Master of Science in Adult Critical Care Nursing

• Develop graduates as potential adult critical care specialists who function at an advanced level of practice providing evidence-based care while integrating emerging technologies.
• Foster leadership skills & advocacy to effectively manage and coordinate care within a multidisciplinary critical care team, aiming to ensure optimal health outcomes for critically ill adults and their families.
• Equip graduates with advanced research competencies to critically appraise, generate, and translate research into practice, while fostering innovation and entrepreneurship to advance adult critical care and improve health outcomes in UAE and the region.
• Enhance professional development and reflective practice to improve adult critical care outcomes and contribute to national health priorities in the UAE
• Foster critical thinking and the capacity to influence adult critical care health policies and clinical practice guidelines.

• Specialised curriculum designed to address the unique challenges and complexities of caring for adult critical care patients.
• Benchmarked with international standards and accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, UAE.
• Tailored for working professionals with evening and weekend classes.
• Hands-on experience and development of advanced clinical skills through clinical rotations in leading Critical/ Intensive Care Units (ICUs) under the guidance of experienced preceptors.
• Emphasis on leadership skills, interdisciplinary collaboration, and preparing students to work effectively within healthcare teams.
• Opportunity to master research skills through conducting and publishing independent research thesis by exploring current issues and advancements in adult critical care nursing, fostering critical thinking and evidence-based practice.

Regular Admission

Applicants must meet the following criteria for admission into the University’s higher education programs:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited university in the UAE or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution outside the UAE.
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or its established equivalent.
• Possess a valid license to practice as a Registered Nurse issued by the MOH, DHA, or DOH (or provide evidence that the licensure process is underway, which is preferable).
• Demonstrate English language proficiency through one of the following:
  • A letter from the university confirming that English was the medium of instruction during the bachelor’s degree program OR
  • Submission of IELTS or TOEFL scores meeting international standards, if the medium of instruction is in the native language during the bachelor’s degree program
• Have a minimum of one year of clinical experience prior to admission.
• Undergo an interview with the Admissions Committee and the Dean/Program Director as part of the selection process.
• Submit a letter of support from the employer confirming the applicant’s release time to participate effectively in the learning and training components of the graduate program.

Conditional Admission

Applicants who do not fully meet the regular admission requirements may be considered for conditional admission under the following criteria:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited university in the UAE or an equivalent qualification from outside the UAE.
• Have a minimum Cumulative GPA between 2.5 and 2.9 on a 4.0 scale or its established equivalent.
• Possess a valid license to practice as a Registered Nurse from MOH, DH, or DOH, UAE (or provide proof of the ongoing licensure process, which is preferable).
• Demonstrate English language proficiency through one of the following:
  • A letter from the university confirming that English was the medium of instruction during the bachelor’s degree program OR
  • Submission of IELTS or TOEFL scores meeting international standards, if the medium of instruction is in the native language during the bachelor’s degree program
• Have a minimum of one year of clinical experience prior to admission.
• May be admitted for the first semester only, with a maximum course load of nine (9) credit hours. The student must achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale to progress to the second semester; failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program.

PLO1: Demonstrate advanced nursing care by incorporating biopsychosocial & core nursing sciences utilizing critical thinking and clinical reasoning.

PLO 2: Establish effective communication and therapeutic relationship with patient, family and inter professional team in accordance with ethical, legal and professional standards for health, wellness or peaceful end-of-life experience.

PLO 3: Employ leadership & management principles by fostering shared decision making through interdisciplinary collaboration, maintaining professional autonomy within the scope of practice to achieve organizational goals and optimal patient care outcomes.

PLO4: Apply patient-centered technologies and artificial intelligence guided by innovation and entrepreneurship for safe, efficient and quality care.

PLO 5: Develop foundation for self-directed learning to sustain continuous professional development and support advanced practice.

PLO 6: Integrate evidence-based guidelines and clinical expertise, with patient and family preferences to deliver safe, high-quality nursing care.

PLO 7: Synthesize evidence-based, cost-effective nursing interventions developed through independent research to address the complex healthcare needs.

