School of Nursing
The School of Nursing was established as an independent school of the University by action of the Board of Trustees in April 1939 and was opened in September of the same year. Dr. Ruth Perkins Kuehn, the first director of a School of Nursing in the United States to be awarded an earned doctoral degree, was appointed Dean. The first students to enroll in the School of Nursing were registered nurses who had been pursuing further education in the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education. The University conferred the degree, Bachelor of Science in Nursing Education, for the first time in August 1939 to one of these students. The University conferred the first Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees in February 1942. From that early beginning until now, the University has conferred almost 5,900 undergraduate nursing degrees.
The first graduate degree was awarded in 1944, and the first Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1957. At the present time, the University of Pittsburgh has awarded more than 2,100 master's degrees and more than 100 doctoral degrees to nursing students.
Mission
The School of Nursing, an integral part of the University of Pittsburgh, subscribes to the University's commitment to teaching, research, and service. Through these major functions, the school strives to have a positive impact on the quality of health care for all segments of the population.
The school offers educational programs that anticipate and reflect the health care needs of the region, state, and nation. It prepares graduates to function effectively in multifaceted roles in a variety of settings to promote the health and well being of people. It strives to instill a spirit of inquiry, encourage academic excellence, and foster life-long learning in all students. The school seeks to enroll highly qualified students who represent racial, cultural, and geographic diversity and to prepare students for employment in a multicultural society. The advanced degree program at the master's level is designed to produce the next generation of advanced practice nurses who will provide leadership in the delivery of quality clinical services and advance the independent role of nurses in the provision of care to patients and families. The doctor of philosophy program is designed to prepare scientists and academicians who will seek to participate in interdisciplinary research and contribute to the ongoing development of nursing knowledge and the science of nursing.
Contact Information
- School of Nursing
- 239 Victoria Building
- University of Pittsburgh
- Pittsburgh, PA 15261
- Phone: (412) 624-4586 or 1-888-747-0794
- E-mail: nursao@pitt.edu
- Web site: http://www.nursing.pitt.edu
Admission Process
All applicants should obtain application materials from the Student Services Office at the address listed above. Each applicant should then submit the following:
Completed application form and resume
Application fee
Complete official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work
Admission test scores (see following sections)
Three letters of reference
Personal essay indicating professional goals
After all admission materials have been submitted, each applicant will be personally interviewed unless great distance is an obstacle. In that case, telephone interviews will be used.
Applications to all School of Nursing programs are considered on a rolling basis, though the BSN to PhD program only admits students for the Fall Term. Applications received will be considered only if space is available. Applicants will be notified at the earliest possible date of their admission status. Applicants wishing to be admitted for full-time study should apply for Fall Term admission.
Master's Program Admission Criteria
Applicants to the master's program in nursing must meet the following criteria before applying:
A baccalaureate degree in nursing or a graduate-level first-professional degree in nursing. For RN-MSN Option applicants, an associate degree or diploma in nursing as well as completion of 50 specified prerequisite credits with a cumulative QPA of 3.00 or higher are required. The cumulative QPA for any prerequisite credits taken at the University of Pittsburgh must also be 3.00 for RN-MSN applicants. (See RN-MSN Option section for detail on the specific credits required.)
A minimum of one year of experience in professional nursing for those students wanting to pursue full-time study in the master's program. Areas of concentration may require additional and/or specific experience.
A current license to practice nursing in a state or territory of the United States. Foreign applicants should see section on Admission of Students from Other Countries below.
One letter of reference attesting to the applicant's capacity and potential for master's study from each of the areas noted:
- (a) The director or a faculty member from the most recent academic program attended (if applicant has been a nursing student in the last five years)
- (b) A recent employer
- (c) A person who can speak to the applicant's professional work
Scores received within the past ten years on either the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). RN-MSN applicants may also need to submit scores for specified Regents Challenge Examinations.
