Connell School of Nursing

Programs Overview

master's and post-master's programs

The Connell School of Nursing has many master's and post-master's programs designed to meet the needs of our individual students.

Whether you have 30 years of experience as a nurse, or are just thinking about a career in nursing, we have a program that will meet your needs.


Master of Science Program

The "traditional MS" program is designed to help RNs with a bachelor's degree in nursing take their career to the next level. With most core courses offered twice a year, our program is designed to meet your needs. Some classes are scheduled in the late afternoon or evening, with several offered on a single day of the week to meet your demanding schedule.

Master's Entry Route

If you hold a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing, you can earn an MS in nursing in as little as two years of full-time study. The first year of this program will fulfill requirements to sit for the RN exam.

Nurse Anesthesia Specialty

This intensive specialty will prepare you to provide anesthesia care to patients undergoing both simple and complex surgical procedures in a variety of settings, and to sit for the national exam to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).


Palliative Care Specialty

This specialty reflects the specialized needs of three specific high-risk populations with emphasis on ethnic and racial minorities including: adult and older adult patients and their families undergoing treatment for life-threatening illness; adult and older adult patients and families facing death; adult and older adult patients and families with chronic illness requiring quality of life interventions.


MS/MBA Option

This dual degree is offered with Boston College's Carroll School of Management, and prepares you for advanced nursing practice and for executive leadership.


MS/MA in Pastoral Ministry Option

This dual degree option is offered with the Boston College Institute for Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry (IREPM). Graduates are prepared to work with religous congregations, in health care, or in other institutional settings.


RN to MS Option

This option allows RNs without a bachelor's degree in nursing to enroll directly in the master's program. After completion of generalist requirements you will progress through the MS program.


MS Completion Option

This option is for nationally certified nurse practitioners who do not hold a master's degree. Students may qualify for advanced placement in clinical specialty courses.


Fifth Year Option

This option is for current Connell School undergraduate students interested in completing a master's degree with only one year of additional study beyond the bachelor's degree.


MS/PhD Option

This option allows you to pursue both a master's degree and a doctoral degree simultaneously, preparing you for advanced nursing practice and for clinical research.


Additional Specialty Option

This individualized option is for RNs with a master's degree in nursing who are interested in obtaining certification in a new clinical specialty area.


Teaching Certificate

Our teaching certificate is a series of three courses taught online. The certificate is available to nurses who have completed at least 50% of a master's program in nursing and those already holding a master's degree. The certificate prepares you to teach in schools of nursing or as a clinical educator in the clinical practice area.