School of Nursing Duke University

A Variety of Graduate Nursing Programs at a Top-Ranking University

The Duke University School of Nursing (DUSON) offers a Master of Science (MS) in nursing degree with several areas of specialization, as well as several graduate certificates. The school also offers a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree for working nursing professionals, and a PhD program that prepares students for careers in research.

The Duke University School of Nursing is ranked among the top 15 nursing schools in the country by "US News and World Report." In addition to traditional, on-campus programs, DUSON offers several online and distance-based graduate programs.

An MS with Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Specialty

The adult acute care nurse practitioner program is designed to provide students with the training and clinical experience necessary for positions in hospitals, intensive care units, and urgent care settings. In addition to completing advanced nursing coursework, students in the acute care specialty gain hands-on experience through clinical rotations in hospitals and clinics. The on-campus program is open to full- and part-time students, and graduates are eligible to sit for the Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam.

An MS with Oncology Adult Nurse Practitioner Specialty

The oncology adult NP program -- one of the only oncology nursing programs in the country -- gives students opportunities to gain clinical experience at the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, which is ranked number 7 in the nation for cancer care by "US News and World Report." Students in the program work closely with experts in a variety of areas, from palliative care to radiation oncology. Some coursework for the program may be completed online; however, students are required to be on campus 2 days per week.

An MS with an Adult Nurse Practitioner Cardiovascular Specialty

Students in the adult cardiovascular care MS program have opportunities to work with DUSON's experienced cardiovascular faculty members in a variety of clinical settings, including the nationally-renowned Duke Heart Center. The Duke Heart Center is ranked among the 10 best hospitals in the nation according to "US News and World Report." The cardiovascular specialty prepares students to diagnose and provide counseling to adults with cardiovascular problems. Graduates work in inpatient and outpatient clinics, heart clinics, and diagnostic testing centers. Much of the coursework for this specialty is available online.

An MS with an Adult Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Specialty

The adult primary care specialty designed for students who wish to work as generalists in settings including clinics and private practices. Coursework includes clinical reasoning, health promotion, and assessment and management of common adult health problems. Students in the program complete 612 hours of clinical work in primary care clinics. This specialty is available in online and on-campus.

The Family Nurse Practitioner Master's Degree

The family nurse practitioner (FNP) specialty prepares students for careers as primary health care providers for people of all ages. FNP students gain clinical experience in a wide range of settings, from health care facilities in rural North Carolina to clinics in Jamaica, Tanzania, and other international locations. Most FNP coursework can be completed online.

The Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP) MS Program

The GNP is highly customizable and can be combined with other specialties such as cardiology, oncology, or acute care. Curriculum for the program includes courses on issues facing the elderly including dementia, falls, and urinary incontinence. GNP students gain clinical experience in retirement communities, nursing homes, and primary care practices.

Pediatric and Neonatal Nurse Practitioner MS Programs at DUSON

Graduate nursing students interested in working with children, adolescents, or infants may choose to pursue one of 3 specialties: pediatric acute care, pediatric primary care, or neonatal nurse practitioner. Students pursuing these specialties complete pediatric-focused coursework and gain clinical experience that prepares them for positions in intensive care units, hospitals, school clinics, and nurseries.

The Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA) Specialty

The Duke University School of Nursing offers a highly competitive, full-time program for students interested in becoming certified registered nurse anesthetists. The CRNA program at DUSON provides students with the academic and clinical foundations necessary to pursue careers as CRNAs. Students are required to have 1 year of critical care experience before entering the program.

Non-Clinical Master's Programs for Nurses and Health Care Professionals

DUSON offers 4 non-clinical master's programs for students interested in leadership, teaching, and research positions in health care settings. Specializations include clinical research management, informatics, nursing and health care leadership, and nursing education.

Graduate Certificates Available in Most Specialties

Students who already hold MSN degrees may choose to pursue graduate certificates in any of DUSON's master's degree programs. Certificate programs offer working professionals opportunities to enhance their knowledge in specific areas.

Doctoral Programs Prepare Students for Careers in Research or Practice

The Duke University School of Nursing offers 2 doctoral programs. The Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is designed for working professionals who plan to assume leadership positions in health care settings.

The PhD nursing program is a research doctorate that prepares students for careers as scholars, teachers, and researchers. The PhD program is full-time, and students receive stipends that pay for tuition and fees.

Distinguished Faculty Members with a Broad Range of Interests

The faculty members at DUSON comprise a diverse group of practitioners, scholars, and researchers. Notable faculty members include Dr. Jane E. Blood, who has 35 years of experience in pediatric primary care, and Dr. Michael Relf, an award-winning HIV/AIDS certified nurse who holds a PhD in nursing from Johns Hopkins University.

