Abstract: Objective To establish a quality standard indicator system for conferment of master's degree in nursing. Methods Based on the Donabedian model, domestic and international literature on quality standards for conferring master's degree in nursing were retrieved. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature were conducted to construct the preliminary indicator system. Two rounds of expert consultation with Delphi method were performed to determine the indicators, and Analytic Hierarchy Process was used to identify indicator weight. A "Scoring Table for Quality Standards in Conferment of Master's Degree in Nursing" was compiled to test its reliability and validity among nursing postgraduates in a specific institution. Results The recovery rate of the two rounds of expert correspondence was 83% and 100%; expert authority coefficient 0.800 and 0.825, and Kendall harmony coefficient 0.121 (χ²=164.217, P<0.001), and 0.147 (χ²=144.411, P<0.001), respectively; The coefficient of variation ranged from 0 to 0.226, and from 0 to 0.214. The final indicator system consisted of 3 first-level, 9 second-level and 38 third-level indexes. The weight coefficients of the first-level index were factor quality (W=0.333), link quality (W=0.333) and outcome quality (W=0.333). The differentiation of the constructed system was 0.621, and the Kronbach coefficient 0.871. Conclusion The quality standard indicator system for conferment of master's degree in nursing is practical, and it help evaluate the cultivation quality of nursing postgraduates scientifically.

Key words: master's degree in nursing, Donabedian model, degree awarding, nursing, quantitative indicator