Master's Completion Program

Program Description

This program is designed for advanced practice nurses who possess a baccalaureate and national professional certification in their area of specialty. The School of Nursing recognizes that many baccalaureate prepared nurses pursued various pathways to professional certification on the advanced practice level and recognizes this with the reward of up to fifteen (15) credits for this certification, based on evaluation of previous course work, transcripts, testing and references.

This program requires 30 credits in residency at the University. This program was specially designed for CNM's, certified ANP's, FNP's, PNP's, or WHNP's.

Admission

Please contact the Office of Admissions for details regarding admission and financial aid packages. Faculty review applications on a rolling basis so that students may apply to begin this program in the summer or fall semester. Please note, applications for the Master's Completion Program can only be submitted online.

Admission criteria include:

  • Current New York State nursing license or eligibility
  • Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an NLN or CCNE accredited program with official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
  • Satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
  • Three references attesting to applicant's academic ability and potential
  • Personal goal statement that is congruent with program goals (two pages, double-spaced, 12 pt. font)
  • Certification as an Advanced Practice Nurse
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae

The above listing represents the basic master's completion courses in this major. Individual students may need additional course work, depending on previous study and experience. Students may receive advanced standing or exemption, based on standard School policy.

School of Nursing

The School of Nursing has paved the way for professional nursing since 1892 and continues to lead the field as the foremost institution for advanced practice nursing.

The School of Nursing is a designated World Health Organization Collaborating Center for International Nursing Development in Advanced Practice. With urban clinical sites, expert faculty practitioners, cutting edge research, and the strength of the Columbia name and reputation, the School of Nursing produces graduates who possess the skills necessary to bring advanced practice nursing into the new millennium. As medical advances offer a cascade of new and useful therapies, the need for more health care providers will increase exponentially. Our country will face many health care challenges in the next 20 years, and nurse practitioners are essential to providing access to quality primary care.

Founded in 1892 as Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing, the School became part of Columbia University in 1937 and began offering the baccalaureate degree. It is one of the oldest schools of nursing in the US . In 1956, it became the first nursing program in the country to award a master's degree in a clinical nursing specialty. In 1999, the School granted its first doctoral degree.

The School shares the Columbia University Health Sciences Campus with the Mailman School of Public Health, the School of Dental and Oral Surgery, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons. Each of these schools adds to the richness and diversity of the educational experience of students and faculty.

School of Nursing faculty have substantial experience in curriculum, instructional design, and research. They maintain expertise in their areas of teaching responsibility through participation at local, regional, and national conferences, involvement in scholarly presentations and publications, and faculty practice.

Columbia University School of Nursing is distinguished by the clinical excellence of its programs and graduates. Columbia nurses are making crucial contributions and improving the health of individuals wherever they practice.

The above information is current as of 6/07 and is subject to change at any time