Menu Close
Jim McMahon Classroom

MS-PhD Combined Accelerated Programs

Why Choose the MS-PhD Program?

Put your nursing education in high gear with our accelerated MS-PhD Combined programs.

These full-time programs offer master’s preparation in one of six nurse practitioner specialty areas or a master’s in nursing education alongside advanced preparation in a research-intensive curriculum.

As a bachelor’s prepared nurse, you can earn your master’s and PhD in Nursing and Health Science in five years of full-time effort, moving more quickly toward becoming the health care leader and researcher you want to be.

As a nurse practitioner, you will bring a level of research expertise and professionalism that’s rewarded with a higher salary and a stronger connection with the individuals and families in your care. As a nurse educator, you will be in high demand to teach the next generation of health care professionals in academic or clinical settings.

The MS-PhD Combined Accelerated programs admit a small number of academically strong students to ensure that students receive support and close mentorship from faculty. Learning experiences are tailored toward your goals to help you build research skills and partner with researchers across many disciplines.

If you want to pioneer new breakthroughs in nursing and health science research with some of the most brilliant minds in the profession, the UR School of Nursing is the place for you.

MS-PhD Program Specialties

Applicants may select among the following MS-PhD specialty programs. 

What You Can Do with a PhD

Nurses with a PhD and nurse practitioner or nurse educator preparation are in very high demand. Like all graduates with PhDs, MS-PhD graduates will be sought out for employment as faculty in academic nursing schools and will be especially attractive to schools with nurse practitioner programs and undergraduate nursing programs.

PhD graduates with nurse practitioner preparation will be prepared to practice in their specialty area and conduct research in a variety of academic and clinical settings. With cutting-edge skills as an advanced practice nurse and a nurse researcher, the possibilities are very far-reaching.

PhD graduates with nurse educator preparation will be especially attractive as faculty members and instructors given their expertise and advanced knowledge in the science of teaching and learning.

Our Students

Dillon J. Dzikowicz, RN, a student in the MS-PhD in Nursing and Health Science program, talks about his interest in cardiovascular research and what it means to become a nurse researcher at the University of Rochester School of Nursing.

Student Experience   Academics & Curriculum  UR Nursing Research

 

Applying to the MS-PhD Program

The UR School of Nursing uses a comprehensive, holistic review process during which each application receives individual consideration. For this combined program, we seek applicants who clearly understand the master’s specialty role to which they are seeking admission, who also want to pursue a program of research consistent with faculty research areas, are highly motivated and prepared to pursue the rigorous program of study, demonstrate strong communication skills and the ability to conceptualize, show leadership potential, and are committed to upholding the values of the school and profession.   

To complete your application, you will need to create an account and complete all sections of the application. The masters and doctoral application reviews occur in parallel. Once you complete your application, you may receive a follow-up email to schedule interviews at each level with members of our Admissions Review Committee. We look forward to reviewing your application.

  • Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited school
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 from your most recent relevant degree
  • GRE scores within the past five years
  • RN licensure from New York State
  • clinical experience for the following nurse practitioner specialties:
    • AGACNP: one year clinical experience in acute care
    • PNP/NNP: a master’s in maternal-infant/maternal-child health, or pediatrics; and two years NICU experience in the last five years
  • English language proficiency
  •  
  • Official transcripts from all schools attended
  • GRE scores
  • Current resume or CV
  • Three letters of recommendation (one from a clinical nurse/manager with a graduate degree, others from doctorally-prepared academics)
  • TOEFL or IELTS scores: If English is not your first language

For details on how to submit these materials, reference How to Complete an Application and the directions in the online application system.

Start your application

 

Program Duration

MS and PhD courses are taken in a very rigorous three years of full-time enrollment after which the master’s degree is awarded. The student then continues to complete the PhD dissertation proposal and dissertation research.