Nursing (MS)
Degree Offered: MS
Program Leadership:
Mary Lynch, DNP, MPH, PNP, FAAN: Program Director
Admissions Inquiries:
son_studentaffairs@ucsf.edu
New admissions to the Master of Science program are closed.
The UCSF School of Nursing is expanding its doctoral programming to meet the growing demand for doctorally prepared nurses who will lead innovative change in an increasingly complex health care environment. The school is launching a new BSN Entry to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) — Advanced Nursing Focus pathway, pending approval of the curriculum by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Applications are now open for admission in 2024.
Program Description
The Nursing Master of Science program prepares leaders in the advanced practice roles of clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, nurse-midwife, administrator, faculty, and consultant. Courses from nursing and other disciplines provide advanced theoretical knowledge, assessment skills, leadership development, advanced clinical practice in a selected specialization and opportunity to critique and apply nursing theory and research as a scientific base for nursing practice.
The UCSF School of Nursing takes pride in its graduate programs, which represent a century of pioneering leadership that has produced many of the country’s — and the world’s — nursing leaders. Among schools of nursing nationwide, the UCSF School of Nursing is one of the top recipients of research funding from the National Institutes of Health. The School's graduate students have many opportunities to capitalize on the symbiotic relationship between the Nursing PhD, MS, and MEPN programs and the other basic, clinical, and social and populational science programs offered by the Graduate Division.
Faculty
There are over 100 faculty members in the four School of Nursing departments. See a list of Nursing faculty research areas.
Sub-Disciplines
The Nursing MS program offers 10 areas of specialization and 7 elective areas of focus. See the MS program website for details.
Career Outcomes
The Master of Science program prepares leaders in the advanced practice roles of nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse-midwife, health policy expert, community/population health expert, administrator, teacher and consultant.
Upon completion of the Master of Science Program, students will be eligible to apply for certain certifications. More detailed certification information for each specialty is outlined on each specialty webpage.
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree completed with a 3.0 GPA or higher, with official transcripts provided
- Statistics course for 2.0 semester units or 3.0 quarter units, completed within five years of the start of the program
- California RN license obtained by the start of the program
- 4-5 letters of recommendation
- Proof of English proficiency for any student who does not claim English as a first language
- One year of professional RN experience (may vary by specialty)
Learning Outcomes
Courses from nursing and other disciplines provide advanced theoretical knowledge, assessment skills, role/leadership development, and advanced clinical practice in a selected specialization. The curriculum offers an opportunity to critique and apply nursing theory and research as a scientific base for nursing practice. Most applicants applying to this program are experienced registered nurses who have successfully completed a bachelor's degree.
Graduates of the master's program will have:
- Knowledge and skills in providing care that promotes health and prevents illness.
- Knowledge concerning current and projected health care systems and the economic, political and philosophical base.
- Knowledge of research methodologies, research critique and outcomes research.
- Knowledge and skills to manage client care needs across the health/illness spectrum.
- Knowledge and skills to coordinate client care needs across institutional boundaries. This may be as a generalist, a specialist or an administrator. Coordination of care must be done in partnership with client and lay caregiver.
- Knowledge concerning health care issues for ethnically and culturally diverse populations as the basis for practicing cultural humility and providing culturally competent care.
- Knowledge required to be proactive in the health care system. This will necessitate knowledge of the legal, legislative and regulatory issues for advanced practice nursing, consumer rights, systems management and change theory.
- Knowledge and skills to participate in the ethical decision-making process.
- Theoretical knowledge and some experience in role development as an advanced practice clinician, consultant, educator, administrator, researcher and coordinator.