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.
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.
The Master of Science Nurse Practitioner (MS NP) Program with seamless pathway to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program is designed for nurses who aspire to reach the pinnacle of clinical practice, leadership, and patient care. These programs offer a seamless, cost-effective pathway from the MS NP degree to the DNP, allowing students to build on their advanced clinical knowledge while deepening their expertise in areas such as evidence-based practice, healthcare policy, and organizational leadership. Throughout the MS NP program, students will be thoroughly prepared for national board certification and advanced roles in healthcare.
Upon successful completion of the MS NP degree, graduates can smoothly transition into the DNP program without the need for re-application or additional fees. This seamless pathway allows graduates to fulfill DNP admission criteria within 1-2 semesters following MS completion, streamlining their journey to becoming clinical experts at the highest level of nursing practice. The DNP curriculum focuses on enhancing clinical skills, quality improvement, and system-wide health care transformation, equipping nurses to take on leadership roles and improve patient outcomes on a larger scale. The DNP Program is part time and fully online to allow flexibility as NP transitions to practice while completing a terminal degree.
By offering a simplified admission process and waiver of fees for the DNP portion, the MS NP to DNP program not only saves students time and resources but also positions them for career advancement in a highly competitive healthcare landscape. This integrated approach makes it easier for nurse practitioners to achieve their professional goals while continuing to deliver exceptional care to patients and communities.