The plan includes a strong commitment to nursing practice and research with a continued emphasis on graduate education for nurses. Beginning in 2002, the baccalaureate program will be exclusively for students who are registered nurses. The Ph.D. requires 90 credits, including 30 transferred from master's-level course work. Courses include a portfolio seminar, research, health policies, management, context of care, and electives, which allow for individualization. Credit for learning in prior experience is available through the portfolio seminar.
Students are eligible for nurse practitioner certification upon completion of all master's programs.
Core courses in the master's programs include ethics and public policy, principles of research and evidence-based practice, applying theory and research evidence in practice, advanced health assessment, physiologic basis of advanced pharmacology, and the clinical specialty courses. The student has the option of a thesis or comprehensive examination. To assist students in coordinating their workloads in all programs, self-scheduling is possible for the majority of clinical experiences with preceptors. Post-master's certificate programs are also available. A new dual-degree M.S. and Ph.D. program is the School of Nursing's newest offering.