Master of Science in Adult Critical Care Nursing
College of Nursing
The Master of Science in Adult Critical Care Nursing Program prepares registered nurses for advanced roles as licensed Clinical Specialist Nurses in adult critical care areas. The program strategically aligns its learning outcomes with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (Advance Level) and American Association of Critical Care Nurses Synergy Model of Patient Care, ensuring a comprehensive and globally recognized approach to professional development. This program equips registered nurses to provide advanced, high-quality care to critically ill adult patients while supporting their families during the time of crisis.
Key Features
- 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 weekend classes.
- Attractive Scholarships available for all.
- 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.
- 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 the 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:
- A bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited University in the UAE or an equivalent one from outside the UAE.
- A minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or its established equivalent
- A valid license to practice as a Registered Nurse issued by MoH/DHA/HAAD or proof of licensure process is preferable.
Evidence of English proficiency:
- Require IELTS or TOEFL to be submitted as per the international standards.
OR
- Letter from University / Document of evidence to be submitted for the medium of instruction during Bachelor’s degree program
OR
- Evidence submitted that they have completed IELTS/TOEFL (6.0 and above) in the Bachelor’s degree program.
OR
- Equivalent tests prescribed by the Ministry are mandatory prior to admission (This exemption can be applicable only to those students who undertook all their schooling (K-12) plus a bachelor’s degree in English in a reference English-speaking country e.g., UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand).
- The applicant must have at least one year of professional experience prior to admission or make up the equivalent clinical hours during the period of study.
- Selection is based on interviews with the Admissions Committee and Dean/Program Director.
- A letter of support from the employer, guaranteeing release time to allow effective participation in the learning and training of the graduate students enrolling in the Program.
Conditional Admission
- A bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited University in the UAE or an equivalent one from outside the UAE.
- Minimum CGPA of 2.5 to 2.9 on a 4.0 scale or its established equivalent.
- A valid license as a Registered Nurse from MoH/DHA/HAAD, UAE, or proof of licensure process is preferable.
Evidence of English proficiency:
- Require IELTS or TOEFL to be submitted as per the international standards.
OR
- Letter from the University to be submitted as evidence for the medium of instruction during the Bachelor’s degree program
OR
- Evidence submitted that they have completed IELTS/TOEFL (6.0 and above) in the Bachelor’s degree program.
- The applicant must have at least one year of professional experience prior to admission or make up the equivalent clinical hours during the period of study.
- The student may be admitted to the first semester to take a maximum of nine credit hours. They are mandated to achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale to progress to the second semester or be subject to dismissal.
Admission to Second Year MSACCN Following a Postgraduate Diploma in Adult Critical Care Nursing (Credit Transfer)
- Applicants must have enrolled in and successfully completed one year of a Postgraduate Diploma in Adult Critical Care Nursing from an accredited UAE or internationally recognized university.
- Applicants must have completed all courses equivalent to the first year MSACCN Curriculum, with a minimum of 24 transferable credits.
- Applicants must have completed a minimum of 720 clinical hours as part of the Postgraduate Diploma program.
- Applicants who have completed fewer than 24 transferable credits may be considered for admission provided that:
- A minimum of 16 credits must have been completed in courses equivalent to the first year MSACCN curriculum.
- The remaining 8 credits must be completed during the Summer Term.
- A minimum CGPA of 3.0/4.0 must be achieved in the Summer Term courses.
- All outstanding first-year courses and credit requirements must be successfully completed within the Summer Term to qualify for progression to the second year of the MSACCN program.