Study Plan for Master of Science in Adult Critical Care Nursing (MSACCN)

2026 Spring Admission 

YEAR I

Semester 1

Semester – 2

Year II

Semester – 3

Semester – 4

*For Applied Research Methodology: 1 Research Credit hour is equal to 4 hours

Semester -1

CCN 111: Pathophysiological Concepts of Adult Critical Illness

This course introduces pathophysiological concepts essential for understanding adult critical illness. It provides graduate-level nursing students with a comprehensive framework to interpret the complex, multisystem alterations that occur in critically ill patients. Emphasis is placed on the mechanisms of cellular injury, inflammatory responses, and the progression of systemic dysfunction across major organ systems. The course covers pathophysiological concepts across key systems, including pulmonary, cardiovascular, hematologic, hepatobiliary, gastrointestinal, neurological, endocrine, nephrological, oncological, immunologic, and reproductive systems, along with the physiological effects of trauma, burns, and multi-organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Through integrated case-based learning, students will develop clinical reasoning skills necessary to recognize early signs of deterioration, understand disease trajectories, and support decision making in high-acuity settings. This course lays the essential background for advanced clinical practice and informed interventions in adult critical care nursing.

CCN 112: Health Assessment of Adult Critical illness

This course is designed to provide graduate-level nursing students with the necessary knowledge and advanced clinical assessment skills to perform comprehensive and system wise health assessments focusing on advanced technologies and procedures used in managing critically ill patients. Emphasis is placed on assessing patients in critical care settings, interpreting clinical data and utilizing advanced assessment techniques such as obtaining comprehensive and focused health history and performing physical examinations on adult patients with complex conditions across various critical care settings to make informed clinical decisions. The course integrates theoretical knowledge with practical applications to foster proficiency in health assessment of critically ill patients to identify abnormal findings. Evidence based assessment strategies are integrated through out to support clinical decision making and optimize patient out comes in adult critical care settings.

CCN 113 : Adult Critical Care Nursing – Specialty I

This course provides an in-depth exploration of advanced concepts in critical care nursing essential for managing critically ill adults in diverse high-acuity settings. With a focus on holistic, evidence-informed practice, it explores the pathophysiology, assessment, monitoring, and management of complex cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions that critically ill patients face every day. The student will develop advanced competencies in interpreting hemodynamic and respiratory data, managing mechanical ventilation, and applying safe and effective sedation and neuromuscular blockade. Beyond clinical expertise, the course fosters a caring approach that incorporates ethical obligations, legal standards, family-centered care, and patient safety as integral elements. The key content areas such as nutrition support, pain management, infection prevention, and the use of nursing informatics, artificial intelligence are also woven into the learning experience. Through the integration of case-based learning, evidence-based protocols, and interprofessional collaboration, students will develop clinical insight, empathy, and competence required to deliver safe and compassionate care in critical care environments.

CCN 114 :Biostatistics for Health Care Providers

This course equips the student with knowledge in the application of descriptive and inferential statistics in biomedical research. The focus will be on numerical computation and interpretation of outcomes from a given data set. This course will help students to develop skills in analyzing and interpreting data from health and allied health settings through classroom demonstrations and ‘hands on’ experience with MS Excel for data management and statistical analysis software such as Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) for analysis. This course will focus on communicating complex statistical information.

CCN 115 :Adult Critical Care Nursing – Clinical Practicum I

This practicum course provides hands-on clinical experience in managing critically ill adults in high-acuity settings, with emphasis on advanced cardiovascular and pulmonary care. The students will apply evidence-informed practices to interpret hemodynamic and respiratory data, manage mechanical ventilation, and safely administer sedation and neuromuscular blockade. Emphasis is placed on patient safety, ethical and legal standards, and family-centered care. Through direct patient care, students will integrate skills in pain and infection management, nutritional support, and nursing informatics. Case-based reflection, interprofessional collaboration, and supervised clinical decision-making will enhance their ability to deliver compassionate, high-quality care while developing advanced clinical insight and competence in critical care nursing.

