University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Nursing Programs Offered

Accelerated BSN Programs
BSN Programs
DNP Programs (Doctor of Nursing Practice)
RN Programs
RN to BSN Programs

RN to BSN Program Details

The UMass School of Nursing offers the RN to BS track for students who are already registered nurses. Earning a bachelor's degree is the first step toward leadership positions in nurse management, clinical specialties, and public health and research – careers that deliver immense personal satisfaction and long-term financial rewards.

RNs can fulfill work and family obligations without giving up advancement potential or a world-class education. All program coursework is designed to be completed online. Students can complete the clinical component of the program at a location convenient to their homes, but must attend an on-campus orientation, occasional brief clinical conferences, and one evaluation day in the spring.

Program Schedule:

-Full time is equivalent to 3 courses per semester, including summer session, allowing for program completion in three semesters.
-Part-time is equivalent to 2 courses per semester, including summer session, allowing for program completion in six semesters.
-Coursework begins in June and ends the following May.

Students who successfully complete the program receive the same Bachelor of Science degree as students in the university's on-campus programs, and are entitled to attend the university's graduation ceremony and the School of Nursing Convocation celebration.

BSN Program Details

This traditional undergraduate track begins with a two-year pre-clinical plan designed to help you select appropriate courses on a semester-by-semester basis. Required science courses need to be taken in the appropriate sequence. Most courses that meet the University’s General Education requirements need not be taken in a specific order but must be completed by the end of the first two years of study because the Nursing requirements in the junior and senior years constitute full course loads in each semester.

You need to complete all School of Nursing prerequisite courses and Nursing courses with a grade of C or better (and maintain an overall minimum GPA of 2.5).

The final two years of study focus exclusively on nursing theory and clinical nursing courses to prepare you to graduate and take the NCLEX-RN® Professional Nursing Licensure exam.

MSN Program Details

The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) master’s concentration prepares nurse leaders who design, provide, manage, and coordinate health promotion, risk reduction, disease prevention, and illness management services to individuals and clinical populations. The CNL applies research-based information and efficient and cost- effective use of resources to improve clinical and environmental care outcomes and effect change in healthcare organizations.

The graduate is prepared to lead both intradisciplinary and interdisciplinary healthcare teams, and to function across clinical settings in order to meet the demands of a complex care delivery system.

The MS program, accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, addresses the competencies and knowledge specified by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing for Master’s Education and for the specific Clinical Nurse Leader focus. A collaborative effort between the School of Nursing faculty and local leaders in nursing practice, it prepares graduates to take the CNL certification examination offered by The American Nurse Credentialing Center. Each student acquires experiential learning through several clinical internships arranged in the student’s area.

Accelerated BSN Program Details

The Second Bachelor's Track is a course of study designed for individuals with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree who are interested in pursuing professional nursing. This full-time, fast-paced program requires significant dedication and commitment to cover the same curriculum as the traditional program in a more condensed and rigorous format.

This accelerated program brings together people from all walks of life, with educational and professional experiences from every field. Students with children, and from diverse backgrounds between the ages of 23 and 63, are integral members of the class. A one-to-one 270-hour internship with an RN preceptor is offered during senior year.

Completion of the 57-credit program prepares the graduate for entry-level professional practice, to take the NCLEX [R] licensure exam, and to gain the academic foundation for graduate study in nursing.

Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Details

The University of Massachusetts Amherst offers the Doctor in Nursing Practice (DNP) degree to prepare advanced practice nurses at the highest level. This professional nursing preparation will include advanced coursework in leadership, research translation, and clinical knowledge and skills. This change was driven by evolving nursing roles in an increasingly complex health care system, new scientific knowledge, and ongoing concerns about the quality and outcomes of patient care. Applicants to the DNP program will choose one of the specialty tracks, either Family Nurse Practitioner, or Public Health Nurse Leader.

The DNP Program Online is a distance-accessible program offered through an online method. All course work is offered through Continuing and Professional Education (CP&E) www.umassulearn.net. Each student will gain experiential learning through clinical internships to be arranged in the student’s area.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) website posts the position statement regarding the Practice Doctorate in Nursing, DNP frequently asked questions, and other important topics.