| Role Specific Competencies | MSACCN Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) |
| Advance Critical Care Nursing Practices & Clinical Judgement | PLO1: Demonstrate advanced nursing care by incorporating biopsychosocial & core nursing sciences utilizing critical thinking and clinical reasoning. |
| Ethical Accountability & Communication | PLO2: Establish effective communication and therapeutic relationships with patient, family and inter-professional teams in accordance with ethical, legal and professional standards for health, wellness or peaceful end-of-life experience. |
| Leadership & Collaboration | PLO3: 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 |
| Technology, Innovation & Quality of Practice | PLO4: Apply patient-centered technologies and artificial intelligence guided by innovation and entrepreneurship for safe, efficient, and quality care |
| Professional development | PLO 5: Develop foundation for self-directed learning to sustain continuous professional development and support advanced practice. |
| Clinical Inquiry | PLO 6: Integrate evidence-based guidelines and clinical expertise, with patient and family preferences to deliver safe, high-quality nursing care. |
| Research | PLO 7: Synthesize evidence-based, cost-effective nursing interventions developed through independent research to address the complex healthcare needs. |
Study Plan – Cohort 2025 onwards
Semester – 1
Course Code | Course Title | Cr | L H | Practical Hours | Clinical Hours | Pre- requisite | Co- requisite | ||
Skills Lab | Simulation Lab | Research | |||||||
CCN 111 | Pathophysiological concepts of Adult Critical Illness | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Nil | Nil |
CCN 112 | Health Assessment of Adult Critical Illness | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Nil | Nil |
CCN 113 | Adult Critical Care Nursing – Specialty I | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Nil | CCN111 & CCN112 |
CCN 114 | Biostatistics for Health Care Providers | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Nil | Nil |
CCN 115 | Adult Critical Care Nursing – Clinical Practicum I | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | Nil | CCN111, CCN112 & CCN113 |
Semester Credit Hours | 12 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 24 | Contact Hours 35 | ||
Semester – 2
Course Code | Course Title | Cr | LH | Practical Hours | Clinical Hours | Pre- requisite | Co- requisite | ||
Skills Lab | Simulation Lab | Research | |||||||
CCN 121 | Applied Research Methodology | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4* | 0 | Nil | Nil |
CCN 122 | Adult Critical Care Nursing – Specialty II | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | CCN113 | CCN123 |
CCN 123 | Pharmacotherapy of Adult Critical Care | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Nil | Nil |
CCN 124 | Adult Critical Care Nursing – Clinical Practicum II | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | CCN115 | CCN122, CCN123 & CCN125 |
CCN 125 | Organizational Leadership and Management | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Nil | Nil |
Semester Credit Hours | 12 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 24 | Contact Hours 36 | ||
Semester – 3
Course Code | Course Title | Cr | LH | Practical Hours | Clinical Hours | Pre- requisite | Co- requisite | ||
Skills Lab | Simulation Lab | Research | |||||||
CCN 231 | Advanced Adult Critical Care Nursing -Specialty III |
3
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | CCN122 | Nil |
CCN 232 | Advanced Adult Critical Care Nursing – Clinical Practicum III | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | CCN124 | CCN231 |
CCN233 | Research Scholarly Thesis- I | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | Nil | Nil |
Semester Credit Hours | 9 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 30 | Contact Hours 38 | ||
Semester – 4
Course Code | Course Title | Cr | LH | Practical Hours | Clinical Hours | Pre- requisite | Co- requisite | ||
Skills Lab | Simulation Lab | Research | |||||||
CCN 241 | Research Scholarly Thesis- II | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 0 | CCN114, CCN121 & CCN233 | Nil |
EIS 202 | Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainability | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Nil | Nil |
Semester Credit Hours | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 0 | Contact Hours 30 | ||
Total Credits: 42 | |||||||||
Total Credits Hours in 1st Year : 24 | |||||||||
*For Applied Research Methodology: 1 Research practical 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 equips graduate-level nursing students with the advanced knowledge and clinical assessment skills required for the comprehensive evaluation of critically ill adults. It emphasizes system-wise health assessment, incorporating advanced technologies and procedures relevant to adult critical care. Students will learn to obtain comprehensive and focused health histories, conduct detailed physical examinations, and interpret clinical data to support informed clinical decision-making. The course integrates theoretical foundations with practical applications to develop proficiency in identifying abnormal findings in adults with complex critical conditions. Evidence-based assessment strategies are emphasized throughout to enhance clinical judgment and improve patient outcomes 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 competencies in interpreting hemodynamic and respiratory data, managing mechanical ventilation, and applying safe, 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 and 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 management, critical care pharmacology, nutritional support, Infection prevention 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 processes, 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 an 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, 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, evidence-based practice, ethical and legal principles, and the use of informatics and telehealth in critical care. Additionally, it focuses on quality improvement initiatives, and professional development competencies required to enhance the standard of critical care practice.
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, doing 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.
CCN 124: 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 the 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 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 guides master’s students in the systematic development of a structured and methodologically sound research proposal for their Master’s thesis in adult critical care nursing. Emphasis is placed on refining a clinically relevant research problem, selecting appropriate research design and data collection methods, and critically reviewing the literature. The course culminates in the preparation and submission of all required documentation for institutional and clinical ethical approval, enabling students to progress to the thesis implementation phase.
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.
Completion Requirements of the MSACCN Program Include:
- Successful completion of 42 Credits of the program.
- A minimum pass mark of 70% (Grade C) for each
- A minimum CGPA 3.0 out of 4.0.
- Securing a minimum attendance of 80% for theory & 100% for clinical learning
- Submitting and defending a thesis to the satisfaction of the thesis judging committee with a minimum pass mark of 80%.
- Submission of at least one manuscript to an internationally indexed journal for publication.
Upon completion of the master’s program, the graduate may pursue a variety of roles, including:
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Critical Care Nurse Educator
- Nursing Manager /Director of Adult Critical Care Nursing services
- Chief Nursing Officer/Director of Nursing Programs
- Nurse Researcher
- Adult Critical Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult Critical Care Consultant
- Pursue higher education to obtain a Doctorate in Adult Critical Care Nursing