Masters of Science

Currently Only Accepting Applicants for Adult Geriatric Nurse Practitioner Program

About The Program

Our master of science degree program educates registered nurses with bachelor's degrees to work as nurse practitioners. The program also prepares nurses for roles in leadership, consulting, education and research. Students currently enrolled in the program are studying to become nurse practitioners in three tracks: family, family psychiatric mental health or pediatric. New students may apply to the adult geriatric primary care program. The Adult Geriatric Nurse Practitioner Master's Degree program prepares nurses to improve practice and health outcomes for patients 18 and older in a broad range of settings.

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.

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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 specialize in a vast array of clinical practice areas. Before graduating, students in the master's program complete either a master's thesis or a culminating project.

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.