University of Massachusetts - Lowell

Nursing Programs Offered

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

RN to BSN Program Details

RN students in the baccalaureate program in nursing may apply for admission to the combined bachelor’s/master’s degree in nursing at the end of their junior year or the beginning of their senior year.

Admission requirements to the Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Program for RN students include

-An undergraduate GPA of 3.3 or better at the end of the junior year
-Introductory course in statistics
-An interview with graduate nursing faculty
-Three letters of recommendation, with two from Baccalaureate Faculty
Experience working as an RN
-Computer literacy
-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
-A resume
-Official transcripts.

Acceptance to the MS program will be made pending successful completion of the baccalaureate program with a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or better.

Up to six credits of graduate-level (500 or higher) courses may be used by a student in the bachelor’s/master’s degree program for both graduate and undergraduate degrees.

Courses to be credited to the master’s degree must have been obtained with a grade of B or better.

BSN Program Details

The undergraduate nursing program prepares a professional nurse who is a competent, beginning practitioner and has a foundation for graduate study. The goal of the undergraduate program in nursing at the University of Massachusetts Lowell is to prepare professional nurses who have the ability to think critically, to utilize knowledge of relevant theories, and to apply the nursing process when caring for clients of all ages in a variety of settings. The bachelor’s degree program combines a general education with preparation in professional nursing.

The clinical aspects of the nursing program are developed, coordinated, and supervised by the nursing faculty. More than 250 clinical agencies are used to enhance learning for graduate and undergraduate students. The participating clinical agencies include:

Acute care hospitals (major teaching, community-based, medical centers).
Long-term care settings.
Assisted living facilities.
Primary care practices.
School health settings.
Visiting nurse and home care agencies.
Occupational health setting.
Child care and adult day health settings.

Student-to-faculty ratios for undergraduate clinical placement do not exceed 10:1 (per Board of Registration in Nursing requirements).

RN to MSN Program Details

RN students in the baccalaureate program in nursing may apply for admission to the combined bachelor’s/master’s degree in nursing at the end of their junior year or the beginning of their senior year.

Admission requirements to the Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Program for RN students include

-An undergraduate GPA of 3.3 or better at the end of the junior year
-Introductory course in statistics
-An interview with graduate nursing faculty
-Three letters of recommendation, with two from Baccalaureate Faculty
Experience working as an RN
-Computer literacy
-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
-A resume
-Official transcripts.

Acceptance to the MS program will be made pending successful completion of the baccalaureate program with a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or better.

Up to six credits of graduate-level (500 or higher) courses may be used by a student in the bachelor’s/master’s degree program for both graduate and undergraduate degrees.

Courses to be credited to the master’s degree must have been obtained with a grade of B or better.

Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Details

UMass Lowell’s DNP program prepares advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to propose, implement and evaluate positive evidence-based changes in health care. Our goal is to educate APRNs who will not only provide quality health care to patients, but assume leadership roles in the health care system, and have the knowledge and skills necessary to propose solutions to improve the process and outcomes for patients.. This can be achieved by teaching nurses, who have strong patient care knowledge and skills obtained at the MS level, additional content in evaluation research, health policy, organizational leadership and financing, evidence-based practice and health care informatics. Enjoy the flexibility of our program with options to study part-time or full-time. We offer a blended course format in which classes meet on-site and online for your convenience. Courses are offered evenings and weekends.

UMass Lowell’s Department of Nursing has strong ties to the local communities. Our HRSA awarded DNP program grant – DNPs Caring for the Underserved after MA Health Care Reform – has allowed us to strengthen these local ties by allowing us to form partnerships with Lowell Community Health Center and Evercare. Through these partnerships students, particularly those who are nurse practitioners, will have the opportunity to learn more about working with diverse and underserved populations and gain an understanding of the roles that community health workers play in delivering care to these populations. The grant provides for many other resources including:

-Colloquia on caring for diverse and under served populations
-A mentoring program
-Online resources for returning to college and working with diverse and under served populations
-A bio-statistician to assist students with scholarly projects
-An in-house diversity scholar