A baccalaureate degree is required for additional preparation at the master's and doctoral levels. A program leading to a graduate degree with a major in nursing offered by a senior college or university. The master's degree builds on the knowledge, skills and competencies of baccalaureate nursing education, and provides for the attainment of advanced knowledge and speciality nursing practice. Graduates are prepared to work in a variety of settings and a variety of advanced practice nursing roles, such as Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwife, Nurse Anesthetist, or Nurse Administrator. The master's degree is usually required for entry into doctoral study.
Graduates are prepared to practice within and across diverse health care settings.
This program is designed for the person who holds a baccalaureate degree in another field. A program usually affiliated with junior, technical and community colleges, leading to the associate degree in nursing. Some associate degree programs are found in senior colleges and universities. Associate degree programs are usually two years in length, and include course work in general education and nursing. Graduates are eligible for licensure as a registered nurse, and are prepared to practice in structured care settings.