Master (MS) in Nursing

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.

General Information and Requirements

The Decker School of Nursing Master of Science (MS) programs in nursing are organized into a four-semester sequence of courses requiring 46 or 48 credits (depending on area of specialization and functional role). 

The curriculum has five components:

• Core courses taken by all students address nursing theory, advanced physical health assessment, advanced pathophysiology across the lifespan, advanced pharmacology for clinical practice, nursing research, professional issues and the healthcare delivery system.
• Clinical specialization courses prepare nurses for community health primary care or adult-gerontological primary care nursing. 
• Role development courses address socialization and implementation of nurse administrator or nurse educator roles. 
• Supporting courses are tailored to degree requirements per MS specialization of study. The courses in the first semester of study for all MS curricula provide the foundation for courses in subsequent semesters. 
• Elective courses may be taken either in nursing or related areas of study. Courses may be taken in other Binghamton University schools. Students are encouraged to select electives that will enhance their special interests and career goals. Independent study is an option.

Specializations/Roles

Students will pursue a master's degree in one of two areas of specialization:

If you already have a master's degree in nursing, your previous coursework will be evaluated on an individual basis for consideration of transfer credit and/or waivers.

Curricula

Visit our Google drive for curriculum plans and worksheets specific to each specialization and role area, including full-time, part-time and spring-start options.

Binghamton University Graduate School policy states that a master's degree curriculum must be completed within five years from date of matriculation to remain eligible for award of degree.

• Adult-gerontological nurse educator MS, full-time curriculum plan

  Instructional method key:

  • TR = Traditional: Campus-based
  • OA = Online Asynchronous: Instruction is recorded/stored and then accessed by students at another time
  • OS = Online Synchronous: Students view online instruction as it occurs. Set remote meeting times
  • OC = Online Combined: A combination of asynchronous and synchronous instruction
  • OH = Online Hybrid: Online instruction combined with a set number of campus-based class sessions

  Year 1, fall (estimated days per week on campus: 2)
  Course	Instructional method	Clinical hours	Credits
  NURS 600: Methods and Quantitative Analyses	TR		3
  NURS 502: Advanced Physical Health Assessment	TR	60	3
  NURS 532: Healthcare Delivery systems	OA		3
  Elective	varies		3
  Total for this semester		60	12
  Year 1, spring (estimated days per week on campus: 2)
  NURS 520: Patho/Pharm*	TBD		4
  NURS 503: Scientific Inquiry: Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing	TR		2
  NURS 556: Functional Role I, Educator	TR	60	4
  NURS 511: Adult-Gerontological Nursing I	TR	60	3
  Total for this semester		120	13
  Year 2, fall (estimated days per week on campus: 1-2)
  NURS 535: Scientific Inquiry: Application of Research Methods	TR		2
  NURS 557: Functional Role II, Educator	TR	60	4
  NURS 512: Adult-Gerontological Nursing II	TR	60	3
  Total for this semester		120	9
  Year 2, spring (estimated days per week on campus: 1-2)
  NURS 570: Proseminar	TR		2
  NURS 590: Functional Role III, Educator	TR	120	4
  NURS 513: Adult-Gerontological Nursing III	TR	120	3
  Elective	varies		3
  Total for this semester		240	12
  TOTAL REQUIRED FOR DEGREE COMPLETION		540	46

  *NURS 520 is suitable for non-prescribing providers only.

  NOTE: Course scheduling changes that may impact the estimated days per week on campus can occur.