A prerequisite statistics course of at least three credits is required for full-time study. Statistics may be taken while pursuing a part-time program of study but must be completed before enrolling in Nursing Theory and Research (NUR 2001).
Applicants who do not meet all of the criteria may be admitted with provisional status. The faculty in the student's area of concentration may establish requirements in addition to school criteria. These are available through the Student Services Office.
For admission to full graduate status, an applicant must be a graduate of an accredited program and must be considered qualified for advanced study by the area of concentration. Applicants who are not graduates of an accredited program or who do not otherwise qualify for admission to full graduate status may be considered for provisional status if strong supporting evidence of their ability to complete the graduate program is provided. RN-MSN applicants may be admitted to full graduate status even if their basic nursing program was not NLN-accredited since they will be graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing BSN program, which is accredited.
Registered nurses who already have a master's degree in nursing have the option of earning a second master's degree in nursing. Earning the second master's may require taking more credits than are required for certification alone. The application process is the same regardless of which option is chosen.
Doctoral Program Admission Criteria
Criteria for admission to the MSN-PhD Program in nursing are as follows:
A master's degree in nursing.
Documentation of academic success in an appropriate master's degree program with a cumulative QPA of at least 3.50 on a 4.00 scale.
Satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within the past five years.
Evidence of competence in scholarly research and the ability to communicate in writing as assessed by published articles or original scholarly work such as a master's thesis or its equivalent.
Evidence of capacity and professional motivation for doctoral study as assessed in interviews with the Coordinator of the Doctoral Program and appropriate faculty.
Three letters of reference attesting to the applicant's capacity and potential for doctoral study. Two references should be from academic sources and one from a recent employer.
Evidence of a license to practice nursing.
Completion of two required prerequisite statistics courses.
Criteria for admission to the BSN to PhD Program include:
A baccalaureate degree in nursing.
Satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within the past five years.
Evidence of competence in scholarly research and the ability to communicate in writing as assessed by published articles or original scholarly work.
Evidence of capacity and professional motivation for doctoral study as assessed individually in interviews with the Coordinator of the Doctoral Program and appropriate faculty.
Three letters of reference attesting to the applicant's capacity and potential for doctoral study. Two references should be from academic sources and one from a recent employer.
Evidence of a license to practice nursing.
Applicants who do not meet all of the above criteria may be admitted with provisional status. A key aspect of admission decisions is that there must be a match between an applicant's research interests and those of available faculty. Faculty who teach in the program and guide student research have expertise and research experience in many areas and with populations across the life span. The Nursing Student Services Office has a list of faculty research interests and activities which provides a sense of the research opportunities available.
Readmission
A new/readmitted student who did not register in the term of admission/readmission is considered inactive and must receive permission from the master's specialty or doctoral program coordinator to be readmitted and to register for a subsequent term.
A student who has not registered for three consecutive terms (one calendar year) will be transferred automatically to inactive status. The student must file an application for readmission to graduate study (and pay the application fee) before being permitted to register again. While on inactive status, a student is not eligible to use the University facilities and should not expect to receive counseling by the faculty or active supervision by his/her advisor and committee. Readmission is not automatic nor does it necessarily reinstate the student in the status enjoyed prior to becoming inactive. Readmitted students must meet all current admission and degree requirements. A student may not be readmitted for the term in which he or she resigned.
Admission of Students from Other Countries
Students from other countries applying to the School of Nursing should apply using the same admissions process and program criteria as listed above. The application must be completed in English and accompanied by official academic credentials with notarized English translations. A master's applicant must have evidence of the receipt of a degree comparable to the American bachelor's degree that normally terminates 16 years of full-time study, four of which are at the post-high school level. A doctoral applicant must have evidence of the receipt of a degree comparable to the American master's degree. The official transcripts must show all high school and post-high school work, including grades in each course, examination grades and standing in examinations and classes, and whatever other credentials are available to give a clear description of the student's academic accomplishments. Applicants must also have a current license to practice in a state or country.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required if the applicant's native language is not English; this applies where English is not the native language even if English has been the medium of instruction. This test is administered in testing centers all over the world by the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ 08540. It is normally given six times a year and should be taken by November in order to apply for the next Fall Term. Since successful graduate study depends upon English proficiency, applicants are advised to prepare to take the TOEFL exam.
