Build Your Career in Nursing
Academic Programs
Columbia University School of Nursing offers full-time and part-time nursing programs in New York City — from pre-nursing prerequisites through master's degrees, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and the PhD. Students complete clinical rotations through our network of nearly 200 partner institutions in New York and globally, including NewYork-Presbyterian, and Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
Start where you are:
- No science prerequisites yet - OPEN, online prerequisite courses for program applicants.
- A bachelor's degree in another field - Master's Direct Entry, an accelerated path to RN licensure with 1,000+ clinical hours, and pathway to the DNP-Direct Care.
- An RN pursuing advanced practice nursing certification - DNP-Direct Care, three years full-time, in family primary care, adult-gerontology acute care, anesthesia, pediatric primary care, psychiatric-mental health, and midwifery;
- For nurses who wish to earn their DNP while working, some specialties offer a DNP Extended Pathway with reduced course load per semester.
- An RN moving into leadership - Flexible online programs through the ACML Master's, five part-time semesters, or Systems Leadership-DNP.
- A future nurse scientist - PhD, full-time and funded for three years.
Doctoral Degree Programs
Our doctoral programs offer comprehensive education for nurses seeking to become leaders as executives, advanced practice nurses, or innovative researchers. Our early integration of artificial intelligence into nursing education and our deep institutional commitment to health equity and global health distinguish us from other graduate nursing programs.
DNP - Direct Care
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares nurses for independent practice with the knowledge, skills, and attributes necessary to provide the highest level of comprehensive patient care.
DNP - Systems Leadership
Our DNP in Systems Leadership's online, part-time design allows experienced RNs to prepare for executive careers in health care systems, academic settings, and policy environments while working.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The Columbia Nursing PhD is a full-time, research-intensive program that prepares nurses for careers as nurse scientists who conduct research across a range of populations and health conditions.
Master's Degree Programs
Columbia Nursing's Master's Degree Programs are designed to help students develop the skills they need to thrive in the field’s most demanding roles while preparing for tomorrow’s challenges. Our MDE offers an accelerated pathway to our Direct Care DNP, and our ACML serves to prepare students for programs like our Systems Leadership DNP.
Master's Direct Entry Program For Non-Nurses
The Master's Direct Entry (MDE) Program is a full-time accelerated nursing program for non-nurse college graduates who wish to become registered nurses (RNs), providing basic nursing knowledge and practice expertise enhanced with master’s course work.
Master's in Advanced Clinical Management and Leadership (ACML)
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares nurses for independent practice with the knowledge, skills, and attributes necessary to provide the highest level of comprehensive patient care.
