RN to BS to MS Program
Specialty Programs and Options
Overview/Plan of Study
This program is for nurses who seek to broaden their skills and enhance their career mobility. This program accelerates movement through the BS and MS degrees, with a savings of 19-24 credits, depending on the specialty.
The RN/BS/MS program is designed to admit licensed Registered Nurses to Master of Science programs in advanced practice nursing (nurse practitioner only). Students earn a bachelor's degree upon completion of 32 nursing credits (assuming arts and sciences credit requirements have been met) and a master's degree in as little as three years. Students are accepted to a nurse practitioner specialty upon admission to the RN/BS/MS program. Graduates are eligible for nurse practitioner licensure and credentialing.
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The baccalaureate degree is awarded upon completion of 128 credits of college level coursework (64 arts and sciences credits and 64 nursing credits).
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Arts and sciences foundational coursework can be completed at any accredited college or university, as well as through the College Level Examination Program ("CLEP"). Coursework includes 3 humanities, 4 natural sciences, 4 social sciences (including statistics), and free electives to total 64.
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Undergraduate nursing credits are comprised of RN to BS bridging courses (listed below), graduate non-clinical courses, and nursing electives for some programs:
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NUR 354 Concepts of Leadership and Management (4)
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NUR 356 Population Health (5)
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NUR 403 Ethics and Public Policy in the Health Care System (4)
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NUR 400 Research Principles for Evidence-Based Practice (5)
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NUR 401 The Writing Workshop (1)
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Professional core courses for the master's specialty.
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Elective nursing credits are program specific.
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Once students have completed the baccalaureate requirements, they are eligible to proceed to master's level clinical courses.
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For international students, TOEFL with a minimum score of 560 (paper-based), 230 (computer-based) or 88 (“i-based”)
Specialty Programs and Options
- Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (Cardiovascular or Critical Care)
- Adult Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Adult Nurse Practitioner/Geriatric Nurse Practitioner
- Care of Children and Families/Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Care of Children and Families/Pediatric Nurse Practitioner/Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Care of Children and Families/Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with Pediatric Behavioral Health Specialization
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Adult/Family
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Child/Adolescent
Careers
Today's nurse practitioners are more educated and perform more procedures than at any time in their history. They work more independently, in more specialties and in more settings. Graduates of our Master's Program typically find jobs in advanced nursing practice, teaching, and health care administration.
Admission Criteria
- Completion of a Diploma or an Associate Degree in Nursing from an accredited school of nursing. Applicants who graduated from a non-accredited Diploma or Associate Degree nursing program are encouraged to apply to the SON; if admitted they must complete the Excelsior College Examinations (before beginning SON nursing courses) to receive credit for their basic nursing education.
- RN Licensure within the United States or a U.S. territory
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 is preferred from an accredited nursing program
- Statistics course with a grade of C or above
- Typewritten Professional Goal Statement with career goals that are compatible with specialty program objectives.
- Current Curriculum Vitae or Resume
- Writing Sample (e.g., prior scholarly paper, or published article)
- Two letters of reference addressing professional and /or academic ability; prefer one from master’s-prepared nurse (e.g. faculty, CNS, NP, manager) and/or nursing supervisor.
- Personal interview with faculty member(s) is at the discretion of the program faculty
- Clinical experience requirements (prior to starting clinical coursework)
- One year preferred for ANP, FNP, PMHNP
- One year full time employment on an acute medical-surgical unit required for ACNP
- One year pediatric experience preferred for all PNP tracks
- Two years NICU experience required for NNP
- International Students Only: TOEFL scores >560 paper-based, >230 computer-based or >88 i-based.
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Standardized Test from either Graduate Record Examinations or Miller Analogies Test is optional.
- For some specialties, clinical experience in the appropriate specialty area is required prior to matriculation:
- For Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program (one year medical/surgical experience required).
- For Care of Children and Families Nurse Practitioner Program (one year pediatric experience preferred).
- For the PNP/NNP masters program (two years experience in a neonatal intensive care unit required).
- Applicants must declare a specialty area when applying for admission.
What to Expect
The baccalaureate “bridging” courses in the program are offered in a hybrid online format. Students who have not taken a Physical Assessment course must take NUR 364 Comprehensive Health Assessment (3 credits). Depending on the specialty, students may also need to complete additional elective coursework. Students then pursue clinically focused specialty courses with faculty who have expertise and/or research background in that area of specialization.
Contact Us
University of Rochester 
School of Nursing
Box SON
Helen Wood Hall
601 Elmwood Avenue
Rochester, NY 14642
(585) 275-2375
