Masters Program The Master of Science program offers a two year long program with fourteen areas in which to specialize. These specialties are housed within three of the four departments in the School. In addition, students may take electives in the School's Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Detailed descriptions of each of the Masters Specialty Areas are available. Students are admitted to the program in mid-September.
Most students choose to complete the program in two academic years.
It consists of 30-36 units of academic course work and 8 units of graduate professional work plus a written comprehensive examination or, in some instances, a thesis. Courses from nursing and other disciplines provide advanced theoretical knowledge in a selected specialization, advanced clinical practice, and opportunity to critique and apply nursing theory and research as a scientific base for nursing practice. Students wishing to minor in a specialty take three or four courses designated as such by the minor specialty. BSN graduates may alternatively apply for direct admission to the doctoral program. Those who choose to complete specialty curriculum may earn the master's degree as well as the PhD during the period of graduate study.