Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences offers undergraduate and graduate programs in its three schools: Decker School of Nursing, School of Rehabilitation
Sciences and School of Applied Health Sciences.
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Undergraduate Programs
Decker School of Nursing
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BS in Nursing: Traditional program (first-year admission)
Overview
The traditional program is a four-year nursing program grounded in the liberal arts and sciences. Decker directly admits an incoming first-year cohort each year. These students are considered nursing majors once they pay their enrollment deposit. Graduates are eligible to take the national licensing examination (NCLEX-RN) to become registered professional nurses.
Who should apply?
A high school graduate (recent or not) who has never been in college/university before
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BS in Nursing: Traditional program (transfer admission)
Overview
The traditional transfer nursing program is a two-year program grounded in the liberal arts and sciences. Decker allows transfer students to apply as incoming juniors. Graduates are eligible to take the national licensing examination (NCLEX-RN) to become registered professional nurses.
Who should apply?
Students who have completed one or more years of coursework at an accredited college or university (not °®¶¹´«Ã½), but don't have a bachelor's degree in any field or students who have a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing but want to study at a regular (not accelerated) pace
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BS in Nursing: Traditional program (intra-University transfer/double-degree admission)
Overview
The IUT/DD nursing program is a two-year program grounded in the liberal arts and sciences. Decker allows current °®¶¹´«Ã½ students to apply as incoming juniors. Graduates are eligible to take the national licensing examination (NCLEX-RN) to become registered professional nurses.
Who should apply?
Current °®¶¹´«Ã½ students who want to transfer into the Decker School of Nursing or who want to get a bachelor's degree in nursing in addition to their first major
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BS in Nursing: Baccalaureate Accelerated Track (BAT) program
Overview
This rigorous 12-month Baccalaureate Accelerated Track (BAT) program allows students to earn a second bachelor's degree. Graduates are eligible to take the national licensing examination (NCLEX-RN) to become registered professional nurses.
Who should apply?
Students with a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing (by the time of matriculation) who want to study nursing at an accelerated pace
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BS in Nursing: RN-BS program - 100% online
Overview
This online-only program enables registered nurses with an associate degree in nursing or a nursing diploma to earn a bachelor of science in nursing degree at their own pace. The program features six, 7-week modules each year; no mandatory login times; and three clinical courses completed in the student's own area.
Who should apply?
Registered nurses who have an associate degree in nursing OR a diploma in nursing
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Forensic Health minor
Overview
The forensic health minor prepares students to apply health science to legal issues. The minor is well suited for students majoring in fields with forensic applications (nursing, biology, chemistry, anthropology, psychology, sociology, social work, public health) who are considering careers in healthcare, forensic sciences or law.
Who can apply?
Students in any major throughout °®¶¹´«Ã½ with a 3.0 cumulative GPA and at least 45 earned credit hours
School of Applied Health Sciences
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Health and Wellness Studies minor
Overview
The Health and Wellness Studies (HWS) minor prepares students to critically evaluate scientific literature and research related to health, wellness and disease prevention. This knowledge will be applied to assess, plan, motivate and implement health-promoting behaviors and cultivate lifelong wellness for diverse populations.
Who can apply?
Students in any major throughout °®¶¹´«Ã½ with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
School of Rehabilitation Sciences
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Speech and Hearing Science minor
Overview
The minor in speech and hearing science provides students with the basis necessary to develop foundational knowledge in normal and disordered processes of speech, language and swallowing.
Who can apply?
Students in any major throughout °®¶¹´«Ã½
Graduate Programs
Decker School of Nursing
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Master of Science in Nursing (MS) program
Overview
The Master of Science (MS) in nursing prepares bachelor-prepared nurses to pursue a career as a nurse administrator or nurse educator.
Specializations and functional roles available
- Adult-Gerontology (primary care): nurse administrator or nurse educator
- Community Health (primary care): nurse administrator or nurse educator
Decker College transitioned its advanced practice nursing specialty programs to the DNP degree in fall 2024. See Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) for nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist options.
Who should apply?
Students with a bachelor’s degree in nursing; a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA; and current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered professional nurse in New York by the time of matriculation
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Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program
Overview
Decker College offers two options to pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): the BS-DNP and the Advanced Standing DNP. Both programs prepare nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists to respond more efficiently to changes in healthcare delivery and emerging healthcare needs.
Specializations and functional roles available
- Adult Gerontology (primary care): nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist
- Community Health (primary care): nurse practitioner
- Family Health: nurse practitioner
- Family Psychiatric Mental Health: nurse practitioner
Who should apply?
