Master's Programs 

The master's program prepares advanced practice nurse to:

• Provide health care to diverse populations
• Demonstrate professional leadership roles

Areas of Specialization

Three areas of specialization are offered in the Master of Science degree program:

Adult Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing – Nurse Practitioner/Clinical Nurse Specialist
Family Health Nursing – Nurse Practitioner
Gerontological Nursing – Nurse Practitioner

Adult Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing – Nurse Practitioner/Clinical Nurse Specialist

This program prepares advanced practice psychiatric nurses as competent therapists who care for individuals, families and groups in a variety of settings. Additionally, students are prepared to conduct comprehensive health assessments that will assist them in bridging the gaps between physical and mental health care. Students are eligible to sit for the Adult Psychiatric/Mental Health NP and/or CNS exams.

See the Graduate School Catalog for a Sample Course of Study.

Family Health Nursing – Nurse Practitioner

This specialty focuses on facilitating the health practices of families during the process of normal development and identifying and treating common health problems across the life span. Students develop advanced skills in communicating with families, health assessment, health teaching and nursing intervention and evaluation. Students are prepared as nurse practitioners and are eligible to sit for the family nurse practitioner exam.

See the Graduate School Catalog for a Sample Course of Study.

Gerontological Nursing – Nurse Practitioner

This specialty focuses on facilitating the health practices of older adults during the process of normal aging and identifying and treating common health problems. Students develop advanced skills in communicating with older adults, health assessment, health teaching, and nursing intervention and evaluation. Students are prepared as nurse practitioners and are eligible to sit for the gerontological nurse practitioner certification exam.

All three master’s degree specialties share the common goal of providing advanced practice nursing education with a focus on the management of health problems, research, leadership and health promotion among diverse populations.

The nursing program is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

See the Graduate School Catalog for a Sample Course of Study.

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Career Opportunities

Graduates of the master's program are prepared to: 

• Practice in the advanced nursing role of the specialty
• Collaborate with individuals, families, peers and other professionals
• Effectively demonstrate leadership in the profession
  

Admission and Degree Requirements

Requirements for the master's program are:

• Baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing from an accredited program
• An undergraduate scholastic average of 3.0 or better
• An introductory course in descriptive and inferential statistics
• Official scores on the Graduate Record Examination
• Licensed to practice nursing in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• A pre-admission interview

Three letters of recommendation pertaining to academic ability and professional competency:

• Computer literacy
• Goal statement
• Official transcripts
• Completed application and fees
• Professional nursing experience

A minimum of 42 credits of course work is required for graduation for all students. There are no formal language or comprehensive examination requirements. A research project or a thesis is required for graduation.

Students may be admitted for part-time study. Part-time students must meet the same admission requirements for graduate study as full-time students. Part-time students will meet with their assigned advisor and plan a schedule for their program of studies. This program of studies is planned by the end of the first semester so that placement in clinical nursing courses can be assured.

For more information, visit the Online Academic Catalog.