelong learning and scholarship, develop leaders in nursing and health care, and attract a competent and culturally diverse student body.​

Gradu​​​ate Programs​

The School of Nursing offers four tracks:

• Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Community and Public Health Nursing
• Nursing Administration and Management (this program is offered in a blended format, partly face to face and partly online)
• Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist  
  

Both thesis and non-thesis options are available for all tracks.

Other gradu​​ate programs:

Online academic diploma in nursing administration and management

Online professional diploma in nursing education

Admission

A student is eligible for consideration for admission to the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program if s/he fulfills the following AUB admission requirements for graduate studies:

• A bachelor’s degree in nursing from AUB or its equivalent from another recognized institution, with a cumulative undergraduate average of at least (GPA: 3.0) and an undergraduate average of at least 3.3 in the major field of study (nursing)

Please see the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalogue for further details regarding the Readiness for University Studies in English (RUSE). In addition, HSON requires the following criteria:

• A license to practice nursin​g from country of residence
• Evidence of knowledge and competence in physical assessment skills (except for the nursing administration and management track)​
• At least one year of work experience in nursing for the clinical tracks, Community and Public Health, and the online diplomas; 2 years’ work experience for the MSN in Nursing Administration and Management
• Interviews maybe be required based on the applicant’s background, and based on a recommendation of the graduate studies committee.

The MSN program admits students once per year in the Fall semester, except for the blended MSN in Nursing Administration and Management Track, which accepts applicants in Fall and Spring. Special non-degree seeking students willing to register graduate nursing courses may do so in Fall or Spring semesters. However, they need to be approved by the HSON Graduate Studies Committee. The program admits both full-time and part-time students; they need to complete all program requirements within a maximum period of four years. Extension beyond the maximum allowed period of study requires approval of the Graduate Studies Committee of the school. Candidates who fail to meet any of the admission requirements but who, in the opinion of the faculty, demonstrate potential graduate study, are admitted on probation. For example: students with a cumulative undergraduate average of at least (GPA:3.0) but less than (GPA: 3.3) in the major field (nursing) may be conditionally admitted as graduate students on probation. Students admitted on probation must complete 9 credits of graduate level courses within the first two terms of graduate studies, pass all courses and attain a minimum cumulative average of (GPA: 3.3) to achieve regular status.

For graduate academic diplomas, the student should have an undergraduate bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent from AUB or other recognized institutions of higher learning) with an average of at least 75 percent (or standardized equivalent from other institutions of higher learning). An applicant who does not meet the minimum undergraduate average requirement but appears to have reasonable potential for academic success, for example as manifested by relevant practical experience or high scores on relevant standardized exams, may be admitted based on justified recommendation. 

For graduate professional diplomas, the same admission requirements apply as for graduate academic diplomas but without a minimum constraint on the undergraduate average. 

For both graduate professional and graduate academic diplomas, student admission recommendations require the approval of the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee (FGSC).

Graduation Requirements

All recommendations for graduation are made by a vote of the faculty upon the recommendation of the HSON Graduate Studies Committee. To be eligible for graduation from the MSN program, the student must have:

• passed all required courses with a minimum grade of (C+) per course,
• achieved a cumulative average of at least 3.3,
• completed the total number of credits required in the track of study,
• passed the comprehensive examination,
• and completed the requirements for the thesis or project.

Academic Rules and Regulations

Transfer​​ of Credits

Refer to Transfer of Credits section, under General University Academic Information.

Supervision, Cou​rses and Grades

Every graduate student is assigned an academic advisor to guide and help in planning the student’s course of study, as stipulated by the graduate curriculum. Non-nursing courses relevant to the student’s area of specialty can be taken as electives with the approval of the advisor. For students working toward a thesis, a thesis advisor who must be a full-time faculty member is assigned. S/he will also serve as chairperson of the thesis committee. The thesis advisor and committee members must be of professorial rank.

Graduate level courses in nursing are numbered 500 and above. In addition, all students in the MSN program are required to take NURS 610, a zero-credit course offered in the Fall of the first year, titled ‘Advanced Searching of the Scientific Literature’. The minimum passing grade for a graduate course is (C+). However, students are required to maintain a cumulative average of at least (GPA: 3.3) in all courses taken for graduate credit. Students who are absent without excuse from more than one third of the number of sessions in any course, who fail to sit for scheduled examinations or who fail to fulfill course requirements, will be given a grade of (F) for graduate courses. Results of tutorial courses, NURS 610, residencies, projects or theses will be reported as pass (P) or fail (F).

Students admitted with curriculum deficiencies may need to register for prerequisite undergraduate courses; such courses do not carry any graduate credit. The minimum passing grade for a prerequisite course is (C+).

