NUR712 Neurobiology and Psychopathology Across the Lifespan

This course builds on the knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology, providing a rigorous examination of neurobiology as it relates to mental health disorders across the lifespan. Students will explore the relationship between neurobiology and psychopathology, examining epidemiology and etiology of select mental health disorders. Emphasis will be placed on genetics, development, and trauma as they relate to neurobiology and psychopathology. This course introduces the students to mental health assessment strategies that are sensitive to the psychosocial needs of mental health clients. 

NUR713 Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan

This course builds on the knowledge of neurobiology and psychopathology, applying evidence-based principles and best practices related to psychopharmacology to treat psychiatric mental health disorders across the lifespan. Students will gain advanced knowledge about pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, neuro-pharmacological mechanisms, risks, benefits, and adverse effects of psychotropic medications. Focus will be on examination and application of neuropsychopharmacology and diagnostic reasoning with a focus on comorbid physical and mental health conditions commonly seen in psychiatric/mental health settings. Integration of psychotherapeutic interventions in the treatment planning of psychiatric mental health symptoms and disorders will be explored. Pre-Requisite: NUR 712 
 
NUR714 Advanced Practice in Psychiatric-Mental Health I: Adults

This course will focus on developing advanced knowledge and skills required to assess, diagnose, and interpret appropriate screening tools, laboratory tests, and behavioral assessments related to mental health disorders affecting adults and older adults. This course examines major adult disorders; looking at epidemiology, health and mental health promotion and prevention, risk factors, taxonomy, cultural factors, assessment issues specific to adults and older adults, use of rating scales, as well as evidence-based adult-specific treatments. Individual therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychopharmacological interventions, trauma-based interventions, and combinations of these treatments will all be emphasized. Students will develop treatment plans to address the psychiatric mental health disorders affecting this population
 
NUR715 Advanced Practice in Psychiatric Mental Health II: Children/Adolescents/Young Adults

This course will focus on developing advanced knowledge and skills required to assess, diagnose, and interpret appropriate screening tools, laboratory tests, and behavioral assessments related to mental health disorders affecting children, adolescents, and young adults. This course examines major childhood disorders; looking at epidemiology, health and mental health promotion and prevention, risk factors, taxonomy, cultural factors, assessment issues specific to children, adolescents, and young adults, use of rating scales, as well as evidence-based child and adolescent-specific treatments. Individual therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, family-based interventions, psychopharmacological interventions, trauma-based interventions, and combinations of these treatments will all be presented. Students will develop treatment plans to address the psychiatric mental health disorders affecting this population. 

NUR780-M PMHNP Clinical Practicum

This course builds on previous knowledge and practice of care of individuals and families, evidence-based practice for the advanced practice nurse, and theoretical application of care for the psychiatric mental health population across the lifespan. Health promotion, health protection, health maintenance, health restoration, and disease prevention at the individual and family level are emphasized. Students will be engaged in mastering competencies introduced, practiced, and evaluated progressively over the clinical experience. Students will work closely with a clinical preceptor and nursing faculty to gain experience in assessment, primary prevention, and intervention with populations with mental illness or at risk for mental illness, developing, implementing, and evaluating psychiatric mental health care across the lifespan. Application of legal, ethical, and policy issues for the psychiatric mental health population will be addressed throughout the course. Students should plan to engage in different clinical placements over the course to gain a wide variety of clinical experiences. Pre-requisite: NUR 712 

NUR781 Integration of Evidence for Advanced Clinical Practice

This course provides a focused application of knowledge and skills for the NP student regarding evidence-based practice. Students will translate evidence to clinical practice based on a problem/need related to their specialty. While developing an EBP project, students will be immersed in the clinical setting of their project focus for a total of 70 hours. In addition to developing an EBP project, students will complete a state Board APRN review

NUR702 Advanced Pediatric Physical Assessment and Pharmacotherapeutics

This course focuses on advanced comprehensive health/physical assessment and pharmacotherapeutics for the infant, child, and adolescent in the context of their family. The course prepares the pediatric nurse practitioner student to complete comprehensive history, physical/psychological and health promotion needs assessments, and integrate pediatric pharmacology knowledge and skills necessary to assess, appropriately select, calculate, and integrate pharmacologic agents, and therapeutic modalities in the pediatric population.  