Admissions and Financial Aid

Students interested in the nursing MS program must hold BS in nursing degrees from accredited universities. Applicants to the Duke University programs must each submit GRE scores, a completed application form, an official transcript, 3 letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal statement. Students should have GPAs of 3.0 or higher and be licensed as nurses.

A PhD applicant must submit GRE scores, a transcript, 3 letters of recommendation from individuals with doctorate degrees, a personal statement, and a resume. A personal interview is also required for all applicants.

Students applying to the DNP program should hold BSN or MSN degrees from accredited universities and must be licensed as registered nurses.

• Program in Nursing

• Degrees Offered
• Major Degree Levels Offered
• Master of Business Administration/Master of Science in Nursing (MBA/MSN)
  Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Church Ministry (MSN/MCM)
• Nursing Education Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
• Neonatal/Pediatric In Rural Health Certificate
• Clinical Research Management Certificate
• Neonatal Certificate
• Gerontology Certificate
• Health Systems Leadership And Outcomes Certificate
• Nursing And Healthcare Leadership Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
• Nurse Practitioner Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) [adult acute care]
  Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) [adult primary care]
  Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) [gerontology]
  Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) [adult oncology]
  Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) [neonatal]
  Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) [pediatric primary care]
  Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) [pediatric acute care]
  Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) [adult cardiovascular care]
  Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) [family]
• Nurse Anesthesia Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
  Certificate
• Pediatric Primary Care Certificate
• Adult Acute Care Certificate
• Family Certificate
• Adult Oncology Certificate
• Health And Nursing Ministries Certificate
• Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
  Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Nursing Informatics Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
  Certificate
• Pediatric Acute Care Certificate
• Adult Primary Care Certificate
• Adult Cardiovascular Care Certificate
• Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

• Degrees Awarded
• Master's Degrees 117
• Doctoral Degrees 29
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees 32
• * Shows the number of degrees awarded for the last academic year that data was reported.

• Earning Your Degree
• Part-time study available? Yes
• Evening/weekend programs available? Yes
• Distance learning programs available? Yes
• Terminal master's degree available? Yes

• Degree Requirements
• Master's Degrees Optional
• Doctoral Degrees Capstone project
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied432
• Accepted195
• Acceptance Rate45%
• Enrolled143
• Applying
• Application Fee - Domestic $50
• Application Fee - International $50
• Electronic applications accepted? Yes
• Applications processed on a rolling basis? Not Reported
• Application Deadlines
• Type Domestic International Priority Date
• Fall deadline December 1st December 1st Not Reported
• Winter deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Spring deadline May 1st May 1st Not Reported
• Entrance Requirements
• Master's DegreesGRE General Test, 1 year of nursing experience, BSN, and minimum GPA of 3.0, previous course work in statistics
• Doctoral's DegreesBSN or MSN, minimum GPA of 3.0, portfolio
• First-Professional's DegreesNot Reported
• Other Advanced DegreesMSN
• International DegreesTOEFL required, 550 paper based

• Tuition & Fees
• In-state tuition *$40,720
• Out-of-state tuition *$40,720
• International student tuitionNot Reported
• * Tuition for full-time graduate student per academic year
• Fees
• Per-academic year fees$3,107.00
• Per-term feesNot Reported
• One-time feeNot Reported
• * Fees for full-time graduate students
• Financial Support
• Financial award applicants must submitFAFSA
• Application deadlines for financial awardsApril 1
• Types of financial support availableTuition Waivers, Career or Field-Related Internships, Financial Support for Part-time Students, Institutionally-sponsored Loans, Scholarship and/or loans, Traineeships

• Gender
• Total Graduate Students522
• Female Percentage89%
• Male Percentage11%
• Participation
• Total Graduate Students522
• Part-time Percentage76%
• Full-time Percentage24%
• Ethnicity
• Hispanic / Latino3%
• Black / African American8%
• White / Caucasian80%
• American Indian / Alaskan Native1%
• Asian4%
• Native Hawaiian / Other Pacific Islander0%
• Two or more races2%
• Unknown2%

• Faculty Breakout
• Total Faculty58
• Full-time Percentage97%
• Part-time Percentage3%
• Female Percentage83%
• Male Percentage17%

• Existing Research
• Focus of faculty researchCardiovascular disease, caregiver skill training, data mining, prostate cancer, neonatal immune system
• Externally sponsored research expenditures last year$4,664,595