Probation a​​nd Dismissal

Refer to Academic Standing of Student Working for a Master’s Degree section under General University Academic Information.

Comprehensive Exa​​​​mination

A student must pass a comprehensive examination after completion of most of the course requirements for the MSN degree. The Graduate Studies Committee of the School of Nursing sets the time of the examination. Students planning to take the comprehensive exam must register the comprehensive exam course NURS-526 (0 credit) in the term during which they are planning to sit for the exam. The purpose of the examination is to ascertain the student’s knowledge of her/his field of specialization. A student who does not pass the comprehensive examination may take it a second time in the following term. Students who are unable to pass a program’s comprehensive exam twice are dropped from the graduate program. Students who pass the comprehensive exam after one failure will have their initial failure reported on their transcript as “PR” for progress in the first term the course was registered in, and their passing the comprehensive exam reported as “P” in the second term the course was registered in. The comprehensive exam is offered twice per year, once in the fall and once in the spring term.

For more information, refer to Comprehensive Examination section, under General University Academic Information.​

Thesis/Pr​​oject

Those students enrolled in the MSN with the thesis option must submit a thesis based on original, independent research, and in English. An abstract not exceeding 350 words must be submitted to the Graduate Studies Committee for approval of the topic and thesis committee members 4 months before the defense date. Once approved the thesis is granted, the student must ensure that the thesis conforms to the guidelines outlined in the University Thesis Manual found in the library. It is mandatory to apply the manual style to the thesis; theses not conforming to the manual requirements will not be accepted. The student must submit copies of the thesis to the members of the thesis committee at least two weeks before the thesis defense.​

Master’s Thesis Committee

The thesis committee should be composed of at least three members approved by the faculty Graduate Studies Committee. The student must submit the thesis proposal to the Master’s thesis committee for approval. It is advisable that the thesis committee includes one member from outside the School of Nursing (who can also be from an institution outside AUB). All committee members should hold professorial rank. The thesis committee approves the thesis topic, oversees the research protocol and participates in the thesis defense.

Master’s Project Committee ​

Students, instead, may opt for a 3-credit project. If so, 3 credits of elective coursework in a related area should be taken. Students who choose to do a project are assigned an advisor who serves as the project advisor. The master’s project committee should be composed of at least two members recommended by the department/program. It is a must that the first reader of the project committee member holds a professorial rank. The second reader can hold a clinical/administrative position (Non-PhD, such as CNS) or be an academic associate or adjunct faculty with expertise in the area of research. The project’s topic abstract and selection of the advisor and project committee members should be approved by the faculty/school Graduate Studies Committee at least four months before the project defense. Pass (P) or Fail (F) is reported for project defense. If Fail (F) is reported, the student may resubmit the project and defend it after a period of at least three months. Failure on the second attempt results in discontinuation of the graduate work.

For more information, refer to Supervision of Master’s Thesis or Project section, under General University Academic Information. Refer also to the Graduate Student Handbook of the School of Nursing regarding guidelines for projects and theses.

For more information, refer to Thesis Proposal section, under General University Academic Information.​

Thesis/Project Defense

Refer to Thesis Defense and Project Defense section, under General University Academic Information.

Deposit of Thesis/Project in the Library

Refer to Thesis Defense and Project Defense section, under General University Academic Information.

Specific Requirements​ for the Master’s Degree

Refer to the Admissions section in this catalogue.

Masters of Science in Nursing Curriculum​

All courses designated with a superscript 1 next to their titles are offered in a blended format to the MSN in Nursing Administration and Management Students.

NURS 610 is a zero-credit course on advanced searching of the scientific literature offered to PhD students. All new MSN students ought to take this course in Fall of their first year.

In case MNGT 332 is not offered, students may register for an equivalent course approved by the coordinator of the Nursing Administration and Management track.

Students may take elective coursework in any major that helps them with their studies. 

The School of Nursing also offers special topic courses ranging from 1 to 3 credits that cover nursing issues of interest to students in various tracks. These courses can be counted toward the elective credits. (e.g. NURS 505 C).​

Online Graduate Diploma in Nursing Administration and Management​​

HSON offers a one-year graduate academic online Diploma in Nursing Administration and Management

The program mainly targets working nurses who desire to enhance their administrative skills to possibly obtain a nursing management position in hospitals or primary health care settings.

This education opportunity will help in gaining a “stand-alone” Graduate Diploma or can serve as a “step up” to a Master of Science in Nursing Administration and Management at HSON.