A student wishing to study full time is advised to apply for Summer Term in order to allow adequate opportunity to take English courses and adjust to life in the United States before beginning the nursing Fall Term curriculum.
International students may not register until the University Office of International Services (OIS) has issued non-academic clearance. It is especially important that the student have adequate financial support. No scholarships or student aid are available through the University or the School of Nursing for international students.
After final admission, the School of Nursing reserves the right, even after arrival and enrollment, to require, at the student's expense if necessary, individual curricular adjustments whenever particular deficiencies or needs are found. This could include enrollment in courses prerequisite to the regular course of study or additional course work in English as a second language.
To facilitate the educational experience and to help the student adjust to the United States, the University offers the support of the Office of International Services, 706 William Pitt Union, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260.
For more information on general University requirements for international student applicants, see the section on Graduate Admissions of International Students.
Health Care Requirements
All students admitted with full or provisional status are required to participate in a University professional liability insurance policy annually and to have a physical examination upon admission. Individual students must meet additional health requirements of clinical agencies. CPR certification will be validated in each clinical course. Students are required to carry health insurance to be validated each term, which will cover payment of treatment and follow-up procedures.
Financial Assistance
The School of Nursing has a commitment to helping students achieve their educational goals and knows that a major concern for most graduate students is paying for their education. Consequently, it is important to explore all possible sources of support early in the admission process and especially with the Doctoral Program Coordinator or faculty members during the interview process for the Master's Program.
The school has the following awards and sources of aid available:
Professional Nurse Traineeships
University tuition aid
Graduate Student Assistant (GSA), Graduate Student Researcher (GSR), Teaching Assistant (TA), and Teaching Fellow (TF) positions
School of Nursing Scholarships
Emergency aid
Opportunities are available to apply for Pre- and Post-Doctoral Training Grant Fellowships. The school offers workshops to assist students in making application for these awards. Applicants should also explore state and federal sources of aid and loans such as PHEAA and Stafford Loans. Many graduate students receive tuition reimbursement from their employers. For further information, see the section on Financial Aid.
Academic Standards
The following sections detail academic regulations specific to the School of Nursing. Students should also see the section on General Academic Regulations for further information on University-wide regulations not detailed here:
Registration
Although registration for new students is permitted until the day classes begin, it is recommended that students complete registration well before the beginning of the term. Courses are sometimes closed as a result of heavy early registration. Continuing students are expected to register during the regular registration period each term. Students are responsible for obtaining information about deadlines for registration, adding or dropping a course, and paying tuition and fees. An enrolled student can obtain the University Schedule of Classes in the Student Services Office on the 2nd floor of Victoria Building. Students should read the official graduate students' bulletin board in the Graduate Communications Room for important announcements.
The full-time credit load for graduate students is nine to 15 credits each term. Students may not register for more than 15 credits without the permission of their advisor and the Assistant Dean.
Late registration is permitted only in unusual circumstances and requires the permission of the faculty advisor and the Assistant Dean for Student Services. A student may add or drop courses only during the first two weeks of a term.
A graduate student must register each term in which he or she is using University facilities or faculty time and also is required to be registered for at least one credit during the term of graduation. It is necessary for a student to register for three credits per year in order to maintain active student status. Upon completion of degree credit requirements, students working full time on a dissertation may enroll in a full-time dissertation study course and pay a special tuition fee.
Cross Registration
Students may register for graduate courses at Carnegie Mellon, Duquesne University, the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and Robert Morris College under the Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education (PCHE) cross-registration agreement. Such work, if approved in advance by the student's advisor, may be counted for credit toward a graduate degree.
