Master of Science
Semester Begin Dates
- Fall Semester – late August
- Spring Semester – early January
- Summer Semester – early May
Our master of science degree program educates registered nurses with bachelor’s degrees to work as nurse practitioners or clinical nurse specialists. The program also prepares nurses for roles in leadership, consulting, education and research. Students studying to become nurse practitioners choose from two tracks: family, or family psychiatric mental health. Students studying to become clinical nurse specialists follow an adult medical-surgical track. We also offer a fast track RN-to-MS option for this degree.
The master’s program builds on your undergraduate nursing education and focuses on applying advanced theory and evidence-based data to clinical practice. The curriculum includes courses in the advanced practice role, nursing theory, family theory, informatics, quality and safety, leadership and health care policy, research and advanced pathophysiology and pharmacology. You may take practicum courses as electives to strengthen your advanced practice skills. You also may participate in faculty-sponsored research or individual research projects under faculty guidance, or practice teaching or nursing administration.
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) - Actively Recruiting for Fall 2014
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) - Closed for Fall 2013 (Syracuse Campus only)
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) (application deadline May 1st)
- Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (FPMHNP) (application deadline May 1st)
- Applications are still open for the part time NP Programs offered in the North Country at the JCC Campus-Family Nurse Practitioner and Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Outreach Program
- North Country FNP and FPMHNP Part-time Program at JCC (application deadline May 1st)
Special Options for the Master's program
- Education Minor (for future nurse educators)
- RN-to-MS and BS-to-MS Program (fast Track)
- RNs with a Bachelor's in another field
- Master's Completion for NPs with a bachelor's degree
Clinical Opportunities
The master‘s program emphasizes
clinical practice and requires students to
practice advanced nursing under the
guidance of experts. In addition to the
expertise available on campus (at Upstate
University Hospital and its many specialty
clinics) the College of Nursing has
developed an extensive network of
physician offices, hospitals, clinics and
other agencies in New York State that
participate in our program. These
affiliations give you the opportunity to
work in primary and acute care settings
with preceptors who special ize in a vast
array of clinical practice areas.
Before graduating, students in the
master’s program either complete a
master’s thesis or a culminating project.
Before graduating, students in the master’s program either complete a master’s thesis or a culminating project exam.
Degree Time Frame
Students may take up to five years
to complete the master’s program. On
average, part-time students carry six
credits per semester and finish in three
to five years. Full-time students carry a
minimum of nine credits per semester and
finish in two or three years.
Non-matriculated students may take
up to nine credits of course work on a
space-available basis while in the process
of completing admissions requirements.
Faculty advisors work closely with
students to help them fit courses and
program requirements into their work
and daily lives.
Unique Education Minor
Students can complete an education minor by completing NURS 565: Nurse as Educator (required by all master's students) and 6 additional credits, NURS 655 Curriculum and Program Development and NURS 665 Educational Evaluation.
Fall Semester: May 1
Director of Master's Program
After becoming an RN with an associate’s degree, Ibrahim Thabet said, “I felt that my journey was not complete. I decided to continue my education at Upstate Medical University because of the school's rich tradition of prestige.
I could not have imagined an easier transition.” Ibrahim achieved his goal of becoming a Nurse Practitioner by earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the College of Nursing.
—Ibrahim Thabet, FNP (2010)