Master's Programs 

Program Director: Susan Reece, DNSc, PNP-BC,  978-934-4421, Susan_Reece@uml.edu

The master's program prepares advanced practice nurses 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
• Adult/Gerontological Nursing – Nurse Practitioner

Program Coordinator: Betty Morgan, Ph.D., PMHCNS-BC, Betty_Morgan@uml.edu

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

Program Contact: Katherine Rosa, Ph.D., APRN-BC, 978-934-4397, Katherine_Rosa@uml.edu

This specialty focuses on promoting the health of individuals, families, and groups and identifying and treating common health problems across the life span. Students develop advanced skills in communication, health assessment, health teaching, nursing interventions and evaluation. Students are prepared as nurse practitioners and are eligible to sit for the family nurse practitioner certification exams.

Please visit the on-line Graduate Academic Catalog for a sample course of study.

Adult/Gerontological Nursing – Nurse Practitioner

Program Coordinator: Ruth Remington, Ph.D., ANP, GNP-BC, 978-934-4423, Ruth_Remington@uml.edu

This specialty focuses on promoting the health of adults and older adults during the process of normal development and aging. Students develop advanced skills in communicating with adults, health assessment, treating common health problems, health teaching, and nursing interventions and evaluation. Students are prepared as nurse practitioners and are eligible to sit for the adult and 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.

Please visit the on-line Graduate Academic 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

• A baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing from an accredited program
• An undergraduate scholastic average of 3.0 or better
• An introductory course in statistics
• Official scores on the Graduate Record Examination (The GRE Exam can be waived if 3.5 GPA in UMass Lowell graduate certificate, or 3.3 GPA if a graduate of the UMass Lowell BS program in nursing within the past five years)
• License to practice nursing in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and professional nursing experience  
• A resume
• Three letters of recommendation pertaining to academic ability and professional competency with one preferably from a Baccalaureate faculty member and others from professional supervisors
• A positive pre-admission interview
• A brief statement on a separate sheet of paper indicating your immediate and and long-range goals, relevant work history, academic honors/awards received, and your professional aspirations as an advanced-practice nurse 
• Computer literacy
• Official transcripts
• Completed application and fees.

A minimum of 42 credits of course work is required for graduation with an MS for all students. 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.

Transfer of credits for non-matriculated students: Non-matriculated students may take a maximum total of 12 graduate credits (4 courses) earned with a grade of B or better prior to matriculation which may be applied toward the MS degree.  Those taken at another accredited institution may be transferred if appropriate to the MS degree program in nursing and after approval by the faculty of record for the UMass Lowell course and the petition signed by the Graduate Coordinator. To qualify as a transfer the course must have been taken within 5 years prior to the date of matriculation.  Transfer of credits may not be granted for Advanced Health Assessment, Clinical courses or practica.

Admission is competitive. Priority deadlines are April 30 for fall admission and November 1 for Spring Admission. Applications received after these dates, if there are openings, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

For more information, please visit the online Academic Catalog.