Transfer Credits
Official transcripts certifying graduate courses completed in a degree-granting graduate program at another accredited institution prior to admission to the University of Pittsburgh should be submitted at the time of application and should be evaluated for acceptability as transfer credit early in the student's graduate career.
No more than one-third of the total number of required credits may be granted to a student in the master's program as transfer credit for work done at another accredited graduate institution. A maximum of 12 graduate-level credits may be transferred toward completion of the requirements of the doctoral degree. Courses considered for transfer should not be more than ten years old. If there are extenuating circumstances or the content hasn't changed over time, the student can write to the Associate Dean for a waiver of the course statute of limitations.
Transfer credit will not be accepted for courses in which a grade lower than a B (QPA = 3.00) or its equivalent has been received. No credit will be granted toward work completed in extension courses, correspondence courses, or courses taken at an unaccredited institution.
Acceptable Academic Status
Students must maintain a QPA of at least 3.00 in order to be eligible to progress in the program.
Warning and Probation
A student on full graduate status who has completed fewer than nine credits and has achieved a term QPA below 3.00 shall receive a letter of warning from the Director of Graduate Student Services recommending that he or she seek advice from the major advisor.
After completion of nine or more credit hours, a student on full graduate status whose cumulative QPA falls below 3.00 shall be placed on academic probation and shall be apprised of his or her probationary status by a letter from the Director of Graduate Student Services. A student must have attained a cumulative QPA of 3.00 and be eligible for removal from probation upon completion of nine additional credits, the equivalent of one full term, in order to remain in the program.
A student may be on probation only once during the program of study.
Advising and Placement
Each new student who is admitted to the graduate program is assigned a faculty advisor from the specific program area to which the student is admitted. The faculty advisor provides some initial orientation to the School, the University, and the program requirements. Each student meets at least once a term with the advisor for course selection and other academic advising, though students and advisors can meet additionally as needed. The advisor is actively involved if there are academic concerns.
Each student also can use the Student Services Office in the School of Nursing to obtain information about sources of financial aid, scholarships, school policies, registration, course availability, university resources, and community resources for help with personal problems. This office conducts a general orientation program for new students. The School of Nursing has a Director of Placement, whose office is in the Student Services Office. She is available to assist all graduate students with career development issues, including resume writing and job opportunities. Bulletin boards within the School contain postings on current educational and job opportunities.
General Degree Requirements
To earn the Master of Science in Nursing or the PhD in Nursing, the student must demonstrate satisfactory academic achievement in required coursework prescribed by the curriculum with an overall academic achievement of a minimum QPA of 3.00.
Application for Graduation
Each candidate for graduation must file an official Application for Graduation in the Nursing Student Services Office at least three months before the degree is to be completed. Students are required to be registered for at least one credit at the University during the term in which they are graduated. Students who complete all the degree requirements at the end of a term, but are graduated in the next, may petition the Dean for a waiver of this requirement. If a student has filed an Application for Graduation but will not graduate that term, the student must notify the Nursing Student Services Office, and an Application for Graduation must be submitted again during the term the student will graduate. See section on Graduation of this bulletin for further detail.
Major and Degree Options
The School of Nursing offers the following graduate degrees:
The MS in Nursing with majors and areas of concentration in the following areas:
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Anesthesia
Health Promotion and Development
Areas of Concentration:
Family Nurse Practitioner
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
Health and Community Systems
Areas of Concentration:
Psychiatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Nursing Administration
Nursing Education
Nursing Informatics
Nursing Research
The PhD in Nursing (including the BSN to PhD option)
The purpose of the Master's Program is to provide an organized sequential plan of study that leads to preparation of an advanced practice nurse or preparation in a specialized nursing role. This purpose is fulfilled through:
Preparation in either advanced nursing practice or in a specialized nursing role
Preparation in research methods and skills
Provision of a foundation for further study at the doctoral level
The graduate of the Master's Program will do the following:
Demonstrate mastery of advanced knowledge and skills in a specialty area of advanced practice nursing or in a specialized role.