NUR703 Advanced Primary Care of Infants, Children, Adolescents, and Their Families I 

This course prepares the pediatric nurse practitioner student to address the primary healthcare needs of infants, children, adolescents, and their families. The course focuses on normal growth and development, health promotion, health maintenance, and health care management for children from birth through adolescence within the context of their family.

NUR704 Advanced Primary Care of Infants, Children, Adolescents, and Their Families II

In this course, the pediatric nurse practitioner student builds on nursing management of pediatric primary healthcare needs in the context of normal growth and development, health promotion, health maintenance, and health care management for children from birth through adolescence. This course focuses on nursing management of primary health care needs for the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of common health problems and acute illnesses of infants, children, and adolescents in the context of their families

NUR705 Advanced Primary Care of Infants, Children, Adolescents, and Their Families III 

In this course, the pediatric nurse practitioner student builds on the nursing management of pediatric primary healthcare needs in the context of normal growth and development, health promotion, health maintenance, and health care management of common health problems and acute illness for children from birth through adolescence. This course focuses on nursing management through assessment, diagnosis, and treatment including collaboration with appropriate pediatric specialists, for infants, children, and adolescents experiencing complex, chronic and/or disabling life-long processes and their families.

NUR780-K Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum 

This clinical course focuses on the application of nursing theory, pathophysiological and epidemiological concepts, and exploration of nursing therapies, skills, and techniques essential to the provision of primary health care for infants, children, and adolescents in the context of their families. Clinical experiences focus on normal growth and development, health promotion, anticipatory guidance, management of common health issues, acute illness, complex chronic, and/or disabling life-long processes for infants, children, and adolescents in the context of their families. Working with clinical preceptors, within the pediatric nurse practitioner scope of practice, the pediatric nurse practitioner student assumes a more autonomous role in physical assessment, determining pathophysiological processes, interpreting diagnostic findings (subjective and objective), initiating pharmacotherapeutic and non-pharmacologic therapies, providing patient and parent teaching, and developing health promotion and disease prevention strategies for infants, children, and adolescents.

NUR781 Integration of Evidence for Advanced Clinical Practice 

This course provides a focused application of evidence-based practice knowledge and skill for the pediatric nurse practitioner student regarding evidence-based practice. Students will translate evidence to clinical practice based on a problem/need related to their specialty. While developing an EBP project, students will be immersed in the clinical setting of their project focus for a total of 70 hours, a minimum of 30 of the 70 hours will be direct clinical hours (for a total of 530 hours for the PNP-PC graduate).  In addition to developing an EBP project, students will complete a PNP-PC Certification Exam Review.

NUR602 Advanced Health Assessment (residency)

This practicum will prepare students with the core knowledge and competencies needed to complete a comprehensive assessment using client data to detect signs and symptoms of pathophysiological changes and psychosocial variation from an individual, family or community perspective. Effective strategies will be developed to address health care issues, including health promotion, communication and client-teaching skills using a holistic approach. The practicum will provide clinical opportunities to further refine and practice the history taking and physical examination skills necessary for competence as an advanced practice nurse.

NUR633 Health Promotion across the Lifespan

This course prepares the advanced practice nurse (APN) to apply theoretical and current research concerning health promotion and disease prevention to clinical practices, individuals, families, communities and special populations, all from a Christian perspective. Students will explore the transformative effect of compassion and caring in facilitating healthful behavior changes and will learn to apply culturally appropriate communication skills adapted to the individual’s cognitive, developmental, physical, mental and behavioral health status. A review of the patterns and variations of human growth and development will inform the student’s exploration of the impact of the family on the health of individuals across their lifespan. Evidence-based, health-promoting strategies and modalities will be analyzed. Students will apply the knowledge, skills and competencies essential to the promotion and maintenance of health, both as independent providers and within a multidisciplinary team.

NUR645 Family Systems and Clinical Management of the Childbearing Family

This course prepares the family nurse practitioner-student to examine evidence-based principles of nursing care in the context of family and nursing theory, and to apply this knowledge to clinical practice within diverse family systems, all from a Christian perspective. Students will onsider and apply the knowledge, skills and competencies essential to the holistic management of child-bearing women and their families, both as independent providers and within a multidisciplinary team. Students will focus on the care of healthy ante-partum women and those with health pattern variations that may result in at-risk pregnancies. Emphasis is placed on collaborative management of women and families during pregnancy. Concepts focused on promoting well-being will be explored, with an emphasis on family interventions that promote resiliency as well as the health and well-being of the family.