The program will support the unique needs of working nurses, who wants to advance their career while continuing to work full time.​

Admission Requirements

BSN degree or its equivalent from an accredited/recognized institution. GPA of at least 2.7, with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.2 in nursing major courses. Satisfactory scores on the English Entrance Exam (EEE) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), as per AUB admission requirements for graduate studies. License to practice nursing from country of residence. Two years of work experience in nursing.​

Curriculum

The online academic diploma in nursing administration and management requires 13 graduate credits. These credits include five concentration courses (12cr) and a practicum (1cr). Students can register 6 credits per semester and finish in one year. Students should complete the following courses required for the program:

Curriculum and Academic Plan ​

Online Graduate Professional Diploma in Nursing Education​​

The Online Professional Graduate Diploma in Nursing Education focuses on professional development of competent nurses to teach in various healthcare settings and nursing programs. it is a comprehensive and flexible educational program designed to equip experienced nurses with the necessary knowledge and skills to become effective nurse educators.

• The program provides a 12-credit program that focuses on knowledge and skills required for the nurse educator role. The courses are:
• Introduction to Curriculum Design and Clinical Education in Nursing
• Innovative Teaching and Learning: Role of Mentors and Coaches
• Assessing and Evaluating Learning and Competence in Nursing

Course/Project Design The program will be offered online, so learners have the flexibility to complete the requirements of each course at their own convenience without disrupting their work and life commitments. The curriculum culminates in an intensive individualized workshop in which the learner collaborates with a senior educator from academia or service to implement the role.

Admission Requirements 

BSN degree or its equivalent from an accredited/recognized institution. Satisfactory scores on the English Entrance Exam (EEE) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), as per AUB admission requirements for graduate studies. License to practice nursing from country of residence. One year of work experience in nursing. 

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the diploma, students will be able to:

1. Develop nursing or health-related courses or continuing education offerings aligned with expectations of the role.
2. Incorporate diverse instructional approaches relevant to learners’ needs and context of application.
3. Use various strategies in assessing and evaluating learning in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains.
4. Evaluate the effectiveness of instructional and training strategies in achieving learning outcomes.
   

Curriculum and Academic Plan

General Information 

The PhD in Nursing Science Program provides rigorous training in scholarship and research. Graduates are prepared for careers as university academics, research scientists, educators and leaders of healthcare systems. The program contributes to building the capacity of the health workforce in Lebanon and the region.

The PhD program focuses on the following areas of research and beyond:

• Health care systems research
• Biobehavioral research in health and illness
• Determinants of health and disease in individuals, families and communities
• Stress and coping
• Health promotion and risk reduction research​

Admission requirements and procedures as outlined in the AUB Graduate Catalogue are followed. The PhD is a 3-4 year program, with a maximum of 5 years permitted for its completion. Admission to the program is on a competitive basis. To be eligible for admission, applicants should have an outstanding academic record, demonstrate a genuine interest in contributing to improving healthcare outcomes, hold a master’s degree in Nursing from a recognized institution, with a minimum cumulative GPA 3.7 or its equivalent, and have satisfactory GRE results. Applicants with a Non-Nursing Masters degree will be considered on a case-by-case basis and may be required to take pre-requisite courses prior to enrolling in the PhD program.​

The program will not admit students post bachelor’s degree in an accelerated stream. Only holders of master’s degree will be considered for admission into the program.

Regular PhD Program Requirements 

The PhD program requires a minimum of 48 credit hours of coursework beyond the master’s degree, including the PhD thesis work. The coursework consists of a minimum of 18 credits of core courses, 6 credits of electives and 24 credits of PhD thesis work.

Candidacy Requirements

All students admitted to the PhD program must register for the Qualifying Exam Part I: Comprehensive Exam and the Qualifying Exam Part II: Defense of Thesis Proposal. Refer to both qualifying exams under the General University Academic Information of the Catalogue.

Admission to Candidacy 

Refer to the “Admission to Candidacy” paragraph under the General University Academic Information section of this catalogue.

Thesis Requirements 

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, a student must submit a thesis that is expected to make a significant and original contribution to her/his field of research. The research work is to be carried out under the supervision of a full-time faculty member of the Hariri School of Nursing. Faculty members will provide co-mentoring from FHS, FM, and adjunct faculty from partner universities from the US and Europe as needed.

Thesis requirements follow AUB regulations outlined in the graduate catalogue. More information about the PhD Thesis Committee, the Thesis Defense and the Residence Requirements can be found in the General University Academic Information section of this catalogue.

Graduation Requirements 

Refer to the General University Academic Information section of this catalogue.

Sample Curriculum Plan

Course Descriptions

• Nursing Courses​​​​