Master of Science in Neonatal Critical Care Nursing (MSNCCN)

• Develop graduates, as potential clinical nurse specialist who will provide evidence based neonatal critical care; including the ability to diagnose, treat and prevent a wide range of neonatal illness.
• Foster leadership skills & advocacy to effectively manage and coordinate with multidisciplinary neonatal care team, with the goal to ensure optimal health outcomes for critically ill neonates and their families.
• Enhance professional development with advanced research skills, permitting graduates to participate in independent and collaborative research with the goal of advancing neonatal critical care and improving neonatal health outcomes in UAE and the region.

• Specialized Curriculum designed to address the unique challenges and complexities of caring for critically ill newborns.
• 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 Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) under the guidance of experienced preceptors.
• Emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, preparing students to work effectively within healthcare teams comprising neonatologists, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, and other specialists to provide comprehensive care to newborns and their families.
• Opportunity to engage in research projects exploring current issues and advancements in neonatal critical care nursing, fostering critical thinking and evidence-based practice.

Admission requirements MSNCCN

• Applicants shall meet all admission criteria for entry into the higher education programs offered by the University, as laid down in the Standards (2019) published by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), Ministry of Education – Higher Education Affairs, UAE.
• A bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited University in the UAE or 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 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 Bachelor’s degree program.

OR

• Equivalent tests prescribed by the Ministry is 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).
• A minimum of one year of clinical experience is mandatory prior to admission.
• Selection is based on interviews with the Admissions Committee, 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 into the Program.

Conditional Admission

•  A bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited University in the UAE or 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 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 Bachelor’s degree program.
• A minimum of one year of clinical experience is mandatory prior to admission.
• 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.

Semester – 1

Semester – 2   

Semester – 3

Semester – 4

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

Semester – 1

NEO 111: Pathophysiological Concepts of Neonatal Critical Illness

This course introduces pathophysiological concepts essential for understanding neonatal critical illness. It provides graduate-level nursing students with a comprehensive framework to interpret the complex, multisystem alterations that occur in critically ill neonates. Emphasis is placed on the mechanisms of cellular injury, inflammatory responses and the progressions of systemic dysfunction across major organ systems. The course covers pathophysiological concepts across key systems, including respiratory, cardiovascular, hematologic, gastrointestinal, neurological, endocrine, metabolic, immunologic, genitourinary and reproductive systems, along with the effects of genetic and chromosome determinants 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 neonatal critical care nursing.

NEO 112: Health Assessment of Neonatal 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 neonates. It emphasizes system-wise health assessment, incorporating advanced technologies and procedures relevant to neonatal 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 neonates with complex conditions. Evidence-based assessment strategies are emphasized throughout to enhance clinical judgment and improve patient outcomes in high-acuity neonatal settings.

NEO 113: Neonatal Critical Care Nursing -Specialty I

This course introduces graduate nursing students to the specialized clinical care of neonates, with a focus on the foundational concepts and evidence-based nursing practices in neonatal critical care. The course also focuses on the physiological, neuro-behavioral and developmental needs of newborns within critical care settings. Students will explore the scope of neonatal nursing, emphasizing family-centered and culturally competent care. The curriculum integrates principles of fetal-neonatal adaptation, detailed newborn assessment, and management of common neonatal disorders affecting the respiratory, cardiovascular, hematologic, and hepato-biliary systems. Core components include newborn nutrition, pain assessment, early warning signs, and infection prevention. Learners will gain proficiency in monitoring, therapeutic interventions, ethical/legal considerations, and application of informatics and telehealth technologies to enhance neonatal outcomes.

NEO 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.

NEO 115: Neonatal Critical Care Nursing -Clinical Practicum I

This Clinical Practicum course equips graduate nursing students with specialized skills in the assessment and management of neonates in critical care settings. Students will perform comprehensive newborn assessments, recognize early warning signs, and participate in the management of common neonatal conditions affecting the respiratory, cardiovascular, hematologic, and hepato-biliary systems. The course emphasizes family-centered care and baby-friendly practices while integrating essential skills in pain assessment, infection prevention, nutritional support and nursing informatics. Through direct neonatal care, case-based reflection, interprofessional collaboration, and supervised clinical decision-making, students will develop advanced clinical insight and competence to deliver compassionate, high-quality critical care nursing.

Semester – 2

NEO 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.