NUR680 Clinical Practicum

The clinical practicum is arranged with a local preceptor with the approval of the program faculty. Students have regular contact with SAU clinical faculty, who also provide oversight of the preceptor-led experience. In the Adult Gerontology concentration, the minimum is 500 hours; however, students taking the Family Nurse Practitioner track have an additional two credits, equating to a total of 625 clinical hours.

NUR681 Capstone Project

Students will examine the evidence base for resolving a current health problem, design and implement a project that applies the evidence-based treatment/solution, and evaluate the change that occurs in the target group. This project is not designed as a thesis but an application of concepts and learning throughout the graduate program.

NUR683 Health Policy

The focus of this course is on integrating the learning from previous courses to design treatment and evaluate outcomes for the most vulnerable groups, particularly the systems of care that manage services for frail elderly, the chronically ill, and other similarly compromised patients.

NUR685 Advanced Practice in Primary Care I

This course will present critical concepts the advanced practice nurse can use in delivering evidence-based nursing for the adult population. Using a holistic approach, students will apply theory to practice.

NUR686 Advanced Practice in Primary Care II

This course prepares students with the skills to function as an advanced practice nurse in addressing chronic and complex alterations in health experienced by the older adult. Gerontology concepts will be applied in meeting the biological, psychosocial, mental, and spiritual needs of the older adult. Students will combine history taking, physical examination techniques, and diagnostic interpretation with problem-solving and clinical strategies.

NUR687 Advanced Practice in Primary Care of the Child

This course prepares the family nurse practitioner to provide evidence-based, primary health care to infants and children, all from a Christian perspective. Using a holistic approach, students examine the scientific basis of common health problems and factors influencing nursing management of these problems. Relevant nursing interventions for common health problems of children in families are explored, as are the responses and adaptations of the child and family to common health problems. Students will consider and apply the knowledge, skills and competencies essential to the holistic management of children and families, both as independent providers and within a multidisciplinary team. Students will combine history taking, physical examination techniques and diagnostic interpretation with problem-solving and clinical strategies.

NUR693 Population Health

The focus is on the knowledge of professional responsibility to support policy issues associated with humane health care that promotes dignity, respect and justice. Practical skills such as working with the media, product and service evaluation, advocating for the health care needs of vulnerable populations, and seeking program grants will be addressed.

NUR602 Advanced Health Assessment (residency)

This practicum will prepare students with the core knowledge and competencies needed to complete a comprehensive assessment using client data to detect signs and symptoms of pathophysiological changes and psychosocial variation from an individual, family or community perspective. Effective strategies will be developed to address health care issues, including health promotion, communication and client-teaching skills using a holistic approach. The practicum will provide clinical opportunities to further refine and practice the history taking and physical examination skills necessary for competence as an advanced practice nurse.

NUR632 Health Promotion & Disease Prevention

This course is designed to prepare the student to apply evidence-based principles of wellness, disease prevention, and health risk in individuals, families, communities, and aggregate/clinical populations. Diversity is examined relative to social and communication patterns, roles, and value/beliefs underlying health-illness behaviors.

NUR642 Chronic Disease and Complex Problems in Older Adults

The focus of this course is on management of chronic disease and complex care needs of older adults. Emphasis will be on case management and interdisciplinary collaboration to arrange and evaluate care for the most health compromised clients.

NUR680 Clinical Practicum

The clinical practicum is arranged with a local preceptor with the approval of the program faculty. Students have regular contact with SAU clinical faculty, who also provide oversight of the preceptor-led experience. In the Adult Gerontology concentration, the minimum is 500 hours; however, students taking the Family Nurse Practitioner track have an additional two credits, equating to a total of 625 clinical hours.

NUR681 Capstone Project

Students will examine the evidence base for resolving a current health problem, design and implement a project that applies the evidence-based treatment/solution, and evaluate the change that occurs in the target group. This project is not designed as a thesis but an application of concepts and learning throughout the graduate program.

NUR683 Health Policy

The focus of this course is on integrating the learning from previous courses to design treatment and evaluate outcomes for the most vulnerable groups, particularly the systems of care that manage services for frail elderly, the chronically ill, and other similarly compromised patients.

NUR685 Advanced Practice in Primary Care I

This course will present critical concepts the advanced practice nurse can use in delivering evidence-based nursing for the adult population. Using a holistic approach, students will apply theory to practice.