Critically evaluate knowledge and theories from nursing and other disciplines for their contribution to nursing practice.
Demonstrate the ability to identify a researchable problem relevant to nursing and health care and participate in research activities designed to contribute to nursing science.
Initiate collaborative relationships with other health professionals to ensure quality care to the patient/client and to mobilize health and social resources for individuals, families, groups, and communities.
Demonstrate leadership activities to advance the profession of nursing.
Critically evaluate issues relative to nursing practice and health care in light of scientific knowledge and personal and societal values.
Formulate and implement plans for individual professional development.
Demonstrate ability to communicate ideas both orally and in written form in an articulate, literate, and organized manner.
The purpose of the PhD in Nursing degree program is to prepare scholars who will discover and extend scientific knowledge that advances the science and practice of nursing and contributes to the scientific base of other disciplines. The program's objectives are to enable graduates to:
Generate new knowledge through research.
Examine the trends and factors that influence the generation of nursing knowledge and its use in nursing practice.
Contribute to the advancement of health care in a culturally diverse society through communication of knowledge to the broader scientific community.
Reflect a nursing perspective in research and scholarly endeavors.
Special Academic Opportunities/Programs
The School of Nursing offers a variety of special programs within its master's and doctorate programs:
Minor in Nursing Education or Nursing Administration
Students in the master's program have the option of completing a minor in either Nursing Education or Nursing Administration using elective credits. Each minor requires 12 credits of study in the area of the minor, including the successful completion of three theory courses and a practicum. A minor in Nursing Education will provide the student with increased skills in the design, implementation, and evaluation of educational experiences. A minor in Nursing Administration will provide the student with increased business and management skills.
Second Master's Degree for RNs
Registered nurses who already have a master's degree in nursing have the option of earning a second master's degree in nursing. Earning the second master's may require taking more credits than are required for certification alone.
BSN to PhD Program
The School of Nursing offers a BSN to PhD Program, in which a student with a BSN can be admitted directly into the doctoral program. In addition to completing all of the requirements for the traditional doctoral program, the BSN to PhD student completes 30-33 credits at the master's level prior to beginning doctoral level course work. This program is particularly appealing to nurses who wish to pursue a career in nursing research. Interested applicants should contact the Student Services Office at (412) 624-4586 for further information.
Detailed below is a sample curriculum design for the post BSN to PhD Program:
| Fall Term (YR 1) |
|
| NUR 2001 Theory/Research |
3 cr. |
| NUR 2004 Pathophysiology |
4 cr. |
| PSYED 2014 Statistical Methods 1 |
3 cr. |
| NUR 3049 Research Seminar |
1 cr. |
| TOTAL CREDITS: |
11 cr. |
| Spring Term (YR 1) |
|
| NUR 2800 Clinical Trials Lecture |
2 cr. |
| NUR 2801 Clinical Trials Lab |
2 cr. |
| NUR 2002 Pharmacology |
3 cr. |
| NUR 2050 Research Practicum: Pre-Doc Application |
3 cr. |
| TOTAL CREDITS: |
10 cr. |
| Summer Term (YR 1) |
|
| NUR 2077 Research Computing |
3 cr. |
| NUR 2051 Research Practicum 2: Pilot Design |
3 cr. |
| PSYED 2015 Statistical Methods 2 |
3 cr. |
Cognate
|
3 cr. |
| TOTAL CREDITS: |
12 cr. |
| Fall Term (YR 2) |
|
| NUR 1653 Philosophy of Science |
|
| or HPS 2563 History of Medicine |
3 cr. |
| NUR 3016 Theoretical Foundations for Nurs. Research |
3 cr. |
| NUR 3053 General Practicum |
2 cr. |
| NUR 3020 Research Methods |
3 cr. |
| TOTAL CREDITS: |
11 cr. |
| Spring Term (YR 2) |
|
| NUR 3053 General Practicum |
2 cr. |
| PSY ED 2016 Statistical Methods 3 |
3 cr. |
| NUR 3027 Seminar Structure of Nursing Knowledge |
3 cr. |
| NUR 3030 Research Development |
3 cr. |
