Lead the change we critically need to improve care

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Become a Nurse Leader

The Connell School of Nursing’s doctor of nursing practice (D.N.P.) degree is designed to help you achieve your career and academic goals as a nurse practitioner. With distinct pathways for nurses of all levels of education and experience, our program will challenge you to reach your highest potential, gaining the clinical expertise and leadership skills needed to effect change in today’s health care system and play an essential role in health care decision-making.

Our Mission

Connell School graduates are prepared at the highest possible level to become compassionate, evidence-based, highly skilled nurses whose practice and scholarship are grounded in humanizing the experience of health and illness. You will join a community of reflective lifelong learners who blend practice and research to further nursing knowledge in service to others.

Katlyn Noonan ’17, D.N.P. ’22
Katlyn Noonan ’17, D.N.P. ’22
My experience at Boston College prepared me to rise to the challenges of an ever-changing health care system. It gave me the confidence and skills I need to be a leader in the field.

Find Your Path

Nursing student speaking to a patient.

If you have a bachelor's in nursing, consider:

Master of Science, Nurse Practitioner track

As a master's student in our MSNP track, you will develop the skills and gain first-hand experience to take on the most pressing health care challenges. This pathway is for you if you earned a bachelor's degree in nursing and your goal is to become a nurse practitioner. 

Post-Baccalaureate D.N.P.

Our post-baccalaureate D.N.P. program helps RNs take their practice and careers to new heights. In this program, you will earn a master’s degree for your NP education and then continue immediately into your post-master’s DNP studies, preparing you to become an advanced practice clinician.

Two nursing students reviewing a patient file.

If you have a bachelor's in a non-nursing field, consider:

Master of Science, Registered Nurse track

As a master’s student in our MSRN track, you will receive an exceptional education that prepares you to become a highly skilled registered nurse.

Master of Science, Nurse Practitioner track

As a master’s student in our MSNP track, you will develop the skills and gain the first hand experience to take on the most pressing health care challenges. As a nurse practitioner, you will provide care at the full scope of practice.

A nurse and a nursing student reviewing computer files.

If you have a master's in nursing, consider:

Master of Science, Nurse Practitioner track

This program is designed for you if you earned a master's degree in nursing and your goal is to become an advanced practice clinician. This program is not for current APRNs.

Post-Master's D.N.P.

Our post-master’s D.N.P. program helps current NPs take their practice and careers to new heights. This program is designed for you if you earned a master's degree in nursing and your goal is to become an advanced practice clinician.

A DNP student discussing patients with a colleague in front of a colorful elevator.

If you have an associate's in nursing, consider:

RN to MS

Our program allows current RNs without bachelor’s degrees to maximize both their experience and the credits they have earned from previous programs. If you are a motivated and accomplished student who wishes to transform your professional knowledge into a career as an advanced practice nurse, this program is for you.

RN to D.N.P.

Our program allows current RNs without bachelor’s degrees to maximize both their experience and the credits they have earned from previous programs. If you are a motivated and accomplished student who wishes to transform your professional knowledge into a career as an advanced practice nurse, this program is for you. In this program, you will earn a master’s degree for your NP education and then continue immediately into your D.N.P. studies, preparing you to become an advanced practice clinician.

By the Numbers

1:14

faculty to student ratio

85+

clinical partners in greater Boston

$120,680

median annual wage for nurse practitioners

(Bureau of Labor Statistics)

The constant hum of innovation and activity makes CSON unique. It's what defines us as a community—our feet grounded in Jesuit traditions and our minds focused on changing the world.
Katherine E. Gregory, Ph.D., RN, FAAN
Katherine E. Gregory, Ph.D., RN, FAAN , Dean