• Adult-gerontological nurse administrator MS, full-time curriculum plan

  Instructional method key:

  • TR = Traditional: Campus-based
  • OA = Online Asynchronous: Instruction is recorded/stored and then accessed by students at another time
  • OS = Online Synchronous: Students view online instruction as it occurs. Set remote meeting times
  • OC = Online Combined: A combination of asynchronous and synchronous instruction
  • OH = Online Hybrid: Online instruction combined with a set number of campus-based class sessions

  Year 1, fall (estimated days per week on campus: 2)
  Course	Instructional method	Clinical hours	Credits
  NURS 600: Advanced Research Methods and Quantitative Analyses	TR		3
  NURS 502: Advanced Physical Health Assessment	TR	60	3
  NURS 532: Healthcare Delivery Systems	OA		3
  Elective	varies		3
  Total for this semester		60	12
  Year 1, spring (estimated days per week on campus: 2)
  NURS 520: Patho/Pharm*	TBD		4
  NURS 503: Scientific Inquiry: Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing	TR		2
  Course TBD: Functional Role I, Administrator	TR	60	4
  NURS 511: Adult-Gerontological Nursing I	TR	60	3
  Total for this semester		120	13
  Year 2, fall (estimated days per week on campus: 1–2)
  NURS 535: Scientific Inquiry: Application of Research Methods	TR		2
  Course TBD: Functional Role II, Administrator	TR	60	4
  NURS 512: Adult-Gerontological Nursing II	TR	60	3
  Total for this semester		120	9
  Year 2, spring (estimated days per week on campus: 1–2)
  NURS 570: Proseminar	TR		2
  Course TBD: Functional Role III, Administrator	TR	120	4
  NURS 513: Adult-Gerontological Nursing III	TR	120	3
  Elective	varies		3
  Total for this semester		240	12
  TOTAL REQUIRED FOR DEGREE COMPLETION		540	46

  *NURS 520 is suitable for non-prescribing providers only.

  NOTE: Course scheduling changes that may impact the estimated days per week on campus can occur.

• Community health nurse educator MS, full-time curriculum plan

  Instructional method key:

  • TR = Traditional: Campus-based
  • OA = Online Asynchronous: Instruction is recorded/stored and then accessed by students at another time
  • OS = Online Synchronous: Students view online instruction as it occurs. Set remote meeting times
  • OC = Online Combined: A combination of asynchronous and synchronous instruction
  • OH = Online Hybrid: Online instruction combined with a set number of campus-based class sessions

  Year 1, fall (estimated days per week on campus: 2)
  Course	Instructional method	Clinical hours	Credits
  NURS 600: Advanced Research Methods and Quantitative Analyses	TR		3
  NURS 502: Advanced Physical Health Assessment	TR	60	3
  NURS 532: Healthcare Delivery Systems	OA		3
  NURS 540: Elements of Epidemiology and Biostatistics OR PH 520: Epidemiology I	OA/TR		3
  Total for this semester		60	12
  Year 1, spring (estimated days per week on campus: 2)
  NURS 520: Patho/Pharm*	TBD		4
  NURS 556: Functional Role I, Educator	TR	60	4
  NURS 541: Community Health Nursing Practice I	TR	60	3
  NURS 503: Scientific Inquiry: Theoretical Foundations and Advanced Nursing	TR		2
  Total for this semester		120	13
  Year 2, fall (estimated days per week on campus: 1–2)
  NURS 535: Scientific Inquiry: Application of Research Methods	TR		2
  NURS 557: Functional Role II, Educator	TR	60	4
  NURS 542: Community Health Nursing Practice II	TR	60	3
  Total for this semester		120	9
  Year 2, spring (estimated days per week on campus: 1–2)
  NURS 570: Proseminar	TR		2
  NURS 590: Functional Role III, Educator	TR	120	4
  NuRS 543: Community Health Nursing Practice III	TR	60	3
  Elective	varies		3
  Total for this semester		180	12
  TOTAL REQUIRED FOR DEGREE COMPLETION		480	46

  *NURS 520 is suitable for non-prescribing providers only.

  NOTE: Course scheduling changes that may impact the estimated days per week on campus can occur.

