Degrees Offered

• Master of Science in Nursing
• Post-master's Certificate
• Doctor of Nursing Practice
• Doctor of Philosophy

Specializations

• M.S.N.:
  Advanced Practice Nursing: Adult-Older Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  Advanced Practice Nursing: Adult-Older Adult Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  Advanced Practice Nursing: Adult-Older Adult Primary Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
  Advanced Practice Nursing: Nurse-Midwifery
  Advanced Practice Nursing: Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner/Clinical Nurse Specialist
  Advanced Practice Nursing: Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  Clinical Nurse Leader
  Systems Leadership and Healthcare Quality

• Post-master’s Certificate:
  Adult-Older Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  Adult-Older Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist
  Adult-Older Adult Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  Family Nurse Practitioner
  Nurse-Midwifery
  Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  Systems Leadership and Healthcare Quality

• D.N.P.:
  Advanced Practice Nursing: Adult-Older Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  Advanced Practice Nursing: Adult-Older Adult Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  Advanced Practice Nursing: Nurse-Midwifery
  Advanced Practice Nursing: Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner/Clinical Nurse Specialist
  Advanced Practice Nursing: Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  Systems Leadership and Healthcare Quality

• Ph.D.: No specializations offered

Program Description

• Master of Science in Nursing:The master of science in nursing program prepares nurses for roles in advanced nursing practice. Graduates are academically eligible to seek formal professional certification in such areas as: nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse-midwife, nurse administrator or clinical nurse leader.

• Post-Master’s Graduate Certificate:This program prepares the nurse who already has a master of science in nursing to become academically eligible for certification as an Advanced Practice Nurse.

• Doctor of Nursing Practice:The doctor of nursing practice will emphasize development of nursing practice expertise at the highest level. The curriculum includes translational research, epidemiology, informatics, statistics, advanced clinical practice, health policy and professional issues. Specializations include: systems leadership and healthcare quality and advanced practice in acute care adult-older adult, primary care adult-older adult, nurse-midwifery or pediatrics (primary care or acute care). B.S.N. to D.N.P. and post-M.S.N. to D.N.P. options are available. Marquette University M.S.N. Second Degree Direct Entry for Non-Nurses students may apply after successful completion of NCLEX and submission of Wisconsin Registered Nurse License.

• Doctor of Philosophy: The doctor of philosophy program in nursing prepares teacher-scholars. The curriculum focuses on vulnerable populations, which include persons at high risk for adverse health outcomes. Persons who are vulnerable may include such groups as the unborn, chronically ill, frail elders, impoverished children and the marginalized. The graduate of this doctoral program will have the ability to advance health care through teaching, research and health care leadership. Doctoral education in nursing is built on the master’s level nursing foundation. It is characterized by the acquisition of research skills necessary for the discovery and use of new nursing knowledge and for preparation for teaching roles.

• Master of Science in Nursing — Second Degree Direct Entry for Non-Nurses:

  The master’s program for non-nursing graduates is designed for those individuals who hold baccalaureate degrees in fields other than nursing and who wish to become nurses. The program builds upon the student’s broad educational preparation and provides an intense, accelerated nursing curriculum to meet the student’s career goals.

• Master of Science in Nursing — Second Degree Direct Entry for A.D.N. Nurses:

  This program facilitates students who have an associate’s degree in nursing and also have a bachelor's degree in a discipline other than nursing to complete a master of science in nursing degree.

  Visit the Department Web Page for more detailed program information.

Application Requirements

• Read all application instructions prior to beginning an application
• A completed application form and fee online.
• Official transcripts from all current and previous colleges/universities except Marquette.
• A resume and written statement of professional goals, including reasons for pursuing graduate study.
• For master’s and D.N.P. applicants only: three completed recommendation forms prepared by previous or present employers and teachers familiar with graduate education in nursing.
• For master’s and D.N.P. applicants only: GRE scores (General Test only). Waived if undergraduate GPA is 3.200 or above. Waived for applicants who have a master’s degree and the master’s GPA is 3.200 or above.
• For Ph.D. applicants only: three Ph.D. letters of recommendation.
• For Ph.D. applicants only: GRE scores (General Test only). Waived if applicant is Marquette M.S.N. graduate with GPA of 3.700 or above.
• For Ph.D. applicants only: a curriculum vitae and objectives/career intentions, including research interests.
• For Ph.D. applicants only: sample of scholarly writing.
• For post-master's D.N.P. applicants only: evidence of certification in a specialty, if applicable.
• For international applicants only: TOEFL score or other acceptable proof of English proficiency. A recent GRE score is strongly recommended.

• An interview is required for applicants to the advanced practice nursing specializations in acute care nurse practitioner, nurse-midwifery and pediatrics.

• With the exception of Second Degree Direct Entry M.S.N. applicants, an applicant must be registered in the United States as a professional nurse. Graduates of nursing schools in foreign countries must successfully complete the examination administered by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools and must be licensed in Wisconsin.

• Upon acceptance to the graduate program, students must complete and submit the Graduate Student Health Status Report form. Information on CPR requirements, physical examination and immunization status, including results of a T.B. skin test and proof of Wisconsin R.N. licensure and a criminal background check must be submitted to a program on the website www.certifiedbackground.com/. Results of a T.B. skin test must be provided annually, and a drug screen must be completed three months prior to beginning clinical practicum courses. Students are responsible for the cost of these services. The information is required for progression within the program.

• Acute care nurse practitioner students must demonstrate evidence of current Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification and have experience working with acutely ill adults. Pediatric acute care nurse practitioner students need to be PALS certified and have experience working with acutely ill children. One year of practice in an acute care setting is required for acute care and pediatric acute care students prior to beginning clinical practicum course work.

Application Deadline

• Nov. 15 - For spring admission: M.S.N., post-master’s certificates, and Ph.D. program.
• Dec. 31- For summer admission: direct entry program for non-nurses
• Feb. 15 - For fall admission: M.S.N., post-master’s certificates, Ph.D., and D.N.P. programs
• Ph.D. and D.N.P. applicants who apply after the Feb. 15 deadline will be considered on a space-available basis for fall admission, provided their application is complete by June 1.
• M.S.N. and post-master’s certificate applicants are not eligible for summer admission, and D.N.P. applicants must begin their program in fall.

Financial Aid

For a comprehensive listing of merit-based aid (graduate assistantships/fellowships) please visit the departmental financial aid web page. U.S. citizens and permanent residents may be eligible to apply for need-based federal aid (loans) to help fund their educational expenses as well.