NEO 122: Neonatal Critical Care Nursing -Specialty II

This course provides an in-depth understanding of complex and system-specific disorders affecting high-risk and critically ill newborns. Emphasis is placed on the advanced assessment, diagnosis, and evidence-based management of conditions involving the neurological, gastrointestinal, renal, genitourinary, integumentary, endocrinal, metabolic, and musculoskeletal systems. The course also addresses neonatal genetic anomalies, congenital tumors, multi-organ dysfunction and surgical considerations in neonatal care. Students will explore recent innovations in treatment modalities, including surgical and non-surgical interventions, while developing expertise in clinical decision-making in neonatal intensive care settings. Additionally, the course includes comprehensive exposure to advanced neonatal resuscitation programs, quality assurance programs, and strategic workforce planning while integrating advanced clinical skills with leadership, quality improvement, and professional development competencies essential for neonatal critical care nurse specialists.

NEO 123: Pharmacotherapy in Neonatal 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 critically ill neonates. It covers system-based pharmacology, the use of emergency medications in neonatal critical care, pharmacovigilance practices and pharmacokinetics of medications transferred through breast milk. The course also integrates theoretical knowledge with standard operating procedures and clinical protocols. Evidence-based guidelines and current trends are integrated to keep abreast with the dynamic health care management of critically ill neonates.

NEO 124: Neonatal Critical Care Nursing- Clinical Practicum II

This practicum provides graduate nursing students with knowledge and clinical decision-making in the assessment and management of critically ill high-risk neonates with complex neurological, gastrointestinal, renal, genitourinary, integumentary and musculoskeletal conditions. The practicum also focuses on the management of neonates with multisystem disorders including endocrine, metabolic, congenital anomalies, and genetic disorders. Emphasis is placed on the integration of critical thinking, clinical judgment, and interdisciplinary collaboration in the care of neonates requiring advanced interventions. Additionally, the course inculcates proficiency in advanced neonatal resuscitation program, quality assurance, and strategic workforce planning in neonatal critical care settings. It integrates advanced clinical skills with leadership, quality improvement, and professional development competencies required of critical care nurse specialists.

NEO 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 neonatal 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 the UAE by acquiring a broad knowledge in Neonatal Nursing leadership and management.

Semester – 3

NEO 231: Advanced Neonatal Critical Care Nursing –Specialty III

Building upon foundational knowledge from previous courses, this advanced-level course in Neonatal Critical Care Nursing delves into specialized topics essential for the comprehensive care of critically ill and high-risk newborns in high-acuity settings. It equips nursing students with in-depth knowledge and clinical expertise in assessment and managing neonatal emergencies, stabilization, and inter-facility transport. Emphasis is placed on nursing management of fluid-electrolyte, acid-base disturbances, neonatal abstinence syndrome and advanced surgical interventions. The course explores ethical dilemmas, end-of-life decision-making, and neonatal palliative care, while promoting the use of evidence-based practice, emerging technologies, and quality assurance systems incorporating neonatal critical care theories and models of neonatal care.

NEO 232: Advanced Neonatal Critical Care Nursing Clinical Practicum III

This practicum course provides graduate nursing students with immersive clinical experience in neonatal intensive care settings, where they apply advanced knowledge and clinical decision-making skills to manage critically ill newborns. Students develop expertise in caring for neonates with complex multisystem conditions, including emergencies, neonatal abstinence syndrome, perioperative, palliative, and end-of-life care. They also refine skills in acid-base and electrolyte management, advanced respiratory support, and hemodynamic monitoring. The course integrates neonatal critical care theories and models to guide clinical reasoning, supports the use of standardized clinical care pathways, and emphasizes the application of quality indicators and outcome evaluation to improve care delivery. Students are prepared to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams, utilize advanced monitoring technologies, and deliver family-centered care that is culturally sensitive and ethically grounded.

NEO 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 neonatal 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 neonatal critical Care. This course will help the students to prepare and present a research proposal and design appropriate data collection instruments.

Semester – 4

NEO 241: Research Scholarly Thesis -II

This course will help students in the 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 Master of Science in Neonatal Critical Care Nursing (MSNCCN) is full-time 2 years (4 Semesters) [37 credit hours] program. Awarding the master’s degree will be based on a thesis submission.

Graduation Requirements include

1. Successful completion of 37 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 Neonatal Critical Care Nursing is a specialized field that addresses the critical care needs of newborns 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 Neonatal Critical Care Nursing program, the graduates can:

• Work as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in hospitals, providing advanced care to critically ill newborns.
• Serve as a neonatal 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 Neonatal Services, overseeing the operations of neonatal units and ensuring high standards of care.
• Pursue careers in research, contributing to advancements in neonatal care by conducting and publishing clinical research studies.
• Work as neonatal healthcare consultants, providing expert advice and developing policies and protocols to improve neonatal care practices.
• Function as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) after meeting the country specific licensing requirements.
• Pursue doctorate degree in Neonatal Nursing like DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) or PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) to become a Nurse Administrators, Chief Nursing Officers, Deans or Directors of Nursing programs, or starting their own healthcare enterprises focused on neonatal care.