The Nursing profession is one of the most lucrative in Nigeria. In spite of the high rate of unemployment in the country, the health sector is still in need of professional and highly trained nurses. Nursing science deals with the applications of nursing and other related services in taking care of individuals, communities and families. Nursing / Nursing Science just like medicine is highly employable and lucrative. On completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing called a BNsc, a nursing student can further his or her studies in the postgraduate school by specializing in fields of nursing science.
The department of Nursing Sciences offers postgraduate programmes which will lead to the award of a Master of Science (M. Sc) and/or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. This article gathers information on the specialties in the department of nursing science at the postgraduate level, schools that offer these courses and requirements for admission.
Read on below:
List of Nursing Courses in Nigeria (Postgraduate)
Below are specialties in which you can earn a masters or doctorate degree under the Department of Nursing Sciences in Nigeria include:
- Community health nursing
- Maternal and Child Health Nursing
- Medical-surgical Nursing
- Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing
- Nursing Administration and Management
- Nursing Education
Nigerian universities offering one, two or all of these specialties mentioned above are:
- University of Calabar- Masters degree
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka- Masters and PhD
- University of Benin- Masters and Ph.D
- Niger Delta University- Post Graduate Diploma and Masters
- Nnamdi Azikwe University- Postgraduate diploma, Masters and Ph.D
- University of Ibadan- Masters and Ph.D
- Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife- Masters and PhD
- Babcock University- Masters
- Ahmad Bello University- Masters and PhD
Mode of Study for Masters Degree Programme
Students of a Master’s degree program at the Department of Nursing Sciences would run the program as a regular course work which would be examined in written papers together with research work. The latter is to be presented as a dissertation and defended in an oral examination before an external examiner. Students are also required to carry out research works on issues related to nursing and health care service. Each student will then present a research seminar in the student’s field of specialty.
Master’s/ PhD Programme
For a candidate who registered for Masters/Ph.D. degree, he or she may be required to register all or audit any of the M.Sc courses depending on candidate’s discipline and on the recommendation of the Postgraduate Studies Committee of the school.
General Requirements for admission into Postgraduate school- Department of Nursing Science
- An applicant to the M.Sc. (Nursing) programme must have a Bachelor of Nursing degree from an accredited Nigerian universities with a minimum CGPA of 3.5 on a scale of 5 or a second class lower division (while some other universities accept a CGPA of 3.0 or 2.5)
- Candidates for a Postgraduate degree in Nursing must have five credit passes at O level examinations obtained at not more than two sittings
- Candidates with or without a Bachelor’s degree but who have a Higher National Diploma (HND) in the following courses:
Public Health Nursing
Midwifery
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing and any other program recognized by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria may be considered for M.Sc. in the courses mentioned above.
These candidates, however, must possess a postgraduate diploma (PGD) in Nursing Education from an accredited Nigerian university
- Each applicant for postgraduate studies for Nursing must be currently registered as a nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria
- Transcript from the school earlier graduated from is required to be submitted
- Letters of recommendation from former lecturers or heads of departments
- Candidates of a doctorate degree are required to submit a research proposal for PhD
- NYSC certificate
- Candidates seeking admission will be subjected to a qualifying examination as determined by the school.
These are general requirements for admission into Postgraduate studies for nursing science in most schools. However, you should find out the specific requirements for the school you wish to attend before you apply as there might be additions or exemptions.
Admission requirements for Postgraduate Diploma Programmes– Department of Nursing Sciences
Below are the requirements for admission into the Postgraduate Diploma Programmes:
- Graduates who have a first-degree classification with a minimum of third class honors from an approved University
- Candidates who have a Higher National Diploma with a minimum of upper credit from any approved University
Admission requirements for Masters Degree Programmes- Department of Nursing Sciences
Below are the requirements for admission into a Master’s program for Nursing Sciences
- Graduates from accredited Nigerian universities who have obtained the appropriate degree in a field related to Nursing science or in the proposed field of study with a minimum CGPA of 2.50 on a 5 point scale or 50% (for universities who do not use Final Cumulative Grade Point Average)
- Candidates who have a Postgraduate Diploma from an accredited institution with a CGPA of 3.0 and above (on a 5 point scale)
- A first degree is an advantage.
Master’s/ PhD Programme
For a candidate who registered for a Masters/Ph.D. degree: the candidates registering for a Masters/Ph.D. program may be asked to audit any of the M.Sc courses depending on the candidate’s discipline and on the recommendation of the Postgraduate school.
Candidates who wish to have a Doctor of Philosophy may be given admission if the student obtained a minimum of 4.00 GPA in his/her coursework.
Mode of Study for Doctorate degree
Candidates studying for a doctorate degree in Nursing science may be required to register or audit any of the M.Sc. courses based on the recommendation and approval of the Department of Postgraduate Committee in the particular school. The Ph.D. degree programme is run both by course work with written examinations and the requirement of comprehensive research in the field of specialty as a thesis that involves an oral defense and seminar presentations.