Master of Nursing (MN) - Thesis Stream
Advance your career in nursing research
Quantitative and qualitative nursing research contributes to the development of evidence-based practice, creating better health care and better health outcomes.
Toronto Metropolitan University’s MN Thesis Stream prepares motivated, self-starting professional nurses to advance in the areas of research and academics.
All Master of Nursing students choose a Field of Study based on their practice and research interests: Leadership in Health Care Policy and Education or Health and Illness of Individuals and Communities.
Whatever path you choose, you’ll be opening the door to an advanced career in nursing research and preparing for a future in the exciting field of evidence-based practice.
Program at a Glance
Program Format
Full-time
Start Date
September Entry
Fields of Study
- Leadership in Health Care Policy and Education
- Health and Illness of Individuals and Communities
In-Person Learning
Degree Earned
Master of Nursing (MN)
Tuition Fees
Equally strong in research, advanced practice and teaching, we educate professional nurses to pursue the career of their dreams.
A Master of Nursing opens the door to advancement in:
Education & Policy
Management & Leadership
Research
Academics
Graduates of this program go on to complete doctoral studies, take faculty positions in academic institutions, or work in research institutes or other research environments.
Preparing tomorrow’s health care leaders
Toronto Met’s Master of Nursing is part of Canada’s largest nursing school. But it's our small classes, outstanding faculty, and unmatched sense of community that draws the country’s best and brightest nursing professionals here.
Conveniently located in downtown Toronto, the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing is a hub for advancing nursing knowledge and transforming nursing practice.
Our faculty members are leaders in their fields – researchers, clinicians, and gifted educators whose caring and commitment create an unparalleled learning environment.
Our students are smart, committed professionals preparing to take their careers to the next level in:
Leadership
Education
Advanced practice
Research
Public health and more
We offer them rich, rewarding opportunities for practice, education and research, and support their success with resources like our Advanced Health Assessment Lab, monthly research colloquia, Faculty Advisors, and dedicated Graduate Placement Coordinators.
Graduates from our programs go on to advanced practice and leadership roles across health care sectors and play an active role in shaping the future of our health system.
Courses in the Master of Nursing Thesis Stream program address advanced nursing theory, research, and practice.
A Thesis provides an opportunity for students to delve deeply into their research interests with one-on-one supervision and support from a Faculty Advisor (learn more about our people.)
It’s a rich, challenging education for students pursuing careers in advanced nursing research and evidence-based practice.
The Master of Nursing Thesis Stream is a challenging, research-intensive, full-time program for students pursuing careers in advanced nursing research and evidence-based practice.
As a student, you’ll choose a Field of Study based on your particular research interests:
Leadership in Health Care Policy and Education: Prepares students for nursing leadership roles. Covers advanced nursing knowledge in health services, systems, and policy.
Health and Illness of Individuals and Communities: Prepares students for health promotion, patient care, and community and public health roles. Covers advanced knowledge in nursing, theories of health and illness, and enhancing and promoting health.
The Master of Nursing Thesis Stream curriculum covers theory, research and practice, providing a solid, balanced advanced nursing education.
The program is made up of a Thesis, 5 required Core courses, and 1 required Field of Study course. As part of the required courses, students complete 192 practicum hours.
Students have up to 6 terms to complete 10 course credits. Courses run year-round.
Our programs are demanding. If you’ll be working full-time while completing your thesis, we encourage you to try to make arrangements with your employer for some accommodation.
To be considered for admission to the Master of Nursing thesis stream, you must meet the minimum program requirements:
- A Bachelor’s degree in nursing, or its equivalent
- A minimum CGPA or equivalent of 3.00 (B) overall with 3.00 (B) average in the last two years or 20 graded courses of study.
- Proof of current registration or proof of registration eligibility with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO).
Admission to Toronto Metropolitan University’s graduate nursing thesis stream is highly competitive. We look for applicants who have good academic standing in nursing and non-nursing subjects. Strong preference is given to students with a 3.67 (A-) average or above in the final half of their undergraduate nursing program or last 20 one-term/semester courses.
Funding Your Master of Nursing
There are a number of funding packages – internal and external – available to Master of Nursing students. Internal funding can include graduate scholarships, graduate awards, and teaching assistant positions. External funding can include funding from nursing organizations, as well as from the provincial and federal governments.
Returning full-time students who did not receive an entry Scholarship or Award, but who perform at the level required will be eligible for consideration for an RGF and/or a Graduate Departmental Award (GDA) after their first year in the Master of Nursing program. Such awards will be dependent on availability of funding.
Returning full-time students who did receive an entry Scholarship or Award must refer to their Terms and Conditions document for information related to the terms of renewal. Note that typically an internal scholarship, fellowship or award is tenable for the term set out in the award letter, usually two terms or three terms; they are not renewable. Eligible students will automatically be considered for scholarships, fellowships and awards in subsequent years.
Assistantships
Research Assistants
As a Research Assistant (RA), students assist principal investigators in conducting research activities not related to the student’s studies. The minimum rate of pay is defined by the Granting Council (SSHRC, NSERC or CIHR) or organization/institution which is funding the principal investigator. When that institution is Toronto Metropolitan University, the minimum rate of pay is defined in the OPSEU Collective Agreement, Article 14, Section 14.06. The terms of employment of graduate students will be consistent with this collective agreement. However, the minimum recommended rate of pay for graduate students is the rate at which Graduate (Teaching) Assistants are paid, which is outlined in the CUPE 3 Collective Agreement.
Graduate (Teaching) Assistants
At Toronto Met, a Graduate (Teaching) Assistant or GA refers to a graduate student who is employed to assist with teaching or related duties. The student has be a Toronto Met student currently enrolled on a full-time basis in one of the university’s Master’s or PhD programs.
This type of employment opportunity is typically offered by a department or school. Full-time graduate students can be employed for a maximum of 10 hours per week. The rate of pay can be found on the Human Resources website in the CUPE Local 3904 Unit 3 Collective Agreement. Students may be offered a GA position by their program, and/or the positions will be posted on the HR website. Click GA Opportunities for current postings. Terms of employment of graduate students will be consistent with the collective agreements between the university and its employee groups.
Internal Awards and Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships and awards available to full-time Master of Nursing students on a competitive basis. Click on the individual scholarship or award name for detailed information including eligibility criteria and application deadlines.
External Awards and Scholarships
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)
- The Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarships in Science and Technology (QEII-GSST)
- In addition to these internal and prestigious external awards, visit Financing your studies.
Funding from Nursing Organizations and Associations
As a nurse in Ontario, you can apply for educational grants, bursaries, and scholarships from nursing organizations and associations.
Find out more about opportunities and eligibility.
- Canadian Nurses Foundation (CNF) Scholarships (external link)
- Nursing Leadership Network of Ontario (external link)
- Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) (external link)
- Registered Nurses Foundation of Ontario (RNFOO) (external link)
- Nurse Practitioner Association of Ontario (NPAO) (external link)
- Canadian Nurses Students’ Association (CNSA) (external link)
Tuition fees in the Masters of Nursing and PHCNP Certificate programs are course-based. Your fees will be calculated based on the number of courses that you take per term; one unit is equal to one course.
As a student of the School of Graduate Studies, ancillary fees also apply to cover health benefits, access to the athletic centre, and more.
To determine the overall tuition cost of your program, multiply the number of required degree or certificate courses by the tuition amount found on the detailed Fees Information page.
The approximate total domestic tuition cost for the MN Course Stream Program is $12,500 plus ancillary fees. Total tuition for International students is approximately $33,000 plus ancillary fees.
A tuition deposit is due upon acceptance into the program.
