UMass Boston

Eligibility

To be eligible for a UMass Boston graduate degree program, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution of recognized standing or an international equivalent with a cumulative GPA of 2.75/4.0 (or international equivalent) in all undergraduate work.

Application Requirements

In addition to the criteria below, applicants must meet general graduate admission requirements.

• Official transcripts from all colleges attended.
• A bachelor’s degree GPA of 3.0 or better is recommended for admission to the program.
• Personal statement: As a prompt, focus on the following: why you want to pursue graduate studies, why are you interested in pursuing the track (AGNP/FNP/PMHNP) you are applying for and how will the degree help with your professional and personal goals
• Two professional references
• Current résumé/CV
• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from an accredited program
• Copy of your Massachusetts RN License
• Applicants must have at least one year of clinical experience before applying to the Nursing MS program.

Official transcripts should be mailed in hard-copy or sent electronically directly from a digital delivery service such as eScrip, Clearinghouse, or Parchment. We cannot accept scanned or emailed transcripts. Please review the submission instructions for hard-copy application materials and test scores.

Disclaimers

Admission is granted only for the semester requested and cannot be guaranteed for future semesters. Admission to graduate study does not automatically indicate approval of candidacy for a degree.

All materials submitted to the university become the property of the university and cannot be returned to the applicant or forwarded to any third party.

Please note that because Nursing MS coursework is completely online, students who require an F-1 visa are not eligible to apply for the Nursing MS programs. If you require an F-1 visa to study in the United States, please consider applying to one of our on-campus programs.

Deadlines: April 1 for fall (all tracks), November 1 for spring (FNP and PMHNP tracks only)

Application Fee: The nonrefundable application fee is $75. UMass Boston alumni and current students that plan to complete degree requirements prior to graduate enrollment can submit the application without paying the application fee.

Estimate Your Program Cost: Get a feel for your expected program costs using the Graduate Program Cost Calculator.

Program Cost Information: For more detailed information on costs, please visit the Bursar's website.

Core Courses: AGNP & FNP Tracks (27 Credits)

• NURSNG 601 - Introduction to Advanced Practice Nursing: Knowledge for Practice in the Global Community 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 614 - Advanced Pathophysiology 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 615 - Advanced Health Assessment Practicum 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 616 - Evidence Based Practice I: Appraising the Strength and Significance of Evidence 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 618 - Introduction to Health Policy, Finance and Ethics 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 634 - Advanced Pharmacology for the Advanced Practice Nurse 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 640 - Advanced Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Across the Lifespan 6 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 715 - Health Informatics 3 Credit(s)

Track Courses: AGNP & FNP (21-24 Credits)

Complete courses from one of the tracks below.

Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Track

• NURSNG 637 - Mental and Psychosocial Health of the Urban Family 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 639 - Primary Care of Adults 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 670 - Primary Care of the Adult Practicum 6 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 671 - Primary Care of the Older Adult 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 672 - Primary Care of the Older Adult Practicum 6 Credit(s)

Family Nurse Practitioner Track

• NURSNG 637 - Mental and Psychosocial Health of the Urban Family 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 639 - Primary Care of Adults 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 670 - Primary Care of the Adult Practicum 6 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 681 - Primary Care of the Childbearing Family 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 682 - Primary Care of the Childbearing Family Practicum 6 Credit(s)

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track

Complete the following courses (45 credits)

• NURSNG 601 - Introduction to Advanced Practice Nursing: Knowledge for Practice in the Global Community 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 614 - Advanced Pathophysiology 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 615 - Advanced Health Assessment Practicum 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 616 - Evidence Based Practice I: Appraising the Strength and Significance of Evidence 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 618 - Introduction to Health Policy, Finance and Ethics 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 634 - Advanced Pharmacology for the Advanced Practice Nurse 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 715 - Health Informatics 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 645 - Neurobiology and Diagnosis of Mental Health Disorders Across the Lifespan 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 646 - Advanced Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan 3 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 647 - Psychiatric Mental Health diagnosis and Management I 6 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 648 - Psychiatric Mental Health Practicum I 6 Credit(s)
• NURSNG 649 - Psychiatric Mental Health Practicum II 6 Credit(s)

For more information on curriculum, including course descriptions and degree requirements, visit the Academic Catalog.

• Demonstrate competence in the advanced nursing practice and management of health and illness for individuals, families, and aggregate populations using critical thinking and evidence-based clinical decision making.
• Promote individual/family relationships that facilitate positive health care outcomes for diverse populations.
• Design, implement and evaluate educational programs for individuals, professionals, and communities.
• Plan comprehensive continuous care through interdisciplinary collaboration across health care settings with an emphasis on diverse and urban populations.
• Monitor and ensure the quality of nursing and health care practices utilizing advocacy and ethical decision-making.
• Design, implement and evaluate evidence-based care in relation to ethnocultural and spiritual beliefs within diverse populations.
• Apply theories from nursing and other disciplines to the advanced nursing practice for individuals and families from diverse populations.
• Identify researchable health care problems and continually appraise relevant literature.
• Communicate and consult with health care providers and others to influence policy change.
• Demonstrate competency in professional oral and written communication.

AGNP & FNP Tracks: Complete 48 credits from 13 to 15 courses including eight core courses and five to seven track courses.
PMHNP Track: Complete 45 credits from 13 core courses.

Tracks: Students must choose a track in adult/gerontological nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
Capstone: Students must complete a comprehensive paper, an evidenced based project, or a poster or paper presentation. The capstone must be mutually agreed upon with the advisor.

Minimum grade: No courses with a grade below B may be applied toward the program.
Grading basis: No courses taken satisfactory/unsatisfactory or pass/fail may be applied toward the program.
Statute of limitations: Five years.

Nursing Master of Science (MS)
nursing [at] umb.edu

Graduate Program Director Elizabeth Russet
elizabeth.russet [at] umb.edu