| TOTAL CREDITS: |
11 cr. |
| Summer Term (YR 2) |
|
| NUR 3053 General Practicum |
2 cr. |
| NUR 3010 Research Instrumentation |
3 cr. |
Cognate
|
3 cr. |
Cognate
|
3 cr. |
| TOTAL CREDITS: |
11 cr. |
| Fall Term (YR 3) |
|
| NUR 3040 Research Emphasis Seminar |
3 cr. |
| NUR 3052 Research Practicum 3: Manuscript Prep. |
3 cr. |
| Cognate |
3 cr. |
| TOTAL CREDITS: |
9 cr. |
| Spring Term (YR 3) |
|
| PSY ED 3413 Nonparametric Statistics |
3 cr. |
| NUR 3115 Advanced Quantitative Methods in Research |
3 cr. |
Cognate
|
3 cr. |
| TOTAL CREDITS: |
9 cr. |
| Summer Term (YR 3) |
|
| NUR 3010 PhD Dissertation |
9 cr. |
| Fall Term (YR 4) |
|
| NUR 3010 PhD Dissertation |
3 cr. |
Certification Programs
Master's and post-master's students also have the option of enrolling in the School Nurse Certification Program which requires the completion of four courses, including a School Nurse Practicum and Seminar. Other elective courses are available in the School of Nursing which may assist the student to achieve certification in Occupational Health, Legal Nurse Consulting, Case Management and as an Emergency Medical Technician.
Training and Research Opportunities
The School of Nursing offers its students exceptional training and research opportunities through the wealth of facilities and hospitals within the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). Broadly, UPMC encompasses a host of hospitals, clinical facilities, and specialized medical centers, including Presbyterian University Hospital, Montefiore University Hospital, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, and the Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. The University also maintains cooperative relationships with Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Magee-Women's Hospital, and the Pittsburgh Veterans Administration Medical Centers. The University's Schools of the Health Sciences — Medicine, Nursing, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Pharmacy, Dental Medicine, and the Graduate School of Public Health — educate an array of health care professionals and conduct research on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of a broad spectrum of diseases and health problems.
Educational Resources
The Learning Resources Center (LRC) of the School of Nursing is located on the second floor of the Victoria Building and provides a nursing skills practice laboratory, reference services, and a variety of AV equipment in an independent study setting. As a diverse service setting, the LRC also includes a computer laboratory, a small television studio, and a graphics laboratory for student and faculty use. In addition, nursing students have access to extensive print collections, journals, and reference librarians at the Falk Library for the Health Sciences.
Computer Resources
Nursing students have access to the LRC Computer Laboratory in the School of Nursing 60 hours per week during the academic terms. The lab is equipped with IBM and Macintosh Computers, along with specialized computer equipment such as a scanner and a slide maker. A variety of software and reference books is also available. Not only does the lab provide microcomputer capability for students' learning but it also has ports to the University main computer system and to databases and E-mail in a health sciences information management system. A major index to nursing literature is available which indexes almost all English language nursing journals plus publications of the American Nurses' Association and the National League for Nursing.
Research Resources
The University of Pittsburgh is a major research institution in the health care field and the School of Nursing actively encourages research activity among faculty and students, including research with interdisciplinary colleagues across the campus. The Center for Nursing Research within the school offers support services to faculty preparing research proposals, including design and proposal development consultation, assistance with data management and analysis, and critiques and technical preparation of proposals. Research assistantships in limited numbers are available to qualified graduate students. Research opportunities for students are also available with faculty throughout the school as well as with health-related studies across the campus.