NUR686 Advanced Practice in Primary Care II

This course prepares students with the skills to function as an advanced practice nurse in addressing chronic and complex alterations in health experienced by the older adult. Gerontology concepts will be applied in meeting the biological, psychosocial, mental, and spiritual needs of the older adult. Students will combine history taking, physical examination techniques, and diagnostic interpretation with problem-solving and clinical strategies.

NUR693 Population Health

The focus is on the knowledge of professional responsibility to support policy issues associated with humane health care that promotes dignity, respect and justice. Practical skills such as working with the media, product and service evaluation, advocating for the health care needs of vulnerable populations, and seeking program grants will be addressed.

NUR625 Educational Theory & Curriculum Design

This course utilizes learning theories to design a teaching/ learning project. Strategic planning steps such as needs assessment, behavioral objectives, instructional design, and delivery for non-traditional learners will be explored.

NUR635 Instructional Strategies

Students will delve into the selection and application of instructional strategies for traditional and online learning environments. A variety of approaches for learning experiences in higher education, professional/staff development, and community programs for individuals or groups will be used.

NUR655 Special Topics Elective

Special topics of interest to the nurse-educator will be presented in this course. The topics will vary by semester at the discretion of the nursing department.

NUR660 Nurse Educator Internship

This course provides individually supervised field experience in clinical and academic settings that integrate concepts in nursing education with practical teaching situations. Students will also design an evidence-based project based on their practice setting. Prerequisites: NUR 625 and NUR 635

MBA060 MBA Orientation

Introduces students to Spring Arbor University and the Gainey School of Business MBA program. Familiarizes students with the Blackboard learning management system that supports learning through electronic access to learning materials from virtually anywhere, connects the learning community, and promotes collaboration. Students practice using Blackboard tools, interact with peers, monitor course progress and grades, and obtain feedback from an instructor through Blackboard.

MBA607 International Business (NYC trip)

Introduces key aspects of contemporary international business management and implications of international business on organizational strategy, structure, and function. Coverage includes ethics in business, country differences, trade and investments, global monetary systems, and competition in a global marketplace. Topics include Poverty Cure, human rights, global human resource development, conference environment papers, and group presentations. As a part of the MBA607 course, students attend an International Business Summit as part of a four-day trip to New York City. The university covers the costs of accommodations (i.e., hotel, food) to participate in the summit. Students are responsible for travel arrangements and expenses.

*Students choose either MBA607 or MBA607A

MBA607A International Business (no trip)

Introduces key aspects of contemporary international business management and implications of international business on organizational strategy, structure, and function. Coverage includes ethics in business, country differences, trade and investments, global monetary systems, and competition in a global marketplace. Topics include Poverty Cure, human rights, global human resource development, and conference environment individual presentations, peer reviews, and critiques. Faculty who provide oversight, guidance, and assessment on the applied research project.

*Students choose either MBA607 or MBA607A

MBA617 Leadership in Business

Introduces students to leadership in business administration as a foundation for effective management of the organization. Explores leadership from the perspective of the practicing manager and focuses on individual, group, and organizational leadership. Covers the nature of leadership, leading change, leadership effectiveness, leadership development, and traditional and emerging leadership theories. Special emphasis is placed upon self-leadership and professional leadership assessment of personal strengths and weaknesses in handling specific managerial issues and responsibilities.

MBA622 Statistics for Business Managers

Introduces students to data driven decision making using a statistical thinking framework. Emphasis placed upon the use of statistical data for identifying, understanding, interpreting, and solving business scenarios and issues. Develops skills necessary to identify business problems, collect data following appropriate protocols and methods, and analyze data using statistical techniques.

MBA631 Accounting for Managers

Introduces students to the fundamental concepts and principles of accounting as a discipline to support managerial decision making in businesses. Examines the use of information for data-driven decision making, including organizational level performance measurements. Covers financial ratio calculations and analysis, preparation of financial statements, taxes, accounting liquidity, contribution margin, budgeting, and auditing issues.

MBA661 Marketing for Managers

Introduces the principles of service and stewardship through marketing management. Focuses on developing an understanding of the role of markets and marketing from an economic thinking perspective including an analysis of product markets and developing marketing strategies that will provide sustainable competitive advantage. Special emphasis is placed upon the integration of concepts, principles, and techniques of marketing through application within client organizations. Topics include: customer value and satisfaction, market research and surveys, marketing segmentation differentiation, positioning, and the development and execution of marketing plans.