Master’s Programs
We prepare our master’s students to become compassionate, evidence-based practitioners who are leaders in their fields. Everything we offer—from our curriculum to student support—is grounded in Boston College’s commitment to social justice and an educational philosophy that values the intrinsic worth of every student and every patient.
Connell School graduates are:
- Critical thinkers, with exceptional clinical judgment
- Intellectually curious learners who use their knowledge in service to others
- Ethically driven and thoughtful, inspired by Boston College’s Jesuit ideals
- Devoted to individualized patient care in complex health care settings
Note: CSON Summer Session Dates
Session I: May 11th - June 26th
Session II: July 6th - August 14th
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Ready for a rewarding challenge that will change your life—and the lives of others?
Programs
Master's of Science in Nursing
CSON's Master's of Science in Nursing educates students at the secondary degree level, preparing highly skilled registered nurses to take on the most pressing health care challenges. This degree can be completed in as few as 18 months
Explore the MSN Curriculum
Registered Nurse
- Educates nurse leaders to take on key roles within interdsiciplniary teams
- Can be completed in as few as 18 months
- Designed for three points of entry: current nurses, bachelor's or associate's prepared
- Features a curriculum of core courses every nursing leader needs
- Credits may be applied toward a terminal degree
Choose your Program
Direct Entry Master's
The Direct Entry Master's program is for students who have a degree in a field outside of nursing and want to become an RN.
Explore the Direct Entry Master's Curriculum
Direct Entry Master's
- Our Direct Entry Master's program prepares students who have a degree in a field outside of nursing to become an RN
- Attend full time or part time
Choose your Program
Application Process
STEP 2
Application requirements and deadlines
Get to know our application requirments and program application deadlines
STEP 3
Financial aid opportunites
CSON and Boston College offer multiple opportunities to fund a graduate education. Choose an option that's right for you.
At The Core of Us
The centerpiece of CSON's Jesuit tradition has always been to educate exceptional nurse leaders who care for others and play a defining role within complex health care systems.
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Clinical experience
Hands-on learning, dedicated mentors
Lindsay Spirito, a student in the pediatric nurse practitioner program, shares her experience with preceptor Terry Reardon-Polini, a pediatric nurse practitioner at Children's Health Care in Newburyport, MA.
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The BC nurse
Educating the future of nursing
A degree in nursing is the start of an extraordinary journey. Take the first step.
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Our spaces
Step inside our halls
Take a look at our classrooms and study spaces, as well as labs and exam rooms where students learn from hands-on experiences.
Take a virtual tour
Program Overview
Full-time students, Master's of Science in Nursing (Projected Curriculum)
Year One
| Summer | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Foundations | Adult Health (Theory & Clinical) |
Pedi (Theory & Clinical) |
| Pharm & Nutrition | Psych (Theory & Clinical) | OB (Theory & Clinical) |
| Health & Illness | Elective (3cr) |
Quality |
Year Two
| Summer | Fall |
|---|---|
| Leadership | Population Health |
| EBP I | Population Health Clinical |
| Epidemiology | Policy |
| Synthesis |
|
NCLEX/MS degree awarded |
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that coursework they have completed satisfies the prerequisite requirements. The graduate program staff will not contact applicants during the admissions process to verify prerequisite coursework.
Direct entry students are required to complete prerequisite courses prior to the start of the program. It is preferred that applicants have at least 4 of the following 5 science prerequisites completed or in process at the time of application: General Chemistry with Lab; Microbiology with Lab; Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab; Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab; Pathophysiology. All prerequisite coursework must be completed prior to matriculation. Students must receive a minimum grade of B- (80) in each of the prerequisite courses. AP credit is NOT accepted as fulfilling prerequisite coursework.
