Ranked among the best nursing schools in New York, the Decker School of Nursing provides excellent preparation in nursing education, scholarship and practice, and offers graduate-level programs from certificates to doctoral degrees.
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Graduate Degree Programs
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Master of Science in Nursing (MS)
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 of Nursing and Health Sciences will transition its advanced practice nursing specialty programs to the DNP degree starting in fall 2024. We’re making this change in accordance with recommendations from national nursing organizations such as the American Association Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF), which has committed to move all entry-level NP education to the DNP degree by 2025. See Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) for nurse practitioner 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)
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 for the future.
Specializations and functional roles available
- Adult Gerontology (primary care): nurse practitioner, 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 (family, community health, adult gerontology primary care or family psychiatric mental health nursing).
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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing
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.
Graduate Certificates
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Nursing Education
Overview
This program encompasses current technological trends while preparing students for the nurse educator role to teach at both 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 an advanced nursing education certificate.
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Forensic Health
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
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.