Master’s Program

A challenge that will change your life—and the lives of others.

In our master's program, you'll join students with a range of educational backgrounds to become a compassionate, evidence-based nurse leader with the skills needed to advance patient care. Our curriculum and supportive programs reflect our commitment to social justice and belief in the intrinsic value of every student and patient. 

Application Deadline

  • Early decision for Fall enrollment — Sept. 15 
  • Fall enrollment — Dec. 15 
     

Pathways to Entry


We offer three pathways to the Advanced Generalist Master of Science in Nursing (AGM) degree, based on your current level of education.

If you are a registered nurse with a bachelor's degree in nursing, our master's program will prepare you to take on the most pressing health care challenges. 

Program Eligibility

  • An undergraduate grade point average of B or better
  • A completed course in statistics (AP credits cannot be accepted)
  • A current RN license to practice nursing

 

Requirements


  • Courses: 11
  • Credits: 32

If you earned a bachelor's degree in a field outside nursing, our direct entry master's program will prepare you to become a highly skilled registered nurse.

Program Eligibility

  • A bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university
  • A minimum undergraduate GPA (or combined undergraduate and graduate GPA) of at least 3.0
  • Completion of prerequisite courses

* Note: GRE is preferred but not required for application. 

Admission is highly competitive and the number of applications far exceeds the number of available seats.

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Requirements


  • Courses: 19
  • Credits: 58

If you are a motivated and accomplished registered nurse with an associate's degree in nursing who wishes to maximize your experience and the credits you earned in previous nursing programs, this master's program can help you turn your professional knowledge into a career as an advanced practice nurse.

Program Eligibility

  • An associate’s degree from a nationally accredited nursing program
  • Approximately 112 course credits; 42 in general education, and 70 in specialty knowledge related to nursing 
  • An undergraduate grade point average of B or better
  • A completed course in statistics (AP credits cannot be accepted)
  • A current RN license to practice nursing

Requirements


  • Courses: Min. of 11
  • Credits: Min. of 32

Clinical Placements

Students experience a variety of practice settings by rotating among clinical sites, including:

  • Addiction Treatment Center of New England
  • Atrius Health
  • Beth Israel Lahey Health
  • Boston Children's Hospital
  • Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program
  • Boston Medical Center
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
  • Cristo Rey Boston High School
  • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
  • Dimock Center
  • Fenway Health
  • Franciscan Children's
  • Hebrew SeniorLife
  • Joslin Diabetes Center
  • McLean Hospital
  • Shriners Children's Boston
  • Signature Healthcare
  • South Boston Community Health Center
  • Spaulding Rehabilitation Network
  • VA Boston Healthcare System

Featured Faculty

Patricia Tabloski

Patricia Tabloski, Ph.D., GNP-BC, FGSA, FAAN

My interest in gerontology and palliative care has driven my research, teaching, and publications for more than 30 years. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to share my knowledge and experience with those who have similar interests.
Patricia Tabloski, Associate Professsor

Financial Aid

The Connell School and Boston College offer multiple opportunities to fund a graduate education. CSON graduate students receive financial assistance through internal and external sources—including scholarships, fellowships, grants, teaching and research assistantships, and tuition remission.

Careers

Graduates of our master's program work at health care facilities serving a range of patient populations, including:

  • Boston Children's Hospital
  • Boston Medical Center
  • Codman Square Health Center
  • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
  • East Boston Neighborhood Health Center
  • Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates
  • Massachusetts General Hospital
  • New England Baptist Hospital (Boston)
  • Newton-Wellesley Hospital (Newton, MA)
  • St. Vincent Hospital (Worcester, MA)

Master's Program Outcomes

98%

of the class of 2020 was employed with one year of graduation

97.4%

of the class of 2021 was employed within one year of graduation

Opportunities at the Connell School

Graduate Nurses’ Association

The GNA facilitates professional development opportunities and sponsors social events, connecting you to your fellow students and serving as a voice for the CSON graduate community.

Keys to Inclusive Leadership in Nursing

The KILN program helps students maximize their leadership potential, prepares them to provide nursing care in an increasingly multicultural society, and nurtures their ability to create positive social change.

Global Trips

Participation in CSON's international programs can count toward nurse practitioner (NP) supervised hours for graduate students.

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Application & Deadlines

Apply Now

A non-refundable application fee of $75 is required.

Deadlines

  • Early decision for Fall enrollment — Sept. 15 
  • Fall enrollment — Dec. 15 

Résumé or CV

Please limit to two pages. 

Goal Statement

Please respond to the two prompts outlined below as they pertain to your goals. The responses should be typewritten, double-spaced, and limited to 1.5 pages for each prompt. The essays are very important to the Admission Committee’s deliberations, allowing them to assess your personal goals, your reasons for choosing advanced practice nursing as your career, your commitment to the profession of nursing, and your writing ability.

Goal Statement Prompts and Guidelines

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation:
  • A recent employer/supervisor who speaks to your level of professional practice.
  • A professor or instructor who assesses your potential for graduate study and performance in your desired area of study.
  • Letters of recommendation must be submitted electronically. When you register your reference writers through the application system, they will immediately receive an email with the link to the electronic reference form. For this reason, we suggest that you contact your references prior to registering them through the online application.
  • References will have the option to upload a supporting letter in Word or PDF format.
  • If you would like your references to receive the electronic form before you have completed the online application, you may go directly to the “Recommendations” link on the application and register your references before filling out the rest of the form.
  • You can log back into your application to check which letters have been received, as well as to send reminder emails to your references.

Transcripts

Official transcripts are preferred but not required upon application. If admitted, official transcripts will be required.

Official digital transcripts can be sent to csongrad@bc.edu.

All hard copy transcripts may be sent to the following mailing address:

Boston College
Graduate Nursing Office
Maloney Hall - 2nd Floor
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

*If the last name on your transcript does not match the application name, please contact csongrad@bc.edu after submitting the application. 

RN License

Please submit a copy of your RN license

Supplemental Forms

Based on the answers you provide in your application, you may need one or more of the following forms to complete your application:

International Students

  • Official transcript(s) evaluation (by the Commission on Graduate Foreign Nursing Schools or World Education Services) from all post-secondary institutions at which you have studied
  • NCLEX-RN Examination results/RN licensure
  • Evidence of English Proficiency (TOEFL). Official TOEFL scores are required for students whose native language is not English. The following scores indicate minimum score requirements: 100 on the TOEFL iBT (internet-based test); 7.5 on the IELTS Band (academic); 600 or greater on the paper-based test; or 250 on the CBT test (computer-based test). Please request that your scores be sent to the William F. Connell Graduate School of Nursing by using our institutional code 3062 in the designated areas. Student copies or photocopies of TOEFL are not accepted.
    • You can get application forms and information about testing dates for the TOEFL from many U.S. consolates, USIA centers, and TOELF centers overseas by writing to: TOEFL Registration, CN 6152, Princeton, New Jersey 08541 USA, or www.toefl.org.
    • The TOEFL score is not required if you meet both of the following criteria: You are a citizen of the United States,  Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, Guyana, an anglophone country of Africa, or an English-speaking country of the Caribbean AND your native language is English.