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Academic Programs

Nurse Practitioner Programs Academics & Curriculum

Announcement

Effective January 2025: The University of Rochester School of Nursing is proud to announce the launch of its redesigned Nurse Practitioner (NP) curriculum across all specialties, effective January 2025. The updated programs offer more flexible learning formats for working nurses and reflect evolving national standards. The new curriculum will impact new and current students graduating after Spring 2026.

NP coursework will continue to be offered in an online or hybrid format, with select hybrid courses utilizing the state-of-the-art simulation and skills lab spaces at Helen Wood Hall. Students will be required to visit campus for several on-campus intensives to help strengthen clinical competencies and connect students with faculty and peers.

See this Sample NP Curriculum PDF for the new coursework and clinical hours related to each NP specialty.

Program Goals

The Nurse Practitioner programs at the University of Rochester School of Nursing prepare providers:

  • who base clinical care, decision making, and clinical services on scientific evidence which is grounded in careful analysis of the unique needs of the individual, group, or population.
  • who are actively engaged in scholarship through the clinical application of existing knowledge and the generation and dissemination of new clinical knowledge.
  • who maintain competence in their specialty through formal and informal educational opportunities, specialty certification, and who promote the ongoing education of others.

Required Coursework & Clinical Hours

Required coursework and clinical hours depends on the chosen nurse practitioner specialty:

Frequently asked questions

The Nurse Practitioner programs are designed for working nurse professionals and are offered as distance programs. Throughout the program, several on-campus intensives will require students to travel to the Rochester, NY campus during the semester. See sample curriculum plans for each specialty program.

 

On-campus intensives will vary amongst the specific lab or clinical courses and will be compressed experiential learning days (often two consecutive days) during which all students will be on campus together engaging in activities such as simulations, interprofessional learning, seminars, workshops, etc. Students will come to campus up to once per semester in each clinical or lab course, with required dates provided well in advance.

The University of Rochester School of Nursing, a top 23 nationally ranked nurse practitioner program, has revamped its curriculum to meet evolving national standards and prepare our graduates for the future of health care. Grounded in our legacy of excellence, the revised curriculum ensures our nurse practitioners are equipped with the latest scientific evidence and clinical decision-making skills tailored to the unique needs of individuals, groups, and populations.

Each specialty program was updated to emphasize evidence-based practice, critical thinking, and advanced clinical knowledge, enabling graduates to deliver high-quality care and serve as leaders in the healthcare community. See sample degree plans for a list of courses for each specialty.

Connect With Us

Interested in the Nurse Practitioner programs? Learn more about how to pursue a nurse practitioner degree by requesting more information or speaking with an Admissions Counselor.

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