Master's Programs

This nursing master's program at UMass Lowell prepares the advanced practice nurse to:

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

For more information, please visit the Graduate Academic Catalog.

Contact: Lisa Marchand, DNP, NP-C, Lisa_Marchand@uml.edu.

The Nursing, M.S. priority deadline: April 1 for Fall or Summer admission, November 1 for Spring admission. Admission is competitive and only completed applications will be reviewed. To be considered for admission, all required documents including transcripts & letters of recommendation must be received by the priority deadline. Applications received after the deadline, if there are openings, will be reviewed on a case by case basis. The program accepts applicants for full time or part time study. Part-time students will meet with their assigned advisor and plan a schedule for their program of studies.

Requirements for the Nursing master's program:

• 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. Evidence of statistics course and grade should be on your transcript(s).
• License to practice nursing in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and professional nursing experience. A copy of your current license must be included with the application materials.
• A resume
• Two letters of recommendation pertaining to academic ability and professional competency with one preferably from a Baccalaureate faculty member and others from professional supervisors
• A goal statement that briefly highlights relevant work history and immediate and long term professional goals as an advanced-practice nurse. Goal statements should be congruent with the specialty tracks offered at UMass Lowell (FNP or A-GNP) and demonstrate an understanding of the scope of the advanced practice nurse in ambulatory, long term care or primary care settings.
• Computer literacy
• Official transcripts from all college level degrees and coursework.
• Completed application and fees

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

Students may take up to four graduate courses (12 credits) from UMass Lowell or other accredited university prior to matriculation (non-UMass Lowell course transfers are limited to 6 transfer credits). Please seek advice from the Master's Program Coordinator for appropriate courses to take as a non-matriculated student. Upon admission, these courses can be transferred into your degree pathway. You must achieve a grade of B or better to transfer in courses. Courses will be evaluated for equivalency to our current courses in the degree pathway.

Learn about admission requirements

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

• Family Health Nursing – Nurse Practitioner
• Adult-Gerontological Nursing – Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Please note that our practica and courses prepare the NP student to sit for the Family Nurse Practitioner certification exam and the Adult-Gerontological Nurse primary care exam. We do not prepare NPs to sit for acute care, women’s health or pediatric certification exam.

For further information about nurse practitioner licensure, accreditation, certification and education, please read the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification & Education.

Outstanding UMass Lowell students in the Bachelor of Science nursing program may apply for admission to the bachelor's to master's degree in nursing. Students with a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average can apply no earlier than second semester junior year.

Application deadline: April 1 for Fall or Summer admission, November 1 for Spring admission. The program accepts student for full time or part time study. Part-time students will meet with their assigned advisor and plan a schedule for their program of studies.

Several designated courses (6 credits) can be taken in the master's program while a student is an undergraduate. Courses can be applied to both the BS (as an elective) and the MS program (as an elective or required course). When the B.S. degree is awarded, accepted Fast Track students can enter the master's degree program if they have maintained a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average.

Undergraduate nursing students from the Solomont School of nursing usually complete 3 to 6 credits of graduate courses prior to completion of their BS degree. Pre-enrollment advising will be done by a graduate faculty member to facilitate course enrollment.