For coursework completed before applying, please submit transcripts as part of your application. For coursework that you plan to complete after applying but before starting the program, please indicate this on the application and submit transcripts following course completion. The prerequisite courses include:
- Social Science
Course may be in the area of sociology, psychology, anthropology, economics, or political science. - Human Development, Lifespan Development, or Developmental Psychology
A course that covers the lifespan (infancy to older adulthood) is preferred; child development (infancy through late adolescence) will be accepted. A course that only covers a single phase (e.g., infant development or adolescent development) is not acceptable.
- Statistics
An introductory course is acceptable. - Anatomy and Physiology I and II with Lab (Human)
If taken separately, one semester of anatomy and one semester of physiology are acceptable. Must focus exclusively on human anatomy and physiology (not comparative or mammalian). Courses must include lab and must have been taken within five years of application. - General Chemistry I with Lab
Course must include lab and must have been taken within five years of application. - Microbiology (Biology of Microbes) with Lab
Course must include lab and must have been taken within five years of application. - Pathophysiology*
Course must have been taken within five years of application.
*Course waiver may be applied upon admission review for students with a biology or neuroscience degree.
Continuous improvement through assessment
The Connell School has a systematic plan for ongoing assessment of the Master's nursing program. The Master's program outcomes, along with the professional standards and guidelines listed below, shape the curriculum.
Assessment data are used to ensure that ‘best practices’ in nursing education are employed.
- Implement a philosophy of nursing congruent with the Judeo-Christian values that support the intrinsic worth of each human being.
- Synthesize theory, research, and values within a conceptual framework to guide advanced practice nursing in a specialized area.
- Integrate knowledge from science and the humanities to generate diagnostic, therapeutic, and ethical nursing and health care.
- Develop organizational and systems leadership skills to promote critical decision making supporting high quality and safe patient care.
- Apply methods, instruments, and performance measures and standards for quality improvement within an organization.
- Use evidence-based research findings to inform clinical practice, promote change, and disseminate new knowledge.
- Utilize technology to deliver, enhance, communicate, integrate, and coordinate care.
- Intervene at the system level through policy development and advocacy strategies to influence health and health care.
- Collaborate, consult, and coordinate continuity of care with clients and other health professionals regarding prevention and strategies that improve the health of individuals, families, and populations in a diverse and global society.
- Synthesizes information and experiences to promote personal and professional growth and commitment to lifelong learning.
Continuous improvement through assessment
The Connell School has a systematic plan for ongoing assessment of the Master's nursing program. The Master's program outcomes, along with the professional standards and guidelines listed below, shape the curriculum.
Assessment data are used to ensure that ‘best practices’ in nursing education are employed.
- Implement a philosophy of nursing congruent with the Judeo-Christian values that support the intrinsic worth of each human being.
- Synthesize theory, research, and values within a conceptual framework to guide advanced practice nursing in a specialized area.
- Integrate knowledge from science and the humanities to generate diagnostic, therapeutic, and ethical nursing and health care.
- Develop organizational and systems leadership skills to promote critical decision making supporting high quality and safe patient care.
- Apply methods, instruments, and performance measures and standards for quality improvement within an organization.
- Use evidence-based research findings to inform clinical practice, promote change, and disseminate new knowledge.
- Utilize technology to deliver, enhance, communicate, integrate, and coordinate care.
- Intervene at the system level through policy development and advocacy strategies to influence health and health care.
- Collaborate, consult, and coordinate continuity of care with clients and other health professionals regarding prevention and strategies that improve the health of individuals, families, and populations in a diverse and global society.
- Synthesizes information and experiences to promote personal and professional growth and commitment to lifelong learning.
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing: The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice
- Quality and Safety Education for Nurses
- National Patient Safety Goals
- Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
- Pediatric Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice
- Healthy People 2020
- American Nurses Association
- American Psychiatric Nurses Association
- International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses
- Professional Nursing Standards and Guidelines: Master's
Benefit from hands-on learning and individual attention during clinical placements with knowledgeable preceptors. Our students work in primary care facilities, hospitals, community agencies, and other settings.