• Community health nurse administrator MS, full-time curriculum plan

  Instructional method key:

  • TR = Traditional: Campus-based
  • OA = Online Asynchronous: Instruction is recorded/stored and then accessed by students at another time
  • OS = Online Synchronous: Students view online instruction as it occurs. Set remote meeting times
  • OC = Online Combined: A combination of asynchronous and synchronous instruction
  • OH = Online Hybrid: Online instruction combined with a set number of campus-based class sessions

  YEAR 1, FALL (estimated days per week on campus: 2)
  Course	Instructional method	Clinical hours	Credits
  NURS 600: Advanced Research Methods and Quantitative Analyses	TR		3
  NURS 502: Advanced Physical Health Assessment	TR	60	3
  NURS 532: Healthcare Delivery Systems	OA		3
  NURS 540: Elements of Epidemiology and Biostatistics OR PH 520: Epidemiology I	OA/TR		3
  Total for this semester		60	12
  YEAR 1, SPRING (estimated days per week on campus: 2)
  NURS 520: Patho/Pharm*	TBD		4
  Course TBD: Functional Role I, Administrator	TR	60	4
  NURS 541: Community Health Nursing Practice I	TR	60	3
  NURS 503: Scientific Inquiry: Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing	TR		2
  Total for this semester		120	13
  YEAR 2, FALL (estimated days per week on campus: 1–2)
  NURS 535: Scientific Inquiry: Application of Research Methods	TR		2
  Course TBD: Functional Role II, Administrator	TR	60	4
  NURS 542: Community Health Nursing Practice II	TR	60	3
  Total for this semester		120	9
  YEAR 2, SPRING (estimated days per week on campus: 1–2)
  NURS 570: Proseminar	TR		2
  Course TBD: Functional Role III, Administrator	TR	120	4
  NURS 543: Community Health Nursing Practice III	TR	60	3
  Elective	varies		3
  Total for this semester		180	12
  TOTAL REQUIRED FOR DEGREE COMPLETION		480	46

  *NURS 520 is suitable for non-prescribing providers only.

  NOTE: Course scheduling changes that may impact the estimated days per week on campus can occur.

Application criteria

Applicants wishing to pursue a master's degree in nursing must satisfy the general conditions and procedures for admission to Binghamton University's Graduate School. Further, they must adhere to all policies outlined in the Graduate School Manual.

In addition, the following are required and will be evaluated for admission:

For complete information about application criteria, clinical practice requirements and additional requirements, applicants should review the University Bulletin (select "Nursing-Graduate" under "Graduate Fields of Study by Department"). The rules and regulations posted in the University Bulletin at the time of a student's matriculation into the University are the ones to which that student is held.

• A baccalaureate or master's degree in nursing from an ACEN- , CCNE- OR CNEA-accredited school of nursing program
• A descriptive statistics course with a grade of C or better
• An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better
• A current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered professional nurse in the U.S.
  • Prior to beginning clinical experiences in a New York clinical facility, students must submit a copy of their current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in New York; this is required by the New York State Department of Education Office of the Professions
• Submission of a 500-word personal statement that addresses: why the applicant is seeking advanced education in general and specifically at Binghamton University; unique aspects of the applicant's background that will contribute to the Decker graduate community (for example, extracurricular, work or volunteer experiences); and goals the applicant hopes to achieve upon completion of the program
• 2 letters of recommendation from individuals who can comment authoritatively on the applicant's academic achievements and/or work or internship experience related to the program; appropriate recommenders include academic references or individuals in supervisory positions — recommendations from coworkers or friends will not be accepted
• Résumé or curriculum vitae

Additional criteria for international students:

• In addition to having a current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered professional nurse in the U.S., international applicants must also provide proof of a current, unencumbered license to practice as a registered professional nurse in their home country
• Proof of English proficiency (such as official TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Academic scores), International Student Financial Statement Form and supporting financial documentation (such as official bank statements or official scholarship or sponsorship letters) are required. Details are on the Graduate Admissions International Students Requirements webpage.

