University of Massachusetts Worcester - Graduate School of Nursing

Throughout its 15-year history, the University of Massachusetts Graduate School of Nursing has created a successful tradition of leadership in education, practice and research, positively impacting health care throughout the region, state and nation. Co-located with the University's School of Medicine and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the GSN is one of the few nursing schools in New England based at a thriving academic health center boasting abundant research and clinical resources. The GSN is distinguished by interdisciplinary research, practice and education within a collaborative health professions environment that prepares graduates for the integrated health care delivery systems of the future.

Our programs use distance learning modalities, such as Web-enhanced courses and videoconferencing, to increase access and opportunity for prospective and current graduate students.

Master of Science Program

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Three specialties comprise the program for the degree of Master of Science:

• Adult Acute/Critical Care Nurse Practitioner
• Advanced Practice Nurse Educator
• Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

The 42-credit master's nursing curriculum incorporates theory, clinical laboratory and practicum. The common course of study for each specialtycomprises core courses in theories, research process and design, and societal forces that influence nursing. Core advanced practice nursing courses include advanced pathophysiology, health assessment and pharmacotherapeutics.

The focus of a particular specialty and the courses specifically needed to develop expertise in each concentration vary among programs, as detailed in the course sequences.

Graduate Entry Pathway - MS in Nursing Program

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The University of Massachusetts Worcester Graduate School of Nursing (GSN) is striving to meet and exceed the challenges of the current and future nursing shortages by training and preparing individuals to enter this rewarding profession.

The Graduate Entry Pathway (GEP) concept focuses on pressing needs in workforce development: It will produce highly educated registered nurses, especially in high-need specialty areas, such as geriatrics and critical care. It will prepare advanced practice nurses who can ameliorate the shortage of nursing instructors and will accommodate the market for highly trained nurses.

The GSN is seeking students who already possess a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing to apply to the Graduate Entry Pathway into the Master of Science Degree Program.

Adult Acute/Critical Care Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator Post-Master's Certificates

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These three programs are designed for individuals who have previously acquired their master's degree in nursing from a program accredited by the Collegiate Commission on Nursing Education. The post-master's programs allow nurses with master's degrees to expand their nursing competencies as an adult acute/critical nurse practitioner, primary care nurse practitioner or nurse educator.

The 24-credit post-master's curriculum integrates core master's course work with advanced practice nursing theory and clinical practicum. Required courses include Advanced Pathophysiology, Pharmacotherapeutics, Advanced Physical/Health Assessment and Advanced Nursing Science I, II, and III.

Pre-Master's Pathway

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The Pre-master's Pathway is designed for applicants who are registered nurses with an associate's degree or diploma in nursing, who have a bachelor's degree or higher degree in a field other than nursing. This option offers alternative methods of qualifying for admission to the Graduate School of Nursing at the University of Massachusetts Worcester based on transfer of academic courses and course enrollment.

PhD in Nursing Program

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The purpose of the PhD in Nursing program is to develop and prepare nurse scientists/educators who have a strong foundation in both scientific inquiry and pedagogy. The PhD program provides students with four major areas of expertise:

• knowledge of the discipline of nursing;
• expert knowledge of a clinical content area of nursing and nursing strategies to approach populations at risk;
• skills in pedagogy, such as methodology and mentoring; and
• nursing scholarship and research skills, such as grant writing, research design, methodology and analysis, and publication.

Graduates will be beginning-level researchers and skilled teachers who can assume research, leadership and faculty roles in schools of nursing, research centers and/or other health care delivery organizations. They will think critically and lead the profession and public to policies aimed at promoting health.

Information

If you are interested in this school and would like to find out more, please Request Information from University of Massachusetts - Worcester.

For more information, visit the home page of University of Massachusetts - Worcester - Graduate School of Nursing.