Semester -2

CCN 121 :Applied Research Methodology

This course provides a comprehensive foundation in research methodology with a focus on both theoretical principles and practical application in nursing and healthcare research. It covers key components of the formulation of research questions, research process, including research approaches, study designs, sampling methods, data collection techniques, and planning for data management and analysis. Emphasis is placed on understanding the ethical and legal aspects of research, including issues related to research fraud, academic misconduct, confidentiality, and conflicts of interest. As part of the course, students will work in research teams to collaboratively develop a integrative review group research project, allowing them to apply learned concepts in a real-world context. Opportunities will be provided for active participation in clinical research activities, seminars, and academic presentations.

CCN 122 :Adult Critical Care Nursing – Specialty II

This course is designed to advance the knowledge and clinical decision making involved in managing critically ill adults with complex neurological, hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal, renal, endocrine, hematologic, burns, sepsis, trauma-related multisystem complications with an emphasis on an evidence-based approach. The students will analyse advanced diagnostics, prioritize care, and apply contemporary technologies to implement critical care interventions. Additionally, the course includes comprehensive exposure to Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), care for transplant patients, quality assurance programs, and strategic workforce planning in ICUs. It integrates advanced clinical skills with leadership, quality improvement, and professional development competencies required of critical care nurse specialists.

CCN 123: Pharmacotherapy of Adult Critical Care

This course is designed to enable students to have an in-depth understanding of the general principles of pharmacotherapeutics with a focus on drug selection, dosing adjustments, and safety considerations in adult critically ill patients. The course covers system-based pharmacology and emergency drugs administered in critical care settings, pharmacovigilance and aligns with the theoretical knowledge of the standard operating procedures & protocols. Evidence-based guidelines and current trends are integrated to keep abreast with the dynamic health care management of adult critically ill patients.

CCN124: Adult Critical Care Nursing – Clinical Practicum II

This course is designed to advance the knowledge and clinical decision making involved in managing critically ill adults with complex neurological, hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal, renal, endocrine, hematologic, burns, sepsis, trauma-related multisystem complications with an emphasis on an evidence-based approach. The students will analyze advanced diagnostics, prioritize care, and apply contemporary technologies to implement critical care interventions. Additionally, the course includes comprehensive exposure to Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), care for transplant patients, quality assurance programs, and strategic workforce planning in ICUs. It integrates advanced clinical skills with leadership, quality improvement, and professional development competencies required of critical care nurse specialists.

CCN 125 : Organizational Leadership and Management

This course is designed to prepare students to understand concepts related to organization, interprofessional collaboration, human resources development, strategic planning and managing, information management, quality management, performance appraisal, leadership, staffing, scheduling, and budgeting principles. The course will enable the students to develop the necessary skill and competency to tackle issues in critical care nursing service along with maximizing interdisciplinary team functions and generating productive results. The course will help students to develop the necessary leadership practice roles within the complexities of the health care delivery system in UAE by acquiring a broad knowledge in critical care nursing leadership and management.

Semester -3

CCN 231 :Advanced Adult Critical Care Nursing – Specialty III

This course is designed to enhance the critical thinking skills and clinical expertise of postgraduate nursing students in managing patients with advanced complex and life-threatening conditions in the critical care setting. Building upon foundational knowledge from previous courses, this module explores advanced and specialized topics essential for high-acuity care. It includes complex interpretations of ECG findings, Ventilatory support, Hemodynamic monitoring comprehensive management of end-of-life measures and monitoring of toxicology. The students will gain in-depth understanding of advanced cardiovascular, respiratory concepts, with a strong emphasis on integrating evidence-based practice, advanced clinical reasoning, and interprofessional collaboration. Disaster management is an essential part of critical care nursing with emphasis on natural calamities. Through case-based learning, simulations, and clinical practicum integration, the course prepares nurses to function as leaders and expert practitioners in dynamic intensive care environments.