• Notes about admissions requirements above
  • A student may consider applying for non-degree/non-matriculated status in lieu of matriculation in order to complete up to a maximum of 12 graduate nursing credits as a non-degree student; after this time, the student, may apply to be considered for regular matriculated admission. The director of graduate nursing programs provides advisement regarding appropriate courses for enrollment by non-degree students attempting to prove their ability to be successful at the graduate nursing level, and in anticipation of students applying for future matriculated status.
  • Required letters of recommendation from professional referents may not be personal friends or family members of the applicant. It is expected that a professional referent is a current or former supervisor to the applicant.
  • Any U.S. student applicant may be admitted "regular admit-additional advising" (formerly known as "conditional admission") by the Decker School. By definition, this category of admission means the applicant lacks required application criteria. 
  • U.S. students who do not advance from a regular-additional advising ("conditional") to regular admission status in a timely manner (i.e., failure to meet the department's conditional admission requirements) will find their registration blocked and possibly risk program dismissal.
  • International student applicants cannot be admitted "conditionally" based on changes to federal regulations implemented in 2016 by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
  • International student applicants who have not met minimum TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Academic score requirements may be recommended for an offer of admission from the Decker School of Nursing, but will be granted only provisional admission by the Graduate School.
  • A provisional admission status related to these test scores requires the applicant provide sufficient proof of English proficiency.
  • Once sufficient proof has been provided by the applicant, the Graduate School will default the admissions decision back to that assigned by the department and the student will receive a regular letter of admission and an I-20.
  • In such an admissions case, the student will be required to take an English Language Institute Program (ESI) assessment exam. Exam results assist the department in determining which ESL courses will be completed by the student preliminary to or concurrently with core graduate nursing course requirements in the first and/or subsequent semesters, and at the discretion of the graduate nursing program director.
  • U.S. students enrolling immediately after graduation from a Bachelor of Science program in nursing must pass the national licensing examination (NCLEX-RN) before beginning any clinical coursework. Students who are granted full-time admission in a fall semester are scheduled to take NURS 502: Advanced Physical Health Assessment in the first semester of study. NURS 502 has a clinical component requiring those students to pass the NCLEX-RN examination and provide proof of passing the exam by August 1 of the first fall semester of admission.
  • Students who have already completed a master's degree in nursing from an accredited program, but wish to pursue a different clinical specialty and/or advanced practice role may be admitted to the post-graduate program. (GREs are not required for the post-graduate program.)
  • Graduates of nursing schools outside the U.S. must hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing or its equivalent. World Education Services (WES) transcripts must be submitted as proof of evaluation of a baccalaureate degree. Licensure to practice in the U.S. is required.
  • One year of full-time employment as a professional registered nurse is strongly recommended prior to application for admission to a graduate nursing program of study, but it is not required. At the discretion of the director of  graduate nursing programs, students may be admitted to begin the master's degree program on a part-time basis to allow them time to gain confidence in their nursing skills while working in a hospital setting as an RN.
  • Students admitted to a graduate nursing program must be computer literate before beginning their studies. They must possess: the ability to use various software applications, use email, conduct web searches, download and upload files and communicate through instant messaging and chatting.

Application Procedures

Complete instructions for applying to Binghamton University are available on the Graduate School's how to apply webpage. If you have questions regarding application submission, contact the Graduate School at 607–777–2151 or gradadmission@binghamton.edu.

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If you have a felony or child abuse conviction
Students who have a felony or child abuse conviction are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of the Decker School of Nursing and/or to meet licensure requirements for nursing or advanced-practice licensure. If you have concerns about this, you are advised to contact the Decker Division of Advising and Academic Excellence, the graduate nursing program director or the Decker College Dean's Office. You are required to report felony convictions while enrolled in the Decker School of Nursing as it may change your progression and ability to be placed in a clinical agency. To learn if felony/child abuse convictions will negatively impact your ability for licensure, check with the State Board of Nursing in the state in which you plan to practice.