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Academic Programs

Undergraduate

At the undergraduate level all freshmen are admitted to pre-nursing. Freshman may be admitted as Academic Scholars or for General Admission. Admission into the nursing major is on a competitive basis for students receiving general admission into pre-nursing. The nurse prepared at the baccalaureate level is a generalist who functions as a practitioner, scholar and leader. For those registered nurses who wish to attain a baccalaureate degree in nursing the RN to BSN track is the choice.

Graduate

Masters
Graduate study leading to the degree of Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is offered by the College of Nursing through the University's Division of Research and Advanced Studies. The primary emphasis of the master's component of the College's graduate program is preparing nurses for advanced practice nursing and for leadership and management in a variety of health care environments.

The MSN program provides three avenues for preparation in advanced practice nursing. The undergraduate preparation of nurses holding a BSN degree provides a foundation for specialization at the master's level. The MSN program, however, includes an Accelerated Pathway option for individuals who hold a bachelor's in a field other than nursing. The College also offers several certificate programs for nurses who already hold MSN degrees and wish to become nurse practitioners.

The MSN majors are designed so that upon completion of their programs of study, students meet the education requirements to take certification examinations for practitioners and clinical nurse specialists in their chosen field.

The Accelerated Pathway, a component of the graduate program of the College of Nursing, is designed for students who hold a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing. Graduate study leading to the degree of Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) emphasizes preparing nurses for advanced practice nursing and for leadership and management in a variety of health care environments.

Doctoral
The focus of the doctoral component is to prepare nurses at the highest level of academic scholarship. This preparation leads to research that advances the knowledge base for the science and art of nursing. Graduates are expected to discover, test, interpret, extend and transmit knowledge in the discipline of nursing.

Post Master's Certificate Option
The College offers postmaster's nurse practitioner certificate programs in Acute Care, Adult Health, Family Health, Gerontological Health, Neonatal, and Pediatric nursing.