- BS-DNP: Students with a bachelor’s degree in nursing; a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA; and a current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered professional nurse in New York by the time of matriculation
- Advanced Standing DNP: Students with a master’s degree in nursing; a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA; a current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered professional nurse in New York; and national certification as a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist in an area of clinical practice offered by Decker College (family health, community health, adult gerontology primary care or family psychiatric mental health nursing)
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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing program
Overview
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing program prepares graduates for research and active scholarship that will extend the knowledge base of nursing and improve the delivery of healthcare for rural and other vulnerable populations.
Who should apply?
Students with a bachelor’s degree or advanced degree in nursing; a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA; and current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered professional nurse in New York by the time of matriculation
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Nursing Education certificate
Overview
This program encompasses current technological trends while preparing students for the nurse educator role to teach at the undergraduate and graduate nursing degree levels.
Who should apply?
Students with a master's degree in nursing who seek advanced preparation as a nurse educator or currently enrolled master's in nursing students who are completing the nurse educator functional role and wish to take one additional course to obtain the nursing education certificate
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Forensic health certificate
Overview
The forensic health certificate prepares students to apply health science to legal issues. This certificate is ideal for students seeking an advanced certificate to enhance their career in healthcare, forensic sciences or the law.
Who should apply?
Students who have a bachelor’s degree in any field and who are interested in forensics and wish to complete a stand-alone certificate or currently matriculated °®¶¹´«Ã½ University graduate students enrolled in any program who wish to add a certificate in forensic health
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Disaster management certificate
Overview
The disaster management certificate prepares students to develop and implement educational programs for first responders, community-based organizations, voluntary organizations and academic institutions.
Who should apply?
Students with a master's degree in nursing who wish to expand their knowledge base regarding disaster management or currently enrolled students in a Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences master's program (including public health) who wish to add a certificate in disaster management
School of Applied Health Sciences
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Master of Public Health (MPH) program
Overview
The Master of Public Health (MPH) program prepares graduates to prevent disease and promote health by addressing underlying environmental factors and social determinants, with the ultimate goal of achieving health equity among populations.
Who should apply?
Students with a bachelor’s degree in any field by the time of matriculation and either a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA, a 3.0 average GPA in the last 60 semester credits of an undergraduate degree or a 3.0 cumulative graduate GPA
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Harpur-MPH 4+1 program
Overview
The Master of Public Health (MPH) program prepares graduates to prevent disease and promote health by addressing underlying environmental factors and social determinants, with the ultimate goal of achieving health equity among populations. The Harpur-MPH 4+1 program allows students to take undergraduate classes for the first three years. Students combine bachelor- and master-level courses into their schedules in the fourth year and graduate with bachelor’s degrees. Students are admitted to the Graduate School in the fifth year and focus solely on the coursework to complete the master's degree.
Who should apply?
Undergraduate students pursuing a Harpur BA, BS or BFA (excludes BMus) at °®¶¹´«Ã½ University can apply to this program
School of Rehabilitation Sciences
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Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS SLP)
Overview
The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS SLP) degree prepares professionals to serve adults and children with communication and swallowing disorders. Students in the MS SLP program meet the highest academic, clinical and ethical standards.
Who should apply for this program?
Prior to enrollment, applicants must complete a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university; applicants must also complete all prerequisite coursework presented on the Speech and Hearing Science minor webpage
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Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program - 100% online
Overview
The Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program, delivered online, is for practicing occupational therapists with a master’s degree who want to advance in their field by earning a clinical doctorate. The program builds on the experience occupational therapists have while providing the knowledge and skills they need to move beyond therapist-clinician into areas such as occupational therapy education, clinical research, clinical practice, leadership or advocacy.
Who should apply?
Domestic applicants must have graduated from an ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy program; international applicants must have graduated from a World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT) approved occupational therapy program; all applicants must have a master’s degree
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Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) professional program
Overview
The Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) professional program prepares individuals with bachelor’s degrees in another discipline to become occupational therapists at the clinical doctoral level. The program uses an evidence-based and sequenced curriculum, allowing students to successfully attain the competencies needed for entry-level practice as an occupational therapy direct care provider, consultant, educator, manager, leader, researcher or advocate.
Who should apply?
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
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Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program
Overview
The three-year Doctor of Physical Therapy program prepares graduates to take the licensing examination to practice as physical therapists. The curriculum combines classroom instruction, laboratory instruction/practice, online interactions, readings/homework assignments, discussions, peer-teaching, seminars and clinical experiences. This is an on-campus program.
Who should apply?
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university and complete prerequisite coursework prior to enrollment; applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on their undergraduate degree transcript OR a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all prerequisite coursework
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