RN-MSN Option
The purpose of the RN-MSN Program is to allow the registered nurse student to complete the combined bachelor's and master's degree program in a timely and efficient manner. The RN Options Program is tailored to the specific needs of the registered nurse adult learner and is consistent with adult learning principles.
Registered nurses whose original preparation in nursing was obtained in a diploma or associate degree program can earn either a BSN or the combined bachelor's and master's degrees. The BSN option is available for registered nurses who have not yet decided upon advanced specialization in nursing. (For information on earning only the BSN through the RN Options Program, see the University of Pittsburgh Undergraduate Bulletin for admissions details and program requirements.) The combined BSN/MSN option prepares registered nurses for advanced practice in the following areas while completing the requirements for both degrees: Nurse Anesthesia, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, and advanced specialty roles in Nursing Research, Nursing Education, Nursing Administration, and Nursing Informatics.
RN-MSN Option Admission and Prerequisite Requirements
Registered nurse students interested in the RN-MSN option must successfully complete 50 prerequisite credits. These credits may be taken at the University of Pittsburgh or at any accredited college or university. The minimum required grade point average for the 50 prerequisite credits is 3.00. RN-MSN applicants must meet the admission requirements for the Master's Program (see above).
Prerequisite credits include the following:
| Chemistry |
4 credits |
| Anatomy and Physiology |
6 credits |
| Microbiology |
3 credits |
| Psychology |
3 credits |
| Human Development |
3 credits |
| English (Writing/Comp.) |
3 credits |
| Sociology |
3 credits |
| Electives |
25 credits |
Eighteen of the elective credits must be in academic courses. Seven credits are "free" electives from any college-level courses. RN-MSN applicants are required to take a pre-approved statistics course. At least nine of the required 50 prerequisite credits must have been earned within the past eight years.
RN-MSN applicants who meet one of the following criteria will be awarded 40 credits advanced standing for their basic nursing education:
Graduation from an NLN-accredited program within three years prior to consideration for admission to the RN-MSN Program.
Graduation from an NLN-accredited program within 10 years and at least 1000 hours nursing practice within three years prior to consideration for admission to the RN-MSN Program.
If an applicant does not meet either of the above conditions, he/she must successfully complete the following Regents College Challenge Examinations prior to consideration for admission to the RN-MSN Program:
- #403 Fundamentals of Nursing
- #554 Adult Nursing
- #457 Maternal/Child Nursing
- #503 Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
The University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing will accept the scores recommended by Regents. Send for Regents College Challenge Examination applications at the following address:
- Regents College Challenge Examinations
- Regents College
- 7 Columbia Circle
- Albany, NY 12203-5159
- Phone: 1 (888) 647-2388
- Web site: http://www.regents.edu/
Sample RN-MSN Curriculum Design
The following is a sample of a typical RN-MSN curriculum:
| Fall Term (YR 1) |
|
| Introduction to Nursing Science (NUR 1070) |
2 cr. |
| Health Promotion/Health Assessmt. (NUR 1072) |
3 cr. |
| Community Health Nursing (NUR 1128) |
5 cr. |
| Applied Pathophysiology in Clinical Practice |
3 cr. |
| Total: |
13 cr. |
| Spring Term (YR 1) |
|
| Advanced Clinical Practicum (NUR 1074) |
3 cr. |
| Leadership in Prof. Nursing Practice (NUR 1130) |
3 cr. |
| *Research Theory (NUR 2001) |
4 cr. |
| Total: |
10 cr. |
| Summer Term - Graduate Specialty* |
|
| Year 2 - Graduate Specialty* |
|
| Year 3 - Graduate Specialty* |
|
Master's Program Descriptions
Doctoral Program Description
School of Nursing Faculty
| 