CCN 232 : Advanced Adult Critical Care Nursing – Clinical Practicum III

This practicum course is designed to provide Master of Science in Critical Care Nursing students with immersive, hands-on clinical experience in high-acuity environments. Through active participation in intensive care settings, students will integrate advanced theoretical knowledge with clinical judgment to manage critically ill patients. Emphasis is placed on the application of evidence-based practices, advanced patient assessment, and intervention strategies across a wide spectrum of critical conditions, including cardiovascular, respiratory, toxicologic, and end-of-life emergencies. Students will demonstrate proficiency in interpreting advanced ECGs, managing mechanical ventilation, initiating antidote therapies for overdoses, and conducting comprehensive hemodynamic assessments. The course further strengthens students’ abilities to collaborate within multidisciplinary teams, utilize advanced monitoring technologies, and deliver ethically grounded, culturally sensitive, patient-centered care.

CCN 233 : Research Scholarly Thesis – I

This course provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the principles, instructions, and ethical guidelines essential for conducting master thesis. It emphasizes the execution and interpretation of clinically relevant research, particularly within the adult critical care nursing specialty. The students will be guided through the process, beginning with the selection of a research statement focused on clinical practice and quality improvement in adult critical care. This course will help the students to prepare and present a research proposal and design appropriate data collection instruments.

Semester – 4

CCN 241 : Research Scholarly Thesis -II

This course will help students in execution and interpretation of clinical related research and

the production of a high-quality thesis. The course will facilitate the application of research methodologies, ethical principles, and academic writing standards in the development of a thesis that addresses a relevant issue in the field of study. The students will progress through stages including data collection, data analysis, interpretation, and final thesis writing. The course culminates in an oral defense and dissemination of findings through presentations and submission for publication / academic conferences. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, academic integrity, and evidence-based inquiry to promote high-quality, impactful research outcomes.

EIS 202 : Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainability

This course is designed to develop advanced understanding of the innovation process, foundational entrepreneurship skills, and the integration of sustainability principles within the healthcare context. Structured in three modules, the course explores core entrepreneurial concepts, their connection to innovation in healthcare delivery, and the role of sustainable leadership in driving positive societal impact. Targeted at future nurse leaders and advanced healthcare professionals, the course prepares students to make informed, ethical, and balanced decisions that consider both clinical excellence and financial sustainability. Emphasis is placed on aligning healthcare innovation with social responsibility, environmental consciousness, and long-term system improvement.

The articulated Master of Science in Adult Critical Care Nursing (MSACCN) is full-time 2-year (4 Semesters) [42 credit hours] program or with an exit in one year awarding a Post graduate Diploma in Adult Critical Care Nursing Degree with (2 Semesters) [ 24 credits].  Awarding the master’s degree will be based on a thesis submission.

Graduation Requirements include:

1. Successful completion of 42 credits of the program.
2. A minimum pass mark of 70% (Grade C) for each course.
3. A minimum CGPA of 3.0 out of 4.0.
4. Securing a minimum attendance of 80% in graded courses.
5. Securing 100% attendance in clinical courses.
6. Submitting and defending a thesis to the satisfaction of the thesis judging committee with a minimum pass mark of 80%.
7. Submitting a scientific paper for publication to an international indexed journal.

Master of Science in Adult Critical Care Nursing is a specialized field that addresses the critical care needs of adults and their families. This specialization opens a variety of career opportunities with a high demand for skilled professionals.

Upon successful completion of the Master of Science in Adult Critical Care Nursing program, the graduates can:

• Work as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in adult intensive care units in hospitals, providing advanced care to critically ill patients.
• Serve as a nurse educator, teaching and mentoring nursing students and staff in academic institutions or healthcare facilities.
• Take on leadership roles such as Nurse Manager or Director of adult critical care services, overseeing the operations of all critical care units and ensuring high standards of care.
• Pursue careers in research, contributing to advancements in adult critical care by conducting and publishing clinical research studies.
• Work as Critical Care Consultant, providing expert advice and developing policies and protocols to improve adult critical care practices.
• Function as an Adult Critical Care Nurse Practitioner (CCNP) after meeting the country specific licensing requirements.
• Pursue doctorate degree in adult critical care nursing like Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) to become a Nurse Administrator, Chief Nursing Officer, Dean or Director of Nursing programs.